With a population of 12,791, Florida City is a small town. You can expect to pay around $1,328 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Isabelle Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Everett G.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Chloe Miller
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
Adrian W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Jace
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
32 upvotes
Amelia Chavez
This.
31 upvotes
Dominic C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Eli Hernandez
I'm a teacher and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is average and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Ethan Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
10 upvotes
Everly Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Aaliyah Diaz
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Colton Price
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's average.
3 upvotes
Aria Lee
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to school system but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..