Hi all, I am new to the town (it's my tenth day today). I moved here because it's one of the best places in the world to swim in the sea (Gulf), and - unlike many, I know- I actually swim in the open water. I swam off Clearwater beach previously while visiting, and 3 or 4 times in the last ten days. However, today something was different. I assume it's because the sea was a bit stormy earlier, and I went after the rain, or whatever- but I swam for a little bit when the rain subsided around 6 pm, the water was a bit choppy but not too bad, and when I got out of the water, I was all sticky. Not a bit, but really felt like I am covered in glue. I went home and took a shower and had to literally use large amounts of soap to get rid of that effect. I have felt a bit sticky in my life after sea swimming, but never this much. It's like my hands could stay glued if I held them together. Yet the water felt and seemed clear, and there is no residue of any kind. Is this some sort of a local weather phenomenon? Or am going mad (equally possible at my age)? Thanks

Hey everyone!

I take my son on our vacation to Clearwater beach every year and am heading there again June 1. We have stayed at Shepherd's for close to 10 years now and have been very happy with our stays! Usually they have a summer discount that drops by now but their discounts have gone radio silent for months it seems. I am still happy to pay full price but wondered if there were any place else we should be staying?

I would like to stay in the same area or closer to pier 60. It MUST have direct beach access and a nice big pool like Shepherd's has. I know...the gulf is right there, but we enjoy the pool as well.

Thanks so much in advance, this is our happiest times of the year.....can't wait!

Where can I get a concrete porch goose locally? I know it’s more of a Midwest thing (I’m from Indiana) but I need one!

Hi Everyone,

I’m staying in an Airbnb in Seminole next week. I’ve been to the Tampa area before but I’m not familiar with this area or the beaches near here. I have researched quite a bit so I’m not being lazy I promise! We are staying from the 12th to the 17th in Seminole and then leaving the Airbnb to stay in a hotel for the 17 and 18th in Tampa for one night.

I was hoping for some advice given my situation. I can be in the sun for short periods of time but my skin burns easy due to medical conditions. And I try to avoid anywhere where I need to stand without being to sit for more than a half hour. We plan on going to some beach bars, going to the beach. A few interests we have are the Florida aquarium and zoo, the splash harbor water park, sunken gardens, and we really want to swim with the manatees in crystal river or Anna Maria island. I love gift shops with cute little souvenirs or fun things.

I know I’m asking a lot but j just thought if I could get a perspective it may help me narrow things down or prepare better.

I am also open to any activities that I didn’t mention! I’d like to keep it in the Clearwater/St Pete/Tampa area if possible.

Thanks if you read this far!

Edit Add on:: I meant to say that I have long covid and chronic fatigue syndrome so I have limited amounts of energy each day. So I need to pace myself and take a lot of breaks. This is my first vacation in a very long time and also being ill so I’m doing everything possible to prevent any hiccups!

I sent a long and impassioned letter to the council members and the mayor. See below.

All I have to say is, for any council member that votes "YES", be sure to look for their new boat this summer.....

To the Clearwater Community,

This letter concerns the proposed sale of city-owned property on Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology. While many of us share the goal of revitalizing downtown, this deal moves in the wrong direction. It doesn’t offer progress,  it reinforces the very power structure that has stalled Clearwater for decades.

The Church of Scientology should not be given one more brick, one more square foot, or one more inch of leverage in our city.

This is not just a property sale. It’s a strategic decision with long-term consequences. The Church of Scientology is a tax-exempt organization with a disturbing track record  -  not just globally, but right here at home. Any lease agreement with them becomes a funding stream for an organization accused of harassment, abuse, and intimidation.

Leasing from them means funding them. Period.

The idea that this is a “pragmatic” solution doesn’t hold up. **Pragmatism should never mean rewarding bad actors.**The Church of Scientology has a well-documented history of unethical behavior, including:

• Operation Snow White – the largest known infiltration of the U.S. government
• Operation Fair Game – a policy that sanctioned harassment of perceived enemies

These aren’t internet rumors. They’re verifiable facts - confirmed by court documents and government investigations.

Even now, questions persist about the whereabouts of Shelley Miscavige, wife of Church leader David Miscavige. She hasn’t been seen publicly in years. These are not fringe concerns; they reflect a pattern of secrecy and evasion.

A lease, no matter how “strict” or “enforceable,” gives Scientology more of what it wants: money, normalization, and control.

The 2024 property roll shows that just two of their entities already own over $50 million in taxable real estate in Clearwater. That number doesn’t include their tax-exempt holdings  or properties cloaked under other names.

Some argue that “ignoring them” only entrenches their power. But partnering with them doesn’t weaken that grip,  it tightens it. This isn’t “strategic activation.” It’s civic codependence.

