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Tarpon Springs Florida Homes

Twenty-five miles north of Tampa and St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs is a group of residential areas set on a series of serene salt-water bayous opening onto the Gulf of Mexico. The area is comprised of both new and historic dwellings built in the late nineteenth century by wealthy northerners as winter retreats.

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Incorporated in 1882, this city of 25,000 inhabitants has a unique history, having long been known as the “sponge capitol of the world.” Beginning in about 1905, Greek immigrants came to harvest the sea sponges, found in
abundance in the waters near Tarpon Springs. The Greek
divers brought much of their culture with them.

Today many of the shops in the Sponge Docks area are reminders of this early period, having been built as restaurants and retail outlets for these early first residents. The sponge industry in the Tarpon Springs region was decimated in the 1930’s however by red tides that resulted from excessive algal bloom. There is some evidence this was caused by nutrient rich runoff that came from the increasing population and nearby farming activities.

Contact Tracy Rigler to Buy your home in Tarpon Springs Florida.

Discoveries in the 1980’s of new beds reestablished the sponge industry and once again brought divers and the romance of sponge harvesting back to Tarpon Springs. Today you can walk the docks area or the adjacent picturesque shopping village and buy a wide variety of souvenirs and sponges while listening to street music with Greek themes.

Apart from sponges for every purpose, there is a wonderful selection of pastry shops, sweet shops and ice cream shops, along with restaurants serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Al Fresco dining in this sub-tropical paradise, eating fresh locally caught fish du jour, cooked by Greek chefs Mediterranean style, will magically transport you to the Greek Isles. In fact, the area was named after a local fish called the Tarpon found in abundance in the Tarpon and nearby Hernando Beach area.

The Greek influence is apparent where ever you go here. The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, open daily for visitors, is an exact replica of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople.

Downtown Tarpon Springs, a mile from the docks area, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown you’ll find antique shops, art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants that combine to create a vibrant village atmosphere. This charming area is attracting more and more tourists and travelers, many of who return to become permanent residents.

And if you’re feeling energetic, the start of the Pinellas Trail is right nearby. This 38 mile long, paved nature path attracts hikers, bikers and roller bladders and will take you all the way to St. Petersburg.

If you’re considering moving into the Tampa Bay area, Tarpon Springs offers a quaint, charming and unspoiled alternative to the better-known towns in the region. It is close enough to take advantage of the excellent schools, hospitals and employment opportunities in the area, yet retains the appeal of another time. You can have all the advantages that the Tampa Bay residents enjoy, all the excitement that is central Florida without the frenetic pace of a large city. And it goes without saying Tarpon Springs is a wonderful place to retire.

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Median house prices here are now close to $200,000 in the Tarpon Springs area. However there are still bargains to be had that would appeal to first homebuyers. Houses that young families can afford. But as the popularity of the area increases, as more and more realize the benefits of living or retiring here, this situation won’t last.

So if you are considering a move to this area, call us, Rigler Realty, and let us find the home that fits your lifestyle and budget. We know this area, Tarpon Springs, and have been helping families find homes here for over fifteen years.

Photography provided courtesy of Pinellas County Communications Department