Is Tallahassee a Good Place to Live?

Tallahassee Guide Florida living best city FL

Tallahassee is the capital of Florida and the eighth-largest city in the state at a population of 193,551 people.

The city was founded in 1821 but didn't become the capital of Florida until 1824.

Today, Tallahassee feels more like an old southern city when compared to other Florida cities like Miami that are booming with tourism. Even so, there's a multitude of things to see and do in Tallahassee.

In this Tallahassee guide, we've done the research and compiled the statistics so you don't have to. If you're thinking of moving to Tallahassee FL, then keep reading for all the reasons why it's a great decision.


Affordable Cost of Living

If you're considering moving to Tallahassee, then you’ll find details like the rent being quite affordable as welcome news.

To rent a two-bedroom apartment in Tallahassee Florida, the median rent is around $1,150. That's significantly lower than the United States national average rent of $1,405.

If you're more interested in buying, homes start to get a little pricey. The median home price for a three-bedroom, two-bath house is $333,750. That's a bit higher than the national average home cost of $246,334.

The overall cost of living in Tallahassee is 4% lower than the national average. That means your hard-earned money will stretch further in the capital city. A lower cost of living leaves more side income to go out and enjoy the local attractions and dining.


Tons of Local Attractions

Tallahassee is a wonderful city for people who love living an outdoor life. There are numerous parks within or nearby to visit, not to mention over twelve different museums.

1. The Tallahassee Museum

The Tallahassee Museum is both an indoor and outdoor experience. It has over 52 acres of nature trails, complete with living exhibits of flora and fauna. There's even a zip line and aerial adventure course at the museum.

2. Florida Historic Capitol Museum

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum was built in 1845 before the state of Florida entered the Union as the 27th state. This museum focuses on educating people about Florida's political history while showcasing the stunning period architecture.

3. Museum of Florida History

In the Museum of Florida History, you'll find artifacts ranging back as far as 12,000 years ago to more recent memorabilia from World War II.

The grandest artifact in the museum is an 11-foot mastodon skeleton that stands at the inside of the entrance. Named Herman, the mastodon skeleton was found in the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.

4. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

The Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is a 6,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. Lakes formed by spring water gave the park its name and you can find glass-bottom boat tours in the park to admire the crystal clear water.

5. Mission San Luis de Apalachee

In 1960, this site was given the title of being a National Historic Landmark. It is a reconstructed Spanish Franciscan mission.

Visitors can tour the grounds of this historic site and learn more about what life was like in the 17th century. There are more than 60 acres to explore, including a tribal council house, an ancient church, and residential areas of Spanish settlers and Apalachee Native Americans.

Once you're done touring the grounds, there's a museum on grounds that displays more than 300 artifacts that have been excavated from the site.


Fine Dining

Because Tallahassee is both the capital and a college town, there are ample dining scenes to be found in the city. You can find restaurants with a casual atmosphere and cheap food, or instead, go with fine dining in an upscale establishment.

1. Bella Bella 

Bella Bella is an Italian restaurant that's family-owned and operated. The decor has a modern vibe but the menu offers classic dishes. Some of their more well-known options include a bubble bread stuffed with cheese, chicken parmesan, and chicken gnocchi soup.

2. El Jalisco

There are now over seven different locations for this restaurant scattered across northern Florida.

El Jalisco is a popular Mexican restaurant that offers a casual dining experience. It appeals to a wide audience with its bold dishes made with fresh ingredients.

3. The Front Porch

This restaurant is one of the best seafood restaurants in the city. All of its seafood is fresh and all produce is locally-sourced and farm-to-table. This restaurant has an elegant atmosphere, as its diners eat on a wide porch beneath towering oak trees that have Spanish moss hanging from their branches.

4. Jim & Milt's Bar-B-Q

Founded in 1968, Jim & Milt's Bar-B-Q restaurant has been serving delicious barbecue in a southern environment. The atmosphere of the restaurant has been described as something similar to the classic show Dukes of Hazzard. Customers dine at picnic tables with wooden benches.

Common dishes you'll find include BBQ sandwiches and smoked meats. Their sides are all southern classics, ranging from fried corn on the cob to fried okra. Basically, if it's fried, they have it. 

5. Pitaria

If you're craving a Mediterranean dish, then look no further than the restaurant Pitaria.

You'll find authentic Greek and Middle Eastern dishes at this establishment, all at an affordable price. Some of the more popular dishes include a gyro wrap, a kabob platter, and baklava.


Warmer Climate

Unlike most of Florida, Tallahassee is one of the few locations in the state where you'll experience all four seasons.

While it's doubtful you'll see much snow, flurries do happen every so often. For the most part, winters here are mild and average in the low 60s.

The summers are hot with high humidity. You'll also experience frequent thunderstorms, even though it's called The Sunshine State.

The spring and fall seasons are mild. You won't see as much rain in spring as some other places. During fall in Tallahassee Florida, the weather cools down enough that you'll get to watch the leaves change colors.


A Tallahassee Guide That Takes You Places

We hope this Tallahassee Florida guide helped you in deciding whether or not you’d like to move to this lush city. With a cost of living below the national average, a beautiful climate, and a multitude of places to go and see, Tallahassee FL has something for everyone.

If you enjoyed what you read, please take a moment to browse our website for other related topics. We have plenty of other great articles on real estate, travel, and lifestyle!

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