Florida is the perfect place to settle down if you’re looking for warm weather and a lower cost of living. The Sunshine State also happens to be a great place to raise a family, start a career, or retire.
There are very few natural disasters, and because the state is so large you can find all sorts of lifestyles that fit your needs.
The best things to do in Florida include theme parks, shows, and museums, but there are many more attractions to enjoy. From beaches and islands to natural wonders, Florida has something for everyone.
Florida is not just a place for old people. There is plenty of entertainment for young people in Florida as well. The music scene attracts many famous artists and bands, and if you like sports there are teams for all four major sports.
If you are looking for a new place to live in Florida, here are some of the best places to live in Florida:
15. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is one of those rare places on the planet where you can witness the beauty of the sunrise and sunset over the ocean. But that’s not the only thing that makes this beachfront city one of Jacksonville’s top destinations.
Daytona Beach is also home to some of Florida’s most popular attractions, like Daytona International Speedway, Ocean Walk Shoppes, and Daytona Lagoon waterpark.
The city itself is lively and laid-back, filled with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. But when you’re done exploring, hop in your car for a drive to one of three beautiful nearby beaches: New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange Beach, or Ponce Inlet Beach.
14. Lakeland
Lakeland is one of the best places to live in Florida thanks to its great schools, low crime rate, and high income per capita.
It’s also one of the most affordable cities in the state; housing costs, for example, are about 17% below the national average. If that weren’t enough, Lakeland has an impressive 5.2% job growth rate and a low unemployment rate of 11%.
With one of the lowest costs of living in the entire country, Lakeland is perfect for those who want to stay within budget while still having access to all the amenities they could ever need.
The city’s walk score is a decent 64 out of 100, but only about 11% of commuters use public transportation or carpools.
If you’re looking for an affordable place to live where you can enjoy warm weather and sunny days year-round, Lakeland is worth considering.
The average home price in Lakeland is $311,800, and the city’s property taxes are some of the lowest anywhere! This makes owning a home easy on your wallet, even if you aren’t earning six figures every year (although there are plenty of jobs available here).
Related: The 12 Wealthiest Cities in Florida
13. Mount Dora
If you are looking for a great place to live in Florida, you should consider moving to Mount Dora. This is because this city has a lot of things that people want in a community.
Some of the major things that make Mount Dora an excellent place to live are its location, culture, and economy. It is also a city that has a lot of great outdoor activities. This is why it is one of the best places to live in Florida.
Besides the fact that it has a long history and is located on beautiful Lake Dora with picturesque views, Mount Dora is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts.
There are several parks where residents can enjoy fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and hiking. There is even one park that offers mountain biking trails as well as playgrounds for children and picnic areas for families.
12. Pensacola
Pensacola is yet another great place to live in Florida with its mild weather, it attracts thousands of people each year. It’s a pretty place with white sandy beaches, a view of Pensacola Bay, and amazing sunsets that you can enjoy on the beach.
The first thing you should know about Pensacola is that it’s very different from other coastal places in Florida. The city is a little bit smaller and it’s not as crowded as Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
Its beautiful beaches and temperate weather make it a popular vacation spot. However, it’s also a great place to live, as many new residents find out every year.
Pensacola has a variety of small businesses, including several malls and shopping districts. You can get your nails done at one nail salon, go to the bank or post office at another, and grab lunch at an Asian restaurant or a burger joint. Variety is the spice of life, after all!
The local public school system is excellent — some parents even move their families here from more expensive cities with inferior schools just for their children’s education. If you’re moving here for the kids’ sake, this could be important to you!
Related: The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live in Florida
11. Dunedin
If you want to live in Florida, but you don’t want to pay the premium of living in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Dunedin is a great alternative.
Located on the Gulf Coast just north of Clearwater Beach, Dunedin has a historic downtown lined with shops and restaurants. The population is about 36,594 and it’s known for its Scottish influence. Close by are two popular beaches: Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park.
If you’re looking for affordability, Dunedin is one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. The median home price is around $399,900 and the median household income is around $50,356.
While it’s still pricey compared to the rest of the country, it’s extremely affordable in comparison with other areas of Florida.
10. Miami
Miami is a city on the Atlantic coast of southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County.
