9 Best Places to Live in Florida for Young Adults (2024)
When young adults get their graduation or studies completed and are just ready to put their steps in the market for professionalism so that they can take start their career, they get puzzled and start overwhelming searches to find the way from where they should take the start or where they would go to embark their career and where is the best market that will pay them according to their skills. The most curious and concerning question is, what are the best places to live in Florida for young adults?
Florida State is the third-most populous state in the USA, with a population of approximately 22.36 million as of January 2023.
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Florida is known as the Sunshine State and earned a particular spot as the best place to live because of its beautiful white sand beaches, waterfront restaurants, warmly loving weather, hot solid economy, the most rapidly growing state in the whole United States, unmatched and affordable housing, and most important is diverse amenities with a rich and luxurious lifestyle within affordability.
Florida is a hub of industries, including tourism, health, tech, real estate, aerospace, and agriculture, and you can’t believe that the list is far more extensive.
The U.S. Census reported that Florida had more new business opportunities than any other state, with more new companies looking to build their business in the Sunny State. Young adults are also looking to make Florida their home.
In this guide, we are wrapping the hottest queries for the Z generation or Young Adults, and we have compiled the best places to live in Florida for Young Adults.
Our research methodology was completed in terms of the job market online, business opportunities, the social life of cities, population, traffic congestion, crime rate, economy, cost of living, and most important, the climate of that cities so that the young adult be safe from the exhaustion of overcrowding and bad weather.
Whether you are looking for the best place to socialize, grow with your career, start a business, live with a family and raise kids or retire, let’s dive deep into the content.
Related: Best Places to Live in Florida for Families
Best Places to Live in Florida for Young Adults
1. Tampa, Florida
Tampa was one of the most moved destinations in Florida in the last few years.
Tampa the 5th best place to live in Florida for young adults.
U.S. News
Tampa is located in Tampa Bay, the largest City in Florida, close to the Gulf Coast, and is in Hillsborough County with over 391,000 residents. This area used to be mainly known for attractions and theme parks like Busch Gardens and the zoo.
It has been fast evolving over the years. There are many trendy neighborhoods, famous and ranked waterfront restaurants, and plenty of other attractions.
Not surprisingly, Tampa’s drawing people from all walks of life, this includes young adults who are interested in living in Tampa not because of just warmer weather and the state income tax benefits that residents typically get when just living in Florida but also because of the Metropolitan vibes in the vast work opportunities that Tampa offers.
Tampa is becoming a growing tech hub and is home to about 20 corporate headquarters and close to 500 foreign-owned companies; top-ranking corporations in the area include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson, Pfizer, and Raymond James.
The vicinity around Tampa Convention Center is one of the most scenic places in the City with stunning water views; there are superb restaurants and shopping places to visit, and a neighborhood called Davis Island offers water views towards the downtown Tampa Convention Area.
The River walk is a 2.6-mile Trail along the Hillsborough River and one of the best places to experience in Tampa.
The median age in Tampa is approximately 35 years. So, if you are looking for a big city living on the west coast with plenty of job opportunities and beaches within driving distance then Tampa is the best choice for young professionals.
2. Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city on the Gulf Coast about 45 minutes south of St. Petersburg.
Sarasota is the #1 best place to live in Florida and #9 best place to live in the U.S.
U.S. News
Nine beaches are nearby; Siesta Key is the most well-known Beach, consistently ranked as one of the top beaches. But Sarasota is so much more than just the beaches; it’s a highly well-rounded place where the beach life and the city life collide in a relatively small geographical area.
The most significant points of interest in Sarasota are very close to each other and very close to Central Sarasota. Downtown Sarasota is the city center, it’s fast-growing, and residents find most of the top-rated restaurants, lounges in rooftop bars, the beaches, and the suburban neighborhoods are just a few miles away from the downtown area.
Myakka State Park is one of the largest state parks in Florida, just 19 miles to the east of downtown Sarasota. There is a Legacy Trail, a safe bike and running trail that goes from downtown Sarasota to Venice.
There are many more outdoor activities, including tennis, pickle ball, boating, and fishing, golfing, and kayaking.
Also Read: Best Outdoor Furniture For Florida
Sarasota is also known as the cultural City on the Gulf Coast because the City offers a vast number of arts and Museum choices.
If you are looking to take advantage of the Beach, and city life in a stunning smaller geographical area with some of the best beaches and schools, vibrant arts, and theater scenes, here Sarasota is calling you.
3. Naples, Florida
117 miles south of Sarasota, Naples is a city in southwest Florida in Collier County.
Naples ranks #2 as the best place to live in Florida in the safest place to live in all of the United States.
U.S. News
Naples is known as the world’s Golf Capital, with over 80 championship courses and more holes per capita than anywhere else. Surprisingly Naples is popular with affluent snowbirds because a lot of them are golfers.
Naples is the most expensive place to live in Florida. Still, it is affordable because it has to offer diverse amenities with a high income than the average national.
The Naples Downtown area is relatively small and looks like a small town center, walkable and filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Also Read: Best Restaurants Seaside Florida
The Downtown is close to the Naples Fishing Pier, one of the most recognized places or spots in all of Naples.
Naples has historically been a retirement community, but that’s all evolving with younger generations moving in, and remote workers drive a lot of it.
