10 Best Places to Live in Florida

Miami

Arguably probably the most vibrant metropolis within the Sunshine State, Miami packs a punch, and the standard house worth on this coastal metropolis is at present $587,252, according to Zillow.

After all, there are a lot of completely different neighborhoods on this massive, bustling metropolis, with main value variations between South Seaside and inland communities, for instance. Nonetheless, as a worldwide hub of finance, tradition, arts, and worldwide commerce, Miami gives its residents a singular mix of enterprise alternatives, Florida-Cuban tradition, scorching nightlife, fascinating historical past, and seaside residing.

If you would like big-city residing with a tropical twist, Miami is your greatest wager — simply take a look at all of the celebrities and billionaires shifting in. It may be an expensive place to reside, however the unemployment charge right here is 3.1 percent, decrease than the nationwide common — and whereas the per capita personal income is $56,419 within the U.S., you’ll be able to anticipate to make extra in Miami ($68,481), which may steadiness out the upper prices of residing.

West Palm Seaside

Wish to be near Miami with out the anonymity of big-city residing? Transfer to West Palm Beach, the place the typical house worth is $406,942 (up 3.8 p.c from 2023).

I’ve spent a long time visiting 49 international locations and that is the place I select to name house, if that tells you something.

Whereas this world-class metropolis has all of the perks of a a lot bigger metro space, it has retained an air of small-town allure because of its historic neighborhoods, longtime locals, and strict dedication to purposeful improvement. Ritzy Palm Beach is simply over the bridge, Miami is a fast hour away on the Brightline, and there are three worldwide airports inside a 70-mile radius, so it’s straightforward to get wherever else you wish to go, too.

West Palm Seaside has a inhabitants simply over 120,000 and an unemployment charge of 3.8 percent. Whereas the price of residing is larger than in much less fascinating metros, Palm Seaside County has one of many highest per capita private incomes within the state of Florida, at $109,055, and in recent times, has led the state’s development by way of earnings and inhabitants.

What West Palm Seaside lacks in inexpensive housing, it makes up for in employment alternatives, out of doors actions (particularly these in and across the water, together with snorkeling and board sports activities), and full of life arts, tradition, and leisure scenes downtown — there are Broadway exhibits, artwork galleries, and open-air amphitheaters inside just a few sq. miles.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville, the largest metropolis in Florida (and, imagine it or not, the biggest metropolis by space within the contiguous U.S.), has a typical house worth of $301,690 — decrease than the statewide and nationwide values.

Add to that the plentiful employment alternatives (the unemployment charge in Jacksonville is 3.8 percent), 22 miles of seashores, well-connected highways, 270 days of sunshine per 12 months, and tons of issues to do, and also you’ll see why so many households flock to this metropolis. The truth is, lecturers relocate right here from throughout to show within the award-winning St. Johns County Faculty District, a high public faculty district in Florida.

It’s additionally certainly one of Florida’s youngest cities, with an average age of 36, and it is house to the biggest city park system within the nation, in accordance with Visit Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is a metropolis that has all of it, together with loads of area to welcome newcomers.

Tampa

One of the vital fascinating areas to reside in Florida is Tampa, with a median house worth of $385,903 and an unemployment charge of 3.8 percent.

Situated on the scenic Tampa Bay alongside Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a hub for enterprise, cultural establishments, and out of doors actions, with among the state’s high eating places and a excessive lifestyle.

Plus, the favored Busch Gardens amusement park is simply as enjoyable as any Orlando theme park, with no lengthy drive required (although Orlando is about an hour and a half away, if you wish to make the journey).

You possibly can head to Tampa’s historic Ybor Metropolis neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar manufacturing facility staff within the early 1900s, for eating and nightlife in contrast to anything you’ll discover within the Sunshine State.

Throughout the bay, Clearwater and St. Petersburg have gotten more and more common for younger professionals and households — I’m an enormous fan of St. Pete’s famous pink hotel and the floral latte at Bandit Coffee Co.

The Villages

The Villages — a large, master-planned, age-restricted neighborhood overlaying parts of Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties in Central Florida — is the highest energetic grownup retirement neighborhood within the nation.

With three old school city squares (all with nightly reside leisure), world-class medical services, boutique purchasing, and loads of recreation alternatives, it’s like residing at a theme park constructed for these of a sure age.

