Florida, the Sunshine State, is a dream destination for families seeking a new home with an incredible variety of coastal havens, suburban retreats, urban environments, central air conditioning, and small-town charm.
Let’s dive into the 10 best places to live in Florida for families in 2023 that provide safety, education, affordability, and a fantastic quality of life.
Short Summary
- Florida offers families a secure and peaceful environment with low crime rates, quality education systems, and affordable cost of living.
- Coastal family havens in Florida offer stunning beaches, great weather & activities for an enjoyable lifestyle.
- Gated communities like Marisol provide luxury amenities & security for a truly fulfilling family experience.
Family-Friendly Living in Florida
Safety, education, and affordability are essential factors when choosing a place to live for families. Florida offers a range of options to suit the needs of every family, from bustling urban centers to peaceful rural retreats. With low crime rates, good schools, and an affordable cost of living, the Sunshine State has something for everyone.
Florida is a diverse and exciting place to live, offering a wealth of opportunities for families to thrive. From the coastal havens of Sarasota and Naples to the suburban retreats of Nocatee and Fish Hawk Ranch, there is a perfect spot for every family to call home.
So let’s explore these family-friendly locations and discover what makes them so special.
Safety and Low Crime Rates
Safety and low crime rates are essential for families when choosing a new place to live. A secure and peaceful environment provides peace of mind, allowing families to focus on what truly matters: enjoying quality time together and building lasting memories.
Florida boasts many cities that offer a safe haven for families, with Port St. Lucie being the most secure city in the state.
Quality Education
A great education system is a vital aspect of any family-friendly location. Florida is home to many excellent schools, ensuring that children have the chance to gain a solid education and set themselves up for future success.
Cities like Lakeland and Palm Valley are known for their outstanding education systems, providing families with the support and resources they need for their children to excel.
Affordability and Cost of Living
The average cost of living for a family of four in Florida stands at $82,998 for 2023, which includes expenses related to housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities. This makes Florida an attractive option for families looking for an affordable place to call home.
With a wide range of cities to choose from, families can easily find their perfect fit, whether it’s the peaceful rural setting of Palm Valley or the bustling urban environment of Orlando.
Coastal Family Havens
The Sunshine State is renowned for its stunning coastline, and families who love the beach will find plenty of coastal havens to call home. Sarasota, Naples, Pensacola, and Daytona Beach offer beautiful beaches, great weather, and a wealth of activities for families to enjoy. From the white sands of Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota to the vibrant culture of Naples, these coastal cities provide the perfect backdrop for a fulfilling family life.
Sarasota boasts stunning beaches and a vibrant culture, making it an amazing place to live for families. Naples, known as the Golf Capital of the World, offers luxurious shopping, excellent schools, and a low crime rate.
Pensacola and Daytona Beach both provide beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and an exciting culture, ensuring that families have plenty to see and do while enjoying the coastal lifestyle.
Sarasota
Sarasota is an amazing place to live for families in 2023, thanks to its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and outstanding quality of life. With neighborhoods like Alta Vista, Arlington Park, Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores, Laurel Park, and Lakewood Ranch, families can find a welcoming community with excellent schools and a cost of living that is slightly higher than the national average, but still quite affordable.
The city is also home to a variety of attractions, from the Ringling Museum of Art to the Sarasota Opera House, and a wide range of outdoor activities, from kayaking and fishing to biking and hiking. With its beautiful beaches.
Naples
Known for its magnificent white sand beaches and delightful warm climate, Naples is an ideal location for families to live in Florida. The city is home to numerous golf courses, high-end shopping streets, excellent schools, and a low crime rate.
With its close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, families can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, making Naples a truly exceptional place to call home.
Pensacola
Located in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola boasts beautiful beaches, an abundance of outdoor activities, and an exciting culture. The city is one of the most affordable places to live in Florida, making it an attractive option for families.
