BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN FLORIDA

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MOVING TO FLORIDA ? HERE ARE 10 GREAT CITIES IN THE SUNSHINE STATE

Viewed by many as a retirement destination, Florida has recently become a hot state for young families who are taking advantage of great real estate prices and a growing economy. Here's a look at the best cities in Florida.

• MIAMI BEACH

This city of nearly 90,000 residents features the largest collection of art deco architecture in the world along with great beaches, top restaurants and dynamic nightspots. While the city has a reputation as a party place, there are many family-friendly things to do in Miami Beach. Nearly 20 distinct neighborhoods grace the city’s landscape, making Miami Beach a magnet for diverse groups of residents as well as tourists. Miami Beach ranked as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the world. 

• TAMPA

Along Florida’s west coast near the Gulf Mexico, Tampa continues to grow in population thanks to good schools, excellent health care and several Fortune 1000 companies doing business there. Downtown Tampa is undergoing vibrant development with young professionals moving in, and entertainment options include professional sports, nightspots and great restaurants, creating lots of things to do in the city.

• ORLANDO

Situated in the heart of central Florida is Orlando, nicknamed “The Theme Park Capital of the World” and drawing 55 million annual visitors. For residents, the city has 115 neighborhoods, great schools and excellent health care, along with numerous high-tech companies. About 25 colleges and universities operate in Orlando.

• CORAL GABLES

One of the wealthiest cities in America is Coral Gables, situated just southwest of downtown Miami and renown as a shopping destination with many international retailers. Great weather and a solid array of natural attractions provide many things to do in Coral Gables. Coral Gables houses top employers like the University of Miami and Baptist Hospital of Miami.

• ST. PETERSBURG

With 360 days of annual sunshine, St. Petersburg is popular with both residents and tourists. Its low cost of living and quality health care make the city attractive for retirees, and St. Petersburg has also moved in a more youthful direction with a vibrant downtown and multiple nightlife options.

• NAPLES

If you have big money, Naples might be perfect for you, with the second highest proportion of millionaires per capita in America. An excellent school system and great health care are in place, and the city is popular with tourists due to its closeness to the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands.

• PORT ST. LUCIE

On the east coast of Florida is Port St. Lucie, a city of 175,000 residents and known for companies that specialize in research and innovation. St. Lucie County Public Schools are ranked among the best in Florida, and sports entertainment options include a PGA Village golf complex and the New York Mets spring training complex.

• THE VILLAGES

As a master-planned retirement community in central Florida, at least 80 percent of homes within The Villages must have at least one person 55 years of age or older. This growing city has a slogan “Free Golf for Life,” with several golf venues on site along with recreation centers and a Lifelong Learning Center.

• JACKSONVILLE

With more than 500 neighborhoods including a thriving downtown, Jacksonville operates the largest urban park system in America and oversees a robust arts scene. Top industries include tourism, health care, banking and logistics, and for water enthusiasts, the city is located on the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean.

• TALLAHASSEE

The state capital is a big college town with Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College, and also a major center for trade, agriculture, and research. The Tallahassee skyline features several buildings taller than 15 stories, and residents enjoy great health care, sports opportunities and a quality transportation system.

10 REASONS TO MOVE TO FLORIDA !

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10 reasons why you should come to live in the Sunshine State : 

• 1. THE WEATHER

Florida is one of the lucky states that enjoys beautiful weather all year long. We get to wear shorts and t-shirts 365 days a year. Our weather is so lovely that many Northerners have winter homes in Florida to escape being holed up at home for an entire season. Though these snowbirds can attest, after buying a winter home here, you may end up staying all year!

• 2. THE BEACHES

Beach lovers will find Florida to be a true paradise. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world can be found in Florida. Each coast has its own stunning landscapes, all of them worth a visit. Whether you are hoping to relax in the sand, participate in water sports or enjoy a tropical drink as the sun sets, Florida has it.

• 3. AUTHENTIC CUBAN FOOD

Every sandwich shop from Tampa to Key West claims to have the best Cuban sandwich in the state, and as you wander southern Florida, you’d be wise to stop in as many of these establishments as your appetite allows. Be sure to order a deviled crab on the side and wash it all down with a cafe con leche.

• 4. PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

Sports fans with think they’ve hit the jackpot with so many professional franchises in one state. Spend football season tailgating with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Sit courtside as the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic battle it out on the basketball court. Or catch a fly ball at a Tampa Bay Rays regular season game, or a Yankees spring training game.

• 5. FRESH SEAFOOD

All along the coastline you’ll find some of the freshest seafood the country has to offer, and the best part is, you don’t need a reservation to sink your teeth into the an expertly prepared blackened grouper sandwich. As a matter of fact, Florida’s best kept foodie secret is the seafood dives tucked away in the many off the beaten path sleepy beach towns.

• 6. DAY TRIPS

With so many unique destinations, Florida is the perfect state for day tripping. Drive a few hours and find yourself in the United State’s largest subtropical wilderness, The Everglades; checking out the work of Frank Lloyd Wright on the campus of Florida Southern College; or pondering life as you wander Bok Tower Gardens, which is a bird sanctuary, historical landmark, and gardens all rolled into one.

• 7. THEME PARKS

Whether it’s coasters, characters, or water slides you crave, Florida is bursting with more theme parks than you can fit into a week. The Orlando area alone has enough to keep you busy between Disney, Universal, Legoland, and Wet N Wild, but if that isn’t enough to fill all your thrills, head to Tampa, which is home to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island.

• 8. THE WILDLIFE

The trees are sumptuous and protected, the Everglades offer an exceptional playground for lovers of hiking and photo safari; In Miami for example the Coconut Grove neighborhood, offers an incredible density of tropical trees and plants. All of Florida is populated by many wild animals: a couple of peacocks cross the road and snub you by blocking traffic, an alligator that tans the scales as you cycle family cycling along a small path in the Everglades, A racoon that nibbles your picnic remains ... You will live with the beasts in Florida!

• 9. THE FAMOUS ORANGES

Since orange juice is the state beverage, it’s only fitting that the glorious orange is the state fruit. The fruit is a huge part of Florida’s economy, as the state provides the country with most of its oranges. In 2012, Florida produced 70 percent of oranges in the U.S. And that’s important, since our country’s per-person consumption of oranges is higher than that of any other fruit.

• 10. THE HIDDEN SPRINGS

It’s easy to understand why Ponce de Leon thought Florida's natural springs were the "Fountain of Youth". They are simply breathtaking. There are close to 900 freshwater springs in Florida, ranging from small ones emitting a little more than a trickle of water, to Silver Springs, the largest spring in Florida, which emits over 550 million gallons of water per day. Experiencing one of these springs is like entering a new world — you can swim in underground caves! Even better, the water temperature at the springs averages 70-75 degrees year-round.

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Sources : http://wcicommunities.com/about-wci/blog/2015/12/23/10-reasons-why-people-move-to-florida/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/27/florida-best-state_n_4981731.html http://livability.com/fl/real-estate/8-reasons-to-move-to-florida