Why Tampa Is The Best Place To Live In Florida.

Tampa is much more than what you may think. Tampa Bay his a huge area and takes up most of Hillsborough County. There are rural areas, the modern city of Tampa FL, quintessential beach towns and the country's finest beaches. The Tampa population is diverse in every way.

Tampa Bay | Tampa FL

The best cities to live in Florida are found in Central Florida. Here are my favorites in order. Tampa Bay, Winter Garden FL, Windermere FL, Orlando FL, Clermont FL and Finally Lakeland FL. I am not a fan of any Central Florida cities on the east coast other than to visit.

1. Tampa Bay is amazing. You can live the laid back beach lifestyle, the big city life and enjoy all the sunshine state has to offer. The gulf coast is the place to live in Florida and is where you will find most of the natural beauty the state has to offer. The median home price is a little high but you get so much for it area wise. Not to mention the best major sports teams any of the big cities offer. Health care options here are fantastic.

2. Winter Garden FL? Don't I mean Winter Park FL? Well no I do not. Winter Garden FL and Horizon West are two incredible areas growing rapidly. The best places to live in Florida need to have a lot to offer and Winter Garden has it all. It borders Walt Disney World, is rapidly modernizing and is only 20 minutes west of downtown Orlando. Still it has that small town feel, hiking trails and of course beautiful warm weather. Definitely one of the best cities to raise a family.

3. Windermere FL is among the best place to live in Florida but is not what you would call a low cost affordable place. For the affluent the best places to live need to have gated communities, world class golf courses, waterfront mansions etc. Popular cities with these and other outdoor activities draw the wealthy just like the lack of a state income taxes does. This small city is filled with young professionals and a much higher than national average home price.

4. Orlando Florida is filled with young adults and diverse cultural attractions. You would think Orlando should be the state capital but Tallahassee gets stuck with that and being the home of Florida State University. Orlando has affordable housing, the theme parks, the most vibrant downtown area and best employment opportunities.

   A growing industry there is health care which makes it one of the best places to live for quite a few members of the Orlando population. Daytona Beach is 1 hour away, Kennedy Space Center is one hour away and Tamps is 2 hours west.

5. Clermont FL, not the largest city but has rolling hills, the small town feel, many young adults and beautiful lakes. This city is overlooked because of neighboring options which is quite a shame. Natural beauty, natural history to be proud of and an excellent median home price make this one of the best cities to choose in Central Florida.

6. Lakeland FL, Auburndale FL and Winter Haven FL all are located between Tampa and Orlando. These are the best places to live on a budget and get a great house for about what is paid in north Florida. Expect to find tracts of land horse farms and a slightly higher unemployment rate. There are quite a few retirees here as well. Needless to say there are a lot of lakes, Winter Haven FL should have been named Lake City with over 50 in the city limits.

South Florida Palm Beach County To The Florida Keys

I lived and worked all over South Florida. I have fished in the Florida Keys over 100 times and lived in South Miami. My family lives all over South Florida and we visit way to often. Sandy beaches, South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean are very attractive but living off of a reputation that leaves off the negative aspects.

Miami Dade County is a terrible place to raise a family. It is everything a big city and big city life is truly all about. Including crime, horrible traffic and a miserable hot summer. This part of the Sunshine State is attractive to the very young adults who just haven't been to Tampa Bay yet.

The Atlantic Coast is a lot better as you venture north toward West Palm Beach. If you long for Southwest Florida then join the Sarasota population or the Cape Coral population or nearby Fort Myers as both are terrific areas despite recent storms. Avoid Miami Dade County and stick to the gulf coast if at all possible aka Florida's paradise coast.