10 Finest Locations to Reside in Florida

Miami

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

In fact, there are numerous completely different neighborhoods on this massive, bustling metropolis, with main worth variations between South Seashore and inland communities, for instance. Nonetheless, as a worldwide hub of finance, tradition, arts, and worldwide commerce, Miami gives its residents a novel mix of enterprise alternatives, Florida-Cuban tradition, scorching nightlife, fascinating historical past, and seaside dwelling.

If you would like big-city dwelling 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 a dear place to reside, however the unemployment price right here is 3.1 %, decrease than the nationwide common — and whereas the per capita private revenue is $56,419 within the U.S., you may anticipate to make extra in Miami ($68,481), which may steadiness out the upper prices of dwelling.

West Palm Seashore

Wish to be near Miami with out the anonymity of big-city dwelling? Transfer to West Palm Seashore, the place the typical residence worth is $406,942 (up 3.8 % from 2023).

I’ve spent many years visiting 49 nations and that is the place I select to name residence, 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 attraction because of its historic neighborhoods, longtime locals, and strict dedication to purposeful growth. Ritzy Palm Seashore 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 need to go, too.

West Palm Seashore has a inhabitants simply over 120,000 and an unemployment price of 3.8 %. Whereas the price of dwelling is increased than in much less fascinating metros, Palm Seashore County has one of many highest per capita private incomes within the state of Florida, at $109,055, and lately, has led the state’s development by way of revenue and inhabitants.

What West Palm Seashore lacks in inexpensive housing, it makes up for in employment alternatives, outside actions (particularly these in and across the water, together with snorkeling and board sports activities), and energetic arts, tradition, and leisure scenes downtown — there are Broadway reveals, artwork galleries, and open-air amphitheaters inside a couple of sq. miles.

Jacksonville

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

Add to that the considerable employment alternatives (the unemployment price in Jacksonville is 3.8 %), 22 miles of seashores, well-connected highways, 270 days of sunshine per yr, and tons of issues to do, and also you’ll see why so many households flock to this metropolis. Actually, academics relocate right here from throughout to show within the award-winning St. Johns County College District, a prime public faculty district in Florida.

It’s additionally certainly one of Florida’s youngest cities, with an common age of 36, and it is residence to the biggest city park system within the nation, in keeping with Go to Jacksonville.

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

Tampa

Some of the fascinating areas to reside in Florida is Tampa, with a median residence worth of $385,903 and an unemployment price of 3.8 %.

Positioned on the scenic Tampa Bay alongside Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a hub for enterprise, cultural establishments, and outside actions, with a number of the state’s prime 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 may head to Tampa’s historic Ybor Metropolis neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar manufacturing unit staff within the early 1900s, for eating and nightlife not like anything you’ll discover within the Sunshine State.

Throughout the bay, Clearwater and St. Petersburg have gotten more and more in style for younger professionals and households — I’m an enormous fan of St. Pete’s well-known pink lodge and the floral latte at Bandit Espresso Co.

The Villages

The Villages — an enormous, master-planned, age-restricted neighborhood masking 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 buying, and loads of recreation alternatives, it’s like dwelling at a theme park constructed for these of a sure age.

As somebody raised close by who attended The Villages Constitution Colleges from elementary by means of 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 may neglect the complications of freeway 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 line with Zillow, the typical residence worth in The Villages is $409,251. This worth decreased by 2.8 % within the final yr, so now’s a good time to snap up your dream residence.

Orlando

Orlando, some of the in style cities in Florida, has a median residence worth of $385,207 and an unemployment price of 3.7 %.

As one of many prime vacationer locations within the state — Orlando is residence to greater than a dozen theme parks and numerous different points of interest — this metropolis has no scarcity of issues to do. You may select from a variety of life, from downtown rental dwelling to suburban single-family houses, and a college attracts 1000’s of scholars every year, so town is poised to proceed rising.

Plus, who doesn’t need 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 prime cities in Florida with the bottom common residence values, in keeping with Zillow. As of August 2024, the typical residence worth in Ocala was $273,783, a lot decrease than the U.S. worth.

Town could also be on the smaller aspect, however inside an hour or two of driving, you may attain seashores, the theme parks of Orlando, and a number of the most stunning freshwater springs in Florida. Plus, with the latest opening of an $800 million resort, it’s protected 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 dwelling close to Gulf Coast seashores, golf programs, and different points of interest, together with 400 miles of canals (and thus ample alternatives for boating, fishing, and water sports activities). Right here, the typical residence worth is $382,205, down 4.7 % within the final yr.

If you would like the total Florida expertise, you may belief there are quite a lot of methods to take pleasure in 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 purpose.

Lake Metropolis

Lake Metropolis in northern Florida is another choice near the state’s gorgeous pure springs, however there’s additionally historical past, cultural points of interest, state parks, boutique buying, and — because of its location just under 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 a bit of over 12,000 — is a stable possibility. Lake Metropolis noticed a notable enhance in common residence values within the final 12 months, rising 5.3 % 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.

But it surely’s a promising place to search for a Florida residence: With a inhabitants slightly below 5,000, it had some of the sizable year-over-year will increase in typical residence worth, up nearly 9 % within the final yr. And as of August 2024, the standard residence worth was $217,647 — a fraction of the nationwide quantity. Reasonably priced and on the upswing? Two main inexperienced flags.

Plus, in keeping with Go to Florida, Wauchula has points of interest “effectively value your whereas” — its declare to fame is the Middle for Nice Apes, the one accredited orangutan sanctuary within the nation, and there’s additionally the Peace River, the place you may canoe, kayak, spot wildlife, and hunt for fossils alongside the riverbanks. On Predominant Avenue, 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 Fort, a three-story constructing made from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.