Best Places to live in Florida

It seems so many people flock to Florida especially when the northern weather turns cold and wintery. Florida is a pretty big state, so where would you go? What would be the best town or city or area to live in, down in the sunny and warm southern state of Florida?

1. Amelia Island – Located on Florida’s northeast tip about 25 miles from Jacksonville, this historical and laid back little town is quaint and quiet. Giving residents and visitors a like a rich history with the Civil War Era fort, horseback riding, and waters perfect for fishing and kayaking.

2. Fort Lauderdale – You might know this city as “Venice of America” thanks to its extensive canal system. This city has gorgeous weather all year with temperatures averaging about 77 degrees.

Fort Lauderdale

3. St. Augustine – With a downtown area that is water front this city gives everyone beautiful sites. This is certainly a wonderful city to reside in, especially for those who are water-loving as well as those who enjoy a calmer atmosphere without so much tourism.

4. Fort Meyers – Small town charm and a population of about 65,000 makes this quaint little town a wonderful place to live. The nautical city is full of beautiful scenery and plenty of historical sites to enjoy.

5. Vero Beach – A small town with only about 15,000 residents this city is rich in history, not to mention intriguing. There are many museums, historical sites, and annual cultural events for residents to enjoy in this city.

6. Jacksonville – The largest city in Florida and the largest in land mass, almost everyone who knows of Florida knows of this city. This coastal city has an affordable cost of living and wide variety of things to do make this a popular place to reside.

Jacksonville, Florida

7. The Villages – Population about 72,000 sets this city on the Forbes magazine list as the number one Fastest Growing Small Town in the US. This city seems to be more popular among the retirement community.

8. Naples – Known as one of the wealthiest cities in the US, Naples is also ranked currently as the 6th city highest per capita income in the country. If you have a taste for luxury and living large this is the city for you with homes currently going for more than $40million each.

9. Dunedin – neighbor city to Tampa some locals call this city the “hidden gem.” The city is a hopping little place, hosting 22 different events and festivals annually. There are several lovely beaches as well as Caladesi Island State Park just to name a few perks to living here.

10. Miami – Perfect for those who wish to reside among a largely diverse population both racially and culturally. This city also has so many activities and attractions to offer its residents.

Miami Beach Boardwalk

11. Hialeah – Rich in culture this city has been ranked as the 6th most populated city in the state. The city itself offers a wonderful selection of recreational activities for its residents year round.

12. Tallahassee – The capital city of Florida has a diverse cultural scene and ranks high on the list of best places to live thanks to the great public school system and high college aged population.

13. Islamorada – Known to most as the city of islands this smaller city is located in the southern part of Florida and is part of the Keys. The main attraction for this city is boating and fishing in fact the city was given the title “Sport Fishing Capital of the World.”

14. Tampa – Situated along the Gulf of Mexico this beautiful city is listed as Florida’s 3rd largest city. It is well known for having a wonderful cultural scene along with activities and attractions for everyone to enjoy.

Tampa, Florida

15. Orlando – Known as the theme park capital of the world, this city is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and Gator World. This is ranked as the most visited city in the US.

16. St. Petersburg – This city has been ranked as the 4th largest city in Florida. The tropical climate, low cost of living and the vast amount of amenities makes this a wonderful city to live and grow up in.

17. Port St. Lucie – This small city is home to about 155,000 people and currently ranks as the 9th largest city in Florida. It has a low cost of living, as well as the low crime rate make this a wonderful city to live in, especially with a family.

Florida Adventure Sports offers powered hang gliding adventures to the areas of Amelia Island, St. Augustine and Jacksonville. 

Top 10 Best Parks in Florida

Many people book vacations to Florida every year and majority of those guests stick close to the beach and beach activities; this is a problem because there is so much more to Florida than just the beaches and water. Florida has tons of wonderful forests and state parks that are just begging to be seen.

Below we have put together a list of the 10 most popular parks located throughout Florida.

• Anastasia State Park – fishing and canoeing are popular activities among visitors to the Anastasia State Park. Come learn about the rich history here and get your fishing hat on for a wonderful fishing experience.
• Blue Spring State Park – Manatees are the gentle giants of the Florida waters and you can see so many here in this park. Watch these beautiful creatures glide through the water so gracefully and beautifully, enjoying their natural habitat.
  
• Florida Caverns State Park – Here you will find the only air-filled cave open to the public in Florida. You can enjoy a bicycle ride, boat ride, kayaking, canoeing and even camping here at the park. Come see the natural beauty of these caverns.
• Millhopper Geological State Park – This Park might be one of the rare gems located in Florida. Among the sandy terrain and pine forests of the area, if you travel down into the 120 foot cavity you will find yourself standing in a miniature rain forest. If you are visiting Florida this park has to be a stop on your list of places to visit, breathtaking views and natural beauty make this one of the favorite parks in Florida.
• Ichetucknee Springs State Park – Come see the beauty of this natural national landmark and enjoy snorkeling, swimming and even scuba diving in the crystal clear waters. You can also take a tube ride down the beautiful river located here.
• Weeki Wachee State Park – Do you believe in mermaids? You might if you visit this park. Mermaid performers have been entertaining audiences here since 1947. There are also waterparks and boat rides for you to enjoy here.
• Ocala National Forest - If you like to hike then this is the park for you. The Big Scrub is made up of 360,000 acres of beautiful hiking terrain. You might have heard of the Florida National Scenic Trail, well a 75 mile section of that 1,300 mile trail passes through this area giving you views of bountiful hills, forests, swamps, and ponds.
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – located on Key Biscayne this park is home to the oldest standing structure in Miami, The Cape Florida Light. This park was actually a stop along the Underground Railroad and is said to have one of the best beaches in the country.
  
• Fort Clinch State Park - Come enjoy the sites and activities here at the park, like the rare purple sandpiper, alligators, white-tailed deer and all species of birds. Then once you are done sightseeing you can enjoy pier fishing, sunbathing, hiking, camping, shelling, and surfcasting. No matter what your plans the beauty of this park will leave you breathless.
• Little Talbot State Park – This has to be one of the best parks to visit while in Florida with so many activities we can’t list them all, this park has something for everyone’s interest. Enjoy watching the majestic sea turtles along with many other species of wild life located here. Hike around the grounds and return back to your camping site in time for dinner over the fire.

Florida Adventure Sports provides hang gliding lessons from Fernandina Beach. You will have the ability to see Little Talbot State Park and Fort Clinch State Park from a magnificent birds-eye view!