2021 Best Places To Live In Florida

Sunshine, beautiful beaches and home to the “happiest place on earth”… Florida has it all. But, when you’re considering which part of the state to move to, the options are endless and it’s easy to start feeling lost.

To help you narrow down your search, we’ve put together our top picks in our 2021 Best Places To Live In Florida guide. Check it out below!

 

 

FOR BEACH LOVERS

Ahhh, there’s nothing like the feeling of sand between your toes, a warm breeze blowing against your body and the scent of the beach filling your nose. While Florida has a wide variety of beach towns, no two are the same. But, our picks will have you falling in love with the beach all over again:

 

1) Bonita Springs, FL

Located in Southwest Florida off the Gulf of Mexico, Bonita Springs is known for its sandy white beaches, including Barefoot Beach. Bringing your favorite furry friend along for the move? They can enjoy a day of fun in the sun with you at Dog Beach Park, one of Florida’s top dog-friendly beaches. 

2) Jupiter, FL

Just north of West Palm Beach and bordering the Atlantic Ocean, you have the laid-back town of Jupiter, FL. Previously named as one of the “Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns” by Coastal Living magazine, Jupiter has a wealth of offerings from its turquoise-colored waters to its scenic Loxahatchee River (popular among kayakers and boaters). 

 

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE “SEASONS”

The first snowfall, the dew in the early morning spring grass, the excitement of short weather and the leaves starting to change colors…some of the best moments in the changing of seasons. While Florida isn’t known for having the most distinguishable aspects of all four seasons, it still does experience seasonal changes. Wanting the most out of the seasons? We got you covered:

 

1) Jacksonville, FL

You’ve probably heard the saying: the further north you go, the colder it will be. While that’s not always the case, it is for the Northern Florida city of Jacksonville. With lows in the 40s in the winter, Jacksonville gives you a bit of the breeze you’re looking for without having to pile on the snow gear. Other great bonuses? Jacksonville is known for being one of the more affordable cities in Florida and it’s close to many other major cities (perfect for a day trip to St. Augustine or Savannah, GA). 

2) Pensacola, FL

If you’re seeking cooler temperatures, but aren’t looking to go North, Pensacola is your answer. Located in Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola is known to experience some of the cooler weather temperatures Florida has to offer, with temperature lows averaging in the 50s in winter. Pensacola also happens to be known as home to the famous Blue Angels Naval aerobatics team!

 

FOR WALKABILITY

The ease, the convenience, the connection. There’s something special about living in a town/city where everything is close-by to you. In fact, being able to walk around and explore is one of the best ways to really learn about where you live and gives you a chance to build a strong sense of community. While there’s many great cities in Florida to do just that, we couldn’t narrow it down to just one city…so we chose an area:

 

1) Greater Orlando, FL

Searching for a place to live that’s walkable while being in the heart of the hustle and bustle? Downtown Orlando is your place. Just like any major city, you have your businesses, coffee shops, nightlife, restaurants and condo living all in a close proximity to one another (of course, if you’re up for living a few minutes out, there’s plenty of residential housing too). Thanks to bike share and scooter share programs, you can easily jet from one section of downtown to the other in a jiffy. 

Looking to be close to downtown, but out of the heart of the city? College Park may be a great option for you. Experience the small town feel while being minutes away by foot from local restaurants, retailers, businesses and parks. Wanting to have walkable areas close by, but don’t mind getting in your car to take a few minutes to drive to another walkable area? Winter Park is your spot. Locals love to spend time walking around Park Avenue, Orange Avenue and Hannibal Square. It’s also home to many of Orlando’s top restaurants and museums. Up and coming living with walkability just 20 minutes north of the Orlando downtown area? Check out Sanford. With a growing, but quaint historic downtown area off the lovely Lake Monroe, Sanford is the perfect place to call home (and for those looking to raise families, Sanford is located in one of the top counties for public schooling too). 

 

FOR FAMILIES

Speaking of families, we always want to keep their best interests at heart. When it comes to moving (especially to another state), it’s a whole new ballgame that involves various factors at play–it’s not as simple as making the decision to move and then just packing the truck. There’s a lot of time and research that goes into it, but we have a few top places you can start with:

 

1) Melbourne, FL

Melbourne is located in Brevard county, which is known for having many of the top rated public schools. Not only can your kids get a great education at school, but they can also learn a ton about space at the Kennedy Space Center (roughly an hour drive)– on clear nights, you may even be able to watch satellite launches with them from the comfort of your home. A few other advantages of living in Melbourne are: it has a lower cost of living than the general FL average, it’s close to the beach and is home to many family friendly festivals (like the Melbourne Art Festival). 

2) Tampa, FL

When moving a family, it’s important to make sure you have good job stability. In a recent report from WalletHub, Tampa was named one of the best cities to find a job in 2020. On top of a booming job market, Tampa is also known for having some of the best schools too. What about entertainment for the whole family? Tampa’s got you covered: there’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stadium, The Florida Aquarium and multiple concert venues nearby.

Ready to call Florida home? We can help. 

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