Moving to Florida? 10 Great Cities to Call Home in the Sunshine State

Looking to move to a place with year-round warm weather, plenty of sunshine, beautiful beaches and a wide diversity of people? You’ll find it in Florida. Whether you’re seeking palm-tree lined surroundings or a bustling, urban environment, there are numerous towns and cities to fit all budgets and lifestyles in the Sunshine State. Here’s a quick snapshot of 10 popular Florida cities – all with booming economies, a slew of recreational options, top-notch healthcare systems and great schools – to consider when relocating to beautiful Florida. Note: These 10 cities are listed in alphabetical order.

Coral Gables

Reason to Move: Situated in Miami-Dade county, Coral Gables is a picture-perfect, meticulously designed city conveniently located next door to the glamorous and cosmopolitan city of Miami. The city is home to the University of Miami and the iconic Venetian Pool. Well-known for its pedestrian friendly streets, living in Coral Gables is perfect for those looking for a welcoming and walkable downtown, as well as a quiet suburban life. The beautiful architecture, proximity to the beach, hip restaurants and high-end boutique shopping make Coral Gables a top place to live (and visit) in South Florida.

Population: 49,631

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Coral Gables was $875,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Jacksonville

Reason to Move: Warm weather, reasonable house prices, a booming economy and a top school system are just a few reasons to move to Jacksonville. This large city is considered the cultural and commercial epicenter of the North Florida region. In addition to claiming Florida’s third largest seaport, Jacksonville also serves as the headquarters for numerous finance and healthcare companies. Given the area’s large number of job opportunities and universities, the city is a popular place for young professionals, college graduates and families to settle down.

Population: 842,583

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Jacksonville was $200,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Jupiter

Reason to Move: Located in the northern section of Palm Beach County, Jupiter was recently included in Coastal Living Magazine’s list of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns.” Given its close proximity to the beach and numerous waterways, the town is perfect for boaters and recreational water sport enthusiasts. It’s also an ideal community for families because of its top public schools, low crime rate, and dog-friendly atmosphere. Celebrities, such as Tiger Woods, Celine Dion and Alan Jackson, have all called Jupiter home as well.

Population: 58,298

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Jupiter was $469,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Naples

Reason to Move: Why not live where others vacation? Move to Naples and you can make it happen. Located on the Gulf Coast in southwest Florida, Naples offers white sandy beaches, family-friendly restaurants, art galleries, swanky boutique shopping and a walkable downtown area. The city is a popular place to live for those who love fishing, boating, golf, tennis and an active lifestyle. In fact, a 2016 study by the University of Washington proved that residents of Naples, Florida may, in fact, live longer and healthier lives. This was due to the city’s excellent healthcare system and year-round access to recreational sports.

Population: 20,537

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Naples was $409,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Orlando

Reason to Move: The Orlando metro area is a fabulous place for young professionals, retirees, singles and families. In addition to its close proximity to America’s most famous theme parks, the metro area is home to numerous smaller towns, perfect for families. Downtown Orlando boasts hip restaurants, nightclubs, and plenty of arts and culture. Nearby towns, like Kissimmee and Winter Park, offer great schools and plenty of job opportunities in various industries.

Population: 255,483 (however, when including the surrounding areas that make up the Orlando metro area, the population is over 2 million people).

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Orlando was $239,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Port St. Lucie

Reason to Move: Described as part of Florida’s “Treasure Coast,” Port St. Lucie is the perfect place for young families and retirees. With a sub-tropical climate, an exceptionally low crime rate, affordable neighborhoods, and a slew of amenities nearby, the town is an especially convenient place to live. Port St. Lucie also offers top-notch golf courses and a close-proximity to the beach for those seeking a laid-back lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of big city living.

Population: 171,016

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Port St. Lucie was $190,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Sarasota

Reason to Move Here: Located on the Gulf Coast (near Tampa), Sarasota is a hotspot for families, snowbirds, young professionals and retirees seeking warm, balmy temperatures. The city offers top-notch restaurants and shopping, as well as a hot job market. Not to mention, Sarasota’s beaches are particularly famous for their beauty. In 2015, Sarasota’s Siesta Public Beach was even named the number one beach in the U.S. by TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Population: 53,326

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Sarasota was $370,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

St. Petersburg

Reasons to Move Here: Located in the Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg – or “St. Pete” as it’s called by locals – is famous for being one of the sunniest cities in America, with an average 360 or so days of sunshine a year. The city is also home to a booming arts scene, an energetic downtown, good eats, beautiful parks, and a fabulous waterfront. Many residents are involved in boating and recreational water sports. St. Petersburg is home to a good mix of families, retirees, snowbirds and young professionals.

Population: 249,688

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in St. Petersburg was $280,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Tampa

Reasons to Move Here: The Tampa area is home to several major company headquarters, as well as numerous finance and telecom businesses – making it an important hub for business on Florida’s Gulf Coast. In addition to a booming economy, the city boasts some of the best fine dining, sports fans, high-end shopping and buzzing nightlife in the state. Residents include young professionals, singles, celebrities, families and retirees.

Population: 352,957

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in Tampa was $250,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

West Palm Beach

Reasons to Move: Those looking for an urban lifestyle with suburban amenities will find it in and around the West Palm Beach area. Located across the intracoastal waterway from its high-heeled neighbor Palm Beach, West Palm offers a thriving metropolis with first-rate restaurants, a vibrant arts scene and exciting nightlife. Residents include college students, young professionals, singles, young families and retirees. Many West Palm Beachers live in either one of the downtown’s many luxury condo buildings or in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Population: 102,436

Median Home Price: At the time this article was written, the median listing price for a home in West Palm Beach was $250,000. For more information, check Realtor.com’s housing market profile.

Learn more about Florida’s cities by visiting our City Profile Report feature, which includes city demographics, real estate, economic makeup, income, education, and residential information.