Florida is one of those states in America which is famous for its beautiful beaches and sunny weather. However, beyond the surface attractions, Florida also offers various family-friendly communities. These communities cater to parents who are actively looking for a great place to settle down and raise children. Florida has something for every family whether you are looking for the best schools, affordable housing, or recreational activities.
Best Family-Friendly Cities in Florida
1. Tampa, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $1,925
- Average home valuation: $375,900
Tampa can easily be considered one of the best places to raise a family in Florida. It has some of the best options for your child’s education like Plant High School and Robinson High School. The city is full of various family-friendly recreational activities like Busch Gardens and The Florida Aquarium. It is also home to some of the best universities like the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida. Tampa also has an ideal walk and bike score which means you can easily explore the city with your family. Tampa is famous for being the business hub of America. Hence, it’s best for young professionals who wish to start a family.
2. Nocatee, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $1,950
- Average home valuation: $775,000
Nocatee is an unincorporated planned community located in Jacksonville. The community is a census-designated place and offers some of the best schooling options like St. Joseph Academy. It is also famous for several meaningful recreational activities like spray parks, pools, playgrounds, and kayak launches. Nocatee is peaceful as well as affordable making it one of the best places to raise a family in Florida, especially for individuals with jobs.
3. Audubon Park, Orlando
- Average rent (1BHK): $2,075
- Average home valuation: $476,900
Audubon Park is basically a municipal park that has become one of the best places to live with families in USA. The community is famous for having the highest walk score which makes it easy to explore. One of the major attractions of choosing Orlando is the Walt Disney World, Universal Studios as well as the SeaWorld Orlando. The community is surrounded by lovely lakes like Shanon and Druid. The community even has some of the top-ranking schools like Winter Park High School and Orlando Gifted Academy.
4. Naples, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $2,325
- Average home valuation: $585,500
Naples when it comes to living standards is definitely one of the best places for families. It is famous for offering some of the best educational activities like the Naples Zoo and the Golisano Children’s Museum. It is also perfect for parents who prefer affordable and interesting entertainment options for their kids. Some of the options include paddle boarding, kayaking, dolphin sighting and much more. Educational institutions like the Sea Gate Elementary School and the Barron Collier High School. All these facilities combined make Naples one of the best places to raise a family in Florida.
5. Gulf Breeze, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $1,325
- Average home valuation: $488,300
If you want to move into a place that is near the exotic beaches of Florida, Gulf Breeze is the best option. This community is located across Pensacola Bay, having many well-maintained beaches like the Oriole beach and the Woodlawn beach. It is designated as the Tree City of the United States and has many options for explorations like greenway trails and zoos. Schooling is also pretty affordable in Gulf Breeze.
6. Palm Valley, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $1,750
- Average home valuation: $874,100
Palm Valley, also famous as Ponte Vedra Beach, is another one of the affordable places for a standard life. The community is located on the eastern Atlantic coast of Florida. It also has some of the best schooling options like Ponte Vedra High School, famous for both education and sports. The community also has various sporting clubs for sports like Tennis and Basketball. Hence, if your kids are into sports and wish to make a career out of it, Palm Valley will be one of the places to raise a family in Florida.
7. Sarasota, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $2,125
- Average home valuation: $450,400
Sarasota is a gulf city of Florida perfect for people who believe in community living. The town is full of beautiful beaches like the Siesta Key and the Lido Key. The community has various activities that the kids will enjoy like fishing, swimming, sailing and much more. It also has some of the top-ranking schools in Florida. All of this combined makes it another one of the great places raise a family in Florida.
8. Melbourne, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $1,550
- Average home valuation: $369,300
Melbourne is a city in Florida settled along the Atlantic Ocean. It has some of the most affordable housing options for families in Florida. The other beach towns surrounding it have much higher prices of living. The Brevard Public School District is the schooling system of Melbourne which offers some of the most challenging academic subjects. Beaches like Harbor Beach, Satellite Beach, as well as Samson’s Island, have some of the best outdoor activities for kids. Washington Park Lake is also one of the prime picnic spots.
9. Oviedo, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $2,300
- Average home valuation: $513,300
Oviedo is a city located in Central Florida best suitable for individuals who wish to raise a family in peace. It is around 25 minutes away from Orlando. Therefore, it is a peaceful community to live in but also staying connected to the facilities of a big city. The community has its own Oviedo Gym & Aquatic Facility offering various facilities like swimming pools and a basketball court. The city also has Oviedo Bowling Center as well as the Jesup Lake for kids to enjoy.
10. Gainesville, Florida
- Average rent (1BHK): $1,700
- Average home valuation: $298,700
Gainesville, located in Northern Florida, is another one of the most affordable places for families. Home to the infamous University of Florida, the city also has various schooling options like the Gainesville High School and Micanopy Academy. Gainesville is full of greenways like the Morningside Nature Center and the Sweetwater Wetlands Park. The Cade Museum of Creativity and Invention also offers the best recreational activities. Hence, Gainesville is also a part of the list of affordable places to raise a family in Florida.