Top neighborhoods in Pensacola for families in 2023 include Oriole Beach, Gulf Breeze, Tiger Point, and Midway, all of which are known for their close proximity to water, outstanding schools, and higher than average income levels.
Daytona Beach
Families in Daytona Beach can enjoy plentiful employment and educational opportunities, convenient transportation links, plenty of shops, restaurants, breathtaking beaches, and stunning open spaces. The city’s morning commute is even better than the national average, with a 25.4-minute round trip compared to the national average of 25.6 minutes.
The annual salary in Daytona Beach is $38,710, and the typical house price is an affordable $192,817.
Suburban Family Retreats
For families seeking a mix of urban and suburban living, Florida offers several suburban retreats to choose from. Nocatee, Fish Hawk Ranch, and Palm Valley provide families with good schools, parks, and recreational activities, while still offering easy access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby cities. These communities offer a perfect balance of city life and suburban tranquility, ensuring that families have everything they need for a fulfilling life.
Nocatee is an incredible town in St. Johns County, Florida, known for its excellent schools and family-friendly atmosphere. Fish Hawk Ranch is a master-planned community located just 20 miles southeast of Tampa, offering a plethora of amenities such as parks, trails, and a community pool.
Palm Valley, located in St. Johns County, is an excellent choice for families with its beautiful beach, affordable housing, recreational facilities, and plentiful employment opportunities.
Nocatee
Nocatee, a wonderful master-planned community, is an outstanding area for families, boasting an A+ rating for being family-friendly and a #1 ranking for Best Suburbs to Live in Florida. Some of the premier neighborhoods in Nocatee for families include Austin Park, Willowcove, Del Webb Ponte Vedra, Artisan Lakes, and Addison Park.
With its excellent safety, top-notch schools, and family-friendly amenities, Nocatee is a fantastic place to call home.
Fish Hawk Ranch
Fish Hawk Ranch, an exciting master-planned community located just 20 miles southeast of Tampa, boasts a plethora of amenities that make it an ideal spot for families. With incredible swimming pools, fantastic tennis courts, beautiful nature trails, delightful shops, and luxurious clubhouses, Fish Hawk Ranch offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere perfect for families.
The community has a population of 14,000, with a wide range of activities enjoyed by its residents, such as hiking, camping, shopping, and swimming.
Palm Valley
Palm Valley, an idyllic family-friendly city located in Florida, is highly rated A+ for families. The city offers a great selection of schools, a beautiful beach, affordable housing, recreational facilities, and convenient transport links.
The average home price in Palm Valley ranges from $740K to $880K, offering a variety of options for families looking for a safe and secure environment to call home. With a population of just over 20,000 people, Palm Valley provides a perfect balance of city life and suburban tranquility.
Urban Family Environments
Urban family environments offer the best of both worlds: city life with abundant amenities, exciting entertainment, and plentiful employment opportunities, combined with a family-friendly atmosphere. Cities like Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Gainesville provide families with access to top-rated schools, low crime rates, and a wide variety of family-oriented attractions and activities.
Orlando is a fantastic place for families, with its family-friendly attractions like Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World, affordable homes, great schools, and low crime rates. Tampa is home to excellent schools, low crime rates, and the family-friendly Harbor Island area.
Jacksonville offers an unbeatable quality of life, easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, diverse entertainment options, parks, excellent schools, and safe neighborhoods. Gainesville provides family-friendly amenities, low crime rates, and an affordable cost of living, making it an excellent choice for families looking for an urban environment.
Orlando
Orlando is an amazing place for families to live in 2023, thanks to its abundance of family-friendly attractions, affordable homes, great schools, and low crime rates. Neighborhoods like Audubon Park, Delaney Park, Lancaster Park, Horizon West, Baldwin Park, Celebration, Winter Garden, College Park, and Oviedo offer families a welcoming community with excellent schools and a cost of living that is lower than the national average.
The median home price in Orlando is around $250,000, making it an affordable option for families looking to enjoy all the perks of city life.