As the seat of Miami-Dade County, the municipality is the principal, central, and the most populous city of the Miami metropolitan area and part of the second-most populous metropolis in the southeastern United States.
Miami is a city that never sleeps, and it’s a great place to live if you’re into culture and nightlife.
A diverse population means plenty of people to meet and mingle with, and there are plenty of parks to explore and activities to do. It has one of the highest population growth rates in the country and is one of the best cities for jobs.
Miami is a major cultural, economic and financial center in the southeastern region of the United States, and home to an international community of Latin Americans, Europeans, and North Americans. As a result, Miami has a high standard of living with very low unemployment, high wages, and a high cost of living.
The city has many shopping malls, parks, and gardens. It’s also home to some of the best beaches in the country. Miami is also known for its Latin food culture, especially its Cuban cuisine.
9. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie is one of the best places to live in Florida. It’s a friendly, safe community with great schools, top-notch restaurants, and plenty to do. The weather is beautiful year-round, with an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has a low crime rate and high-quality education system for public schools (94.5% graduation rate), so parents can feel safe raising their children here without having to worry too much about what dangers might lurk outside their doorsteps.-
The cost of living isn’t too bad either: With everything from rent at $1,949 per month for 2 bedroom apartments, groceries at $4 each day or less if you shop smartly, utilities averaging around $150 total per month, and transportation costs which come in under $100 every four weeks when buying gas regularly.
A family-friendly city in an area with no state income tax, Port St. Lucie is home to a wide range of people from many different backgrounds who enjoy a variety of cultural activities and events throughout the year.
Related: Why Is Florida so Expensive to Live In?
8. Fort Myers
Fort Myers is a great city to raise a family since it has a low cost of living. Fort Myers has a cost of living index of 96.2 which means there are many homes on sale in Fort Myers.
Fort Myers is an average-sized city with an average population density. The median age of the citizens in Fort Myers is 40.6 years old. The unemployment rate in Fort Myers is 5% and many people are employed in sales jobs, office management, and service-related occupations.
The weather in Fort Myers is very nice year-round with an average temperature of 76 degrees. The citizens of Fort Myers enjoy many cultural events throughout the year including Art Festival and the Beating the Odds Golf Tournament.
Fort Myers has the best performing public schools and private schools so there are lots of school options for families who live in Fort Myers. The crime index for Fort Myers is 18 which makes it a safe place to live compared to other cities around the country.
Fort Myers has a higher than average household income at $46,409 per household which means more disposable income for residents to spend on local businesses.
7. Orlando
Orlando is one of the safest places to live in Florida, it has a low crime rate of 5% and good schools. There are many family-friendly attractions in Orlando such as Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Florida™ Theme Park which make it an ideal place to live in Florida.
If you’re willing to spend a little more on a nice place to live and don’t mind traveling a bit further for work, Orlando might be the city for you. Despite being one of the largest cities in Florida, it’s considered one of the safest and most affordable.
The median rent in Orlando is $1,733 while median home prices are $332,733. You can expect an average of 228 sunny days per year with temperatures ranging between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Orlando also offers plenty of amenities to keep everyone happy, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. There are also plenty of lakes and parks for those who love getting outdoors.
Related: The 12 Most Expensive Steakhouses in Orlando
6. Coral Gables
Coral Gables is the perfect place for residents who want to be near all of the perks of living in Miami, but also want a smaller community that offers an abundance of hidden gems.
Tucked away in the middle of Miami-Dade County, Coral Gables is a favorite for many people who are looking for a warm and welcoming place to call home.
Coral Gables has a population of around 48,425 and is bordered by Biscayne Bay and the City of Miami to the east, South Miami and Coconut Grove to the west, South Miami Heights and Virginia Gardens to the north, and El Portal and South Miami to the south.
The city will always be known as a beautiful place full of history where one can find an abundance of parks and fun activities no matter what season it is. It’s also been ranked as one of the best places to live in Florida year after year.
While there are so many things to do within Coral Gables, one doesn’t have to go far from their home to find some fun. Residents can enjoy a meal at any number of locally-owned restaurants or spend a day at any number of various shops located throughout the community.
