English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in St Petersburg, FL

Another day at home is another day in paradise. Yet again, the City of St. Pete is earning accolades as one of the premier cities to reside in, this time being named the best place to live in Florida among small and mid-size cities, and the 8th-best overall in the southeast.

The new rankings from Livability.com focused exclusively on cities with a population between 75,000 and 500,000, a range that St. Pete fell almost perfectly in the middle of (though the population of Pinellas County as a whole is, of course, much larger). The website worked with Applied Geographic Solutions to come up with a Top 100 list based on dozens of data points, weighted heavily by affordability and the relative ease of building a career and happy life.

St. Pete took the top spot among qualifying cities in Florida, just ahead of Fort Lauderdale. The only other Florida city to make the Top 25 cut was Orlando. Johns Creek, Georgia was the overall top scorer on the list. It should be noted that Livability’s definition of the Southeast spreads as far west as Texas and as far north as Maryland. St. Pete topped everyone from Austin and Little Rock to Nashville and Wilmington.

St. Pete was credited highest for amenities lending themselves to a great work-life balance, relative affordability of housing, a perfect inclusivity score, access to transportation, and a growing business sector. You can see the full report here.

More from Livability: “Locals and residents alike mingle at more than 1,000 special events and festivals that happen annually, ranging from yachting events, farmers markets, Florida’s largest Pride celebration and a long-running parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. Petersburg is also a city that prides itself on inclusivity. For example, the city scores a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipality Equality Index.

“Stellar amenities also help St. Pete shine – we’re talking lots of pickleball courts, plus dog parks, the 45-mile Pinellas Trail that’s built atop old railroad tracks, award-winning golf courses and a historic shuffleboard and lawn bowling complex with 74 courts and grandstand seating. St. Petersburg also gets accolades for being an artsy city. Second Saturday ArtWalks, the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg can’t be missed.

“But of course, one of St. Pete’s most prized amenities is its natural beauty, which includes 244 miles of shoreline along Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and intercoastal waterways. There’s also a unique downtown waterfront with restaurants and bars and a free Looper Trolley that connects to the city’s major attractions.”

St. Petersburg native Jordan Jacobson had given up on basketball once he graduated from Shorecrest Preparatory School.

"I went to a bigger school than my basketball talents were going to take me to," Jacobson said. "I thought I was done with basketball, but life has a funny way of working out."

What we know:

Jacobson attended his dream school, the University of Michigan. However, basketball kept calling his name.

He made his return to the court as a student manager on the Wolverines' basketball team.

"I found myself back in the sport, back where I am supposed to be and back where I am passionate," Jacobson said.

The backstory:

He found success in Ann Arbor. He was a student manager for three seasons, the last of which he was named the head student manager. In his time at Michigan, the Wolverines made a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2019 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2021.

When he graduated in 2021, he came back to the sunshine state as a grad assistant at the University of Florida under former Gators head coach Mike White. Once leadership changed and Todd Golden came to town, the new coaching staff kept Jacobson on board after impressing during on-campus recruiting.

"I proved some institutional knowledge and value," Jacobson said.

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Local perspective:

After two years in Gainesville, Jacobson earned his master's degree in Sport Management at Florida and was eventually hired as the Gators' video coordinator. Last season, he was promoted to the director of basketball operations just in time for Florida to win the program's third national title. Jacobson has now been at Florida for five seasons. He sees some similarities between the two No. 1 seeded teams.

"It's special to be a part of this group," Jacobson said. "I have been really blessed in my career with different groups and this one is really special."

He believes the Gators can experience another special March for the second year in a row.

What they're saying:

"I feel really confident in our group that we will be able to make a run," Jacobson said. "I'm hoping to make it all the way. Whoever stands in our path, we'll be up for the challenge."

And one day, Jacobson aims to be up to becoming a head coach. However, right now, he just wants to enjoy the journey until he makes it there.

