What Florida homeowners have known for years is that Florida is a beautiful place to live. Rankings of the Best U.S. cities to live in have been released, and Florida cities have taken nine of the coveted 100 spots.
Related: Florida Housing Market is Booming
How Best Cities Ranking Can Help Homebuyers
Best Cities is a reputable website that displays the rankings of the best U.S. cities to live in. The rankings are released annually and consider a variety of factors when determining the best cities in which to live.
Many homebuyers have a checklist when searching for a home, and the rankings offer information about each city that can be helpful to homebuyers who are deciding where to move.
What is Best Cities Methodology?
Best Cities uses six categories to define which cities make their list. The categories are:
Place: This category covers various factors, such as a city’s urban and natural environment. It also accounts for safety, weather, neighborhoods, landmarks, etc.
Product: This category considers infrastructure like airports, museums, sports teams, and universities.
Programming: Programming looks at art and culture, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.
People: This category looks at immigration and diversity in a city, including average educational levels.
Prosperity: Prosperity examines the cities employment levels, household income, and the density of Fortune 500 companies or corporate head offices.
Promotion: Promotion ranks cities based on the number of recommendations and stories online and on social media.
Which Florida Cities Made the Best Cities List?
Tampa, Florida Ranked #22
It’s no surprise to see Tampa at number 22 on the list. Low crime rates and 361 days of sunshine per year combined with excellent outdoor attractions make this an appealing destination for homebuyers. And then there are the beaches, like De Soto Park and Clearwater, and parklands like Riverwalk.
Of course, there is plenty to do in the city, such as great restaurants, an aquarium, and the new Peninsularium.
Miami, Florida Ranked #25
Miami’s weather and great beaches have made it a global attraction for homebuyers and tourists alike. The city ranks #6 in the Promotion category as Miami welcomes immigrants.
The cities diverse culture is mainly inspired by Latin America and is home to a large Spanish-language media. Great amenities and culture, alongside excellent restaurants, mean Miami has a thriving nightlife. Additionally, Miami’s candidacy as a host city for the 2026 World Cup can only add to its appeal.
North Port, Florida Ranked #36
North Port, located in Sarasota County, is a city on the rise. It has an entire state forest within the city limits making it highly attractive to homebuyers who love to bike, hike, or ride horses. But, of course, that’s not the only attraction, with the area’s waterways also great for canoeing, kayaking, and more.
A thriving economy with plenty of newly built homes makes North Port an excellent spot for families.
Orlando, Florida Ranked #41
Orlando is Florida’s largest city and a tourism hotspot. Tourist attractions like Disney World, Universal Theme Park, Sea World, and Discovery Cove bring billions in revenue to the region every year, making it one of the most talked-about destinations online.
The 25,500-seater Exploria Stadium houses the local MLS men’s and women’s teams. Great restaurants and nightlife mean that Orlando offers plenty to do for everyone in the family.
Cape Coral, Florida Ranked #49
Cape Coral is America’s safest city. Additionally, the area has been the subject of recent renovations, like the Westin property and Boca Grande’s Old Florida Gasparilla Inn. However, it’s not only tourism that attracts people to the area; the fantastic parks & outdoors also bring plenty of homebuyers.
Southwest Florida International airport, riverfront vistas, and outstanding nightlife make Cape Coral an excellent area for students and families.
Jacksonville, Florida Ranked #54
Jacksonville is Florida’s fastest-growing city. The booming property and job markets thrived even during the pandemic. Connectivity to local beaches and parks makes this an excellent place for families and younger adults.
Access to the outdoors is only part of Jacksonville’s appeal. Jobs in financial services, IT, and aerospace are attracting some of the nation’s top graduates. Indeed, the area is home to corporate giants like JP Morgan, Johnson & Johnson, and Citi Group, to name a few.
Palm Bay, Florida Ranked #58
Palm Bay has some of the best green spaces and golf courses in the state. Excellent beaches, a low crime rate, and spectacular weather all make the area desirable. Manufacturing is one of the area’s biggest industries, with defense and technology industries attracting graduates.
With plans to renovate the Bayfront district, expect more homebuyers to see Palm Bay as a place to buy.
Lakeland, Florida Ranked #92
Lakeland is the home of many lakes and parklands that make it a dream for people who love to spend time outdoors. In addition, the area is only 25 miles from Tampa Bay, meaning homebuyers have access to the best of both worlds.
Safe and friendly, the area’s property market is booming as an influx of homebuyers take advantage of a quieter pace of life. The local economy is resilient, too, resulting in many work-from-home employees relocating to this thriving metro.
Related: Lakeland Florida Ranked #1 Fastest-Growing Retirement Town
Deltona, Florida Ranked #96
Deltona was once a retirement village with only a few thousand occupants, but it has transformed into a flourishing metropolis in recent years. It’s only 30 miles from Orlando and Daytona Beach, and the city contains some of the friendliest neighborhoods in the country.
Remarkable golf courses, a strong economy, and plenty of investment mean Deltona has become a sought-after area for homebuyers and homeowners.
Marimark Mortgage
Marimark Mortgage is based in Tampa, Florida, and serves the mortgage needs of homebuyers, homeowners, and investors in Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
We specialize in mortgages for first-time homebuyers, conventional home mortgages, refinance loans, reverse mortgages, and FHA, VA, and USDA mortgage options. We’ve worked extensively with cash-out refinancing and help clients to lower their monthly mortgage payments.
To get started with a mortgage to buy your next home, please fill out our Quick Mortgage Application or contact us.
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