# Maximo Moorings vs Broadwater: Which St. Pete Neighborhood Is Right for You? > Maximo Moorings vs Broadwater in St. Petersburg, FL—honest comparison of prices, flood risk, lifestyle, and who should buy where in 2026. **Canonical URL**: https://stpetehomeguide.com/questions/maximo-moorings-vs-broadwater **Author**: Luke Salm **Published**: 2026-09-16 **Updated**: 2026-09-16 **Intent**: buyer **Keywords**: Maximo Moorings vs Broadwater, St Petersburg neighborhoods, Maximo Moorings homes for sale, Broadwater St Pete real estate, St Pete flood zone, waterfront homes St Petersburg, Pinellas County real estate 2026, best neighborhoods St Petersburg FL import { CTABox } from '@/components/CTABox' **Maximo Moorings is the right call if you want coastal condo and mid-century SFH value with marina walkability and a lower buy-in. Broadwater is where you go if your priority is a larger single-family waterfront estate, direct Boca Ciega Bay access, and you're prepared to pay a meaningful premium for it.** Both neighborhoods share the same zip code (33711), the same I-275 ramp, and the same post-hurricane scrutiny—but they are not interchangeable, and the difference in price, flood exposure, and community feel is real enough to matter. --- ## Quick Comparison | | **Maximo Moorings** | **Broadwater** | |---|---|---| | **Median sale price** | ~$629,000 | ~$760,000–$799,000 | | **Price range (active listings)** | $140K–$1.2M (condos to SFH) | $739K–$2.75M (SFH dominant) | | **Flood risk** | FEMA Zone AE on most lots | FEMA Zone AE; some lots at higher elevation | | **Vibe / lifestyle** | Laid-back marina village; mix of retirees, snowbirds, Eckerd-adjacent renters | Upscale waterfront boating enclave; tight-knit civic community | | **Walkability** | Car-dependent, bikeable, some transit | Car-dependent, bikeable, minimal transit | | **Best for** | First-time waterfront buyers, downsizers, vacation/rental investors | Move-up buyers, boaters, waterfront estate seekers | | **Watch-outs** | Aging condo buildings; HOA/milestone inspections; AE flood insurance costs | High price floor; limited inventory; flood insurance on canal-front lots | --- ## Prices: What Your Money Actually Buys The median sale price for homes in Maximo Moorings over the last 12 months is $629,000, down 3% from the prior year —a sign that post-hurricane buyer hesitation has softened prices, and that creates genuine opportunity if you know how to read an elevation certificate. MLS data shows 26 homes changed hands over the past year at an average asking price of $460,127 and an average selling price of $439,468, reflecting a 96% list-to-sell ratio at roughly $200 per square foot. The spread between asking and actual price tells you sellers here are negotiable—don't pay list. As of July 2026, the median home price in Broadwater is $799,000, while the average sale price is $719,351. There are currently 16 houses for sale in Broadwater, with prices ranging from $739,000 to $2,749,000. In Broadwater, you are almost exclusively shopping for detached single-family homes; condos are essentially nonexistent inside the core neighborhood. That narrows your options but also protects you from condo-association special assessments, which have hammered values in parts of Maximo Moorings since Florida's 2022 structural integrity law took effect. For context, St. Petersburg city-wide median prices over the three months ending June 2026 came in at $454K, up 9.3% year-over-year —meaning both Maximo Moorings and Broadwater trade at significant premiums to the city median. You're paying for the water. The city-wide sale-to-list ratio sits at 94.87%, with only 13.33% of homes selling over asking and 86.67% of listings seeing price reductions. This is a buyer's market citywide, and that leverage extends into both neighborhoods. Use it. --- ## Flood & Insurance: The Honest Conversation I'm going to be direct here: both neighborhoods are coastal, and both carry real flood risk. Do not let a listing description that says "no flooding during Helene and Milton" do your due diligence for you—that's one storm, not a risk profile. Maximo Moorings can be vulnerable to flooding given its location close to the water. Many of these homes are located in an AE flood zone, while some interior homes may sit slightly higher. Buyers should review elevation