St. Armands Circle Sarasota, FL Lido Key Aerial Drone – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Suncoast Aerials
Recently, three cities in Florida were listed as some of the “best” places to live in the country.
Money claimed that to determine the top 50 American cities, it considered factors including diversity, economic opportunity, and where people’s best futures lay.
Atlanta, Georgia was named the greatest location to live in the survey due to its “booming jobs market and eye on equality.”
Three Florida cities were included in the ranking: Sarasota (No. 43), Tampa (No. 9), and Altamonte Springs (No. 33).
Tampa, FL
According to Money, Tampa offers “a rare combination of affordable and action-packed.” The city has one of the lowest median home sales on the list, at approximately $381,000.
“There’s nightlife galore in the Ybor City district. Tampa’s 20- and 30-somethings also flock to spots like Angry Chair Brewing, which serves its famous stouts alongside kitchen faves like pickle dip, and Taco Bus, which was dishing burritos out of its yellow school bus way before food trucks were cool,” Money reported.
The traffic and weather in Tampa, which Money described as “sweltering and hurricane-prone in the summer,” are drawbacks for residents.
“If you can stand the heat — pun intended — you’ll benefit,” Money said.
Quick facts about Tampa:
- Population: 379,742
- Median household income: $70,145
- Median home price: $381,352
- Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Altamonte Springs
Money placed Altamonte Springs as the second Florida city, roughly 30 minutes from Disney World and an hour from the ocean.
In contrast to the other locations on the list, Altamonte Springs “doesn’t feel overly busy,” and the cost of living is “pretty average,” according to Money.
“Central Florida is prone to hurricanes and political turmoil, but on the plus side, it doesn’t charge a state income tax,” Money said.
One further advantage of Altamonte Springs is that, according to Money, the area has a high graduation rate of about 93%. According to the survey, the residents get a fair balance between leisure and learning.
Quick facts about Altamonte Springs
- Population: 44,383
- Median household income: $62,762
- Median home price: $210,105
- Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Sarasota, Florida
Money called Sarasota a “paradise for beach, culture and wildlife lovers.”
“Sunbathers can enjoy sandy stretches on nearby Siesta Key (which has a thriving social scene — ever seen that MTV reality show?) and Longboat Key (where hundreds of sea turtles lay their eggs every year). Art fans won’t feel out of place, either. Sarasota boasts the Ringling Museum, a museum built by circus operator John Ringling and his wife in the 1920s. Styled after the Uffizi in Florence, Italy, the museum is home to pieces from artists like Peter Paul Rubens as well as a massive courtyard filled with bronze cast statues — including a replica of Michelangelo’s David,” Money reported.
Quick facts about Sarasota:
- Population: 56,115
- Median household income: $64,142
- Median home price: $368,733
- Unemployment rate: 2.6%
These are the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2022-2023, according to Money:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Tempe, Arizona
- Kirkland, Washington
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Rogers Park (Chicago), Illinois
- Columbia, Maryland
- Somerville, Massachusetts
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Tampa, Florida
- Jersey City, New Jersey
- Boise, Idaho
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Irvine, California
- Fort Lee, New Jersey
- Arlington, Virginia
- Naperville, Illinois
- Milton, Massachusetts
- Fremont, California
- Carmel, Indiana
- Rockville, Maryland
- Franklin, Tennessee
- San Diego, California
- Hillsboro, Oregon
- Abington, Pennsylvania
- San Jose, California
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Chanhassen, Minnesota
- Denver, Colorado
- Overland Park, Kansas
- Morristown, New Jersey
- Lafayette, Colorado
- Camas, Washington
- Altamonte Springs, Florida
- South Burlington, Vermont
- Marietta, Georgia
- Kirkwood, Missouri
- Glen Cove, New York
- Kaneohe, Hawaii
- Hutto, Texas
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Sarasota, Florida
- Nashua, New Hampshire
- Norman, Oklahoma
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Juneau, Alaska
- Coralville, Iowa
- Jeffersonville, Indiana
- Sparks, Nevada
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
