Tampa Bay is the best place to live in the Sunshine State, according to Forbes Advisor.
The global platform dedicated to helping consumers make the best financial choices released its Best Places to Live in Florida 2022 list on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay, comprised of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, took the number one spot on the list. The area was praised for its beaches, professional sports teams, and thriving community.
“Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater has many positive aspects for young adults and families,” Forbes Advisors noted. “First, there are several pristine beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. The area is also home to several major sports teams, history museums, platforms promoting the arts and impressive public transportation options.
The reported added that Tampa Bay is home to a portfolio of different industries and boasts an unemployment rate of 2.7%.
“Tampa has also experienced an influx of employers across several industries ranging from advanced manufacturing to financial services and life sciences. Tourism and MacDill Air Force Base also play a pivotal role,” they said.
Jacksonville took second place on the list, and drew high marks for offering “big city conveniences” at an affordable cost of living.
“While Jacksonville holds the honor of being Florida’s largest city by population, its combined metro area population is smaller than Miami and Tampa. You can enjoy big city conveniences and live on the Atlantic Ocean—yet the living costs are relatively affordable,” Forbes Advisors said.
“Banking, healthcare and transportation are the seven-county metro area’s biggest employment opportunities. The city is also home to one of the nation’s three Mayo Clinics and offers access to many of Florida’s best banks,” they continued.
Gainesville took bronze for its affordable living costs and for having a relatively small population with a low crime rate.
“Gainesville is an excellent place for families as the living costs are low and the population is relatively small with a low crime rate. The city is also home to the University of Florida, the Florida Museum of Natural History and Kika Silva Pla Planetarium,” the report stated.
“There are several state parks, hiking trails and bike paths to explore as well. For more adventure, Jacksonville and Orlando are each approximately 90 minutes away to enjoy beaches, theme parks and big city amenities.”
Other cities rounding out the top 10 included Cape Coral (#4), Orlando (#5), Miami (#6), Melbourne (#7), Sarasota (#8), Tallahassee (#9), and Pensacola (#10).
To read the full list, click here.
The methods they use are not very convincing, per this fact-checking video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYO6HgCqq2U