"I will take it one day at a time," Jacobson said. "Obviously, try and be the best version of myself for this team as it currently stands. I hope to one day run my own program and be able to use all that I have learned from all the great coaches and all that I have been able to learn from this program so far to make as much of a difference as possible. Obviously, compete at the highest level and win some games. Really passionate about the college game and the opportunity to lead young men and help people grow, but take it one day at a time. I am here in the present right now. I am 10 toes down in what I currently have to do to orient myself to lead the best life that I possibly can and give as much to this world and this game as I possibly can."

What's next:

Jacobson and the Gators battle 16-seed Prairie View A&M on Friday Night at 9:25 p.m. The game will be televised on TNT.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Mark Skol, Jr. during an interview with Jordan Jacobson ahead of the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

This list is brought to you by @sunshinecitywithkids. Events Beyond the Burg are made possible by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

Check back each Wednesday for updates, and be sure to submit your events to our calendar. Looking for more? Check out our full weekend events roundup. Find the best kid-friendly restaurants in St. Pete here.

Family and Kid-Friendly Events This Weekend: March 6-8

St. Pete CommUNITY FestivalSaturday, March 7, 1pm–9:30pmAzalea Park, St. PetersburgCelebrate community at this all-day festival featuring live music, local food vendors, art displays, family activities, and games. The event highlights neighborhood organizations and local creatives while bringing residents together for an afternoon and evening of entertainment, culminating with a laser show.

Embracing Our Community: St. Pete’s Grand Opening CelebrationSaturday, March 7, 1pm–4pmPoynter Park, St. PetersburgCelebrate art, inclusion, and community during this family-friendly event connected to the Embracing Our Differences exhibition. The afternoon features live music, food trucks, art activities for kids, and booths from local organizations, all centered around promoting kindness and diversity in the community.

She is Football 5K, Market & FestivalSaturday, March 7, 8am–3pmAdventHealth Training Center & Raymond James Stadium, TampaKick off the morning with the She is Football 5K run, walk, and stroll through Buccaneers facilities before celebrating at the post-race market and festival. The event includes local vendors, food trucks, music, kids activities, and girls flag football competitions, all designed to celebrate and empower women and girls in sports.

SPIFFS 50th Annual International Folk FairSaturday, March 7, 10am–6pmEngland Brothers Park, Pinellas ParkTake a trip around the world without leaving Pinellas County at this long-running cultural festival. Representing dozens of countries, the event features authentic international food, traditional dance and music performances, cultural exhibits, crafts, and a global marketplace celebrating heritage from around the world.

Sensory Saturday at the Museum of Fine ArtsSaturday, March 7, 9am–11amMuseum of Fine Arts, St. PetersburgDesigned for guests with sensory sensitivities and their families, Sensory Saturday offers a calmer museum experience before regular hours. Visitors can explore select galleries in a quieter environment and participate in hands-on art activities created with accessibility and comfort in mind.

Dream Asia FestivalSaturday & Sunday, March 7–8, hours varyFlorida State Fairgrounds, TampaOne of the largest Asian food and culture festivals in the region returns with dozens of food vendors, cultural performances, music, cosplay, anime merchandise, and interactive experiences. Guests can sample dishes from across Asia while enjoying live entertainment and shopping from specialty vendors throughout the weekend.

Looking for more? Check out our , and follow @sunshinecitywithkids on Instagram and TikTok for even more family-friendly content!

Florida Orthopaedic Institute St. Petersburg has opened a new medical campus on 5th Street North, expanding orthopedic services and introducing what the organization says is the city’s first urgent care clinic dedicated exclusively to musculoskeletal injuries.

The facility, located at 10051 5th St. N., opened Dec. 8. A ribbon cutting wih Mayor Ken Welch was held March 13. The campus represents a major expansion for the practice formerly known as All Florida Orthopedic. The move increases clinic capacity, expands rehabilitation space and adds advanced imaging capabilities as demand for orthopedic care continues to grow across Pinellas County.

Leaders with the organization say the new campus was designed to make care more accessible and streamlined for patients who need diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint and muscle conditions.

