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 house worth on this coastal metropolis is at the moment $587,252, in keeping with Zillow.

After all, there are numerous totally different neighborhoods on this massive, bustling metropolis, with main value variations between South Seaside and inland communities, for instance. Nonetheless, as a world 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 finest 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 price right here is 3.1 %, decrease than the nationwide common — and whereas the per capita private earnings is $56,419 within the U.S., you may anticipate to make extra in Miami ($68,481), which might stability out the upper prices of residing.

West Palm Seaside

Need to be near Miami with out the anonymity of big-city residing? Transfer to West Palm Seaside, the place the common house worth is $406,942 (up 3.8 % from 2023).

I’ve spent many years 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 due to its historic neighborhoods, longtime locals, and strict dedication to purposeful improvement. Ritzy Palm Seaside 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 simple to get anyplace else you wish to go, too.

West Palm Seaside has a inhabitants simply over 120,000 and an unemployment price of 3.8 %. 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 progress by way of earnings and inhabitants.

What West Palm Seaside lacks in reasonably priced 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 energetic arts, tradition, and leisure scenes downtown — there are Broadway reveals, artwork galleries, and open-air amphitheaters inside just a few sq. miles.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville, the largest metropolis in Florida (and, consider 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 ample 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 Faculty District, a prime public college district in Florida.

It’s additionally one in every of Florida’s youngest cities, with an common age of 36, and it is house 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 house to welcome newcomers.

Tampa

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

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 a few of the state’s prime eating places and a excessive way of life.

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 not like anything you’ll discover within the Sunshine State.

Throughout the bay, Clearwater and St. Petersburg have gotten more and more widespread 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 — a large, master-planned, age-restricted neighborhood protecting parts of Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties in Central Florida — is the highest lively grownup retirement neighborhood within the nation.

With three old style city squares (all with nightly reside leisure), world-class medical services, boutique buying, 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 by means of highschool, I can affirm that it’s certainly “Florida’s friendliest hometown.”

Better of all, almost all the 32-square-mile neighborhood is linked by way of a golf cart path, so regardless of the focus of issues to do, you may overlook the complications of freeway visitors.

Whereas solely these ages 55 and up can reside in The Villages-owned communities, anybody can transfer into the encompassing neighborhoods and profit from the array of services open to the general public. Based on Zillow, the common house 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 house.

Orlando

Orlando, one of the crucial widespread cities in Florida, has a median house worth of $385,207 and an unemployment price of 3.7 %.

As one of many prime vacationer locations within the state — Orlando is house to greater than a dozen theme parks and numerous different points of interest — this metropolis has no scarcity of issues to do. You possibly can select from a variety of existence, from downtown apartment residing to suburban single-family properties, and a college attracts hundreds of scholars annually, so town is poised to proceed rising.

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

Ocala

Ocala has lengthy been a haven for horse lovers due to its thriving equine neighborhood, and it’s additionally one of many prime cities in Florida with the bottom common house values, in keeping with Zillow. As of August 2024, the common 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 may attain seashores, the theme parks of Orlando, and a few of the most lovely freshwater springs in Florida. Plus, with the current 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 residing 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 common house worth is $382,205, down 4.7 % within the final yr.

If you would like the complete Florida expertise, you may belief there are loads of methods to get pleasure from being exterior 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 aim.

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 — due to 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 a little bit over 12,000 — is a strong choice. Lake Metropolis noticed a notable improve in common house values within the final 12 months, rising 5.3 % to $259,446, however it’s nonetheless almost 100 grand decrease than the nationwide quantity.

Wauchula

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

Nevertheless it’s a promising place to search for a Florida house: With a inhabitants just below 5,000, it had one of the crucial sizable year-over-year will increase in typical house worth, up virtually 9 % within the final yr. 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 keeping with Go to Florida, Wauchula has points of interest “nicely price 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 Principal Avenue, you’ll discover antiques retailers and sandhill crane sculptures (“Wauchula” comes from a Miccosukee phrase that means “name of the sandhill crane”); drive 20 minutes and also you’ll discover Solomon’s Fort, a three-story constructing fabricated from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.