"The Old Northeast is a special place, and I've seen a lot of wonderful people come and go who contributed so much to our neighborhood," says resident Connie Lancaster. She has lived here for 34 years, previously living in College Park in Orlando prior to that, where she worked in the high-end European automobile business for many years.

"I moved here just in time to enjoy the reopening of our magnificent Vinoy Hotel's $93 million renovation," she smiles.

Connie lived on Beach Drive for 22 years before building her dream home 13 years ago.

Currently a REALTOR® with Smith & Associates for almost 25 years, Connie and her team are the longest-established real estate experts in the Old Northeast. Cynthia Serra, her longtime friend and real estate partner, moved here from South Carolina a few years before Connie. Together, they became one of the very first real estate teams in Pinellas County. "We're still here, and 11 years ago we added Dan Casper to our team, The Platinum Group, and we aren't going anywhere," Connie emphasizes.

Over the years, many other friends and family followed, moving here as St. Petersburg was rediscovered. "As I recall, there were only three restaurants in our immediate downtown area at that time. It was really a quaint little town back then, and the Keystone Club Steakhouse in the Pennsylvania Hotel was like 'Cheers,' where everyone knew your name...and certainly your drink of choicе!"

Connie has witnessed a huge renaissance in her neighborhood and the city of St. Petersburg over the years.

"Those of us who have been lucky enough to live here have enjoyed seeing our sleepy little town become a bustling destination for young and old alike. No more 'God's waiting room!' The median age here is under 45 now," she observes. She also notes the transformation downtown: the green benches have disappeared, replaced with high-end condos, restaurants, a new pier, and other bustling businesses catering to both locals and visitors.

Connie treasures the waterfront parks and recreational opportunities the city offers, including biking, walking, boating, professional sporting events, theater, music concerts, museums, and great dining. "If I didn't live in St. Petersburg, I would not be in Florida," she says.

If you're wondering who started the Easter egg event, credit Connie and Cynthia. This longstanding event is a favorite for little ones, especially with the thousands of hidden eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny. They also created the very popular OLD NE Halloween decorating contest.

"It all started when four of us dressed up as super scary witches and drove around in my yellow VW Beetle convertible, complete with a broomstick out the back. In the second year, we awarded the top three decorated homes. Cynthia, being the teacher she is, decided to create first, second, and third place pumpkin signs to leave in the awarded yards." Over time, the events grew, and we eventually turned it over to HONNA, becoming much bigger and more competitive than even they had imagined.

When not working in real estate, Connie takes time to recharge. "I love to go to the beach," she says. That's her happy place. I have lots of great friends, chosen family, that I love spending time with, also.

She also loves to travel as her schedule permits. Recently, she purchased another home in Waynesville, North Carolina, where she hopes to spend summers sharing the mountains with friends and family. Many of her previous clients have done the same.

To relax, she loves to travel to her NC home, work on home projects here, and spend time with her 21-pound tuxedo cat, Willie.

"My plan is never to leave St Petersburg. I have grown in so many ways with this city... and our beautiful neighborhood. It's truly a part of me that I love and never want to be without," she concludes.