Clearwater Beach / Island Estates / Sand Key
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Clearwater Beach, FL homes for sale
CLEARWATER BEACH, ISLAND ESTATES AND SAND KEY AVERAGE PROPERTY STATISTICS
- Average Property Prices
- Lowest: $269,140
- Average: $859,000
- Highest: $5,373,500
- Average Property Price per Square Feet
- Lowest: $544
- Average: $640
- Highest: $1,227
- Average Property Statistics in terms of:
- No. of Beds: 2.5
- No. of Baths: 1.7
- Square Feet: 2,210
Situated along Florida’s world-famous Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is one of the most highly desired places to live in the expansive Tampa Bay area. From luxurious waterfront properties and pristine white sand beaches to vibrant outdoor and retail spots, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more suitable community where you can enjoy the best that the region has to offer.
While this beautiful barrier island does get its fair share of tourists, an air of tranquility prevails throughout its private resort-style communities. Whichever secluded neighborhood you choose to reside in, it’ll feel like you’re worlds away from the busiest parts of the island. At the same time, you’re just minutes away from the finest urban amenities that the city of Clearwater has to offer.
If you’ve got your eye on a new home in Clearwater Beach, this comprehensive community guide will walk you through everything there is to know about this lovely island.
Location and geography
Clearwater Beach is separated by water from its namesake city. The main thoroughfare connecting the barrier island to the mainland is the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge. From the island, it takes less than 10 minutes to get to downtown Clearwater. Other places adjacent to Clearwater Beach include the vast Caladesi Island State Park, Belleair Beach, and the town of Belleair. Although there are a few mass transportation options (trolleys and ferries), the most convenient way to get around the area is by car.
ClimateMuch like the rest of the Tampa-St. Petersburg Metro area, Clearwater Beach has a warm and temperate climate, with over 230 days of sunshine on average every year. Meanwhile, the area receives about 51 inches of rain annually, slightly more than the national average. There’s zero chance of snowfall — much to the delight of its inhabitants!
In any given year, temperatures can range from 55°F to 90°F. The most comfortable months of the year are usually from November to April, when overall conditions are quite pleasant. Beginning in May, temperatures begin to go past 80°F and summertime is typically hot and humid. July is usually the hottest month.
Nearby towns and citiesThere are so many places beyond Clearwater Beach that are within easy reach. Proximity to these nearby towns and cities is what many vacationers and transplants love about this charming island.
Belleair, located on the mainland is known for its storied history as the home of the former Belleview Hotel — built by railroad titan Henry B. Plant and once the favorite refuge of snowbird elites. Blending an unmistakable small-town charm with modern elegance, this town is ideal for buyers looking for serene and elevated neighborhoods and access to the luxurious Belleair Country Club.
Belleair Beach/Belleair Shores are located just south of Sand Key. As separate cities from the town of Belleair and the city of Belleair Bluffs, the main appeal of Belleair Beach is a coveted shoreline along the Gulf Coast lined with million dollar beachfront homes.
Largo has a small stretch of shoreline but most of its area is situated further inland. As the third largest city in Pinellas County, Largo is replete with family-friendly attractions, cultural hotspots, and relatively affordable housing.
Dunedin is located to the north of Clearwater Beach. Known for its laid-back vibe and two idyllic islands (Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park), Dunedin is perfect for a weekend getaway. Avid baseball fans will also know that the city is home to the Dunedin Blue Jays, an affiliate of the Major League Toronto Blue Jays.
Overview of the real estate market
Clearwater Beach has some of the most expensive residential properties in the city of Clearwater. Homes for sale, especially in upscale communities like Island Estates, usually range in price from $340,000 to over $5 million.
With a mix of new construction and well-maintained properties from the 1950s, the housing stock is composed of lavish single-family homes, modern condos, and elegant townhouse units. Some of the typical home features worth highlighting include spacious courtyards, floor-to-ceiling windows, waterfront patios, swimming pools, and private boat slips/docks.
Architecture-wise, expect to find a wide selection of Mediterranean and Spanish-inspired properties. You’ll also find a number of contemporary, Coastal Americana, and Coastal Cottage homes.
Neighborhoods in and around Clearwater BeachIsland Estates Sandwiched between the mainland to the east and the longer stretch of Clearwater Beach to the west, Island Estates is where you’ll find homes that often go up for sale in the millions. If price is the very least of your concerns, a real estate investment in this luxury community is a worthy addition to your portfolio. There’s only a single point of entry via Island Way Road, restricting non-resident access. Beautiful waterfront homes and condos are spread out along finger-shaped outcroppings of land.
Mandalay The Mandalay Subdivision is populated by a decent variety of homes, from historic properties to more swanky recent units that are priced in the millions. Most properties with coveted views of the gulf rarely come on the market and you’ll have a quicker time finding available listings further inland. A big appeal for home buyers looking into this neighborhood is the easy access to Clearwater Beach’s busiest areas, which are just a few minutes away via the main thoroughfare of Mandalay Avenue.
Sand Key Although it’s technically outside of town, Sand Key is just five minutes away from the downtown area — just on the other side of Sand Key Bridge. Despite the short distance from Clearwater Beach, the atmosphere in the community feels calmer, especially since the area is a nesting site for sea turtles and the home of other wildlife (dolphins are a frequent sighting). Those who cherish that extra degree of peace and quiet gravitate to Sand Key’s high-end condos and small selection of single-family estates.
