Pack Up Everything and Move to These Florida Towns
If you've ever gone to Florida on a vacation to chill on the beaches in Sarasota or hit the theme parks in Orlando and thought,
"Wouldn't it be nice to live here?", well you're not alone. Population-wise, Florida is one of the fastest-growing states, and with many varied cities ranging from Miami to St. Augustine, you have a choice of where to live - though endless sunshine and beautiful beaches are a given. Read on to see which are the best places to live in the Sunshine State.
Naples
Best for Retirees
For a laid-back but upscale and safe place to live in Florida, retirees can't go wrong with Naples on the Gulf coast. In addition to pretty beaches, this affluent city has perfectly manicured golf courses and cultural attractions, such as The Baker Museum, featuring three Dale Chihuly installations, as well as boutiques, restaurants, and bars along Fifth Avenue South.
More: Enjoy Your Golden Years - These Are the Best Places to Retire To
Miami
Best for Foodies
Miami has a rocking food scene, with top chefs like Gaston Acurio opening La Mar by Gaston Acurio, serving Asian-Peruvian fusion dishes, and Thomas Keller, opening the Surf Club Restaurant, named one of the best restaurants in Miami by Thrillist.com. Plus, the city has plenty of cool food halls, including La Centrale, an Eataly-style emporium and the Asian-themed 1-800-Lucky.
Sarasota - Florida
Best for Beaches
Sarasota, named one of the U.S.'s Best Small Cities in this year's Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards, is known for its gorgeous white-sand strands, like the award-winning Siesta Key and Longboat Key, a popular nesting spot for turtles. The city also has cultural attractions like The John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Opera, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Key West
Best for Laid-Back Living
If you're craving a place to live in Florida where to you can kick back with a pi?a colada while watching brilliant nightly sunsets, consider Key West, located at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys (just 90 miles from Cuba).
Spend your days chilling on Smathers Beach, biking around town, and enjoying water sports like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and deep-sea fishing.
Tampa/St. Petersburg
Best for Culture
A great place to live in Florida for those craving culture in addition to fabulous beaches is Tampa and St. Petersburg. Highlights include the Straz Center for Performing Arts, the Tampa Museum of Art, and The Dali Museum. Ybor City, a historic neighborhood founded in the 1880s by cigar maker Vicente Martinez-Ybor, is a lively hangout spot with bars and restaurants.
Orlando
Best for Families
This is a no-brainer. If you have kids, you'll be able to keep them endlessly occupied at Orlando's must-see theme parks like Disney and Universal, which are always introducing new attractions (Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens in 2019).
Other things to do include Sea Life Orlando Aquarium and Gatorland. Plus, parents will appreciate the city's growing culinary and cocktail scenes.
St. Augustine
Best for History Buffs
If living in the country's oldest city sounds appealing, then unpack your bags in St. Augustine, founded in 1565. Historic structures include the Old City Gates, 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos (a fort built by the Spanish), and the Cathedral Basilica church. You can also unwind on 10-mile-long St. Augustine Beach, on Anastasia Island, and stroll along pedestrian-only St. George Street.
Here's where to put down roots in the Sunshine State. ??