Clearwater FL Moving Companies

Clearwater, Florida

If you’re moving to Clearwater, Florida, you better pack a pair of golf cleats along with your office formals. Home to some of the beaches in the county, Clearwater is where residents are as comfortable in business suits as they are in Speedos. Clearwater is the seat of Pinellas County, which was recently ranked by the Florida Trend as the number one large metropolitan county in Florida to live based on traffic congestion, availability of health care, crime rates, housing costs, and high school graduation rates. Whether you are moving to Clearwater to work, study, or do business, you’ll find that although the city is a great spot to visit, it’s even a better place to live.

Economy:
Tourism is the leading industry in Clearwater and in all of Pinellas County, generating 85,000 jobs and an economic impact of $6.6 billion dollars. A portion of tourism revenues is used for public spending on schools, road improvements, cultural amenities, health care, educational programs, beach renourishment and other projects. Hand in and with tourism, the retail service sector is another vital contributor to the local economy. Economic planners recognize the importance of diversifying the city’s economic base, so it has launched programs and incentives to boost investments in the manufacturing, information technologies, marine sciences, medical technologies and financial service industries. In addition, the government works closely with businesses moving to Clearwater to help them comply with land use, permitting, zoning, and environmental requirements.

History:
The Tocobagan Indians were the original inhabitants of the Clearwater area. When Spanish explorers arrived in 1915, they learned that the Indians called the area “Pocotopaug,” which literally translates to “clear water.” Colonists began to form settlements in the area in the 1830s. The first white settler was Frenchman Dr. Odet Philippe, who once served as a surgeon in Napoleon’s navy. In 1841, Fort Harrison was built as a rest and recreation post for soldiers fighting in the Seminole Wars. Shortly after the war ended, the government encouraged occupation of the still lawless region through homesteading. Any man over the age of 18 who bore arms and knew how to farm was offered free land. Soon, settlers started moving to Clear Water Harbor, as it was known at the time. The agricultural and fishing community had about 18 families when the first narrow gauge railroad was built in 1888. In 1891, Clear Water was incorporated as a town. The harbor town became a tourist and recreation area in the late 1800s. The city of Clearwater was incorporated on May 27, 1915. In 1916, a wooden bridge was built to connect Clearwater to its barrier island, thus opening it up for development.

Tourism:
Clearwater’s beaches are consistently ranked as among the best in Florida and in the United States by leisure travel experts. Designated as a Blue Wave Beach by the Clean Beaches Council, Clearwater is investing in infrastructure improvements that will add green space and environment-friendly amenities as well as improve public access. Caladesi Island was recently named the #1 Best Beach in the U.S. for its water quality, rustic charm, clean beaches, on-site amenities and its emphasis on wildlife. Golf is another major tourist draw in Clearwater. Clearwater Golf Club, designed by Herbert Strong, has 18 rounds of golf, as well as a driving range, practice facility, pro shop and clubhouse. Other golf courses of note are the Countryside Country Club and the Belleview Biltmore Golf and Spa Resort. If you are moving to Clearwater and do not fancy the beach nor own a set of golf clubs, you can always go biking, walking, running and skating on the Pinellas Trail. Built on a 34-mile corridor of an abandoned CSX railroad right-of-way, the trail winds through picturesque parks, scenic coastal areas and residential neighborhoods.

Colleges/Universities:

• St. Petersburg College – Clearwater Campus
• Clearwater Christian College
• Everest University
• Ultimate Medical Academy
• Florida Career College

Interesting Facts:

• Clearwater enjoys an average of 361 days of sunshine per year.
• The city’s old name was Clear Water Harbor. In 1895 Clearwater became one word and in 1906, “Harbor” was dropped altogether.
• The religious retreat and spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology are located in Clearwater.