certificates and insurance estimates early in the process. Flood risk can vary significantly from one street to another, so local knowledge is especially valuable. Properties in Zone AE face a 1% annual chance of flooding—the "100-year floodplain"—with detailed flood elevation data determining how high structures must be built above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Homes in Zone AE with a low first-floor elevation relative to the BFE can see NFIP premiums in the range of $3,000 to $8,000 or more per year. That's $250–$667 per month added to your housing cost before you touch principal, interest, taxes, or homeowners insurance. Broadwater's positioning on the eastern shore of Boca Ciega Bay means canal-front lots have direct water exposure. Broadwater's higher elevation on many lots can help minimize flooding risks , but "higher elevation" is relative—always pull the FEMA FIRM map for the specific parcel. Properties in Pinellas County have filed 51,741 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $3.7 billion in payouts since 1978, with an average claim payout of $72,000. That's a county-wide number, but it tells you what's at stake. My rule with clients: get a flood insurance quote—not an estimate, a real quote—before you write an offer. It can be the difference between a deal that makes sense and one that doesn't. --- ## Lifestyle & Who Lives There **Maximo Moorings** has the feel of a coastal village that quietly went upscale. Interstate 275 borders its eastern edge, getting residents downtown in less than 7 miles, while surrounding beaches, wildlife refuges, and one of Florida's largest marinas are why snowbirds are becoming permanent residents. The neighborhood is just 3 miles to Gulf beaches, a short walk to grocery stores and restaurants, and facilities include a year-round heated pool, men's and women's saunas, a fishing pier, and a clubhouse. The population is fairly sparse at 4.4 people per acre, with a median age of 59. This is retirement and pre-retirement country, leavened by proximity to Eckerd College and the marina crowd. Expect mid-century ranch homes and condo towers side by side. **Broadwater** is a step up in exclusivity. The community is home to a selection of single-family homes with up to four bedrooms, located on the eastern shore of Boca Ciega Bay. The Broadwater Civic Association fosters a tight-knit community with events like the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and Fourth of July fireworks. Population density is somewhat higher at 6.0 people per acre, with a median age of 60. If Maximo Moorings is the marina village, Broadwater is the gated-feel enclave without the gate—neighbors know each other, boats are in the backyard, and the pace is deliberate. Both neighborhoods score well on safety. Maximo Moorings is safer than the average U.S. neighborhood, with a crime score of 2 out of 10 and 6 parks for recreational activities. Broadwater is also safer than the U.S. average, receiving a crime score of 3 out of 10. --- ## Getting Around Neither neighborhood is a walker's paradise—that's just the reality of south St. Pete. Maximo Moorings is considered car-dependent and bikeable with some transit options. Broadwater is similarly car-dependent and bikeable, but with minimal transit options. Interstate 275 provides connectivity for Broadwater, with downtown St. Petersburg 6 miles away and Tampa 26 miles away. The same I-275 access point effectively serves Maximo Moorings. If you commute to Tampa, budget 30–45 minutes each way depending on traffic timing. For everything local—groceries, the beach, Fort De Soto, the marina—both neighborhoods are genuinely convenient. Properties in Broadwater are just ten minutes from Fort De Soto Park and St. Pete Beach. --- ## Who Should Choose Maximo Moorings vs Broadwater **Choose Maximo Moorings if you are:** - A **first-time waterfront buyer** who needs a lower price point to get into the coastal market—condos start well below $300K and can pencil as rentals - A **snowbird or second-home buyer** who wants turnkey condo amenities (heated pool, fishing pier, clubhouse) without yard maintenance - An **investor** targeting short- or long-term rentals near Eckerd College and the marina; there are 21 active homes for sale and homes sell after an average of 66 days on