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Affordability is more than just cheap housing options; it indicates a high quality of life as well as affordable costs of living. This list is not simply made up of cheap options, but looks at places where you can find community and a sense of purpose: where you would actually want to live. Home is where the heart is, so here are reasons why these six cities will steal your heart.
The most affordable places to live in Florida are:
1. Kissimmee, Fla.
2. Palm Coast, Fla.
3. Cape Coral, Fla.
4. Palm Bay, Fla.
5. Orlando, Fla.
6. Gainesville, Fla.
1. Kissimmee
Kissimmee is the site of one of the 5 Best Amusement Parks in the U.S., but it’s more than just a vacation destination. You can find extremely affordable housing in the low $100k’s alongside the other 60,000-plus residents in the area. While Walt Disney World has made Kissimmee a large tourist attraction, there have been many positive effects from growth and economic stimulation. Kissimmee is a prime location for entertainment, outdoor recreation and strong job growth. The city is convenient to all major roadways, making it easy to commute to work or seek adventures.
2. Palm Coast
Look no further for oceans, community, a quiet and scenic home front and an easy way of life. Its location on the upper east coast of Florida, as well as its winds, make it a city less touched by hurricanes, providing ample sunshine year round. It also has one of Florida’s best-kept-secret beaches. Palm Coast is speckled with colorful wildlife and magnificent trails. Its peaceful community makes it a great place to retire and find tranquility without being too far away from everything.
Also see: 4 gorgeous beach towns where you can retire comfortably on $40,000 a year
3. Cape Coral
Cape Coral has more than 400 miles of canals, more than any other city in the world. It’s the biggest city between Tampa and Miami, and Fort Meyers lies just across the Caloosahatchee River. Known as the “Waterfront Wonderland,” the Cape is a hub for fishing and boating. Median home prices at $180k make this renowned city an extremely affordable place to live. You don’t have to spend big money to have fun at many active and leisure outdoor and destination activities including: Useppa Island, Cape Coral Yacht Club, Rum distillery tours, Farmers Market, Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, Rotary Park Environmental Center, and Sun Splash Family Waterpark.
iStock/Getty Images Did we also mention they’re home to the above-pictured burrowing owls?
4. Palm Bay
Originally called Tillman, the city was named Palm Bay in the 1920s for its sabal palm trees. Along with Melbourne and Titusville, Palm Bay anchors a large and intricate area of barrier islands, beach and coastal communities comprising what is called the “Space Coast” because Cape Canaveral and the John F. Kennedy Space Center are located on the northernmost large barrier islands.
Here’s exactly where you should retire — based on what’s important to you
Palm Bay’s main industries of telecommunications and technology are booming, and affordability here is high, with median home prices at just over $90k.
5. Orlando
You should move to Orlando if:
- You’re a golfer.
- You like warm weather.
- You participate in competitive athletics or enjoy an active lifestyle.
Oh yeah, and it was named one of Livability’s 100 Best Places to Live.
Dubbed “The Theme Park Capital of the World” in 2014, this busy city fueled by tourism is a lively place. If you’re not convinced yet, here are eight more reasons you should move to Orlando, Fla.
6. Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida, one of the largest universities in the U.S., Gainesville is shaded by a dense and richly diverse array of trees, and has been dubbed “Tree City, U.S.A.” by the National Arbor Day Foundation. There has been a continuing expansion of museums and theaters, as well as the preservation of historical landmarks like Ginnie Springs, one of the clearest springs in all of Florida.
Read the original article on Livability.
