Best Places to Live in Florida for Families

Are you planning to relocate to the Sunshine State?

This part of the United States is famous for its beautiful beaches and Mediterranean climate. The cost of living tends to be reasonable, and there are plenty of affordable homes to choose from.

But what about raising a family?

Yes, if you have a family, you need to choose where you live carefully. You’ll need to make sure that the neighborhood is safe and that there is plenty for the kids to do. 

So, let’s take a look at the best places for families to live in Florida and what they have to offer. 

11 Best Places to Live in Florida for Families

Palm Valley 

This Jacksonville suburb can be found in St. Johns County and is home to around 20,000 people. Palm Valley is famous for offering excellent public schools, making it particularly popular among families. Working parents can also make the commute into the heart of Jacksonville in a mere matter of minutes.

The average home price in Jacksonville is around $740,000, and there are numerous affordable options. There are six main neighborhoods to choose from here, all of which boast low crime rates. Around a third of the households in the area have young children. And Palm Valley has a strong community feel about it.

Location, location, location…

Jacksonville is located on the Atlantic coast of the state, along the picturesque St John’s River. The city includes a mixture of high-tech development and natural beauty. There are numerous outdoor activities for families to enjoy here during their free time. You can all also spend time on stunning sandy beaches, checking out the nightlife, and dining in style.

Entertainment can be found on both sides of the river in the downtown area. On the northern side is Jacksonville Landing. A lively marketplace with plenty of shops, novelty stores, restaurants, and nightspots. Opposite is the Riverwalk, a picturesque boardwalk lined with more shops, cafés, restaurants, and hotels. And the kids are sure to love exploring the nearby Jacksonville Museum of Science and History.

Oviedo 

This close-knit community hosts a population of around 33,000 people and is largely composed of families. The size of the population has been increasing steadily over the last two decades. A large part of the reason for this is the fact that the area includes a large number of excellent high schools.

Oviedo also maintains a low crime rate and a large number of affordable houses. This is a rural and multicultural area that is very attractive to young professionals and families. It is also possible to commute to downtown Orlando within a few minutes.

What’s in Orlando for families?

Orlando has an excellent range of job opportunities as well as attractions for the whole family. It is popular with families due to its many amusement parks and other fun entertainment options. World-famous attractions include Walt Disney World, Disney’s MGM Studios, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure. There are also countless smaller amusement parks, animal parks, and themed dinners for families to enjoy.

And Daytona Beach is the perfect place for sun-loving families to spend time. It spans 23 miles of sandy white beach and can be found just fifty miles from Oviedo. A range of water sports can be enjoyed here, such as canoeing, parasailing, jet skiing, surfing, and scuba diving and surfing.

Nocatee 

Less than 20,000 people call this unincorporated planned community home. Nocatee covers an area of just over 23 square miles. And the small size of this community makes it a great place to raise a family.

Nocatee is blessed with a large number of pretty parks and very safe neighborhoods. The large water parks of Splash Park and Spray Park are great places for families to have fun on sunny days. A number of community events are held here throughout the year, including food truck Fridays, farmer’s markets, and Easter egg hunts.

Idyllic for both older and younger little kids!

Fleming Island 

This pretty island is also a quiet community that is known for being very safe. Fleming Island is blessed with an excellent park system and several great schools. So, this is the perfect place for families who are looking for a little peace and quiet. 

But not boring…

With the bright lights of Jacksonville just 21 miles away, families will find plenty to do. Jacksonville hosts numerous kid-friendly attractions as well as pretty parks and interesting museums. Several fun festivals and other events are also held in the city throughout the year. 

Families who live on Flemington Island will also find a wide range of other attractions on their doorstep. St Augustine is situated just 40 miles down the coast and is a charming historic resort town. It was founded by the Spanish in 1565, making it the oldest permanent settlement in the country. 

Keystone 

This small community is rated the eighth best place in the whole of the United States to raise a family. Around 25,000 people call Keystone home. The majority of people own their own homes, and the crime rate here is particularly low.

A number of huge ranches and gorgeous lakeside homes can be found scattered throughout Keystone. Over a quarter of the people who live here are below the age of eighteen. And children of all ages are served by excellent schools, pretty parks, and other appropriate types of amenities. 

Palmetto Bay 

This small community is famous for being one of the best places in Miami to raise a family. Palmetto Bay has a population of just 25,000 residents and a charming small-town atmosphere. There are a number of excellent schools here, as well as pretty parks and other amenities. 

Downtown Miami can be found just fifteen miles from Palmetto Bay. This makes commuting into the city particularly quick and easy. So, residents can reap the benefits of living in a small community while also having easy access to the big city. 

If your kids love animals…

You won’t want to miss Monkey Jungle in south Miami. Bird lovers must see Parrot Jungle and Gardens, where parrots, macaws, and cockatoos populate the lush subtropical gardens. Miami Metro Zoo features walks on the wild side among rare, endangered animals in a cageless environment. 

Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium offers a wide range of family-friendly planetarium shows. Then, Miami Seaquarium showcases performing seals and dolphins among the 10,000 sea creatures inhabiting its huge reef tank. Indeed, the city is simply bursting with attractions that families are sure to love. 