Nearby schools
As part of Clearwater city, Clearwater Beach is conveniently located within close proximity to schools served by Pinellas County Schools, the seventh largest school district in Florida. Here’s a snapshot of what you will find in the area:
Outdoor recreation by the water
Life revolves around the water in Clearwater Beach, and there’s plenty of ways to have a great time outside. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can look forward to doing here:
Bask in a white sand paradise. True to its name, Clearwater Beach features pristine white sand and crystal clear water — from its namesake beach, which stretches along the entire gulf-facing shoreline, to the beaches of Sand Key and Belleair.
Discover an abundance of parks and open spaces. Take a leisurely stroll and say hi to the neighborhood dogs at Mandalay Park. Get a workout in at the North Greenwood Recreation Center or bike along the scenic Memorial Causeway Bike Trail. Take the kids out to the playgrounds in Sunset Sam Park and Clearwater Memorial Park. Or, watch a concert and a variety of events by the waterfront at the newly renovated Coachman Park, which sprawls across 19 acres on the bluff and looks out on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge and the Clearwater Harbor Marina.
Explore unspoiled ecosystems. The vast Caladesi Island State Park shares the same strip of land as Clearwater Beach but it’s only accessible by boat. You can ride a ferry or your own private boat for a few hours to reach this well-preserved area. There’s a number of activities you can enjoy when you get to this part of the island — from kayaking through the bayside mangrove forest, to fishing and picnicking, to spending the night by the marina in a boat.
Get a good glimpse of the area’s marine diversity. For more than 50 years, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has led the way in marine mammal and sea turtle research while offering a temporary home for injured and sick wildlife. Take Winter the Dolphin, who was only two months old when she was found ensnared in a crab line in Mosquito Lagoon near Cape Canaveral.
Book a tee time at premier golf courses. The semi-private Clearwater Country Club in downtown Clearwater features a stellar course designed by Herbert Strong and a well-appointed clubhouse that can accommodate various private events. Owned and operated by the family of PGA Tour pro John Huston, The Landings Golf Club is a suitable 18-hole, par-63 public course for both beginners and experienced players. The historic Belleair Country Club is Florida’s first golf club and its construction in 1897 was funded by none other than Henry B. Plant.
Cultural attractions
The city of Clearwater and its surrounding communities are steeped in history and culture. Below are some of the galleries, museums, and significant landmarks you’ll find in the area:
For art aficionados, there’s quite a few galleries that’ll pique interest. Head to Coastal Beach Artworks on Sand Key for a captivating waterfront display. In the Clearwater downtown area, there’s Dick Zimmerman’s Art Gallery and Stacie Krupa Fine Art, among others.
You can visit the remnants of the Henry Scharrer Homestead, where Myrtle Scharrer Betz grew up — the only person known to have been born on Caladesi Island. She was the daughter of locally known homesteader Henry Scharrer, who immigrated from Switzerland and settled on the barrier island in the late 1880s. She is the author of Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise (published in 1985), a recounting of her life on Caladesi with her family.
Learn about the city’s importance in the development of South Florida at The Clearwater Historical Society and Museum. Pour through historical documents, photos, and a variety of 20th century artifacts that help paint an image of the area’s progression into a modern city.
The Heritage Village is an outdoor local museum that educates visitors about the extensive history of Pinellas County through various historic homes, structures, objects from the 19th and early 20th centuries — from the McMullen House built in 1868 to the Alahuzos Sponge Warehouse from the 1930s.
Largo Central Park’s Performing Arts Center is where you can go see a variety of family-friendly showcases, from heartfelt theater performances to energetic concerts. What’s more, the center also offers theater camps and private lessons for youth who want to hone an innate talent or simply explore a new hobby.
Local dining scene
There’s a mesmerizing array of restaurants and beloved watering holes in and around Clearwater Beach. We went out of our way to find the ones you should stop by on your food crawl.
Clear Sky Cafe is just one of many topnotch eats along Mandalay Avenue. If you’re looking for a sumptuous meal with excellent cocktails in a vibrant and upscale setting you can’t go wrong with this restaurant.
The homegrown Coco’s Crush Bar (the original branch is right on Clearwater Beach) is one of the many self-proclaimed “#1 beach bars” in the city, but this is one whose claim is well deserved. It’s buzzing with tasteful live music, patrons take part in a variety of fun games, and everything from the seafood entrees to their famous Coco’s Wings is impeccable.
Palm Pavillion Beachside Grill & Bar is a great laidback spot to admire the Gulf of Mexico and chow down on terrific steak, seafood wraps, and other beach favorites.
Housed in the 4-star Wyndham Grand, Ocean Hai is an upscale Asian-fusion restaurant under the capable culinary expertise of Chef Nana Darkwah. Enjoy a variety of gourmet dishes which utilize fresh locally sourced ingredients.
Located in the exclusive Island Estates, Island Way Grill is waterfront dining at its finest. Stone crab, fresh oysters, crispy cauliflower, and grilled octopus are just some of the highlights. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, a bridal shower, or simply getting together with longtime friends, the experience will surely be a memorable one.
SeaGuini is the place to admire sweeping views of the gulf while immersing yourself in Mediterranean flavors. The outdoor area has the best seats in the house, but there’s no reason to miss out on the lovely interior atmosphere.
Shopping
The long stretch of Mandalay Avenue is lined with a slew of shops where you can grab some essentials or get your dose of retail therapy. Check out:
Pier 60, a lively boardwalk at the heart of Clearwater Beach. The area flutters with activity day and day out with its buskers, artisanal craft stalls, and crowd-drawing events.
Pelican Walk Plaza, home to an assortment of local boutiques, water sports shops, and casual bars and restaurants.
Surf Style and Ron Jon Surf Shop, a few of the specialty stores that will more than likely have what you need for a boating excursion or other beach-related activity.