5. Melbourne
Melbourne is one of the best places to live in Florida not only because of its high standard of living but also because of its low cost of living. It has a reasonably low unemployment rate as compared to the rest of the country. The median home value is $349,000 while the median rent is $1,391.
The city enjoys a thriving economy and there is a rise in new businesses and construction. It has an excellent public school system and ranks high when it comes to safety and quality health care for the residents.
Melbourne is a medium-sized town with lots of charm. It has a small-town vibe and lots to do for people of all ages. The cost of living in Melbourne is reasonable, especially for Florida, and it’s easy to get around town without having to drive everywhere.
The town has plenty of amenities including parks, beaches, and shopping centers, making it a great place for families who want peace without being too far from civilization. The public school system also rates well above average compared to other towns in Florida.
4. Naples
Naples is an upscale city with a population of around 22,265 residents. It’s not only a great place to visit but it’s also a great place to live in Florida. The average home here costs $549,900 and the average income is $107,013.
Naples has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Not only does Naples have great weather but it also has plenty of things to do for all different types of people. There are many golf courses, tennis clubs, and parks for your enjoyment.
When it comes to economic factors, Naples has a very high ranking. Businesses are always eager to open up a business in this area because the environment for new businesses is great. There is a lot of investment money coming into this economy and it helps businesses grow very quickly.
Also, Florida’s business taxes are very low across the board for almost every type of business. This means there will be more profits for any company that does decide to invest in Naples.
There are plenty of jobs available in Naples as well, and anyone who moves here will be able to find work very easily. The unemployment rate is very low, so finding a job should not be hard at all.
The cost of living is also very affordable in this city, which makes living here even easier than before. Families can stay here on much lower incomes than most other places around the country, which makes life much simpler here than elsewhere.
3. Sarasota
The Sarasota area is beautiful, diverse and a perfect place to raise a family. It has a reputation for being one of the best places to live in Florida. If you are looking for a new home, you will love the great weather, beaches, shopping, and restaurants.
There are so many reasons why Sarasota Florida is one of the best places to live in Florida. This city has it all from a quaint downtown area and a beautiful waterfront, to high-end shopping and beaches galore.
If you have not been there yet, then you should consider putting this amazing city on your bucket list. You will find that there are so many things to do here and you can’t get enough of it!
The city has more than 200 restaurants offering different types of cuisines to satisfy the taste buds of inhabitants. This includes Italian, French, Mediterranean, and American cuisines among others. Moreover, some restaurants offer exotic dishes such as Spanish paella and Greek souvlaki among other dishes.
The city provides good health facilities to its residents. The hospitals in the city have well-trained medical practitioners who are well versed with the latest research in their fields of specialty.
For example, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has an intensive care unit for patients with acute conditions like heart attacks or strokes among others.
2. Tampa – St. Petersburg
Tampa is another one of the best places to live in Florida. It is located on the west coast of Florida, just north of Clearwater. Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida and the 28th largest city in the country.
Many things make Tampa a great place to live, but first, let’s take a look at its population and cost of living. Tampa has a population of roughly 407,104 people, making it one of the most populated cities in Florida.
The median household income is $53,833, which is higher than the state average of $42,765. The cost of living in Tampa is 8 percent higher than the national average.
The crime rate in Tampa is above average; however, it’s lower than in other large cities such as Los Angeles and New York City. The overall crime index rate for Tampa is 23 compared to an overall national index rate of 47.70.
One of the most important reasons why people choose to live in Tampa is because they love the beach life.
With nearly 250 days of sunshine each year and summer temperatures that rarely go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s easy to enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and golfing all year long.
Related: The 12 Most Expensive Steakhouses in Tampa
1. St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the best city to live in Florida because it offers a small-town feel, but with all of the amenities of a big city. St. Augustine has a rich history and gorgeous beaches that make it a great place to live, work and play.
St. Augustine is home to pristine beaches and an old town district that is filled with quaint shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks. The city of St.
Augustine has been designated as a Preserve America Community, by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which recognizes the importance of preserving historic areas to maintain a distinct cultural identity.
The city pays homage to its past by maintaining much of the original architecture from its Spanish Colonial times including the Castillo de San Marcos fort on the downtown bayfront, which is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida attracting thousands of visitors each year.