There are so many reasons to move to Florida! With over 200 sunny days per year and no state income tax, Florida is an oasis for people seeking good times, affordable living, and a laid-back, easy-go-lucky lifestyle. Of course, not every community in Florida is the same. Before you can buy a home, you'll have to start by finding the right spot for you.
Sarasota
U.S. News and World Report Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 16
So, we might be biased when it comes to our love of Sarasota, but it’s for good reason. Just one hour south of Tampa, Sarasota is bustling with fine dining, rooftop bars, and the arts. Sarasota is a quickly growing city with a thriving economy, beautiful beaches, and a healthy real estate market. Don’t wait to find the perfect home, purchase for the right location, and work with a design-build firm to make it uniquely yours.
Did you know that Sarasota is one of the cultural centers of Florida? It enjoys the nickname "Florida's Cultural Coast." In Sarasota, we enjoy wine and food festivals, museums, and outdoor activities. The area hosts hiking, biking, kayaking, and so much more. With so much to do, it’s no wonder Sarasota is also one of the top retirement destinations in Florida but also a destination for young professionals.
Tallahassee
U.S. News and World Report Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 114
As the capital of the state of Florida, Tallahassee is a cultural center. Packed with museums like the Museum of Florida History, Florida Historic Capitol Museum, and Tallahassee Museum. The city also offers hundreds of miles of biking, hiking, paddling, and riding. Also, the vibrant arts scene will keep you busy with activities week after week.
An important detail to note is the public schools in Tallahassee are above average, while the city is safe and culturally rich, making it an excellent place to raise a family. Further, High school students in the area rank eighth for college readiness among the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. Not only that, but because it's the capital of the state of Florida, Tallahassee has strong economic prospects for people who move to the area. If you're interested in a job in state government, this is the place to be.
Port St. Lucie
U.S. News and World Report Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 73
Port. St. Lucie has seen a healthy growth rate since 2014. Like a lot of the Florida Metro areas, the cost of living in the area is relatively high, but with good reason. The New York Mets hold their spring training in Port. St. Lucie, making it a perfect place to live if you love baseball.
Boating and fishing is a favorite activity in the area, but one of the best features about Port St. Lucie is its laid back environment and safe neighborhoods where people can raise a family. It was actually voted the 11th safest city in Florida in 2021. Port St. Lucie is close to the Atlantic beaches, though not directly on the beach. All this means that Port St. Lucie gives you access to some of Florida's finest features while providing a safe place to live.
Orlando
U.S. News and World Report Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 48
The well-known home of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando is an excellent source of entertainment but also business and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Orlando’s downtown is bursting at the seams with nightlife, dining, a growing craft beer scene, and live music. Orlando’s residential section is filled with bungalows and the market is very competitive. With a steady influx of young professionals, the housing inventory is notoriously low, so if Orlando is where you’d like to call home, be ready to make offers quickly.
Pensacola
U.S. News and World Report Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 37
The panhandle of Florida has a quiet real estate market that makes it an affordable place to live. If you're buying your first home on a budget, Pensacola is a fantastic place to set down roots.
White sand beaches and emerald waters make this city a perfect destination for anyone seeking a dense suburban beach town with growing jobs in healthcare manufacturing, and tourism, plus opportunities for entertainment and relaxation. The bays and Gulf also make this an excellent place to live for anyone interested in fisheries (or dining).
Tampa
U.S. News and World Report Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 36
Tampa has experienced massive growth in recent years - and for good reason. With pristine beaches, clean streets, and a bustling economy, Tampa is a destination for homeowners and tourists alike. The city also boasts an affordable cost of living, making it a destination for retirees as well as young professionals.
Between hockey, football, and baseball, sports are a big part of life in Tampa. Tampa is a center of entertainment and is rich with museums, shops, parks, and restaurants. Other popular attractions include Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and a number of cultural centers.
Building a Home In Florida? Pick the Right Place
Florida is a huge state with a lot of diversity - diversity of people, diversity of entertainment, and environmental diversity. Living inland, you'll enjoy proximity to lakes and waterways, warm weather, and seemingly endless sunshine. On the coast, white sand beaches and sea coast breezes make life vacation-like.
The cost of living varies around the state, so do your homework. One way to make living in Florida more affordable is to purchase a fixer-upper home and make it your own. If this is your plan, be sure to work with a reputable contractor with remodeling experience when upgrading your new house.
Remodeling a Home In Sarasota Area? Contact Gilbert Design Build
If you're buying a home in the Sarasota area and plan to remodel or build an addition, it's important to work with a skilled and reputable contractor that can work with you to create a plan that meets your home improvement goals while staying within your budget. It’s important to know how much you can spend and what you can accomplish with that budget. Whether it’s to build an in-home theater to watch the Gators or storage for all of your outdoor equipment until the next time you’re in Tallahassee, Gilbert Design Build has almost 20 years of experience helping homeowners in the Sarasota area remodel to suit their needs. Call Gilbert Design Build today for a consultation.
