1 SWFL City Makes Travel + Leisure’s List Of Best Places To Live In Florida

When you think of how big the Sunshine State is, we're pretty lucky here in SWFL to have a city make Travel + Leisure's list of the best places to live in Florida.

I moved to Florida from the chilly Midwest back in 2018 and have never looked back. Growing up, it was always my dream to be a full-time Florida resident, after spending many many years on Clearwater Beach in our vacation home. It was always a great escape not only during the cold months of the year, but the summer too. Finally, I made that lifelong dream a reality coming first to Sarasota and since 2019, to Fort Myers.

There is just so much to offer here in the state of Florida and right here in Southwest Florida, that I now can't imagine ever living anywhere else. What a great community, and of course gorgeous with our weather, beaches and endless palm trees. Well, speaking of Southwest Florida, there is one city that has made Travel + Leisure's list of the best places to live in Florida.

Above, I listed just a few reasons I love living in Florida, but the reasons people move to the state, or never leave, go well beyond that. There's also the fact that there's no state income tax so our paychecks are a little bigger, plus the lower than national average unemployment rate. For their list of the best places to live in Florida, they looked at housing data from Zillow, plus income, unemployment info and personal experience.

Here in Southwest Florida, Cape Coral came in at #8 on the list. Just in the last 5 years since I've been here, the city has grown exponentially. In the article, they mention the closeness to beaches and golf courses and the 400 miles of canals offering plenty when it comes to boating and fishing. They also mentioned the average home value, down from 4.7% compared to last year.

To check out the full list, click here

When you are taking a road trip into and out of Southwest Florida, it can take a minute. Not just because of traffic but because we are so far south. It's inevitable that you'll need to stop for some kind of refueling. Next time you need a good pit stop for sustenance, check out the biggest BBQ sandwich found in Bartow.

It's at a restaurant called Boney Mac's BBQ and it is my latest discovery for Favorite Florida Pit Stops. Favorite Florida Pit Stops is a culinary and travel series. It primarily features mom and pop restaurants along well traveled roads to and from Southwest Florida.

This is one of those places that you can smell before you see on Highway 17 and Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd. in Bartow. You likely whiz right by if 17 is the route you take to Orlando and other Central Florida locations.

Boney Mac's is old school. The smoker is in the parking lot facing the highway. The interior is wide open and orders are taken at a small counter. Beware, it also has tempting, homemade desserts linted up. The selections change daily.

The rest of the menu is full of southern and soulful favorites like collard greens, lima beans, fried okra, mac-n-cheese and more. Smoked meats include chicken, ribs and pork which all come in a variety of ways.

I ordered what I thought was a simple rib sandwich. I could not pick it up. The rib meat didn't even come close to fitting between the two pieces of white bread it came with and I wasn't mad about it at all. The amount of meat was enough to feed three people.

The BBQ sauce on the side was sweet and tangy mustard base. Best part was the value. The sandwich was only $11. If you are trying to feed a bunch of people and not break the bank, this is your stop. Everything I had was delicious too.

There is another great stop for BBQ lovers on Highway 17. It's about 20 minutes south of Boney Mac's. Click here to find more about Smokin' Joes.

It's easy to drive by Boney Mac's BBQ. The building sits on an odd corner of Highway 17 and Martin Luther King Blvd in Bartow. If you pass it, it's pretty easy to do a U-Turn. I know from experience.

The parking lot of Boney Mac's BBQ is reserved for smoking. Smoking slabs of pork that is. Don't worry, there is more parking along the side.

This is how Boney Mac's BBQ serves up a sandwich. Piles of perfectly cooked meat between two slices of white bread. Classic.

I caught Boney Mac's smoker in action. It's just outside the small restaurant on a concrete slab. It smells as good as it tastes. Find the restaurant in Bartow next road trip

Boney Mac's Broccoli Salad is a staple. It is sweet and tangy and makes you feel like you've had something healthful...kind of.

The desserts at Boney Mac's BBQ are all homemade. I couldn't wait to try this red velvet cake, but I left it on the counter. Always double check your order before you leave.

The walls at Boney Mac's BBQ have fun posters as well as photos paying homage to local Civil Rights leaders.