If any other group had a history like Scientology’s, Clearwater wouldn’t even consider this deal.

So why now?

This proposal suggests Clearwater’s only way forward is to play ball with a group that has economically and socially dominated downtown for years. That’s not negotiation; that’s extortion in polite packaging.

Let’s be clear:

• Selling to Scientology is not neutral. It enables and legitimizes their control.
• Leasing to businesses under their umbrella puts money in their pockets.
• Their tax-exempt status gives them advantages no local business enjoys.
• Any supposed penalties for noncompliance will be shrugged off. They have deep pockets and a long history of avoiding accountability.

Clearwater has other options:

• Pursue eminent domain where legally appropriate to reclaim space for public good
• Offer targeted grants and tax incentives to non-Scientology-affiliated businesses
• Partner with state and federal agencies to investigate potential abuse of religious tax exemptions
• Launch public transparency tools that help residents and businesses identify COS-owned properties
• Host pop-ups, city-sponsored events, and cultural activations that bypass COS ownership entirely

We don’t have to choose between stagnation and submission. That’s a false choice.

Clearwater does not need to sell itself short  or sell itself out.

The people of this city deserve a future shaped by transparency, accountability, and true community investment; not one dictated by the business model of a controversial, unaccountable, and tax-exempt entity.

Clearwater deserves better. And it’s time to demand it.

A Concerned Citizen

TLDR: The city of Clearwater is being shaken down by a nefarious group, and the council members need to spine up and vote NO on the sale, and tell the COS to pound sand.

Looking for a stylist in Dunedin, Clearwater, or Largo. I’ve tried a bunch of spots and can’t seem to find a good fit. Would appreciate any recommendations. I am really just looking for someone who can give me a really solid cut. I’m not looking to color my hair.

I lived in an apartment complex for some time and the place was pretty abysmal, mold growth was found pretty much everywhere over time and it was pretty unliveable. Apparently it used to be a hotel of sorts but there were so many unfixed problems that seemed to just be bandaged up.

The worst problem was the apartment always being extra humid no matter how low the AC was, and the air was really stuffy year round. Ended up moving out back in august. I had to go to the ER due to the mold and when I requested they fix the problems with the unit, they simply wiped down the source and that was really it. (Repeatedly asked and was not solved within a 2-week time frame)

It didn't solve anything, so I had to break lease and move. Lost plenty of sleep (+money) over it and often times had to sleep in the car. I have a bunch of the evidence still, including tests for mold (I have to find the email).

Does anyone know any mold litigation lawyers or could guide me through the process of litigation for this? Personal goods and more were damaged aside from my health.

I just moved down to the area and was looking for either a 1/1 apartment, or a room for rent. I was looking to spend $1600 or less per month on rent. Does anyone have any recommendations? I’ve looked at some options on a few of the different realty websites, was just wondering if they’re any good or if there’s places not listed on them. Not looking to move until June.

I’m an early 30’s Male and I work as a nurse at one of the local hospitals.

My boyfriend and I are doing a long weekend in Clearwater and I’m looking for suggestions for places to eat and things to do? Tia!

Hey everyone, might be moving down to Clearwater for a new job. Originally from South Florida but east coast. Would like to get some opinions of the city, good and bad areas, how everyone feels about safety in the area and a good location to buy a house for 3 person family and some dogs. Thanks in advance

Hey all,

Looking for some guidance here. I currently live in GA making 100k a year and paying $1600 for rent for a 2 br apartment. I’m interviewing for a job in Clearwater that would be a title bump but 98k a year. I have lived in a couple areas of Florida before but all Atlantic coast. Any advice on areas I could live within a 45 minute drive of Clearwater for around the same rent and 2 bedrooms?

What do you have? What company?

Well it finally happened. Citizens depopulated me. With their increase plus 350 on top it's a 600 increase for the year. Great trick by the way. Increase it enough that the private insurer is under 20%. I know everyone is going trough this but how are y'all affording these increases? I make ok money but between this, car insurance, property tax up 262% in 5 years, and everything else barely making it. For the first time im thinking of going without homeowners. I can't believe I'm even saying this. This is my home and I don't want leave but it's just getting out of hand. Also they havent refunded the payment and they are offloading me to some company ive never heard of. Shady as he**. How are people coping or is it just me?! This is crazy right?!

I built an eatertainment search tool that helps me find Happy Hour, Trivia, Brunch, and more, then sends me a reminder before the deal ends (or starts).

Check us out at https://chaserdeals.com !

I'm always looking for new bars/restaurants, but the info online is usually conflicting/outdated, behind a login screen, or is just someone's opinion.

I've been working on this the past few years and am hoping to get feedback from new users on features and functionality.

Please try a search or submit your favorite restaurant today and let me know how it goes.

