The main Florida stereotypes show this state as a place to lead a peaceful retirement life, spend a vacation under the never-ending sunshine, or experience the exciting nightlife of Miami and similar cities. However, beyond all that, Florida makes one of the top places to raise kids in the country. Making this decision as a parent can be tough, but here are plenty of reasons why Florida would be a great home for you and your loved ones. It’s affordable and safe, has great schools, the weather is amazing and the outdoorsy lifestyle is important – a perfect place to ensure happy childhood for your little ones. But, not all the locations in the state are the same – we’ve got the selection of the top 8 family-friendly cities in Florida you should check out. Go through the list and see if one of these amazing places could be your next home.
What are the factors that make a city family-friendly?
The way we’ve come up with the list of the most family-friendly cities is by considering a couple of factors and features of the places. These include:
- Safety – low crime rates and safe streets are what parents are looking for when moving to a family-friendly place. Even though crimes and accidents happen everywhere, certain cities are safer and have less traffic and problematic areas.
- Education – parents want to ensure their kids have the best conditions to develop their knowledge, talents, and skills, which is why they go for places with high-quality schools and plenty of educational options.
- Housing – one more parameter that tells you about the family-friendly feature of a city or neighborhood. There should be enough homes that are made for a family lifestyle, have reasonable prices, and a convenient location – close to grocery shops, pharmacies, schools, and other necessary amenities.
- Green spaces – kids love the outdoors, so a family-friendly city should have plenty of parks, playgrounds, and other green spaces. Luckily, Floridians are all about active lifestyles and outdoor activities, so this won’t be an issue wherever you go.
So, what are the places that meet the criteria? Even though there are some amazing cities in Florida, not all of them are suitable for children and family lifestyles. Some places are best for entertainment, career development, etc. but not for raising your children. Let’s see the best options for families who plan on making the Sunshine State their home soon.
Clearwater
Even though Clearwater has been popular among retirees, it’s an amazing place to raise your family. An easily accessible and walkable downtown, great restaurants, parks, and beautiful beaches – all of these can be found in this lovely city. Families love it for its convenient location, affordable cost of living, and good-quality education – and let’s not forget all the sunshine and ocean views.
Niceville
The name says it all – this is truly a nice place to settle down. Niceville is one of the best places to live in Florida for several reasons – a suburban feel, pristine beaches, safety, and peacefulness. This is truly a gem of the Emerald Coast, and you shouldn’t miss it on your search for a great Florida.
Naples
This amazing spot in the Gulf of Mexico is known for high income rates, but also for being one of the family-friendly cities in Florida. High-quality lifestyle is supported by great weather, plenty of golf courses and other recreational spots, pristine beaches where you can enjoy different water activities with your family and see some breathtaking sunsets. Naples community boasts an excellent school system, with top-rated private and public schools in the area. Finally, there’s something parents will love – high-end shopping and fine dining are also things Naples is famous for.
Tampa
Tampa seems to have it all – the affordable cost of living, plenty of job options for parents and education choices for children, beaches, sports, and entertainment. This vibrant city grows its population each day, with many families realizing this is one of the best places to move in the Sunshine State. And if you’re one of them, remember that Tampa-based experts can assist you with the move. Relocating your family doesn’t need to be stressful or difficult – start making your moving plans and have trustworthy local experts by your side for success.
Parkland
Known as one of the richest areas in Florida, Parkland is also one of the top family-friendly cities in the state. It provides its residents with a safe and peaceful lifestyle, a rural feel, and high-rated public schools. Locals love outdoor activities, so you’ll see everyone jogging, cycling, or walking their pets through the tree-lined streets of Parkland.
Kissimmee
Located just outside Orlando, Kissimmee is perfect for families who want to live away from the city’s hustle and bustle but still have easy access to everything Orland has to offer. Kissimmee is loved for its access to a couple of lakes, many attractions, affordable housing, and plenty of diverse neighborhoods to choose from.
Boca Raton
The fact that Boca Raton is known for some of the best beaches in the state is not the only thing that defines it as a top family-friendly city in Florida. Parents love it for the excellent schools, low crime rates and healthy, active, and simple lifestyle residents here are able to lead.
Cooper City
Last, but not least, we get to Cooper City, a true gem of the Miami area. Residents are highly educated, the majority of them have kids and most of the people living in Cooper City own their homes and plan to stay. Moving here would surely mean easy access to Miami’s amenities, jobs with salaries above the national average, and the ability to lead a true high-quality lifestyle with your loved ones.
Final words
Florida has so many things to offer, which makes it one of the most popular states in the country. Families moving here are able to choose among these family-friendly cities in Florida that won’t disappoint – just be sure to pick the place that suits your family’s needs and lifestyle.
