10 Finest Locations to Stay 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 accordance with Zillow.

In fact, there are various totally different neighborhoods on this giant, bustling metropolis, with main worth variations between South Seashore 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 dwelling.

If you’d 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 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 possibly can anticipate to make extra in Miami ($68,481), which might stability 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 house worth is $406,942 (up 3.8 % from 2023).

I’ve spent a long time 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 attraction because of its historic neighborhoods, longtime locals, and strict dedication to purposeful improvement. 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 simple to get wherever else you need to go, too.

West Palm Seashore has a inhabitants simply over 120,000 and an unemployment fee 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 in recent times, has led the state’s progress by way of revenue and inhabitants.

What West Palm Seashore lacks in inexpensive 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 a number 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 house 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 yr, and tons of issues to do, and also you’ll see why so many households flock to this metropolis. In reality, lecturers relocate right here from throughout to show within the award-winning St. Johns County Faculty District, a high public college district in Florida.

It’s additionally considered one 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 accordance 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 places to reside in Florida is Tampa, with a mean house worth of $385,903 and an unemployment fee 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 high 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’ll be able to 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 in contrast to the rest 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 resort and the floral latte at Bandit Espresso Co.

The Villages

The Villages — an enormous, master-planned, age-restricted group overlaying parts of Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties in Central Florida — is the highest energetic grownup retirement group 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 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 by way of a golf cart path, so regardless of the focus of issues to do, you possibly can 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 accordance with Zillow, the typical 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, some of the widespread cities in Florida, has a mean house worth of $385,207 and an unemployment fee of 3.7 %.

As one of many high vacationer locations within the state — Orlando is house 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 spread of life, from downtown condominium dwelling to suburban single-family properties, and a college attracts 1000’s of scholars every year, 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 because of its thriving equine group, and it’s additionally one of many high cities in Florida with the bottom common house values, in accordance with Zillow. As of August 2024, the typical 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 possibly can 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 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 points of interest, together with 400 miles of canals (and thus ample alternatives for boating, fishing, and water sports activities). Right here, the typical house worth is $382,205, down 4.7 % within the final yr.

If you’d like the total Florida expertise, you possibly can belief there are quite a lot of methods to get pleasure from 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 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 — 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 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.

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

Plus, in accordance with Go to Florida, Wauchula has points of interest “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 possibly can canoe, kayak, spot wildlife, and hunt for fossils alongside the riverbanks. On Foremost Road, 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 Fortress, a three-story constructing made from aluminum and recycled artwork, with excursions led by the artist himself.