Which of These Surprising Small Towns in Florida Would You Move To?

Imagine waking up on a balmy morning. You sip on your hot coffee as you stand on your front porch and look out over one of the many rivers in the state of Florida. You listen to the chorus of unfamiliar birds with long, lanky legs and beaks. You watch as the smooth water ripples as boaters paddle their canoes along the river. It seems like you’re on vacation, but what if you could call this place home? Take a tour of some of the best small towns in Florida.

It’s no wonder that people are flocking to Florida to live there, but those who don’t care for the hustle and bustle of the city can find themselves in one of the myriads of small towns that have so much to offer.  Whether coastal or inland, the highlights of the state don’t just extend to the places, but the people as well. Take a look at this list to explore everything Florida has to offer.

Winter Park
Population: 30,764
Local Hot Spots:

• The Downtown Winter Park Historic District
• Winter Park Village
• Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
• Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Just a few miles away from Orlando, Florida, Winter Park is a historic small town that inhabits the outskirts of the region. It is often described as “quaint,” and no wonder, as the town is filled with brick roads, tree canopy-covered streets, and beautiful and graceful old homes. This is a town that celebrates its culturally-rich history.

Sanibel
Population: 7,378
Local Hot Spots:

• Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park
• Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Nature Center
• Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
• J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel is a picturesque small beach town located on Sanibel Island. This island is well-known for its white, sandy beaches and a beautiful assortment of shells. Bowman’s Beach is the perfect place to spot shells. This island is facing an east-west orientation, while most islands on the coast run opposite (north-south orientation). This is the secret behind the incredible white beaches. Located just a short way from Fort Meyers, Florida, this island is a sea shell and a seafood paradise–or maybe just a paradise.

Vero Beach
Population: 17,163
Local Hot Spots:

• McKee Botanical Garden
• Sebastian Inlet State Park
• Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
• McLarty Treasure Museum

Vero Beach, Florida is a coastal town that sits between West Palm Beach and Orlando, Florida. It is an Atlantic-facing town with miles of beaches. Along with watersports, shopping, and golfing, Vero Beach is home to the McKee Botanical Garden, a vibrant tribute to all of the flora Florida has to offer. This vacationers paradise has plenty of activities for families, and with so many miles of coastline and riverfronts to keep you occupied, this small town is sure to let you check some items off your bucket list.

Apalachicola
Population: 2,572
Local Hot Spots:

• The Apalachicola Maritime Museum 
• Apalachicola Riverkeeper
• St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
• Apalachicola Sponge Company

A coastal small town in the Florida panhandle, Apalachicola is a small beach townlet that looks out over the Gulf of Mexico. As a coastal city, the economy of this town relies heavily on its oceanic resources. This little town is world-renowned for its quality oysters, and it’s known as the oyster capital of the world. This area is home to tons of wildlife refuges, some of which are open to the public, and some of which are not. There are plenty of things to do that involve learning about the town’s historic maritime history.

Fernandina Beach
Population: 12,622
Local Hot Spots:

• Fort Clinch State Park
• Downtown Amelia Island Historic District
• Palace Saloon
• The Shops at Amelia Island Plantation

Fernandina Beach is a small island community that is located on Amelia Island, the uppermost part of the state of Florida, about 30 minutes outside of Jacksonville. This beach town is home to one of the oldest bars in America, The Palace Saloon, and one of the older forts in America, For Clinch. With beaches along one side of the island and the Amelia River on the other, the city is packed with outdoor activities involving both land and sea. The island is famous for the number of shark teeth that wash up onshore. The town is an old one and boasts of being the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. It’s also known as the Aisle of 8 Flags, as its rich history is filled with tragedy and triumph of several nations fighting for the territory.

Who wouldn’t want to live in Florida? This peninsula state is filled with towns that are ideally located on or near some of the hundreds of miles of beaches, along with outdoor activities and attractions that are scattered throughout the state. There is a multitude of wildlife, museums, and marinas, and as a state whose economy is focused on tourism, you won’t find a place that is more family-friendly.