Raising Locals: Love Letters to St. Pete

Dear St. Pete,

Maybe it was love at first sight or a reverence that grew with each trip to one of your world-class museums or waterfront parks. We aren’t quite sure when it happened, but we fell head-over-heels. So we write this letter to you during the most romantic time of year to share our love and gratitude for giving us such a beautiful place to raise our families.

As ordinary moms in this extraordinary city, the love we feel — from the people to the places and all of the murals in between — is pure magic. Even your old brick streets (and new bike lanes) welcome our bicycles and wagons as we adventure on a sunny Saturday afternoon to local markets and events.

This Valentine’s Day, we want to give the love back to you, our Sunshine City. We asked other local families, children included, “What do you love about St. Pete?” The answers are enough to give you the warm and fuzzies from head to toe (and maybe even a little giggle).

From the Parents:

Thank you, St. Pete, for giving us a place to raise our children in an open-minded, welcoming city that not only understands but emanates love. – Denielle K.

I love living in a city where museums like the Dali and MFA are just a bike ride away; where art and music are everywhere; where diversity is celebrated; and where local leaders make decisions to protect our future generations. – Vandi C.

It’s so family-friendly and there is always something to do here! We’re so lucky to have sunshine and warm weather year round so we can spend time outside. – Jaime D.

I love the culture and community! – Lauren S.

I love the community and being around people who support progress, technology, the arts, and the culture of our area. I also love that St. Pete has so many beautiful parks and charmingly unique neighborhoods. – Kristin N.

I love the ease of living and raising kids in St. Pete where winter beach days are a thing, live music and amazing food are all around, family- friendly entertainment and events are nearly every weekend, and nothing is too far apart. – Jamey. D

I love St. Pete because it’s big enough to have all the wonderful things you want from a big city — cultural and educational experiences, sports, nature, great food — yet small enough that it feels like a cozy community where every weekend you see friends and classmates while out and about. – Karri M.

I love St. Pete because it has been my home my whole life and I’m so excited for my babies to get to experience the same town that just gets cooler and cooler every year. – Samantha R.

I love the accessibility to public parks. – Aaron C.

From the kids:

It’s like paradise and that’s why people vacation here. I like going to the beach. And I like that it has less traffic than Tampa. – Brayden, age 10

I love St. Pete because I get to walk places to get ice cream, donuts, and coffee. – Lennon, age 3

I like all of the parades, playing at Boyd Hill, and our mayor. – Alex, age 7

I love St. Pete because at Christmas time they have a huge tree with lots of lights and decorations for all the families! – Liam, age 7

I love riding bicycles everywhere and Pathfinder’s Open Tree Climb. – Alexander, age 7

I like living close to so many friends, playing at all of the parks, and seeing alligators. – Carter, age 7

It is sunny and hot! – Drew

Our parks are the best! – Tyler, age 7

There are lots of cookies here. And my home is here. – Rosie, age 3

Vandi and Denielle are the moms behind Sunshine City Kids, an online resource for all things kid-friendly in St. Petersburg. Follow the Sunshine City Kids at www.sunshinecitykids.com.