As somebody raised close by who attended The Villages Constitution Faculties from elementary via highschool, I can affirm that it’s certainly “Florida’s friendliest hometown.”

Better of all, practically all the 32-square-mile neighborhood is related by way of a golf cart path, so regardless of the focus of issues to do, you’ll be able to overlook the complications of freeway site visitors.

Whereas solely these ages 55 and up can reside in The Villages-owned communities, anybody can transfer into the encircling neighborhoods and profit from the array of services open to the general public. In keeping with Zillow, the typical house worth in The Villages is $409,251. This worth decreased by 2.8 p.c within the final 12 months, so now’s a good time to snap up your dream house.

Orlando

Orlando, some of the common cities in Florida, has a median house worth of $385,207 and an unemployment charge of 3.7 percent.

As one of many high vacationer locations within the state — Orlando is house to greater than a dozen theme parks and varied different sights — this metropolis has no scarcity of issues to do. You possibly can select from a spread of life, from downtown condominium residing to suburban single-family houses, and a college attracts hundreds of scholars annually, so the town is poised to proceed rising.

Plus, who doesn’t wish to transfer to a metropolis the place changing into a Disney Annual Passholder is virtually a requirement?!

Ocala

Ocala has lengthy been a haven for horse lovers because of its thriving equine neighborhood, and it’s additionally one of many high cities in Florida with the bottom common house values, in accordance with Zillow. As of August 2024, the typical house worth in Ocala was $273,783, a lot decrease than the U.S. worth.

The town could also be on the smaller aspect, however inside an hour or two of driving, you’ll be able to attain seashores, the theme parks of Orlando, and among the most beautiful freshwater springs in Florida. Plus, with the recent opening of an $800 million resort, it’s secure to say Ocala is on the rise.

Cape Coral

Cape Coral is a small metropolis close to Fort Myers and the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwest coast. Its inhabitants of about 217,000 enjoys residing close to Gulf Coast beaches, golf programs, and different sights, together with 400 miles of canals (and thus ample alternatives for boating, fishing, and water sports activities). Right here, the typical house worth is $382,205, down 4.7 p.c within the final 12 months.

If you would like the complete Florida expertise, you’ll be able to belief there are a variety of methods to get pleasure from being outdoors in Cape Coral, together with tennis courts and nature preserves. Plus, you’ll share your hometown with a few of Florida’s most charming wildlife, like manatees and birds. Life is quieter and slower in Cape Coral, and for some, that’s precisely the objective.

Lake Metropolis

Lake Metropolis in northern Florida is another choice near the state’s gorgeous pure springs, however there’s additionally historical past, cultural sights, state parks, boutique purchasing, and — because of its location slightly below the Georgia line — some mouthwatering Southern cooking.

If you wish to transfer to Florida, however can’t afford costly locations like Naples or Key West, Lake Metropolis, with a inhabitants just a little over 12,000 — is a strong possibility. Lake Metropolis noticed a notable enhance in common house values within the final 12 months, rising 5.3 p.c to $259,446, however it’s nonetheless practically 100 grand decrease than the nationwide quantity.

Wauchula

Whether or not you’re trying to transfer to Florida or already reside right here, likelihood is you’ve by no means heard of the tiny inland city of Wauchula.

However it’s a promising place to search for a Florida house: With a inhabitants just below 5,000, it had some of the sizable year-over-year will increase in typical house worth, up nearly 9 p.c within the final 12 months. And as of August 2024, the standard house worth was $217,647 — a fraction of the nationwide quantity. Inexpensive and on the upswing? Two main inexperienced flags.

Plus, in accordance with Visit Florida, Wauchula has sights “nicely value your whereas” — its declare to fame is the Center for Great Apes, the one accredited orangutan sanctuary within the nation, and there’s additionally the Peace River, the place you’ll be able to canoe, kayak, spot wildlife, and hunt for fossils alongside the riverbanks. On Predominant Road, you’ll discover antiques outlets and sandhill crane sculptures (“Wauchula” comes from a Miccosukee phrase which means “name of the sandhill crane”); drive 20 minutes and also you’ll discover Solomon’s Castle, a three-story constructing fabricated from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.