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Real Estate & Homes in Dunedin - Florida - Dunedin, Florida homes and communities Dunedin
Nestled along three and a half miles of some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and lapped by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Dunedin (pronounced DONE-EE-DIN), Florida is has become known as a delightful village-like place to tour, travel and live. With untouched natural wooded and subtropical settings, the little town of about 36,000 is known for its relaxing lifestyle, which has lured people from around the world to the west central gulf coast of Florida for decades. Dunedin is in the heart of the popular Pinellas County – neighboring other tropical paradise retreats as St. Petersburg, Indian Rocks Beach, Seminole and Clearwater -- all part of the Florida’s quickest growing area: Tampa Bay. A unique waterfront community, Dunedin is able to boast itself as one of the few open waterfront towns between Sarasota to the south and Cedar Key to the north where the long, scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico’s water is unobscured by buildings or other structures. The city overlooks nothing but miles of blue/green water reaching temperatures of about 85 degrees in the summer months and stretch as far as the eye can see with unrivaled sunsets, and according to Walking Magazine, was recently named one of the country’s top five cities in which to walk. History of Dunedin Dunedin’s heritage is reflected richly in its American and Scottish founding fathers and is the oldest town south of Cedar Key. Early in its history, thanks to its profitable docks and early settling pioneers from as near as Georgia and as far as Scotland, Dunedin became one of Florida's chief seaports and trading centers. At one time Dunedin had the largest fleet of sailing vessels in Florida, but surprisingly, the first residents primarily grew cotton and citrus groves and most of what is now downtown was once a cotton field. The first land deed was recorded in 1852 only seven years after Florida became a state. Although the settlement was originally marked by a general store by the name of “Jonesboro" in 1870, a petition in 1882 by two Scottish merchants officially named the Post Office and later the town itself, Dunedin. The town became incorporated in 1899 and a city in 1925. According to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, the small beach town is proud of its many monikers, the first being “Delightful Dunedin.” It was the first home of the prestigious Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and the first radio signals from Pinellas County were sent from Dunedin. They also are the home to the oldest continuous garden club on Florida's west coast. A master computer at A.C. Nielsen Company, located in Dunedin since 1972, and one of the town's largest employers, is responsible for the Nielsen ratings and it is often said that Dunedin determines what television programs the whole country watches. Dunedin is a city rich with tradition, though it is always looking to the future and many here feel their quality of life is linked to its appreciation of its diverse and colorful past and its connection to the motherland, Scotland. Each year, in April, the town hosts a giant festival, is home to the Annual Highland Games and many other community festivals, celebrating the Scottish culture and spectators come from miles around. Climate Dunedin, like most of the lush and tropical region of Florida has a pleasant 73 degree average annual temperature, and even when the heat settles in, fresh (usually very short) rains and sea breezes often cool the day for continued play. In the land of the sun, it can be seen almost every day, even in the winter months and when the rainy season settles in during the summer months. During these times, beautiful natural light shows are brought on in the lighting capital of the world. Real Estate Dunedin’s median home price is around $100,000 and like the rest of the region -- the richest in Florida – it is constantly climbing at remarkable annual percentage increases each year. Waterfront homes are pricier, but the value holds stronger, both as a home and for investment purposes. Dunedin's balmy downtown streets are lined by historic bungalows alongside more modern, better-designed homes. Homes here are always on the market and like the surrounding Bay Area, are found conveniently and with many options and amenities which allow homeowners to find all they have ever wanted in a home, including pools, spas, and large lots, all of which are common here. Sights and Sounds Dunedin stands out from the throng of other seaside communities in the area because of its upbeat downtown made fresh with the ocean breezes, a delightful offering of ritzy, shops and restaurants and beautiful and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico lined with sailboats, yachts and fishing vessels. Main Street in Dunedin begins right at the Gulf of Mexico where sailboats gather in the Dunedin Marina, a place perfect for any seafaring person or boat admirer; the colors here match even the wildest rainbow. The marina offers safe harbor for sail and power crafts with dockside the conveniences of water and electricity. Directly east of the marina is downtown, filled with sights and sounds of a pleasant village square; complete with colorful shops filled with beautiful gifts and desirables including Scottish imports, antiques, bikes, there are gourmet cooking classes, gift shops, jewelry, boutiques, chocolate and stained glass. Also along the way are restaurants and bars where the perfect fruity drink, just right for a sunny Florida afternoon, can be found. Douglas and Broadway Avenues offer more of the same fare. Arts & Festivals Dunedin also hosts many art shows, festivals and special events. Art Harvest, an annual show draws thousands outdoors for fine art, is one of Florida’s most popular juried art shows. During Mardi Gras the city hosts a traditional parade complete with floats, bands and beads, which take over much of downtown. Another festival, Dunedin Wines the Blues, offers wine and beer samplings and live music along Main Street. The Celtic Festival features Scottish-influenced music, dancing, food and fun. The annual 