10 Finest Locations to Stay in Florida

Miami

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

In fact, there are various completely different neighborhoods on this giant, bustling metropolis, with main value variations between South Seashore and inland communities, for instance. Nonetheless, as a world hub of finance, tradition, arts, and worldwide commerce, Miami affords 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 finest wager — simply take a look at all of the celebrities and billionaires transferring in. It may be a dear place to dwell, however the unemployment price right here is 3.1 p.c, 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 might stability out the upper prices of dwelling.

West Palm Seashore

Need to be near Miami with out the anonymity of big-city dwelling? Transfer to West Palm Seashore, the place the common dwelling 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 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 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 wish to go, too.

West Palm Seashore has a inhabitants simply over 120,000 and an unemployment price of 3.8 p.c. 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 progress when it comes to revenue and inhabitants.

What West Palm Seashore lacks in reasonably priced 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 full of life arts, tradition, and leisure scenes downtown — there are Broadway exhibits, artwork galleries, and open-air amphitheaters inside a number of sq. miles.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville, the largest metropolis in Florida (and, consider it or not, the most important 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 price in Jacksonville is 3.8 p.c), 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. In reality, academics relocate right here from throughout to show within the award-winning St. Johns County College District, a high public faculty district in Florida.

It’s additionally one among Florida’s youngest cities, with an common age of 36, and it is dwelling to the most important 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

One of the fascinating areas to dwell in Florida is Tampa, with a mean dwelling worth of $385,903 and an unemployment price of 3.8 p.c.

Situated on the scenic Tampa Bay alongside Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a hub for enterprise, cultural establishments, and outside 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’ll be able to 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 not like anything you’ll discover within the Sunshine State.

Throughout the bay, Clearwater and St. Petersburg have gotten more and more standard 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 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 school city squares (all with nightly dwell 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 affirm that it’s certainly “Florida’s friendliest hometown.”

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

Whereas solely these ages 55 and up can dwell in The Villages-owned communities, anybody can transfer into the encompassing neighborhoods and profit from the array of services open to the general public. In line with Zillow, the common dwelling 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 dwelling.

Orlando

Orlando, one of the standard cities in Florida, has a mean dwelling worth of $385,207 and an unemployment price of 3.7 p.c.

As one of many high 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’ll be able to select from a spread of life, from downtown condominium dwelling to suburban single-family properties, and a college attracts hundreds of scholars every year, so the 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 because of its thriving equine neighborhood, and it’s additionally one of many high cities in Florida with the bottom common dwelling values, in line with Zillow. As of August 2024, the common 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 among 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 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 common dwelling worth is $382,205, down 4.7 p.c within the final 12 months.

If you would like the total Florida expertise, you may belief there are a whole lot 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 objective.

Lake Metropolis

Lake Metropolis in northern Florida is another choice near the state’s beautiful 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 a bit of over 12,000 — is a strong possibility. Lake Metropolis noticed a notable enhance in common dwelling values within the final 12 months, rising 5.3 p.c 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 dwell 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 dwelling: With a inhabitants slightly below 5,000, it had one of the sizable year-over-year will increase in typical dwelling worth, up nearly 9 p.c within the final 12 months. And as of August 2024, the standard 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 “properly value 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 Essential 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 manufactured from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.