Two Southwest Florida Towns Named One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S.

As a long time Southwest Florida resident, I might be a bit biased when it comes to thinking that this is a great state to live in. I moved to Naples from Ohio 20 years ago. That said, Florida towns have been topping several lists of the best places to live in America, so I think that confirms my point.

Now, the staff at U.S. News has put out a brand new list of the top 150 best cities to live in the U.S. They “analyzed the 150 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life,” according to the study.

As for the publication’s methodology and purpose for the report, U.S. News states, “U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings are intended to help readers make the most informed decision when choosing where to settle down.” They added that cities are rated utilizing data from sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News’ own internal resources. That information was categorized into the five indexes: Job Market Index, Value Index, Quality of Life Index, Desirability Index and Net Migration. With that data, they chose Huntsville, Alabama as the top choice.

So, which Florida cities are on top? Well two Southwest Florida towns landed inside the top 12: Sarasota and Naples. Sarasota is No. 9 on the list, with the outlet stating, “Sarasota has a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere and burgeoning food culture.” Naples is No. 12 on the list, with the publication stating, “Long known as a preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse, the greater Naples and Marco Island area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping. ” Find the full report here which includes Tampa at number 39 and Fort Myers coming in at 100.

Read on for the Top areas in Florida to buy a house!

Looking to buy a house in Florida? A my friend Anne in Detroit says: It’s a wild time to buy a house. The prices seem to just keep going up and up, with no end to this housing 'bubble' in sight. many millenials are being forced to wait until the housing market drops a bit, and it’s anybody’s guess when that will happen. Meanwhile, rent prices continue to go up even faster.

If you are buying a house right now, you should make sure it’s in a good place to live, since you’re likely paying a pretty penny for it. You're also hoping to get in somewhere where, if the prices do fall, your new home value will hold up better. Thankfully, the folks at Niche.com have done the homework to determine the best places to buy a house in Florida. They recently released a list of the best places to live in the state, factoring in both cities, suburbs, towns and city neighborhoods. And although this list is Florida-wide, there's some SWFL on the list.

“The Best Places to Buy a House ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the housing and community of an area,” they explain the in the study. “This grade takes into account key factors of a location’s housing market, including home values, taxes, crime rates, and quality of local schools, in an attempt to measure the quality and stability of an area’s real estate market.” They also look at aspects such as home value to income ratio, public schools grades, monthly housing costs, the cost of living, the higher education rate, the median home value and much more. Statistics are mainly obtained from the U.S. Census and represent the most recent data available, they state.

So, what places are the best to reside in Florida? Read on for the top 50 list via Niche.com, and best of luck with your home buying experience. And once you've found your place to call home, check out: Top 10 Florida Beaches To Avoid The Crowds