10 Greatest Locations to Stay in Florida

Miami

Arguably essentially the most vibrant metropolis within the Sunshine State, Miami packs a punch, and the everyday dwelling worth on this coastal metropolis is at present $587,252, in line with Zillow.

After all, there are lots 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 novel mix of enterprise alternatives, Florida-Cuban tradition, scorching nightlife, fascinating historical past, and seaside dwelling.

In order for you big-city dwelling with a tropical twist, Miami is your finest guess — simply have a look at all of the celebrities and billionaires shifting in. It may be an expensive place to reside, however the unemployment fee 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 count on to make extra in Miami ($68,481), which may stability out the upper prices of dwelling.

West Palm Seaside

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

I’ve spent a long time visiting 49 nations and that is the place I select to name dwelling, 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 appeal due to its historic neighborhoods, longtime locals, and strict dedication to purposeful growth. 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 straightforward to get wherever else you need to go, too.

West Palm Seaside has a inhabitants simply over 120,000 and an unemployment fee of 3.8 %. Whereas the price of dwelling 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 revenue and inhabitants.

What West Palm Seaside 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 exhibits, artwork galleries, and open-air amphitheaters inside just a few sq. miles.

Jacksonville

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

Add to that the plentiful employment alternatives (the unemployment fee in Jacksonville is 3.8 %), 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 College District, a prime public college district in Florida.

It’s additionally considered one of Florida’s youngest cities, with an common age of 36, and it is dwelling to the biggest city park system within the nation, in line 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 places to reside in Florida is Tampa, with a median dwelling worth of $385,903 and an unemployment fee 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 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 employees within the early 1900s, for eating and nightlife in contrast to the rest 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 well-known pink resort and the floral latte at Bandit Espresso Co.

The Villages

The Villages — an enormous, master-planned, age-restricted group protecting parts of Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties in Central Florida — is the highest energetic grownup retirement group 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 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 highschool, I can verify that it’s certainly “Florida’s friendliest hometown.”

Better of all, almost the entire 32-square-mile group is linked through 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. Based on Zillow, the typical dwelling worth in The Villages is $409,251. This worth decreased by 2.8 % within the final 12 months, so now’s a good time to snap up your dream dwelling.

Orlando

Orlando, probably the most common cities in Florida, has a median dwelling worth of $385,207 and an unemployment fee of 3.7 %.

As one of many prime vacationer locations within the state — Orlando is dwelling 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 variety of life, from downtown rental dwelling to suburban single-family properties, and a college attracts hundreds of scholars annually, so the town is poised to proceed rising.

Plus, who doesn’t need 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 group, and it’s additionally one of many prime cities in Florida with the bottom common dwelling values, in line with Zillow. As of August 2024, the typical dwelling worth in Ocala was $273,783, a lot decrease than the U.S. worth.

Town could also be on the smaller facet, however inside an hour or two of driving, you may attain seashores, the theme parks of Orlando, and a few of the most stunning freshwater springs in Florida. Plus, with the current 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 dwelling close to Gulf Coast seashores, 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 dwelling worth is $382,205, down 4.7 % within the final 12 months.

In order for you the complete Florida expertise, you may belief there are loads of methods to take pleasure in 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 an alternative choice near the state’s beautiful pure springs, however there’s additionally historical past, cultural sights, state parks, boutique purchasing, and — due to 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 slightly over 12,000 — is a strong choice. Lake Metropolis noticed a notable improve in common dwelling 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 seeking 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.

But it surely’s a promising place to search for a Florida dwelling: With a inhabitants just below 5,000, it had probably the most sizable year-over-year will increase in typical dwelling worth, up nearly 9 % within the final 12 months. And as of August 2024, the everyday dwelling worth was $217,647 — a fraction of the nationwide quantity. Reasonably priced and on the upswing? Two main inexperienced flags.

Plus, in line with Go to Florida, Wauchula has sights “nicely price your whereas” — its declare to fame is the Heart 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 Road, you’ll discover antiques outlets 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 Citadel, a three-story constructing fabricated from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.