4. Orlando, Florida
Orlando is Saint Orange County, located in Central Florida, and a little bit hour to the closest Beach, which is on the East Coast. Downtown Orlando is thriving with many restaurants, entertainment, arts, and culture. There’s business around here.
Also Read: Best Places to Start a Business in Florida
Lake EOLA is in the middle of all of this, and it’s a fun place to hike around, walk around, and see nature in their cute little neighborhoods around the center of Downtown, some of which are brick paved.
Orlando ranks #13 as best place to live in Florida.
U.S. News
International Drive, also called iDrive, is described as Orlando’s most dynamic destination. It is where the convention center is located; there are many restaurants nearby, and Universal Studios in SeaWorld is just a few minutes away. But it is arguably Walt Disney Resort that is best known in Orlando; people come from all over the world to visit.
According to many sources, Walt Disney World Resort is the most tourist resort, with an average annual attendance of over 52 million people.
Though, Orlando has become popular to move to over the last few years. Housing is incredibly affordable, especially compared to many other places to live in Florida.
For one, Orlando’s population is diverse. The downtown area is thriving, there are many arts and cultural choices, and some people prefer Orlando because it’s Central Florida versus being closer to the coast.
5. Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is a big city with big perks, home to 950,840 residents. Jacksonville, also called Jacks by locals, has become one of the hottest places to move to in Florida.
Jacksonville is in Duval County on the northeast coast of Florida, about 45 minutes north of Saint Augustine. Jacksonville is in the northern part of the state near Georgia.
Jacksonville is ranked 12th largest city in the United States and the 4th best place to live in Florida.
U.S. News
Despite its size, it has very affordable housing and a dynamic hot job market.
Related: Jobs that pay $25 an hour in Florida
There are many choices of neighborhoods, with over 500 neighborhoods to choose from, ranging from Urban, Rural, and Beach areas.
St. John’s River is Jacksonville’s Crown Jewel. The river runs around the downtown area, and the area is with over 90 restaurants and cafes.
Jacksonville is massive and has something for everyone, whether you are looking for a place to live as a young adult, retire, start a career, or for a place to start a family.
6. Daytona Beach, Florida
If you are looking for affordable living, Daytona Beach in Volusia County is one of the best and cheapest beach towns in all of Florida. Daytona Beach was named the 7th best place for young adults to live in Florida.
Along the boardwalk area, the beaches here include Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, and Ponce Inlet.
There are plenty of things for adults to do in terms of entertainment, parks, a historic pier, and plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, surfing, biking, and paddle boarding.
Daytona Beach also has a charming downtown Riverfront area between Bay Street and Orange Avenues and 60 top-rated restaurants.
Volusia County is the number 39th-best public school district in Florida.
7. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County, and it’s approximately 50 miles north of Miami. Fort Lauderdale Beach is the famous Beach in the area, and there is a wave wall.
Fort Lauderdale is also nicknamed the Venice of America, and it’s known for the waterways and canals, which people get around in usually pretty quickly by boat, Water Taxis, or even Gondola Rides.
Along the New River is the River Walk Park area, which hosts many cultural art and entertainment options in an urban setting.
Flagler Village in the downtown area is one of the trendiest neighborhoods. The mass district, which stands for music and arts, south of Sunrise, and the FAT Village district, which stands for Flagler Arts and Technology, are located in these neighborhoods. So, Fort Lauderdale is one of the most liberal cities in Florida, along with Miami and Key West.
Besides wanting to live here for the warm weather on the beaches, Fort Lauderdale is great for young adults, artists, and those looking for a more liberal place.
If you have children, there are over 150 public and private schools in Fort Lauderdale. Many of which are ranked in the top 20 in Florida. So, Fort Lauderdale is the best place to live in Florida for young adults.
8. Miami, Florida
Miami-Dade County is one of the most popular young adult spots in all of Florida for tourists.
The City is truly vibrant, and young adults are coming here rapidly in great numbers to live to start their life or career from all over the world because of its beauty, affordability, beaches, liberal life, and so much to do in terms of luxury and shopping opportunities.
Miami is also known as the gateway to America. Many companies have their Latin America Division in Miami to foster an easy entry point into the Latin America Economy. In general, Miami is a business-friendly city in Florida and offers a favorable tax structure, and it is not hard to say that tax is negligible.
Some of the biggest companies, such as Lennar, Carnival Cruise Line, and Ryder, Systems, have their headquarters in Miami.
Miami Beach is known more than Downtown. Miami is a barrier Island, and it’s approximately 30 minutes from Downtown and includes sand beaches like South Beach (also known as Sobe), mid-Beach, and North Beach.
9. St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is an open-minded city with a thriving downtown area offering an abundance of cultural arts and theater options.
St. Petersburg is located southwest of Tampa on the Gulf Coast and is part of Pinellas County. The City is the 2nd largest City in Tampa Bay, with a population of over 261,400 people.
If you are looking for a vibrant, artsy, open-minded, and urban experience while having the beaches close by, just 10-15 minutes away, that in St. Petersburg may be a consideration.
Conclusion
To determine which Floridian cities or towns are the most promising places to live in Florida for young adults, read this article and select the best one per your needs and preferences.
