If sunny weather, beach access, and a tax-friendly environment are priorities, you may want to consider a move to Florida.
With a whopping 361 days of sunshine each year, plenty of trails to explore, and a work-life balance that happens to include beach days, it’s no wonder the city of St. Petersburg was named the best place to live in Florida and the eighth best place to live in the entire Southeast, according to a study by Livability.
The natural beauty of St. Pete is certainly a highlight, which Livability described as one of the city’s “most prized amenities.” From the shoreline along Tampa Bay to the Gulf and Boca Ciega Bay as well as the intercoastal waterways, there are more than 200 miles of shoreline to explore. Factor that in with St. Pete’s long-standing Guinness World Record-recognized feat for its consecutive days of sunshine, and it’s a recipe for year-round beach days.
Livability also credited St. Pete’s amenities for its appeal.
The 45-mile Pinellas Trail joins dog parks, golf courses, the historic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, pickleball courts, and more to keep residents busy and active in their downtime. Art also plays a big role in St. Pete: the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, the Dalí Museum, and the Second Saturday ArtWalks bring a creative atmosphere to the community.
“Locals and residents alike mingle at more than 1,000 special events and festivals that happen annually, ranging from yachting events, farmers markets, Florida’s largest Pride celebration, and a long-running parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” the report wrote, adding, “There’s also a unique downtown waterfront with restaurants and bars and a free Looper Trolley that connects to the city’s major attractions.”
The city also received an A- or an A from review and ranking website Niche.com in several important categories, including being good for families, outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity, weather, health and fitness, and commute.
Beyond St. Pete, Livability also rated both Fort Lauderdale and Orlando highly, ranking them at No. 9 and No. 19 on the list of the best places to live in the Southeast, respectively.
Overall, the Georgia city of Johns Creek, which sits just Northeast of Atlanta, was named the best city to live in, in the Southeast thanks to “big-city perks that come with being close to a major metro and the tight-knit community lifestyle a smaller city affords.”
To come up with its list, Livability analyzed many different data points, including a city’s economy, housing, cost of living, amenities, and more.