There are close to 17,000 residents in Safety Harbor, a Florida city with a strong sense of community, as demonstrated by local businesses that drive the economy and how people interact with neighbors and tourists alike. “This is a community where you can walk down, people are going to smile at you, look you in the eye,” says Donna Nettestad, Realtor with Re/Max Action First. Another draw of the city is its location in the heart of Tampa Bay. “We’re like the cog in the center of the wheel, and everything spins off of Safety Harbor,” says Christine Harlan, Realtor with Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. Safety Harbor borders Clearwater, and downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg are less than 20 miles away.
Safety Harbor offers a variety of cozy restaurants with sidewalk seating for people watching.
The folks in Safety Harbor are super friendly and always ready to offer a big smile.
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Variety of homes with little room to grow
Home styles range from Florida ranch-style houses and bungalows to multi-story homes with stucco facades and contemporary multi-million dollar estates. Locals also live in townhomes, condos and manufactured home communities with pools and other amenities. Over 75% of residents are homeowners, but homes in Safety Harbor are out of reach for some homebuyers. “There’s a lot of newer properties, some good for first-time home buyers, but overall it’s a little pricier because it’s so well-kept," says Realtor Renny Bryden. Single-family houses range from $300,000 for a modest ranch or bungalow to $1.3 million for a contemporary estate.
You can fins a classic ranch home in Safety Harbor perfect for first time buyers.
A colorful cottage style, two-story house is surrounded by trees in Safety Harbor.
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Vibrant downtown is residents' first choice
Safety Harbor’s Main Street has a café or restaurant for all times of the day. Locals get caffeinated at Café Vino Tinto, which offers fresh coffee, waffles and other breakfast staples. Pan-fried chicken and other homestyle dishes are enjoyed around the outdoor fire pit at Southern Fresh. Kitschy nick-nacks decorate the storefront of The Sandwich on Main, a Safety Harbor staple serving up various specialty and made-to-order sandwiches. There are also classic Irish pubs like Nolan’s Pub, a laid-back bar with a solid selection of beers and wines. Main Street also has a fair number of retailers like Portkey Books, a friendly, locally owned bookstore with author readings and book clubs. Shoppers can pick up freshly caught seafood and baked treats from The Tides Market. Staple groceries are available at national chains like Publix.
The Sandwich on Main is a popular Safety Harbor spot for a great breakfast or lunch.
Cafe Vino Tinto offers up specialty snacks and coffee drinks in Safety Harbor.
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Festivals and monthly events downtown
Most events are held in Downtown Safety Harbor , including the monthly Third Friday celebration and the Saturday farmers market. Annual events include the Safety Harbor Wine Festival, which features live music and wine tastings, and the Craft Beer Festival, presented by Crooked Thumb Brewery and Troubled Waters Brewing. Every March is the Bloom N Chalkfest, which takes over Main Street. “They’ve had as many as 80 to 90 artists, and they have a lot of local Florida chalk artists, but they also bring in artists from other states,” says Ali Schaaff, Realtor with Re/Max Action First. Most of these events give back to the community, fundraising for organizations like The Kiwanis Club of Safety Harbor.
Safety Harbor enjoys a full calendar of events throughout the year, weekly and monthly too.
Music at sunset at the Safety Harbor Wine Festival is one of the local favorite events.
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Pedestrians, cars and golf carts share the road
When traveling within the city, especially near downtown, Safety Harbor's residents are just as likely to walk or bike as they are to take their golf cart or car. Major thoroughfares include Philippe Parkway, which intersects with U.S. Route 19 and leads to the Courtney Campbell Causeway and McMullen Booth Road. Downtown Tampa is less than 20 miles away. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is about 10 miles away, while Tampa International is 15. Mease Countryside Hospital is in the northern part of the city, although many people go to BayCare Health System, which is about 3 miles away.
Holiday Sip & Shop is a fun night on the cozy streets of Safety Harbor.
Safety Harbor a golf cart is a must have for fun travel around town.
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Outdoor opportunities along Old Tampa Bay
There are 19 parks in Safety Harbor, ranging from the shaded Baranoff Park to Waterfront Park, where people can walk along Old Tampa Bay and look for manatees. Philippe Park – named for Odet Philippe, who settled in Safety Harbor and introduced grapefruits to the region – spans 92 acres and features a playground and boat ramp. However, the park’s most notable feature is the Temple Mound, built by the Tocobaga tribe of Native Americans. “It’s said to protect from hurricanes,” says Rebecca Hardin, Realtor with Re/Max Champions. It is the largest mound in the Tampa Bay region. Also in Safety Harbor is Folly Farms, a nature preserve with a community orchard and farm animals that hosts field trips for kids.
The oak tree at Baranoff Park is estimated to be 300 to 500 years old.
Safety Harbor Wine Festival is at the Water Front Park in Safety Harbor.
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Pinellas County Schools serve Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor is part of Pinellas County Schools, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Safety Harbor Middle School became an International Baccalaureate World School in 2024, meaning that the curriculum focuses on interdisciplinary subjects, global perspectives and a comprehensive understanding of the content. Private schools include Espiritu Santo Catholic School and Safety Harbor Montessori Academy. The Tampa Bay Regional Campus of Nova Southeastern University is about 3 miles south of Safety Harbor and specializes in healthcare, with programs like occupational therapy and cardiovascular sonography.
Safety Harbor Middle school offers grades 6-8 for students in Greater Safety Harbor South, FL.
Espiritu Santo Catholic School is one of 11 private schools in Safety Harbor.
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Tropical climate with risk of hurricanes
Safety Harbor’s sunny climate allows tropical gardens to thrive. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is a very high risk of hurricanes. However, because of the area’s high elevation, the risk of flooding is low for most properties.
According to the FBI, violent and property crimes in Safety Harbor have decreased in the past two years.
Denise Antonewitz is one of Pinellas and Hillsborough County’s leading Realtors catering to all types of buyers and sellers, from first time home buyers to investment to luxury with a total of over 450 million in sales volume and over 1,100 homes sold in the Tampa Bay Area in just the past 12 years. Denise continues to be in the top 1% of all licensed Realtors in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties year after year.
Denise is a 4th generation native Floridian. Denise was born and raised right here in St Petersburg. Being a native of the area gives her the advantage of knowing this market and territory better than most. After having a career as a licensed dental hygienist for 17 years, she decided to retire from that and go after her dream job of being a Real Estate Agent.
She has become a luxury specialist and earned her certification from the Institute of Luxury Marketing. Denise’s proven results in providing her clients with exceptional service are evident in her repeat and referral business.
She is actively involved with the Pinellas Realtor Organization, is a certified luxury marketing specialist and a member of KW Luxury International. Denise is a proven leader as she has been a member of the Associate Leadership Council for the past 5 consecutive years. Only the top agents in the office are chosen for this role.
Denise’s success is the result of her business education and extensive training from Keller Williams Realty. She is driven, strong willed, and compassionate.
Surrounding herself with the best, Denise has chosen an experienced team of professionals that provide her clients with excellent customer service, effective marketing strategies, and personal attention to their real estate needs.
The entire team is committed to getting the job done for their clients. As full-time, full-service Realtors, they go above and beyond to ensure that their buyers and sellers have an enjoyable and stress-free experience. They are real estate matchmakers and love what they do.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