Harbour Island 

Next on my rundown of the Best Places to Live in Florida for Families, located conveniently close to downtown Tampa, Harbour Island has a population of around 4,000 residents. While this neighborhood does have a metropolitan area, it also boasts a very low crime rate. There is an excellent range of properties to choose from here, and many are very affordable.

The atmosphere?

The neighborhood is scattered with pretty parks, cool cafes, and excellent restaurants and bars. Harbour Island also has a reputation for offering some of the best public schools in the United States. This neighborhood is particularly popular among young professionals who are planning to start a family. 

The close proximity to the heart of Tampa is also another key draw card of this neighborhood. Located on a major estuary halfway down the state’s west coast, perfectly blends natural beauty with contained development. Residents have quick and easy access to the city’s interesting attractions and numerous nightlife options. 

World Golf Village 

This peaceful municipality is home to a little over 18,000 people. World Golf Village is known for being one of the most desirable locations in the whole state. The majority of residents are homeowners and command salaries much higher than the national average.

What does that mean?

Well, this affluence typically translates to very low crime rates. A number of excellent schools can be found in this part of the state, too. There are also several pretty parks, community centers, and other well-maintained amenities for residents.

This family-friendly community offers a total of 28 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and six traditional high schools. Three magnet-choice high schools can also be found here. Sports-loving residents can also catch baseball games at the Joker Marchant Stadium. 

Lake Mary 

With a population of just under 17,000 people, Lake Mary is a very desirable place to relocate to. The area has a sparse, suburban feel, and the overall crime rate is very low. Around 78% of residents own their own homes. And the average property price is $320,000. However, there are also plenty of properties available for rent, and the average rent is around $1,600 per month. 

The best of both worlds…

Lake Mary offers residents all the benefits of living in a close-knit community, combined with the vibrancy of the big city. It is possible to travel into the heart of Orlando in just a few minutes. This allows residents to work in the city and still experience small-town living.

Residents also have the numerous attractions of Orlando right on their doorstep. So, those with young children will have a wide range of attractions to take their pick from. There are also endless day trip opportunities in this stunning part of the state. 

Daytona Beach 

You might be surprised that Daytona Beach is actually one of the best places to live in Florida for families. It proudly proclaims itself as the world’s most famous beach and the world center of racing. But despite the fact that this seaside city is a popular tourist destination, it also attracts many families.

Why?

The typical home price here is $192,817, which is far below the national average. The cost of living in Daytona Beach is also low, and the city is known for being a pleasant place to live. 

So it’s ideal for families on a tighter budget…

Sitting so close to the sea, Daytona Beach maintains a distinct holiday environment, and this is reflected in its entertainment scene. Residents of Daytona Beach love to kick back after work and enjoy the beach atmosphere. Daytona’s close association with vehicle racing also contributes to its reputation as a city where fun is high on the agenda. Plus, beach bars, nightclubs, live music venues, and a huge selection of great restaurants. Residents have numerous entertainment options available.

Taking a stroll from the pier and wandering along the city’s famous oceanside boardwalk is another popular pastime. This boardwalk is lined with restaurants, bars, and t-shirt shops. And there’s another busy beach area at the end of Seabreeze Boulevard, where you will find a multitude of restaurants, bars, and shops.

Lakeland 

If you are searching for one of the safest places to raise a family, look no further than Lakeland. This city has a population of over 112,000 people and a vibrant atmosphere. However, it also boasts one of the lowest homicide and property crime rates in the United States.

But there’s more…

The city includes an excellent public transportation network, making it very easy to get around. The average travel time is 26 minutes, which is a real plus for professionals. Several neighborhoods offer very affordable accommodation options. As well as homes to suit the budgets of wealthy residents. 

Sarasota is a popular day trip destination among people who live in Lakeland. In fact, the city offers something for everyone, from pristine beaches to world-class shopping, international cuisine, and celebrated museums to galleries. White sand beaches and clear waters combine with sophistication and charm to make Sarasota the gem of the Gulf coast.

Relocating to Florida and Concerned About Safety?

Then why not educate yourself about the Most Dangerous Cities in Florida to avoid when traveling around? You can also compare states and cities to get a better perspective. Take a look at the Safest Places to Live in Florida vs. the Safest Cities in Texas vs. the Safest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia, for example.

On a budget but want to be near the beach?

Check out the Cheapest Places to Live in California as another option! And if downsizing is appealing, you might also be interested in our guides on How to Turn a Closet into a Home Office. Or the Cost of Building a Shipping Container Home in 2023.

Or, find out about the Home Depot Project Loan and how it can help you with financing your building projects and renovations. We can also provide tips for cost-savings for families, like eating out at the Best Cheap Restaurants for a Group and How To Buy Amazon Returns.

Ok, back to today’s Florida family relocation discussion…

Final Thoughts

One of the great things about living in Florida is the fact that there is no state income tax. This helps to make living in this part of the United States very affordable. As a result, many people enjoy a higher quality of life than they would in other parts of the country.

But the best places in Florida for families are also safe and offer fun activities for kids and parents alike. Florida attracts people of all ages and from all walks of life. And you are sure to find that there are endless interesting entertainment options to choose from. The state also boasts some charming communities.

Happy Florida living!