We evaluated the best places to live in Northern Florida with several key elements in mind to make sure you get a detailed and unbiased review of these Sunshine State cities.
The southern part of Florida usually gets all the attention, but there are numerous top quality towns and cities in the north that are just as fun and affordable with easy access to some of the best beaches in the world.
For this article, we used the latest data on each city’s affordability, which is based on housing costs and overall cost of living, education systems, and crime levels.
We also made sure to find cities that were actually desirable to live in with many things to do and that are close by to amenities like the beach or parks.
To round off our research, we made sure to double-check each choice with other data and rankings from large magazines and online databases like Wallethub, Niche.com and the U.S. News & World Report.
That’s enough talk about the methodology. Let’s see the results of the best places to live in Northern Florida.
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Table of Contents
The 12 Best Places to Live in Northern Florida
12. Tallahassee
Pros and Cons:
+ Strong education system
+ Lots of outdoor activities
+ Light traffic and low commute times
– Rising housing costs
– Far from major beaches
Location: Check on Google Maps
Coming in at #7 on our list of the best places to live in Northern Florida is the state capital of Tallahassee. It is quite small for a state capital, with a population of less than 200,000, but it still offers all the amenities and benefits of a large city.
Livability.com rankedTallahassee on its top 100 places to livein the U.S. as the 81st best city.It ranked high on its infrastructure, economy, and education system.
Tallahassee is known for its homey feelwith a nice blend of urban living downtown and slower, suburban areas just outside the core.
There is also a good mixture of ethnic, economic, and demographic diversity within Tallahassee. It is home to both Florida State University and Florida A&M University, so you can expect to find many students and young professionals as well as a lively atmosphere and energy around downtown and the campuses.
There is also a strong job market, with many opportunities with employers like the universities, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc., the Leon County School district, and large retailers like Publix, Chick-fil-A, and Bank of America. Check outthis list of the largest employers in Tallahasseefrom the official chamber of commerce.
Finally, there are tons of parks and outdoor space in and around Tallahassee. Don’t miss big parks like Leon County Geological Sinks, Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, and Apalachicola State Park.
11. Melrose
Pros and Cons:
+ Excellent affordability
+ Small town living
+ Easy access to lake and parks
– A bit too small for some
Location: Check on Google Maps
Melrose, Florida is a quaint little town that is located about 20 minutes east of Gainesville. It was deliberately planned to be built within four different counties – Alachua, Bradford, Clay, and Putnam.
Melrose is also the smallest town on this list of the best places to live in Northern Florida. With just roughly 3,500 residents, it is a great place for folks looking for a quiet and more relaxed experience compared to the bigger cities that we mention here.
Although it is small, Melrose still offers a lot of amenities and things to do for its residents.
For example, nature lovers can enjoy taking a dip in Lake Santa Fe or taking a stroll in one of the several parks around town, including Melrose Heritage Park, Santa Fe Park, and Melrose Bay Park on the water.
Meanwhile, there are a handful of local eateries and bars in Melrose, certainly more than you would expect for such a small place.
Additionally, the town features many secluded, tree-lined neighborhoods that are also affordable, making it an excellent choice for young families.
10. Lake City
Pros and Cons:
+ Surrounded by fresh water springs
+ Central location
+ Affordable housing options
– A bit secluded
Location: Check on Google Maps
Lake City is a place that usually flies under the radar. But, its central location within the northern part of the Sunshine State, strong school system, and excellent affordability make it a community that you should consider.
This city of 12,300 residents is located about one hour by car from both Jacksonville and Gainesville, and another hour and a half from Tallahassee, making it a great spot that is close enough to the major cities, yet small enough to feel more at home.
Since it is known as “The Gateway to Florida” as I-75 and I-10 pass right through the city, many residents here have easy access to the big cities and can secure a higher paying job while living a lower cost of life.
The average cost of living in Lake City is roughly 13% lower than the rest of the US. Even better, housing costs are almost 40% lower here than the national average.
Meanwhile, the city offers many things to do as well. The revitalized downtown of Lake City is now a charming district filled with local boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and even a brewery.
In addition, there are always many events being held throughout the year in and around the city.
Lake City and the surrounding region is also a haven for nature lovers. Of course, there are lakes to enjoy, such as Lake De Soto and Lake Montgomery in the heart of town.
But, there are also tons of naturally-occurring fresh water springs in the area. Here, you can go swimming or tubing while enjoying some beautiful scenery.
9. Gainesville
Pros and Cons:
+ Collegetown energy and activities
+ Low cost of living
+ Central location
– Student-centered housing market
– Hot and humid
Location: Check on Google Maps
Gainesville is located right in the middle of northern Florida and is perfectly situated between many of Florida’s big cities. In under 2 hours, you can reach Jacksonville, Orlando, or the pristine beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.
