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- Here’s why this Safest Places to Live in Florida List is Different
- Why Moving to a Safe Place in Florida is so Important
- The Criteria Used to Identify the Safest Places That Also Offer an Overall Higher Quality of Life
- The Safest Places to Live in Florida, the List
- Satellite Beach Florida
- Winter Springs Florida
- St Cloud Florida
- Oviedo Florida
- North Palm Beach”
This “Safest Places to Live in Florida List” is Different, Probably More Helpful. Why?
Because the places on this list are…
- Among the safest places to live in Florida, and the US, plus…
- They also score higher in other quality of life factors, in addition to being very safe.
- So these are safe towns that are also great places to live.
What good is moving to a safe low crime city in Florida, if there’s very little for residents to do?
How happy would you be, after moving to a safe town, if you have to leave that town on a regular basis and travel to a less safe one just to buy groceries or see a doctor?
That’s why I identified the 5 safest cities and towns to live in Florida, that also offer the best overall quality of life in the Sunshine State.
Here’s Why Moving to One of the Safest Places to Live in Florida is Important
Most Florida residents say they are worried about their personal safety on a daily basis.
This is according to 2020 Study done by Safewise, that says most Floridians report having high or very high concerns about their personal safety on a daily basis.
That’s probably not how you want to live your life after going through the hassle and expense of moving to the Sunshine State.
The study further says that more Florida residents are concerned about crime, and more reported they experienced crime, in the 2020 study than they did in 2019.
However, according to FBI reporting, Florida’s crime rate improved from one of the worst states to near the national average over the last few years. This conflicts with what residents reported in the study.
You may want to visit the Safewise website and read the report if you’re serious about moving to Florida.
If you’re moving to Florida and buying a home, the future crime rate of your town can have a big impact on its value.
If you’re moving to Florida and buying a home, you know that housing prices aren’t cheap.
Do you know where home prices are cheap, not just in Florida but just about everywhere in the US?
Homes are cheap in the highest crime, least safe neighborhoods, cities and towns.
Just a few years ago, there were blocks of homes for sale in Detroit for $1, but they had a hard time selling (giving them away?) them.
Where are home prices are highest? Where crime rates are the lowest.
So to protect your significant financial investment in a home, moving to one of these 5 safest places to live in Florida may not only give you peace of mind, it will help protect your significant investment.
The Criteria Used to Qualify Places for This List
Safest: The city or town must have crime rates far lower than the national average.
Crime rates derived from FBI reporting, using the latest data available as of this writing, was used. That data is broken down into two categories. One category is property crimes and the other is violent crime. I do not use the average of the two rates. To qualify for this list, both rates must be just a fraction of the national rate or average. So these places are among the safest places to live in the US when it comes to crime.
Fun: The city or town must offer residents more recreation, dining and shopping, than the average for the state of Florida.
What good is it to live in a very safe town, but you have to drive an hour round trip to a high crime city, just to go grocery shopping? Options are considered on a per-capita basis. For example only, a small town with 3 options per 1000 people, would rate higher than a much larger town with only 2 options for every 1000 residents.
Maintaining safety: The city or town must have better school ratings.
I feel that a better educated students can help cities and towns that are safer, stay that way. Besides, almost all residents pay for schools whether they own or rent. Data used was derived from the National Center for Education Statistics and other publicly available sources.
Maintaining safety: The city or town must have better than average employment options.
This is also on a per-capita basis. Employment options in the town itself, and within an hour’s commute each way is considered. I feel that safe cities that can provide their residents with income generating opportunities have a better chance of maintaining their lower crime rates. Please note, the new coronavirus has complicated the employment picture in some areas in Florida and nationwide.
The Safest Places to Live in Florida That Also Offer a Higher Quality of Life
In no particular order…
Satellite Beach Florida
Population: 11,130
Satellite Beach violent crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 27
Vs
National violent crime rate per 100,000: 381
Satellite Beach actual reported violent crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Murder: 0
Rape: 0
Robbery: 0
Assault: 3
Total Violent crime incidents for 1 year: 3
Satellite Beach property crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 366
Vs
National property crime rate per 100,000: 2200
Satellite Beach actual reported property crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Burglary: 12
Theft: 27
Vehicle theft: 2
Total property crime incidents for 1 year: 41
Satellite Beach is located on a barrier island on Florida’s east coast almost due west from the central Florida city of Kissimmee. This small but highly rated beach town is one of the safest places to live in the country when it comes to crime. There were only 3 violent crimes of any kind reported during a recent entire year.
Satellite Beach Florida, particular pros
- Satellite Beach provides a true island lifestyle desired by most but very few act on their desire.
- It’s “Mayberry” safe.
- Pandemic risk here is probably lower living in major cities or tourist areas.
Satellite Beach Florida, particular cons
- Any town, no matter where it’s located, is more expensive to buy or rent if the word beach is right in the name. Satellite Beach Florida is no exception.
- Hurricane risk to ones home, possessions and life is real here.
Here’s Satellite Beach’s covid-19 page show what restrictions, if any, are in place.
