Ok, so I have been blessed with an incredible career change. I will be an engineer with a region to manage, and I can live anywhere in the state of Florida, as long as I can easily get to a major airport. (I will be travelling by air or car about 40% of the time.)

Change and opportunity are exciting but also a little scary - I currently live in Tampa, and I used to live in Jax. I'm a 'young professional' at 28, but act/look older than I am. Single, dog, love the water & the warmth we have here.

I am faced with a decision later this summer to buy a house, or otherwise settle anywhere in the state. I've heard great things about Ft. Lauderdale, but I don't know much about it except it's expensive.

Anyway I thought my situation would give us a great excuse to have a little friendly competition between cities: What's the best place to live in Florida, if you had nothing tying you to any city?

If you have some specific reasoning, please post up and help fan the flame war!

Either way, you've got to love our state.

 

Pensacola would be my choice. White sandy beaches, beautiful clear water, tons of things to do to keep you busy, and not super crowded. It's a pretty laid back area. Minus spring break, but that's only once a year

 

Tampa bay. Thats why i live here. Its central location is great. Close to Orlando. Clearwater beach is rated one of the best in the United States. Great weather and so on

 

i would like to live in the tampa area

 

 

I vote for the Orlando area just outside of tourist zone for obvious reasons. A good mix of work and play, business and pleasure. Great dining lovely atmosphere and if you're a cigar guy, one of the best in the state is in town a well. The new amway arena is pretty dope and the Orlando s2ki crew is pretty cool if I say so myself. My second vote is Miami. And well that is self explanatory need I say more?

 

I love Jax but I've lived here about 30 years and have family and business ties. I had an opportunity about 7 years ago to move to the TBA area for business and sometimes wish I had taken the chance. Lots of family in that area too.

From a business standpoint I think you'll find that Tampa has far more direct flights to places than Jax. I'd assume Orlando the same if not more so but with Tampa you're on or darn close to the water.

Just my 2 cents. Best of luck and many congrats on the opportunity.

 

Tampa has it all....and is within a travel day of anything "cooler" than it on the FL map

 

Holy crap - my Tampa Bay buds have really shown up! How about you South Florida guys? Any advice/input/places to avoid at night?

 

I'd vote for the key west area.