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 presently $587,252, in line with Zillow.

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

In order for you 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 stay, 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’ll be able to count on to make extra in Miami ($68,481), which might stability 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 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 allure because of 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 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 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 revenue 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 full of life 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 largest 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 ample employment alternatives (the unemployment fee 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. In actual fact, 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 in every 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

One of the crucial fascinating places to stay 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 out of doors actions, with a number of 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 staff within the early 1900s, for eating and nightlife not like 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 a giant 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 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 stay leisure), world-class medical amenities, 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 Colleges from elementary by highschool, I can verify 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’ll be able to neglect the complications of freeway site visitors.

Whereas solely these ages 55 and up can stay in The Villages-owned communities, anybody can transfer into the encircling neighborhoods and profit from the array of amenities 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 yr, so now’s a good time to snap up your dream dwelling.

Orlando

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

As one of many high vacationer locations within the state — Orlando is dwelling to greater than a dozen theme parks and varied different points of interest — this metropolis has no scarcity of issues to do. You’ll be able to select from a variety of existence, from downtown apartment residing to suburban single-family houses, and a college attracts hundreds 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 high 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 aspect, however inside an hour or two of driving, you’ll be able to 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 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 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 dwelling worth is $382,205, down 4.7 % within the final yr.

In order for you the total Florida expertise, you’ll be able to 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 purpose.

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 points of interest, state parks, boutique buying, 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 slightly over 12,000 — is a stable possibility. 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 stay 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 one of the crucial sizable year-over-year will increase in typical dwelling worth, up nearly 9 % within the final yr. And as of August 2024, the standard dwelling worth was $217,647 — a fraction of the nationwide quantity. Inexpensive and on the upswing? Two main inexperienced flags.

Plus, in line 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’ll be able to canoe, kayak, spot wildlife, and hunt for fossils alongside the riverbanks. On Important 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 made from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.