Tampa
Tampa is an amazing place for families to live in 2023, thanks to its excellent schools, low crime rates, and family-friendly environment. The city is home to a variety of incredible attractions, including Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and the Lowry Park Zoo.
Some of the top-rated neighborhoods in Tampa for families in 2023 are Palma Ceia West, Hyde Park, Harbour Island, Tampa Palms, and Wesley Chapel. Palma Ceia West and Hyde Park boast low crime rates and are highly praised for being ideal for raising a family. Wesley Chapel also has low crime rates and its schools are highly rated.
Tampa Palms is a pre-planned neighborhood with over 28 villages, and Harbour Island is an exclusive upscale neighborhood.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville is an ideal place for families to live in 2023, offering an unbeatable quality of life, easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, diverse entertainment options, plenty of parks for outdoor activities, excellent schools, and safe neighborhoods for peace of mind.
Some of the wonderful neighborhoods in Jacksonville for families in 2023 include Avondale, Downtown Jacksonville, Mandarin, Neptune Beach, and San Marco. With its excellent safety, top-notch schools, and family-friendly amenities, Jacksonville is a fantastic place to call home.
Gainesville
Gainesville is an excellent place for families to live in 2023, providing a wide range of family-friendly amenities, low crime rates, and an affordable cost of living. Neighborhoods like Hazel Heights, Flint Rock, University Park, Westmoreland, Duckpond, Sugarfoot, Oakmont, and Haile Plantation offer families a welcoming community with excellent schools and a cost of living that is lower than the national average.
The median home price in Gainesville is quite affordable at around $200,000, making it an attractive option for families looking for an urban environment with a small-town feel.
Small Town Charm for Families
For families seeking a more rural setting, Florida offers an abundance of small towns with unique charm and character. Ocala, Lakeland, Fruit Cove, and Deltona provide families with the opportunity to experience a slower pace of life while still enjoying the benefits of excellent schools, low crime rates, and a wide variety of activities. These small towns offer the perfect blend of rural tranquility and easy access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby cities.
Ocala is a fantastic place for families, offering a great cost of living, plenty of family-friendly activities, a stunning downtown, and amazing weather. Lakeland provides a beautiful rural setting, plenty of exciting outdoor activities, and a more affordable cost of living than many other cities in Florida.
Fruit Cove and Deltona offer a peaceful rural setting, plenty of enjoyable outdoor activities, and a budget-friendly cost of living compared to many other cities in Florida.
Ocala
Ocala is rated highly as one of the top 10 places to live in Florida and is renowned for its safety and family-friendly atmosphere. The city offers a fantastic cost of living, plenty of family-friendly activities nearby, a stunning downtown, and amazing weather.
Some of the most desirable neighborhoods in Ocala for families include Historic Downtown Ocala, Maricamp, Meadow Wood Farms, and Westbury. These neighborhoods offer excellent safety, top-notch schools, and plenty of family-friendly amenities.
Lakeland
Lakeland is a vibrant city in Polk County, Florida, with a population of over 100,000 people. It is conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando and is renowned for its stunning lakes, parks, and outdoor activities.
Some of the most desirable neighborhoods in Lakeland for families in 2023 are Lake Hollingsworth, South Lake Morton, Florida Southern College, Beacon Hill, Christina, Crystal Lake, Dixieland, Autumnwood Grove, and Deer Brooke. These neighborhoods offer excellent safety, top-notch schools, and a wide range of family-friendly amenities.
Fruit Cove
Fruit Cove is an excellent place for families to live in 2023, offering a perfect combination of natural beauty, safety, and affordability. The city boasts excellent schools, beautiful beaches, affordable housing, recreational facilities, and convenient transportation links.
Some of the top neighborhoods in Fruit Cove for families in 2023 include Fruit Cove Southeast, Nocatee, and Palm Valley, all known for their close proximity to water, outstanding schools, and higher than average income levels.
