. Top 5 Places to Live in Florida

Top 5 Places to Live in Florida

Florida

You’re gearing up to settle in Florida, but choosing the right city for you poses questions. The fact is, you’re rather spoiled for choice. There are plenty of plus points for most of its top cities, and choosing the right one will often mean comparing positives to decide which matters most to you. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the cities that are drawing newcomers from far and near. While you’re at it, consider Florida real estate prices – it’s just one of the factors to bear in mind, but it’s an important one!

1. Tampa

Let’s kick off with the city that’s consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the USA, let alone Florida. Tampa gives the lie to the myth of Florida being for old folks. That’s partly because of the many excellent schools in the city, and partly because of the excellent job opportunities for professionals. If you’re looking for a vibrant festival calendar and tons of fun events to look forward to, then Tampa fits the bill too. Finding a house or apartment on the bay may be a tall order, but prices are rather more reasonable when waterfront views aren’t a priority for you.

2. Jacksonville

If Tampa’s comparatively high housing prices are putting you off, the next place to look is Jacksonville. Professional people will have plenty of opportunities, with the healthcare and financial industries being among the most sought-after employers in the city. Unemployment is also lower than in Tampa, giving you a better shot at landing that ideal job. But it’s not a case of all work and no play in Jacksonville. Apart from the park trails nearby, you can enjoy a wide range of city-oriented activities.

3. Gainesville

Being some distance from the coast can be an advantage, especially when you prefer to give holiday crowds a miss. But despite being off the main tourist track, there’s still a lot to see and do, both inside and outside the city limits. Gainsville runs at a slower pace, but it still offers excellent career opportunities and an eventful social scene thanks, in part, to it being the University of Florida’s home turf.

4. Orlando

Moving back towards the tourist hub, Orlando places you within easy reach of tourist attractions and tourism dollars as well as healthcare jobs at big employers like AdventHealth and Orlando Health. But the tradeoff is a higher housing cost. If your budget is roomy, however, you can look at trying a new concept in housing, the Creative Village which provides housing within easy reach of downtown Orlando while including its own parks, office suites, restaurants, and clubs.

5. Cape Coral

For a laid-back, seaside lifestyle, Cape Coral is the place to be. It’s one of the safest cities in Florida and is popular with folks working in the tourism industry as well as those who are able to work remotely. As you’d expect from a seaside city with so much going for it, property prices are on the high side, but many people find the lifestyle worth the price tag. So, pack your sunglasses and swimming trunks and pay it a visit to see if Cape Coral is the right hometown for you.

City Life and More

If none of these cities sounds appealing to you, don’t despair. There are several other city options to consider – or you might opt for a rural lifestyle with more space, fewer people, and lower property costs. Ready for your big move? You’ll be feeling right at home before very long!