What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Tallahassee, Florida?

Are you contemplating a potential move to Florida? For many who do, cities like Miami and Orlando are often the first that come to mind. The city of Tallahassee deserves some love though.

Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida and it definitely deserves some consideration if you’re looking for a new home. It’s the kind of place that can prove appealing to a wide range of people on the move.

The college students who call Tallahassee home inject the kind of energy that turns Tallahassee into a lively community. Tallahassee also offers low cost of living expenses and that makes it a highly accessible city. High crime rates do unfortunately plague Tallahassee and you must be wary of that if you opt to become a resident.

The city of Tallahassee can offer an experience unlike any other to its residents. Learn more about the experience of being a Tallahassee resident by reading on.

Tallahassee is probably best known for being the capital city of Florida. Next to that, most people likely know Tallahassee for housing some of the top higher education institutions in the entire state.

Let’s start by talking about Florida State University. Florida State University, which is also commonly referred to as FSU, is a highly distinguished educational institution.

FSU routinely ranks among the top universities in the United States. On top of that, the school has also received R1 classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The R1 classification indicates that FSU has invested heavily into various fields of research.

Numerous undergraduate programs are offered at FSU and you can also pursue post-graduate studies there. Choose from a wide selection of Master’s and Doctorate degree programs if you wish to continue your studies.

Next up, you have Florida A&M University. The historically black Florida A&M University has been providing quality education to bright young minds since 1887. Similar to FSU, Florida A&M has also received plenty of recognition for the quality of education it provides. The university is consistently among the top national universities in the United States. Florida A&M has also received the R2 classification for its extensive research efforts.

Once again, students have numerous options to consider when choosing their academic path at Florida A&M. After graduation, they can also continue their studies by signing up for one of the school’s post-graduate programs.

College-age students looking for alternatives to the two big universities in Tallahassee do have options. The city is also home to the Tallahassee Community College. Flagler College, a private educational institution, also has a campus based in Tallahassee.

Taking all the expenses into consideration, the cost of living for Florida tends to be higher than average. It’s not a huge gap, but it is there.

Things are different in the city of Tallahassee though. Compared to the rest of the Sunshine State, the cost of living expenses in Tallahassee are significantly more affordable. The gap in cost of living expenses is most pronounced when it comes to housing. You’ll be able to find plenty of affordable homes in Tallahassee.

If you’re interested in buying a new home in Tallahassee, you will likely have to pay around $185,000 for it. The median cost for a new home in the rest of Florida is $237,000. Every dollar counts when you’re moving. Being able to save that much money on your home purchase is going to be very helpful.

Groceries and transportation-related expenses are also quite affordable in Tallahassee. Your savings on those expenses should come in handy as well.

We should mention here that healthcare-related expenses in Tallahassee are somewhat high. Aside from them though, you should find the cost of living in the city to be more than reasonable.

Florida is a popular destination for retirees and vacationers because of the great weather there. You get plenty of sunshine and comforting breezes from the ocean. Even on especially warm days, you can still escape to the beach to relax.

The thing about summers in Florida though is that they tend to get humid. Dealing with the heat is one thing. The humidity is a separate nuisance and it can really get to you. Summer in Tallahassee still gets humid, but it isn’t as bad as what you’ll experience in other Florida cities. It’s more manageable in that regard.

With humidity being less of an issue, you should be able to relax more during the summer. You may even be able to get away with not running the air conditioner or dehumidifier all day.

There are so many fun ways to spend your free time outdoors in Tallahassee. It’s up to you to pick out your favorites.

Exploring the city is an enjoyable experience. Head to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and check out the incredible Florida wildlife. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the historic St. Marks Lighthouse that stands tall up to this day.

Curious individuals will also want to drop by the Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park. That historical site provides visitors with a look at a way of life long past. Going through the park is a remarkable experience that residents and tourists will appreciate.

You can also find several parks throughout Tallahassee that are suitable for just chilling out. Feel free to head to the golf course as well and spend the afternoon there with your friends.

Of course, we cannot forget about the beaches. There are more than a few beaches located close to Tallahassee. Make the trip to your favorite seaside spot and bask in the glorious Florida sun.

If there is a reason to be hesitant about moving to Tallahassee, it has to be the crime rate there. Tallahassee is among the most dangerous cities in all of Florida. It’s a dubious distinction it shares with other major metropolitan areas in the state.

The scary thing is that both property and violent crime rates are high in the city. According to Neighborhood Scout, Tallahassee’s property crime rate is twice as high as what the rest of Florida has. The violent crime rate for Tallahassee is nearly double of what you’ll see for the rest of the state as well.

It’s scary to realize just how prevalent criminal activity is in Tallahassee. All you can do as a resident is to protect yourself and your family as best as you can.

Once you start getting the lay of the land in Tallahassee, you will notice just how spread out everything is. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Having free and open spaces in a city can be helpful. Traffic is often less of an issue in cities that are spread out well. It’s also easier to avoid crowds because of that.

The downside to having that much open space is that it’s tougher to get around by walking. To get from one place to another in Tallahassee, you often have to hop in a car or use public transportation. Your only other option is to use a bicycle.

It helps that transportation costs in Tallahassee are low. That should allow you to move around freely.

Most Tallahassee residents do prefer moving around with their cars, but that may not be an option for you immediately. After spending so much on your new home, purchasing a car right away may not be feasible. You’ll have to use public transportation in the meantime.

Related Questions

Where Did the Name Tallahassee Come From?

Tallahassee is such a distinctive name for a city that you cannot help but wonder where it came from. So, what are the origins of that aforementioned name?According to the city government, Tallahassee was the name given to the area by the Apalachee Indians who previously inhabited it. Tallahassee translates to “old fields” and it describes how the area looked back then.That part of Florida has also been known as Tallahassee for a long time. Historians note that the name Tallahassee was first given to the area way back in the 16th century. So many years later and those old fields have transformed into a thriving metropolis.

What Is the Economic Outlook for Tallahassee?

The economic outlook for Tallahassee, Florida is generally positive. By most metrics, it’s easy to see that Tallahassee is in better shape economically compared to the rest of the country.Tallahassee’s economy is also poised to grow significantly in the coming years. Growth projections indicate that the job market there is about to expand quite a bit.Moving to Tallahassee now can turn out well for you financially. Remember that as you try to make your final decision regarding a potential move.