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May 7, 2025

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

Imagine waking up on a balmy morning. You sip on your iced 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 the smooth water ripple as boaters paddle their canoes along the river. It seems like you are on vacation, but what if you could call this place home?

It is no wonder that people are flocking to Florida to live there, but those who do not care for the hustle and bustle of the city can find themselves in one of the myriad small towns that have so much to offer. We took a tour of some of the best small towns that Florida has to offer. Whether coastal or inland, the state’s highlights extend to the places and the people. Take a look at this list to explore everything Florida has to offer.

Winter Park

Population: 29,894

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 on the outskirts of the Central Florida 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 town celebrates its culturally rich history.

Sanibel

Population: 6,328

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 Myers, Florida, this island is a seashell and a seafood paradise, or maybe just a paradise.

Vero Beach

Population: 17,317

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 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. It is a vibrant tribute to all of the flora Florida has to offer. This vacationer’s paradise has plenty of activities for families, and with so many miles of coastline and riverfronts to keep you occupied, this small town will let you check some items off your bucket list.

Apalachicola

Population: 2,412

Local Hot Spots:

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

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

Fernandina Beach

Population: 13,647

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 located on Amelia Island, the northernmost 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 oldest forts in America, Fort 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 ashore. The town is old and boasts of being the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. It is also known as the Aisle of 8 Flags, as its rich history is filled with the tragedy and triumph of several nations fighting for this beautiful territory.

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

 

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