9-day Highland Games and Festival draws athletes from miles around -- even Scotland -- to compete in ancient Scottish sports. There’s also Highland dancing, piping, drumming, and parades of bands and clans. The Honeymoon Island Seafood Fest & Boat Show is complete with rides, crafts and has some of the best seafood offered in all of Florida, held each year on Thanksgiving weekend. Parks & Recreation With something for everyone, Dunedin is the place to visit for the most tropical of vacations with a village-like downtown and active life for any traveler; beautiful parks, recreational activities for young and old alike, history, culture, educational opportunities, a wide range of housing choices and quickly expanding employment opportunities. But, if the sea is more to your liking, Dunedin is the home to unspoiled refuges of Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands, both Florida State parks with protection for wildlife and nature. These parks are perfect for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnics, walking the beach or study, and are some of the most secluded areas in all the coastal area. Caladesi Island is one of the last remaining undisturbed barrier islands on the Gulf Coast and the home to thousands of rare and endangered birds. Sightseers are sure to see beautiful schools of fish, dolphins and turtles. Caladesi Island is accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island or by private boat Honeymoon Island is less than a five-minute drive from the mainland and offers a natural getaway for boating, swimming, fishing, picnics, and nature exploration and has consistently been named one of Florida’s top ten beaches. Here, along the Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island, activities include windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, fishing and sun bathing. Sports Travelers, tourists and residents visit and live in Dunedin because of the natural beauty, small town village-like feeling, warm hospitality, wonderful weathers and the convenient location to Tampa Bay, but the little town is also a great place to play. The Toronto Blue Jays have called Dunedin its spring training home for over 25 years. When the major leaguers return home for the season, the Dunedin Blue Jays take the field for the summer. Dunedin is also within quick driving distance of seeing any number of other sport offerings, including winners of Super Bowl XXXVII Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Lightning who won the 2004 Stanley Cup, local professional baseball team the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and arena football’s royalty, the Tampa Bay Storm. Water sports enthusiasts are not to be left out, as Dunedin offers a plethora of options from swimming to power boating, jet skiing to world-class fishing. The wild open Gulf water is perfect for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing and it the home to such native fish as grouper, snook, largemouth bass, snapper and yellow fin, among countless others. There's lots of room for a boat if you don't live on the water and deep-sea fishing boats and private charters are always available for hire. These tours are also offers parasailing and Gulf tours, scuba diving and diving charters. Area Attractions Dunedin is within an easy drive of a many attractions, museums, festivals and interesting small towns. Busch Gardens is nearby and the Greek community, Tarpon Springs, is ten minutes north of Dunedin. The world famous Dali Museum in St. Petersburg is a short drive and Ruth Eckerd Hall is home to a series of concerts from classical to contemporary, just moments away. Other options include the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, Florida Botanical Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo, and Museum of Science and Industry. Transportation Dunedin is easy to get to from all points in the Tampa Bay area. Highways serving the area include U.S. 19, making easy trips to Tarpon Springs to the North and Clearwater and St. Petersburg to the South. The community is easily accessible from major airports such as Tampa International, just 18 miles away, and nearby St. Petersburg/Clearwater International, serviced by some domestic and many charter flights. Accommodations There are many delightful and refreshing accommodations available in Dunedin, from charming bed & breakfast inns, waterfront hotels and lodging directly on the Pinellas Trail. Education The following is a complete list of schools within Dunedin and the surrounding communities and the educational opportunities in Dunedin are quite remarkable, with an outstanding public and private school system, part of the Pinellas County School District. The following is a complete list of schools, including: Academie Da Vinci, Anchor Academy, Athenian Academy, Dunedin Academy, Dunedin Elementary School, Dunedin High School, Dunedin Highlands Middle School, Dunedin Montessori Academy, Garrison-Jones Elementary School, Our Lady Lourdes, San Jose Elementary School, Schiller International University, and Trinity Christian School. Colleges and Universities in or near Dunedin are: Schiller International University, Hernando Community College, Hillsborough Community College, University of Tampa, University of South Florida, Saint Leo University, Manatee Community College, and Travis Technical Center. Other educational institutions are the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. With over 35 years of experience offering a wide variety of studio art classes, educational workshops, gallery exhibitions, lectures and community events for everyone, The Dunedin Fine Art Center is a fine get-away for any art lover and offer a respite from a busy outdoor activity schedule. The DFAC has 18,000 square feet of educational space and ten studio classrooms.
Dunedin’s land area is 10.4 square miles, with the zip code of 34698. The median age of residents is 48.2 years; with a median household income of $34,813 (year 2000). Compared to the rest of Florida, the unemployment here is below the state average with the economy firmly rooted in the service industry, tourism, retail, financial institutions and services, health care, real estate and light manufacturing.
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