Deltona
Deltona is an excellent place for families to live in 2023, offering family-friendly neighborhoods, low crime rates, quality education, and affordability. The city’s median home price is around $192,817, making it an affordable option for families looking to enjoy a peaceful rural setting.
Some of the top-rated neighborhoods in Deltona for families in 2023 include Deltona Woods, Live Oak Estates, Outrigger/Maltby, and Addison Area, all of which are highly sought-after due to their excellent safety, top-notch schools, and plenty of family-friendly amenities.
Gated Communities for Families
For families seeking luxury homes, amenities, and security, gated communities like Marisol, Windward at Lakewood Ranch, Boca Royale Golf & Country Club, and Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club offer a perfect solution. These communities provide families with the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive lifestyle while still having access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby cities.
With a wide range of luxury homes, exceptional amenities, and unparalleled security, these gated communities provide the perfect backdrop for a fulfilling family life.
Marisol
Marisol is a vibrant and welcoming gated community for families, offering a safe and secure environment with excellent education opportunities. The community boasts thrilling activities such as boating, waterskiing, paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking, as well as three onsite restaurants, a luxurious European style spa and fitness center, seven Har-Tru courts, and bocce courts.
The median house value in Marisol is a robust $830,000, making it a great option for families seeking luxury living.
Windward at Lakewood Ranch
Windward at Lakewood Ranch is a beautiful master-planned community in Sarasota, Florida, offering luxurious homes, exceptional amenities, and unparalleled security for families. The community boasts neighborhoods such as Harmony Lakewood Ranch and Captiva by Neal Communities, both of which are highly sought-after due to their excellent safety, top-notch schools, and family-friendly amenities.
The homes in Windward at Lakewood Ranch range from the high $200,000s to the high $500,000s, offering families a wide range of options to suit their needs.
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club is a vibrant gated community for families, offering luxurious homes, exceptional amenities, and unparalleled security. The community features a championship golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a clubhouse, providing families with a wealth of activities and amenities to enjoy.
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club is a gated community with 24-hour security, making it an incredibly safe and secure place for families to live.
Summary
From the coastal havens of Sarasota and Naples to the suburban retreats of Nocatee and Fish Hawk Ranch, Florida offers a diverse range of family-friendly living options in 2023.
With excellent schools, low crime rates, and a wide variety of activities and attractions, families can find the perfect place to call home in the Sunshine State.
Whether you’re seeking a bustling urban environment, a peaceful suburban retreat, or the charm of a small town, Florida has something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to discover your family’s dream home in Florida!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Florida is the most family-friendly?
The sunshine state of Florida is filled with family-friendly attractions and activities that make it a great destination for all ages.
St. Augustine stands out as one of the top spots in the state for vacationing families. It offers a variety of activities and attractions that are sure to please everyone in the family. From the historic downtown area to the beautiful beaches, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Is Florida a good place to raise kids?
Although Florida does not rank at the top of the list when it comes to education and family income, the state still offers a variety of opportunities for raising kids. With its warm weather and abundance of activities, from theme parks to beaches, Florida is an ideal destination for families looking for an enjoyable place to live and thrive.
Where is the safest place to raise a family?
Raising a family in one of the states on HomeSnacks’ list of Best States to Raise a Family in America for 2022 will provide you and your loved ones with a safe and secure environment. Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Nebraska, and Iowa offer excellent air quality, health and safety indices, schools, and water resources, making them ideal places to settle down and raise a family.
Where in florida?
The Sunshine State Florida is a popular vacation destination in the southeastern part of the United States, offering a variety of exciting experiences and attractions. From white sandy beaches to wild amusement parks, this beloved state offers something for everyone.
With its border shared by Alabama and Georgia in the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, there’s no shortage of fun things to see and do in Florida!
Is florida a good place to live?
Living in Florida can be an enjoyable experience. With its warm climate and low taxes, the state provides plenty of opportunities for both retirees and young families alike to find a place to call home. The cost of living is also relatively low, making it easier to save money for the future.
All in all, Florida is a great place to live.
