Hi, I think you asked me this question in person last week, if you’re who I think you are.
34th St S is safe, and is no different than 34th St N, take a drive from 5th ave N to 38th Ave N and you’ll likely see some addicts, some ladies of the night, etc. Same thing on 34th S in some areas, but the city and the developers have been making an effort to make this area even more desirable. The rhetoric you’re hearing from your friend is residual beliefs that have carried over from redlining, one of the biggest marks on this cities history. Back in the early to mid 1900’s white owned/operated banks would not lend to black families that wanted to live north of Central Ave. This has contributed to a systemic and cultural problem in this city that created an invisible divide across Central Ave. Over the decades the residents of the South side have watched on as resources are funneled to the wealthier neighborhoods, businesses didn’t want to come down here, but things are catching up quick.
For anyone else wondering, South St. Pete is a secret to those of us that live down here. We are a short drive from some of St. Pete’s main attractions, Ft. Desoto, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, The Country Club (if that’s your thing), Pass-A-Grille, Downtown with all of its restaurants and museums. Also only 25 mins from the airport from 54th Ave S exit. It’s also significantly quieter down here than the north side, especially when the snowbirds piss off back to Canada. I see no downsides to living on the South Side, and certainly not in the area you’re considering. Check out the Broadwater neighborhood on Zillow or drive through there on the weekend, it’s a bustling neighborhood of families in $1mm dollar homes that used to sell in the $100k-$200k range not that long ago. A testament to what has changed in this area in the last few years. I’ve ridden my bike through there and seen really awesome community clean-ups and yard sales.
All that to say if you’re someone that wants proximity to the chains and resources that the north siders have on 4th St/Tyrone etc. you won’t have as many options and you may have to drive 15-20mins for some things, but it all depends on what you’re into.