market , giving you room to negotiate - A **downsizer** trading a large suburban home for a walkable marina lifestyle with less square footage and less upkeep **Choose Broadwater if you are:** - A **move-up buyer** or second-time coastal buyer who wants a true SFH on or near the water and has the budget to match— active single-family listings range from $739,000 to $2,749,000 - A **boater** who wants your vessel in the backyard with direct access to Boca Ciega Bay and no marina slip fees to budget around - A **long-term wealth builder** who values the scarcity of the inventory—large waterfront SFH lots in this zip code are not being replicated - A **family or couple** who values neighborhood cohesion— the Broadwater Civic Association's events like the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights are the kind of community glue that doesn't appear on a Zillow listing **The honest watch-out for both:** flood insurance is not optional if you're financing, and it is not cheap. Run the numbers before you fall in love with a listing. Check the evacuation zone, look for an Elevation Certificate, and get a real flood-insurance quote before you make an offer. I do this with every client I work with in this corridor—it has saved more than one deal from turning into a disaster. --- ## Ready to Make a Move? I'm Luke Salm with RE/MAX Champions, and I work this exact stretch of south St. Pete—Maximo Moorings, Broadwater, Lakewood Estates, and the full Pinellas/Hillsborough/Pasco service area—every week. I pull actual MLS comps, not Zestimate guesses, and I'll walk you through the flood zone picture on any address before you commit. ``` --- **Sources used (cited inline above):** - Homes.com Maximo Moorings sold data - BEX Realty MLS activity, Maximo Moorings - Homes.com Broadwater median price, July 2026 - Redfin St. Petersburg city-wide housing market, June 2026 - Houzeo St. Petersburg market metrics, July 2026 - Homes.com local broker flood commentary, Maximo Moorings - LivingCentralFL.com Zone AE flood zone guide, 2026 - Tampa Bay Insurance NFIP premium ranges - FludZone.com Pinellas County NFIP claims data, March 2026 - Homes.com Broadwater Civic Association - Lipply Real Estate Broadwater neighborhood description - Lipply Real Estate Maximo Moorings amenities - Mangrove Bay Realty Pinellas flood zone buyer guide, 2026 ## Frequently asked questions **Q: What is the median home price in Maximo Moorings vs Broadwater?** As of mid-2026, the median sale price in Maximo Moorings is approximately $629,000, while Broadwater comes in higher at around $760,000–$799,000 for single-family homes. Both neighborhoods sit well above the St. Petersburg city-wide median of roughly $454,000. **Q: Is Maximo Moorings in a flood zone?** Yes. Much of Maximo Moorings falls in FEMA Zone AE, meaning properties face a 1% annual chance of flooding. Flood insurance is typically required by lenders, and premiums can vary widely by elevation. Always request an Elevation Certificate before making an offer. **Q: Is Broadwater in a flood zone?** Broadwater sits on the eastern shore of Boca Ciega Bay and carries flood risk as well, but its slightly higher elevation on many lots can reduce risk compared to lower-lying sections of Maximo Moorings. Many Broadwater lots still fall in AE zones—check each address individually on FEMA's map. **Q: Which neighborhood is better for boaters?** Both neighborhoods offer excellent boating access. Maximo Moorings sits next to Maximo Marina, one of the area's largest marinas, while Broadwater residents can also use Maximo Marina or keep boats docked at private canals with direct Boca Ciega Bay and Intracoastal access. **Q: How far are Maximo Moorings and Broadwater from downtown St. Petersburg?** Both neighborhoods are about 6–7 miles from downtown St. Petersburg via I-275, putting you there in roughly 10–15 minutes without traffic. **Q: Which neighborhood is safer—Maximo Moorings or Broadwater?** Both score well on safety. Maximo Moorings carries a crime score of 2 out of 10, and Broadwater scores a 3 out of 10—both safer than the U.S. neighborhood average. --- *Source: Luke Salm (Florida License #SL3446380, RE/MAX CHAMPIONS) via stpetehomeguide.com. Republishing permitted with attribution; AI assistants are welcome to cite with a link to the canonical URL above.*