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Winter Springs Florida
Population: 37,312
Winter Springs violent crime rate per 100,000 residents: 153
Vs
National violent crime rate per 100,000 residents: 381
Winter Springs actual reported violent crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Murder: 1
Rape: 13
Robbery: 6
Assault: 37
Total Violent crime incidents for 1 year: 57
Winter Springs property crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 738
Vs
National property crime rate per 100,000: 2200
Winter Springs actual reported property crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Burglary: 56
Theft: 199
Vehicle theft: 19
Total property crime incidents for 1 year: 274
Winter Springs is one of the safest places to live in Florida where you can also enjoy everything that people move to Florida for. It’s located in central Florida just north-east of Orlando. It’s within commuting distance of the Orlando-metro employment centers, so if you’ll need or want to work after moving to Florida, Winter Springs is worthy of consideration.
Winter Springs Florida, particular pros
- Not far from theme parks and everything that’s available in the huge Orlando area.
- Close enough for day trips to the beaches, which may be actually be better than living on one, according to the Florida Move Guide.
- Risk of serious damage and disruptions from hurricanes is considerably less living closer to coast.
Winter Springs Florida, particular cons
- Living so close to one of the busiest international airports and world famous tourist destination likely increases pandemic risk.
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St Cloud Florida
Population: 54,579
St Cloud violent crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 142
National violent crime rate per 100,000: 381
St Cloud actual reported violent crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Murder: 0
Rape: 16
Robbery: 10
Assault: 50
Total Violent crime incidents for 1 year: 76
St Cloud property crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 1243
National property crime rate per 100,000: 2200
St Cloud actual reported property crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Burglary: 123
Theft: 504
Vehicle theft: 39
Total property crime incidents for 1 year: 666
St Cloud is located south-east of Orlando in central Florida and offers a safer environment and a higher overall quality of life than most other cities in Florida. While it has been promoted in the past along with Kissimmee, the two cities have very different crime rates and Kissimmee does not qualify for any of our lists. St Cloud may offer home buyers a slight discount compared other places in Florida.
St Cloud Florida, particular pros
- Day trips to the theme parks, Orlando area and beaches are possible.
- Lower risk of damage and evacuations from hurricanes than living near the coast.
- Commuting to some Orlando metro area employment centers is possible
St Cloud Florida, particular cons
- Pandemic risk may be higher than places located farther away from major tourist areas.
St Cloud’s covid-19 info page.
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Oviedo Florida
Population: 41,860
Oviedo violent crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 157
National violent crime rate per 100,000: 381
Oviedo actual reported violent crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Murder: 0
Rape: 23
Robbery: 10
Assault: 33
Total Violent crime incidents for 1 year: 66
Oviedo property crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 892
Vs
National property crime rate per 100,000: 2200
Oviedo actual reported property crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Burglary: 68
Theft: 293
Vehicle theft: 13
Total property crime incidents for 1 year: 374
Oviedo Florida is located in Central Florida north-east of Orlando but still close enough to commute for employment to some of its areas. Oviedo is very safe and promotes itself as being a community for families. School ratings are impressive here. It also scores particularly high for having lots to do and see, although that may be affected somewhat by the virus.
Oviedo Florida, particular pros
- More of a sense of community that what is typically found in Florida.
- Enjoying Orlando’s theme parks and Florida’s east coast beaches are possible without overnight accommodations.
- Lower hurricane risk than coastal areas.
Oviedo Florida, particular cons
- Pandemic risk that comes with being on the fringe of Orlando’s metro area.
How covid-19 is affecting Oviedo Florida.
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North Palm Beach
Population: 13,127
North Palm Beach violent crime rate (per 100,000 residents): 91
Vs
National violent crime rate per 100,000: 381
North Palm Beach Beach actual reported violent crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Murder: 0
Rape: 0
Robbery: 5
Assault: 7
Total Violent crime incidents for 1 year: 12
Property crime rate North Palm Beach per 100,000 residents: 795
Vs
Property crime rate national average per 100,000: 2200
North Palm Beach actual reported property crimes for an entire year (latest available)
Burglary: 12
Theft: 79
Vehicle theft: 14
Total property crime incidents for 1 year: 105
If you’re looking for an upscale island or boater’s lifestyle, North Palm Beach may be for you. Please don’t confuse most of the places in Palm Beach County on Florida’s mainland, with this exclusive beach town where crime really isn’t a factor. If you want one of the best lifestyles in Florida and can afford it, North Palm Beach is a must see.
North Palm Beach Florida, particular pros
- North Palm Beach offers some of the highest overall quality of life scores in Florida, except affordability.
North Palm Beach Florida, particular cons
- It’s coastal location means higher risks from hurricanes, but half of it’s residents won’t personally experience that because they’re only here during the winter months when Florida’s weather is the best in the world.
North Palm Beach Florida’s covid-19 page.
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Ron Stack “That Best Places Guy” of Zeus Press Inc
- Want to be certain if moving to Florida is right for you or your family? You’ll know after reading the Florida Move Guide.
