Florida is definitely one of the most adventurous, fun-friendly places to live. Apart from the golden-sand beaches and warm, breezy environment, there are a lot of practical benefits of living in Florida.
First, it’s a tax haven of the United States of America – one of the major perks of living in Florida is not paying state income tax. That is one of the reasons why a lot of people search for jobs and housing in the state.
About housing, it also costs lower than the majority of the US states. What’s more, the likeliness to have a beach in close proximity to your house is not a huge benefit. It expands your outdoor entertainment opportunities.
People who used to work and live in colder climates find the Sunshine State of Florida a very comfortable place to retire because it’s warm all year round, there’s no snow at all.
All of these are obvious benefits, but here is a perk that no one knows about: Florida is filled with attractions, and local residents get a significant discount to some acclaimed local tourist destinations. That way, your drive to the outskirts of your city is topped up with a money-saving benefit.
These and a lot more perks of living in Florida are what make this state an overall desirable place to live the rest of your life. However, Florida is a big state, and not every city is the same – some provide better living than others.
Considering the cost of living, housing values, and crime rates, below are the top 6 most desirable locations to live in Florida.
Milton
Milton is a small city in Florida’s Santa Rose County with a population of 9,771. It is a tight-knit community with the best income-to-home price ratios. That is why it is great for the people who want high wages with cheap housing schemes.
The Cost of Living (COL) Index puts Milton at 92, with housing options under $150,000.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
With a low crime rate and amazing prospective jobs, it is a great place to live for families. Not to mention, public school systems and outdoor lifestyle are what make this place a great place to raise kids and grandkids.
A lot of retired people also shift to Milton, Florida for its relaxed way of living, which involves numerous outdoor parks and riverside picnic opportunities, along with hiking trails spread throughout the parks for adventurous people. You can also have a 40-minute drive to Pensacola Beach on your weekend.
Lake Alfred
Lake Alfred is a small town in Polk County, Florida with a population of 5,015 (as per the 2010 census). Lake Alfred is for people who think safety is as important as any other living factor. Lake Alfred has a crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents, below Florida’s average, which makes it the safest place to live on this list.
Moreover, Lake Alfred is also a very affordable place to live, being 86 on COL Index and having an average home price of $188, 000, which is 29% below Florida’s average.
Since there has been a huge demand by the people to take place in this small, tight-knit community, it might be hard for you to find a house there. Listings are always out, and when they do show up, it only takes a couple of days for someone to grab the deal.
For a quiet and comfortable life around the lakes, and having access to Orlando and Tampa with just an hour of drive, Lake Alfred is for you.
Windermere
Windermere is a small town in Florida’s Orange County with a population of just 2,462 people, as per the 2010 census. This contemporary suburban town is a great place to live for families where they feel safe in a tight-knit community.
Due to its high-ranked public schools and commercial growth opportunities, living and working in Windermere has been a dream for most people lately. However, the pandemic resulted in an incredible decline in the inventory of the houses, therefore, it might be difficult at this time for you to find a home in Windermere.
Still, with a good and healthy lifestyle and most residents owning their houses – that shows surety and long-term feeling of security – Windermere is a desirable place to live. And that is why Windermere FL Real Estate is performing it’s at an all-time high.
Minneola
Minneola is a currently-growing city in the Lake County of Florida. The population of Minneola, in 2010, was recorded to be 9,403. In 2019, the population was 12, 595. The increase in population shows growth and attraction of people towards this small-town city.
Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Minneola performs really high in livability score, with the lowest rate of crime and high educational standard. Minneola is ranked the safest place to live in Lake County. Moreover, the suburban town is home to a great public school system and a lot of outdoor entertainment opportunities, including parks, shopping centers, restaurants & arcades, and hiking and walking trails.
Life in Minneola is peaceful, quiet, comfortable, and healthy. Due to all such reasons, the inventory of Minneola FL Homes for Sale is running out of listings.
Lady Lake
Located in Lake County in Central Florida, Lady Lake is a town with an immense population of 16,020 as of 2019. It is an ever-growing community filled mostly with retired people. It is the 3rd cheapest place to live in Florida that’s also safe and comfortable.
Lady Lake is surprisingly full of opportunities for job and career growth. Life in Lady Lake is good, affordable, and provides easy access to basic human care facilities. Every big amenity can be found in Lady Lake, including maintained hospitals, clinics, and churches, and all of your favorite retail stores & fast food restaurants.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Recently, there have been new neighborhoods in Lady Lake and the sale of houses was initiated at $160,000, with COL Index putting Lady Lake at 90.
Tavares
Located in Central Florida, Tavares is the county seat of Lake County with a high population of 19,003 as per the 2020 census.
Tavares is a small suburban city of Orlando, and it is one of the fastest-growing small cities in Florida. Tavares has everything that a family needs to live happily, cheap living costs, a low crime rate, a high percentage of job and growth prospects, and enjoyable outdoor life.
Moreover, Tavares is filled with natural beauty. The three major lakes that surround this city make this even a more beautiful place. It also gives you the opportunities to go for riverside camping or picnic on the weekends.
Georgia Guercio, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The downtown in Tavares is loaded with fancy and fast-food restaurants, shopping malls, bars, boutiques, parlors, and much more. In other words, outdoor life is awesome in Tavares. Just one hour away is the main Orlando, which is another place to spend long weekends at.
The Cost of Living Index puts Tavares on good 86, with an average home price being $223,000, which is 16% lower than Florida’s average. Not to forget, the public school system in Tavares is booming, just as its housing prices, so go and start planning the future of your life with your family in a great suburban place.