Could life and low rent change for St. Petersburg marinas residents? [Video]

ST. PETERSBURG — Among the residents in this gated, waterfront community are a retired judge and Trader Joe’s employee. Engineers, pilots and a dance teacher. A gig worker with three jobs and an executive working from home. Retirees living their dream, families raising children and young adults just starting out.

Poll workers shoot them funny looks when they see their addresses on their IDs. People ask strange questions about how they cook their meals and go to the bathroom when they explain where they live. They can hear Rowdies’ goals and see their decks on TV during the Firestone Grand Prix. And many say they live here for less than $1,000 a month.

They are the residents of the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina. Among the 660 slips where commercial and recreational boats dot the postcard-worthy waterfront, more than 100 people live aboard their vessels.