The building provides roughly 40 percent more clinic capacity, which the practice says will reduce wait times and allow more patients to schedule appointments. The physical therapy and rehabilitation center has also doubled in size.

An expanded imaging suite is another major component of the facility. The campus now offers CT scans, open MRI, X-ray and musculoskeletal ultrasound on site. Having those technologies in one location allows physicians to evaluate injuries and begin treatment more quickly without sending patients to outside imaging centers.

The most visible addition is a walk-in orthopaedic urgent care clinic designed to treat injuries that do not require a hospital emergency room but still need immediate specialty care.

Patients can visit the urgent care for fractures, sprains, strains and sports injuries without an appointment. The clinic provides access to orthopedic specialists and imaging equipment that would not typically be available at a general urgent care center.

Physicians say the goal is to give patients a faster and more specialized option for injuries involving bones, joints and muscles while also helping reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.

Paul Pagano, managing partner of Florida Orthopaedic Institute St. Petersburg, said the expansion reflects the organization’s long history in the city and its continued investment in local care.

“We’ve cared for St. Petersburg patients for over 40 years and this expansion ensures we can continue delivering exceptional care for decades to come,” Pagano said in a prepared statement.

Florida Orthopaedic Institute is one of the largest orthopedic physician groups in the state. The St. Petersburg practice, which operated for decades as All Florida Orthopedic Associates, now operates under the FOI name while continuing to serve patients throughout Pinellas County.

TAMPA, Fla. - The future of flying over Tampa Bay may be closer than anyone thought. Florida has been selected as one of just eight nationwide test sites for a new federal program designed to bring electric air taxis, often called "flying cars," into real-world operation.

Federal officials say Americans could begin seeing operations under the program by summer 2026.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration this week unveiled the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The goal: fast-track next-generation aircraft into American skies.

Florida’s Department of Transportation will oversee the statewide effort. Major aircraft manufacturers involved include Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies.

Testing will unfold in phases, focusing on:

While specific Florida cities have not been formally designated for initial operations, local planning efforts suggest St. Petersburg could be well positioned.

In February, St. Petersburg’s Advanced Air Mobility Task Force released a sweeping recommendation report outlining how the city should prepare for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft — known as eVTOLs.

Among the recommendations:

The task force also recommended establishing a regional flight corridor linking Albert Whitted Airport to Tampa International Airport.

If implemented, that corridor could significantly reduce commute times across Tampa Bay. A drive that can stretch to 45 minutes (or much longer during rush hour) could take just minutes by air.

However, the task force emphasized that any new air mobility projects cannot disrupt existing operations at Albert Whitted Airport.

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Dig deeper:

Unlike traditional helicopters, most eVTOL aircraft are battery-powered and designed to be significantly quieter. They take off and land vertically but operate more like small airplanes once airborne.

Most models carry between two and six passengers and are designed for short regional flights of 60 to 200 miles.

Manufacturers envision use cases that include:

The FAA says data collected in Florida and the other selected states will help shape the rules that govern these aircraft nationwide.

Big questions still remain

Even with federal backing, several hurdles remain before routine air taxi service becomes reality in Tampa Bay:

Where would vertiports ultimately be located?

How would battery charging infrastructure be built and funded?

What would noise levels mean for nearby neighborhoods?

How would new air traffic coexist with major events like the St. Pete Grand Prix?

Full commercial certification of aircraft is still progressing, and large-scale passenger service would require additional regulatory approvals.

The backstory:

There is also a historical twist.

St. Petersburg was the launch site of the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight in 1914 — a 23-minute trip across Tampa Bay that helped spark the modern passenger airline industry.

More than a century later, the city may once again find itself at the forefront of aviation innovation.

Whether Tampa Bay becomes one of the first regions in America where residents routinely hop into an electric air taxi remains to be seen.

But this much is clear: Florida is now officially part of the test phase, and Tampa Bay could play a key role in what comes next.

The Source: This story is based on a federal announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. Additional information comes from recommendations released by the City of St. Petersburg’s Advanced Air Mobility Task Force.