**The Best Thing About Jacksonville?** Water 

Not drinking water, silly. We’re talking about the fact that with 1,100 miles of navigable water Jax (yes people from Jacksonville call it that), has more shoreline than any other city in the nation. That’s 22 miles of beaches, 40 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway and the longest stretch of St Johns River in Florida. Trust us, if you’re interested in living on or near water it’s hard to beat Jax. 

**The Worst Thing About Jacksonville?** Size

Hard to believe but Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the lower 48 of these United States (damn you Alaska!). What issues come with that much land when it’s also packed with people? For starters it can be a visual mess with all the sprawl, and crime is a problem given the difficulty supporting that much spread, but on the daily the challenge is getting around. You’re going to have to drive here given the thin to nonexistent public transportation that makes most cities with this much size face a similar issue. 

**How You Living?** On The Water

There are 500 neighborhoods in Jacksonville so it goes without saying there are many different ways to live here. Many of them are built around the River (it ain’t called The River City for nothin) or the beaches. Some of the most coveted neighborhoods are south of Downtown, like Riverside or Avondale, which are primarily residential but also integrated into cool, artsy business districts, which make them ideal for the youngsters. Mandarin is the southernmost neighborhood and considered by many the premier neighborhood in the city due to its beautiful homes, natural beauty and riverside activities for singles and families. It will surprise many who look at Jacksonville that while the ocean beach areas are wonderful, many of the most popular neighborhoods are on the St Johns River, and you’re just or more likely living along that body of water as the Atlantic. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Go South Young Man!

They used to say Go West Young Man! (we don’t agree with the inherent misogyny in that expression but it’s a saying) and now the mantra seems to be to head south instead. Low or no taxes, sunny weather, booming economies are driving people to the sunshine states. What that means is the economies benefit from the spending, the services grow to support the new residents, and the energy of the cities gets upbeat. 


Jacksonville

BORTLES!!!

**The Best Thing About Miami?** The People 

Miami has one of the most fascinating populations on the planet due to its location at the intersection of the Caribbean, Central America, the Northeastern United States and Canada. Economic and snowbird expats combine to give Miami both the most and least American vibe of any city. Economic ambition has always been a hallmark of immigrant populations but these communities brought along the culture, beauty, food and language or their native countries and made Miami the capital of the Latin diaspora and the city with the highest percentage of foreign born residents. 

**The Worst Thing About Miami?** Transience 

The average Miamian only stays for 4-5 years. That makes living here feel like a constant influx of new and departing neighbors. This transience is only increasing as northerners flock south to escape the pandemic and live in a city with better weather than New York. Some who have lived here claim it is more like a multi-year vacation than a real permanent home. 

**How You Living?** In A Condo

There are several stunning neighborhoods in Miami, with Coconut Grove and Coral Gables topping the list. Both have luxurious sections with beautiful homes, beach access, and jumping commercial districts. Much of living in Miami now though is about the condo market. Lining the coastline are a truly varied selection of condo buildings: stunning luxury with penthouses and full floor units, smaller hipster spots dead center in the bar scenes of downtown, and more modest and more affordable units for the rental and middle class. The majority of these newer buildings and complexes offer incredible amenities including pools, fitness centers, indoor/outdoor yoga studios and some get crazy with chef’s kitchens, private movie theaters, and helipads. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** I Like The Nightlife, I Like To Boogie 

Miami has a lot going for it: great beaches, a diverse population, booming economy, and warm weather. However, if there is one thing we’d say that should drive you to make the move to Miami it is the nightlife. If you enjoy great music, amazing restaurants, delicious food from all over the planet, packed bars and dance clubs, and a beautiful population to enjoy it all with then this could be your city. 


Miami

Magic City

**The Good The Bad and The Ugly**

Cigar City has no state tax and high-income job growth and Millennials make up a significant portion of Tampa residents. It turns out, this has caused Tampa to be a hot market for ‘baby-chasing.’ Baby chasing is the trend of baby boomer grandparents retiring near their millennial children to be close to their grandchildren, even in a different state. Tampa is the 14th-hottest market for baby-chasers and among the top 20 destinations for this demographic. Nevertheless, Tampa is a boomtown for single people. 

Breweries are high profile and focus on innovative ways to contribute to the scene and to feature themselves including "Yoga Pants & Craft Drafts,” the "Running for Brews" club and The Brew Bus (tours) Cigar City Brewing introduced Nebraska Mart, a new casual concept aimed at younger crowds. The key selling point to lure their young guests? Shuffleboard courts.

**The Best Thing About Tampa?**

Water and beaches, warm weather, parks, nightlife, lots of activities and events as well as thriving breweries and a vibrant music scene. 

**The Worst Thing About Tampa?** 

The traffic irritates people and they aren’t known to be the best drivers., it’s not a headquarter city and the school system can be touch and go. Overall, it is neither home to cozy small towns or big city life. 

**How You Living?** 

One option is micro apartments. Tampa is embracing Millennials' preferences for scaling down by becoming one of the first major U.S. cities to develop micro apartments. Urban Core Holdings is converting the top eight floors of a 12-story building into 300-400 square feet micro-apartments. For $850 a month, renters will get a kitchen with a two-burner stove top, refrigerator, dishwasher, a stackable washer-dryer unit, as well as a bike rack and a Murphy bed that transforms into a dining table.