Gainesville itself is home to the University of Florida and contains all the charming buzz and activities of a youthful collegetown. The university offers many things to do, such as attending a Florida Gators game throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Downtown Gainesville has a whole collection of shops, restaurants, bars, and live theater. Check out theDowntown Gainesville websitefor more details.
Livability.com also rankedGainesville on its top 100 listas the 72nd best city to live in America.
But, there are some cons to be aware of. The weather in Gainesville is hot and humid almost year round. Afterall, its nickname is “The Swamp,” so you should be prepared for frequent rain showers and humidity.
Also, whilethe cost of living in Gainesville is 10% cheaper than the rest of the U.S.,the housing market has been steadily increasing with stronger competition from student renters.
Finally, there are great job opportunities with the university and within the healthcare system, but there are not many large companies in Gainesville. But, in recent years, it has become an emerging hub for tech startups and research firms, so the future may see further job growth.
8. Live Oak
Pros and Cons:
+ Low cost of living
+ Great for families
+ Green spaces
– Limited job market
– Too quiet for young professionals
Location: Check on Google Maps
Live Oak is one of the smallest city on our list of the best places to live in northern Florida, with only 6,850 residents, and it is considered a great choice for families. It is located an hour away from both Tallahassee and Gainesville and is a small town with tree-lined streets where everybody knows and looks out for each other.
But, don’t worry that it is too small as there is still a Publix and many restaurants in town. There is even Suwannee County Airport only 5 minutes from downtown.
The best part about Live Oak is its affordability.Live Oak’s cost of living is almost 18% lower than the national average.Meanwhile, Zillow indicates that theaverage home price is only about $140,000, making it extremely affordable for young families as well as fixed-income retirees.
To keep you engaged with society, there are also many community events that maintain the tight-knit nature of the town. Additionally, there are tons of green spaces for hiking and biking in and around Live Oak. There is Heritage Park and Gardens right in the center of town as well as Woods Ferry Conservation Area and Twins Rivers State Forest only 15 minutes away.
However, there may not be many job opportunities directly in the city and you may need to commute a bit further.
7. Palatka
Pros and Cons:
+ Many affordable home options
+ Bustling commercial districts
+ Many things to do outdoors
– A little isolated
Location: Check on Google Maps
Palatka is an active city of roughly 10,400 residents that is located about an hour east of Gainesville by car.
It is probably best known for its downtown that continues to be rejuvenated and sits alongside multiple historic districts.
So, what is there to do in Palatka?
Residents can enjoy the thriving arts and culture scene in Palatka, including the Larimer Arts Center.
Additionally, there are numerous locally-owned restaurants and cafes around town that offer a wide-range of options, including Angel’s Dining Car, which is Florida’s oldest diner.
You can enjoy a lot of things to do outdoors here, too. Palatka’s prime location right on the St. Johns River makes it an excellent place for paddling. Meanwhile, you can hike through the beautiful and rustic Ravine Gardens State Park.
Best of all, life in Palatka is quite affordable. The overall cost of living is 17% lower than the US average, while home prices are 53% lower than the rest of the nation on average.
6. Jacksonville
Pros and Cons:
+ Affordable, big city living
+ Tons of things to do
+ Growing job market
– Some areas of crime
– Heavy traffic and longer commutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Jacksonville is the largest city on our list as is the commercial and financial center of Florida. It has a well-established and thriving downtown with many quiet suburban neighborhoods in the surrounding area. There is also easy access to the outdoors, as it wasranked as one of the best big cities for outdoor activities in the U.S.
It is easy to see why, since there are numerous parks around the city and several state forests just a short drive away. Of course, there is also the legendary Florida coastline and beaches that are just a 30 minute drive away from downtown Jacksonville. Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach are all reachable and offer miles and miles of interrupted paradise.
That is what makes Jacksonville so attractive – you can enjoy the big city life for an affordable price while having quick access to the beaches and nature. Thecost of living in Jacksonville is 6.5% cheaper than the rest of the U.S., which is pretty good considering it is a large city.
If that is not enough, there are always things to do around the city as well. You can watch the Jacksonville Jaguars play football during the fall or indulge yourself in the tasty foodie scene as well.
Additionally, there are many trendy neighborhoods within Jacksonville that are worth visiting and living in. The hip San Marco neighborhood is right across the river from downtown, while the thriving Five Points and Riverside communities are only a 10 minute drive from downtown.
Also, don’t miss the historic Springfield neighborhood, which is growing with new eateries and breweries just 5 minutes from downtown.
But, its popularity does have some downfalls – there is a lot of traffic that may impact your daily commute as well as some areas of crime to look out for.
Still, Jacksonville continues to attract new residents and thejob market is expected to grow by 44.4% over the next 10 years, which is much higher than the national average of 33.5%.
Some of Jacksonville’s top employers include big names like Bank of America, JPMorgan and Chase, Amazon, and healthcare providers like Baptist Health and the Mayo Clinic. Check out this full list of top employers for more details.
