Pinellas Park, FL 504 Apartments for Rent

Located just 20 minutes from Tampa Bay, Pinellas Park, Florida is well known for its annual outdoor festivals.

With a population of 49,079 (2010 Census), Pinellas Park may seem like just another smallish-sized Florida city, but there's more here than immediately meets the eye. With its beautiful parks, community gardens and abundance of tropical landscaping, it may seem like another bucolic Florida paradise, but this town boasts a thriving business community that includes the U.S. corporate headquarters for Davidoff Cigars. In addition, manufacturers Work Tools International and Polypack are both located there, as is aeronautics giant Lockheed Martin; and the city's main business hub, Gateway Centre, has offices for a number of nationally-known companies. Even with this corporate vibe, however, Pinellas Park is a town that still has time for chili cook-offs, pancake breakfasts and band concerts in the park.

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Moving to Pinellas Park

Pinellas Park is a user-friendly, welcoming town for new residents, and it has a large number of apartments, condos and homes for rent. If you're lucky, you might also be able to find furnished apartments in the area, especially if they've been built with vacation renters in mind. Thanks to the town's relaxed, casual atmosphere, you shouldn't have any trouble finding pet-friendly apartments in Pinellas Park, but be prepared to pay a pet deposit.

When you're ready to look for rental properties, it's a good idea to take a drive through the city's different neighborhoods, because you're sure to find a few "For Rent" signs along the way, and you might even luck into a place that hasn't yet been advertised. Be advised, however, that this is Florida, and one-bedroom apartments in particular go quickly -- so if you find a deal, you'd better snap it up or someone else will. Property rentals don't come cheap in this area because it's a known tourist destination, so before you sign your lease, you'll need to be ready to pay first and last month's rent, plus a security deposit. If the property is privately-owned, however, you might be able to dicker a bit on the amount of your down payment.

Pinellas Park Neighborhoods

Pinellas Park is home to a number of attractive neighborhoods and subdivisions, so if you're looking for the ideal residential community, you're sure to find something to suit your lifestyle. Here are a number of popular areas where you can begin your search:

62nd Avenue: This area has a number of lovely apartments for rent at a variety of price points. It's also near a number of restaurants, including a locals' favorite, Ben Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant.

62nd Street North: In this picturesque neighborhood, you can usually find a variety of rental homes, as well as houses for sale.

52nd Street: The area between 52nd and 57th Streets usually features a number of houses for sale or for rent.

Sawgrass Village: This lovely residential community features homes with tropical landscaping and is centrally-located close to shops and restaurants, including Target and BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.

Gateway Centre: Although this was originally created as a commercial center, the area now boasts a number of newly-built luxury apartments.This area is just minutes away from Tampa Bay Grand Prix, plus amenities such as the Bank of America, Pollo Tropical Restaurant and Edward White Hospital.

Living in Pinellas Park

If you never want to see snow again, you're in the right place. Pinellas Park has one of those great Florida climates that the rest of the country envies, with wintertime high in the 70s. It does get pretty hot in the summer and the sun is intense, so stock up on the sunscreen and be prepared for temps in the 90s during July and August.

When it comes to getting around town, you can get just about anywhere you need to go via the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), which offers a comprehensive bus service for the entire county. If you can, however, bring your own wheels, because it's a big area and there are plenty of places you'll want to go.

It's probably not surprising that there's so much to see and do here, but what is perhaps surprising is the huge variety of attractions, some of them specializing in the unexpected and unusual. For instance, if you love cars, you'll become a regular visitor to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, which, in spite of its name, is actually located in Pinellas Park. It features a great collection of vintage cars and vehicles, including classic European models by Citron, Panhard, Voisin, Aero, Mercedes and DeLorean. It also houses the only existing fully-functioning replica of the first self-propelled vehicle, the French 1770 Fardier de Cugnot.

If you're a foodie, you'll enjoy the wide variety of restaurants that Pinellas Park has to offer. For casual dining, check out locals' favorite BJ's Restaurants and Brewhouse, where you'll find classic fare such as burgers, pizzas and sandwich platters, which you can wash down with a pint of artisan handcrafted beer. Another favorite is Cajun Caf on the Bayou, which features everything from fried frog's legs and alligator to soft-shell crabs. Be sure to try the signature dish, a magnificent, decadent crawfish touffe. If you're just looking for a great local bar for hanging out, stop by Bottles Pub, where you'll find a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and a great beer menu.

When it's time to go shopping, you'll find plenty of places to spend your hard-earned money. There's The Shoppes at Park Place, where you'll find a satisfying selection of nationally-known retailers, including Target and Marshalls. There's also a Walmart Neighborhood Market, a Sam's Club and a Home Depot, so you won't need to go too far afield for your necessities.

Pinellas Park has a large number of city parks, many with features such as equestrian trails and pristine lakes. One of the most popular is the Stanley & Doris Broderick Park and Recreation Center, a 10.8-acre oasis that features a 1.5-mile paved trail, pavilions, a baseball diamond and a number of athletic courts. Over at Davis Field, you'll find a football field, concession stands and seven baseball/softball fields complete with bleachers. For band concerts and festivals, locals congregate at England Brothers Park, which features a spacious band shell complete with dressing rooms for the performers. If you're a fan of horseback riding, you'll soon become a regular at the Helen S. Howarth Park & Equestrian Trail, where you'll find a great riding trail and a specially built equestrian area. Likewise, if you'd prefer a tranquil walk in a floral paradise, take a trip to Freedom Lake Park, where you'll find a resplendent community garden, as well as a deeply moving memorial to area veterans of the Korean War.

If you love concerts and theater, you'll be spending some time at the city's recently built Performing Arts Center, where you can enjoy a roster of concerts and theatrical productions, including regular performances by the Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra. Pinellas Park also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including Country in the Park, an outdoor country music festival in March that features celebrity entertainers, food and even a car show. There's also the Firefighter's Chili Blaze, an annual cook-off held to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

If golfing is your passion, you'll want to be there for tee time at Mainlands Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-63 course that offers a challenging layout. Just 15 minutes away in Largo, you'll also find Bayou Country Club, which features a lush, landscaped course designed by Tom Fazio.

Pinellas Park manages to pull off the near-impossible by being all things to all people. For tourists and folks just passing through, it's a charming Florida sunbelt town. For business types, it's a corporate nerve center. Best of all, for local residents it's a fabulous place to hang your hat and call home.