South Tampa has the upscale yuppie lifestyle (but it floods) Ritzy areas are Channelside, Hyde park and Davis Island.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

Tampa is small enough where you can actually make a difference, whether it is through politics, business, or philanthropy and join the ranks of The Tamprenuers. 


Tampa

Cigar City

**The Best Thing About St. Petersburg?** Green and clean

St. Petersburg was named as the United State’s very first green city,  and has dedicated time and resources to conservation and other ecologically-forward policies. The city has also been a USA Tree City award recipient for more than 20 years. 


**The Worst Thing About St. Petersburg?** Crowded and Hot

Like many cities in Florida, tourists and snowbirds can crowd into St. Petersburg, making it feel even hotter than usual and more uncomfortable. Locals know how to mitigate the crowds -- and the weather -- and make it work for them. 


**How You Living?** Not Too Bad

St. Petersburg is easy to get around and offers sunshine and temps in the 80s nearly every single day, garnering the nickname The Sunshine City. It’s inclusive, with a well-supported LBGTQ+ culture and plenty of things to do around town, including the beaches, the Pier, Baywalk and more. 

Downtown St. Pete is where the youngsters are scooping up condos in order to be close to the bars and the beach. 

If Art is your thing you've got to check out Historic Kenwood. The artist community here teaches aspiring artists right out of their homes (and sells art as well). Prices for the bungalows, most of which have been restored to their 1920's beauty, are half the price or less than than the condos downtown. For up-and-comers this is a great spot. 

Finally, if you're all about the great outdoors then look at Crescent Lake. Between recreating on the lake, hiking, running and biking on the trails, and tons of greenery for walking Fido, this is the gem for staying healthy and happy. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

St. Petersburg (or St. Pete as the locals call it) is a warm non-coastal town with an open mind and lots to do. The cost of living is about average for the United States and housing is more affordable than the rest of Florida. And there’s plenty of sunshine!


St. Petersburg

Easy Being Green

**The Best Thing About Orlando?** It’s the center of fun

Orlando is the home to Disney World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios and more, which may feel like a magical respite only for those with small children, but residents enjoy it just as much. Disney properties and parks cut a large swath into Orlando, but a city also exists with its own assets, including good schools and roads. 

**The Worst Thing About Orlando?** It’s Not the Heat It’s the Humidity

Orlando gets hot. Really hot. And with that heat comes humidity. It can be unpleasant and weigh you down. The payoff is a lot of sunshine, and morning storms that tend to burn off quickly. Residents have found ways to handle it, so if there’s a will there’s a way but it’s safe to say that those who do not like warmer climates would not like this city.

**How You Living?** 

Tourists are a fact of daily life in Orlando and once you figure out how to navigate around them, Orlando can be a wonderful place to live. You can find entry-level jobs by the score, but there’s not a ton of higher-paying jobs, and the pay isn’t great compared to the cost of living. But there’s always something fun to do!

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** It’s sunny and fun 

You can’t move to Orlando without facing the reality of Mickey Mouse and obnoxious tourists, but those who like hot weather will enjoy being outdoors and the plentiful wildlife. 


Orlando

The City Beautiful 

**The Best Thing About Fort Lauderdale?** - More than just a Sunny Beach

Most people who’ve heard about Fort Lauderdale probably know about it for the warm Florida weather, beaches, and its old school reputation for Spring Break. While it certainly is a coastal paradise and that shouldn’t be downplayed, it’s important to point out that’s not all it has to offer. Like to hit the links? Great, it has plenty of highly rated courses and chances are the weather will hold. Want to go out for a nice dinner? Lauderdale has some of the best restaurants in the state with a wide variety of options. Want to party? There’s still a jumping nightlife scene. It’s also extremely family friendly, especially when compared to neighboring Miami, with a never ending list of things you can do with the whole family (i.e. museums, amusement parks, etc.) and solid public schools. Fort Lauderdale is also aptly called “The Venice of America” due to all of the canals threading the city, so you’ll never be too far from the water even if you’re not living near the beach!

**The Worst Thing About Fort Lauderdale?** - Sharing is Despairing

Whether it’s summer break or the middle of February, the beaches, streets, and roads are packed with tourists coming to enjoy the weather here and/or escape the weather up north. This can be overwhelming for those from smaller and more spread out communities and is something to be aware of. 

**How You Living?** - A Palace or a Pantry
	
Ft. Lauderdale is not cheap. Average listing price of a home is over $500k but that money goes a long way relative to bigger cities. The neighborhoods here are a mix of new and old with condos and apartment buildings offering rental options to counter the newer mega-homes and tasteful historical homes for those looking to buy. 

Victoria Park is one of the grooviest places to live around downtown. It’s filled with beautifully restored historic homes, many on the Intracoastal Waterway, with a “diverse and tolerant” (from the community’s website) population. 

Colee Hammock is a walkscore treasure with a mix of condos, apartments, great new homes, and beautiful old residences all a short walk to restaurants, theater, art galleries, museums and the Atlantic Ocean!  

Finally, consider looking at The Isles if living on water is important to you. Fort Lauderdale is the “Venice Of America” because of its inland waterways and this neighborhood is lined with waterfront properties whose residents enjoy speedboats, kayaks, sailboats and easy waterway access to the ocean. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** - Great for All Ages

Whether you’re looking for somewhere nice to work remotely, somewhere nice to raise your growing family, or somewhere nice to retire (Ft. Lauderdale consistently ranks in the top 5 best places to retire for a reason), the warm weather, bigger city amenities, and beaches of Fort Lauderdale have something for you. 


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