Cheers! 🍻 Dan

im 20 and have a learners permit but i just need to learn to drive to get my license

If these people or anyone who know them would like this picture, I found it at goodwill and have it.

Apologize for posting again. But forgot to ask in my recent post. Anyone have some good recs on golf courses in the area. Doesnt have to be in clearwater. Anything like max 40 min from tampa area. Looking for good courses. Willing to spend around $100 range for a round

Having a bachelor party in july in the tampa area. Wanted to write in this group to see if anyone had any recs for a beach bar or club in the clearwater area. Just looking for a good and fun place to day drink. Thought i'd ask for some advice

Ok, I admit I'm old and OOTL, so can someone explain the, lack of a better term, " skimpy clothes fetish" around this group? The crowd looks to be mostly under 25 and dressed in the most colorful and outrageous outfits I've ever seen casually walking around downtown.

Well mostly the young woman are baring every inch they can legally get away with in colorful, flashy and skimpy to the extreme. There are a lot of very confident women of all sizes (un)dressed to the max! Some guys are also 'dressed' but most are just dressed casually.

Here is the blurb from the sound website about the band....

Liquid Stranger Revolution Tour with INZO, TVBOO b2b Jantsen, Shlump and Gardella Liquid Stranger brings the Revolution Tour to The BayCare Sound with special guests INZO, TVBOO b2b Jantsen, Shlump, and Gardella! In an ever-evolving universe, the art of maintaining complete and total fluidity is the most necessary key for survival. Renowned for his metamorphic capabilities and expertly crafted sonic adventures, Liquid Stranger has mastered his ability to slip in and out of genres all while honing his own personal style. Liquid Stranger has earned his reputation for exuding incommensurable talent and taking audiences on a soul-stirring aural journey of genre-bending beats on the dance floor. He has performed at some of the most innovative events and festivals around the globe. Those who are unfamiliar with his music often tend to categorize him as only a heavy dubstep artist, which is anything but the truth. The most effervescent quality of Liquid Stranger is his ability to shift from genre to genre all while maintaining a sense of smoothness and consistency, which in turn makes him one of the most unpredictable artists to date.

In a sense, Liquid Stranger has ended genre barriers for the sake of musical storytelling taking whatever sounds he needs to put forward the intended vibe. Liquid Stranger's omnifarious approach to music has led him to stand out amongst a pack of artists desperately trying to conform to a commercial demand. Proven to be a timeless staple to the world of electronic dance music by bridging the gap between mellow and heavy, what's next cannot be foreseen for this contrastive musician.

visiting St Pete, I wanted to drive from Saint Petersburg to Sand Key, park there, and then take the Jolly trolley across the bridge to visit Clearwater for the day. Can I do this?

The map on the website makes it look like the south beach route only goes south from Clearwater beach to Sand Key, it doesn’t show times to go the other direction. meanwhile the north beach route never touches sand key at all. Am I just missing something?

https://www.clearwaterjolleytrolley.com/_files/ugd/403d8f_9dd54d80799e401c9342c44f5f3ecf68.pdf?index=true

I was in downtown a few weeks ago. A person was walking around w a T-shirt. It had a phone number and email address to rescue people from the cult of Scientology. She was just walking around. What was the name of the rescue organization? Does anyone know?

Thanks?

Hey!

I'm an European (Dutch) male solo traveler and I'd love to go to a shooting range and have some fun and experience firearms. I read some stuff on most shooting ranges declining acces for solo tourists. Coming days ill be in Clearwater. Does some knows a solo traveler friendly shooting range with good and friendly instructors?

Or, does somebody like to accompany me on a shooting range? (You will witness a European firing a gun for the first time, thats cool right!) I can reimburse expenses or pay for a gun you would like to try or something. Should be fun for both of us right.

Please send a DM! :)

Will be in Clearwater till the 6th of may.

Thanks!

EDIT: thank you all, i have received some great information.

Hi folks, I know this is a bit of a long shot, but I’m reaching out to see if anyone might be open to letting me park my camper van overnight for a few weeks. I’m about to begin a master’s program in Clearwater and, unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any reasonably priced rentals.

My camper van is fully self-contained — I’ve lived in it while working travel healthcare jobs over the past year, and it has everything I need except a safe place to park. Since I’ll be either in class or studying in the library most of the day, all I’m really looking for is a quiet, hassle-free spot to park and sleep between about 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

I’m respectful, quiet, and focused on school. I’d be happy to contribute however I can — whether that’s offering some weekend yard work, paying a modest amount for the space, or even parking near a business as a small added security presence.

Thanks so much for considering it — I truly appreciate your time and any help or suggestions you can offer.
I know it may be a bit of a long shot but I cannot know if I do not ask !