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Find Work in the Best Places to Live in Florida

By Jennifer Verta, Monster Contributor

Florida is well-known as a destination to enjoy retirement, spring break gatherings, or family vacations. But why should you wait for any of those to enjoy all that the “Sunshine State” has to offer? Florida is the 22nd most expansive state in the country and has something for everyone that craves a summer dress code year-round. If you’re considering making this state your next home, you’re probably wondering what the best Places to Live in Florida are and if they can accommodate your needs. Continue reading to find out.

But first, take a look at these best-selling points of Florida:

  • Daily life in a dream vacation spot with top-rated beaches such as Siesta Key, Palm Beach, Delray Beach, and many more.
  • Warm temperatures and sun all year round. Forget about cold winters altogether and enjoy 76-80 F at the coolest.
  • Florida residents are blessed with around 237 days a year of sunshine vs the national average of only 205.
  • There’s no state income tax here, meaning you get to keep more of your hard-earned dollars.
  • World-class entertainment is found at Disney World, Universal Studios, and more. Plus, Florida residents get discounted prices to visit these theme parks.
  • Endless water sports and activities are available all year, including swimming, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and boating, just to name a few.
  • Florida is booming big time with 11 cities in the top 25 fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Quality of life, job prospects, safety, and desirability are just a few of the factors considered in the rankings.
  • It houses eight out of 100 of the best companies to work for in the U.S. according to Fortune

With such great choices, where exactly should you move in the 53,997 square miles of Florida? Let’s take the plunge and see which city could be a match for your needs and career aspirations.

Fort Lauderdale

The "Venice of America" is only a 45-minute drive north of Miami and is one of the best places to live in Florida for families and young professionals. Its 23 miles of beautiful sandy beaches are not the only thing that attracts people here. You’ll find a walkable downtown with plenty going on, an active community that encourages outdoor recreational activities, parks, and a unique arts and culture scene as well.

Plus, Fort Lauderdale’s central position allows you to reach all the major cities in Florida in just a few hours, and it’s served by an international airport within the city. The job market is also flourishing with plenty of opportunities in tourism, transportation and logistics, production, and manufacturing. Citrix-Systems, one of the best companies to work for in Florida according to Fortune is also headquartered here.

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Jacksonville

Jacksonville is located in northeast Florida on the Atlantic Coast, only 30 miles from the border with Georgia. It’s the largest and most populated city in the state with around 949,600 residents. It consistently ranks among the best places to live in Florida and in the U.S. overall thanks to its affordability, entertainment options, especially arts and music, foodie culture and low unemployment rate.

The public high school system also stands out as one of the better ones at preparing students for college in the U.S. For graduates and those well-seasoned in the working world, more than 20 companies listed in the Fortune Global 500 are located in Jacksonville and provide opportunities in finance, banking, and insurance. The Naval Air Station Jacksonville also employs around 17,000 active-duty personnel and civilians in the military.

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Miami

The third most beloved winter holiday destination in the U.S. is also a great place to live all year round. Its cultural diversity, party scene, delicious ethnic restaurants, and outdoor activities, beyond the beach, will convince you to stay for good. If you’re into art, you’ll enjoy Miami's Art Deco Historic District and Wynwood neighborhood's outdoor graffiti museum as well.

Miami is also one of the best places to live in Florida for families thanks to its excellent results at public high schools. What about jobs? The tourism industry leads the way, but you might be surprised to learn that downtown Miami also has plenty of roles in international banking, finance, and wealth management.

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Orlando

Orlando is famously the place to go for a family-friendly vacation, thanks to being the home of Disney World and other top theme parks. It makes sense, therefore, that it is also one of the best places to live in Florida for families. The cost of housing here is in line with the national average, there are excellent public and private school options, the dining is top-notch, and you can engage in an endless number of outdoor sports and activities for every level. The job market is also up-and-coming - and not just for the positions in tourism and food service. In Orlando you’ll also find jobs in construction, landscaping, and IT.

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Port Saint Lucie

Although you might be disappointed to learn that Port Saint Lucie doesn’t actually have a port, this city of roughly 196,000 people is hands down one of the safest, fastest growing and best places to live in Florida and in the U.S. overall. In this relaxed town between Miami and Orlando, the cost of living is lower than other locations in the “Sunshine State”, while the school and college systems are excellent.

In Port Saint Lucie there are also plenty of recreational activities for the entire family. These include hiking trails, fishing, golf, jazz nights, as well as events like Oktoberfest or the Festival of Lights. Travel and hospitality are the largest employment sectors in town. However, healthcare professionals are also at an advantage when looking for a job in Port Saint Lucie.

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Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is the second biggest city in the Tampa Bay Area and one of the best places to live in Florida for its peculiar mix of beach town atmosphere, urban bustle, and social activities. In Saint Petersburg, you’ll soon find out that there’s always something to do. Whether it’s a festival, a beach day, a sustainable living event, sports, or other outdoor adventures, you’ll never get bored here. In Saint Petersburg you can also feed your hunger for art by visiting the surrealist Dalí Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts. Besides tourism, in Saint Petersburg you can find work in marketing, management, banking, finance and healthcare.

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Tallahassee

In the capital of Florida, Tallahassee, you’ll enjoy all the comforts of a big city without the crowds - or the traffic - of the biggest metro areas of the “Gulf State”. Located in the center-north of the state and with over 70,000 students attending Florida State University, Tallahassee feels very much like a college town.

However, here there’s something for every age from nightlife and sporting events, to live music and plenty of restaurant options. It also boasts a 6.2% lower cost of living than the U.S. average and a very healthy job market. In Tallahassee, you can find roles in education, government, tech, and healthcare.

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Tampa

With nearly 400,000 residents, Tampa is the third most populous city in Florida. It’s been growing enormously in the last decade. It’s the 15th fastest growing area in the U.S. and its redevelopment created some of the tallest skyscrapers on the “Gulf Coast”. Young professionals, families, and retirees flock to the city, making it a lively and diverse place.

If you decide to move here, get ready for a lot of festivals, different culinary experiences, and some intense love for the Buccaneers of the NFL, the Lightning of the NHL, and the Rays of the MLB. As far as jobs go, the top sectors in town are tourism, sales, healthcare, finance, IT, logistics, and digital marketing.

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More of the Best Places to Live in Florida

There's so much more to Florida than Miami and Tampa. Looking for a smaller city? Here are more of the best places to live in Florida:

Monster Helps You Settle in the Best Places to Live in Florida

Monster boosts your job search in any city in Florida. All you have to do is create a free candidate account, upload your resume and you’re on a road to a new life in the sun. Once a member, you’ll receive custom alerts for specific job listings. On top of that, companies and recruiters will be able to contact you directly when your skills match their needs.