Last week I read a piece ranking the best places to live in the U.S. as well as Florida, put out by U.S. News & World Report. The editors there must have a “thing” for Indiana, as two cities in the Hoosier state took the top two slots.
The Florida rankings also left me a bit bewildered. No disrespect to where you live in the state, but I had a hard time believing not one Space Coast municipality made the cut. It was no surprise to me that nearly 90% of you didn’t agree with the list either.
So, last week’s Question of the Week was:
Do you agree with the rankings of the best places to live in Florida?
Results:
No: 88.06%
Yes: 11.94%
Here’s what you had to say:
When I tell people I live in Delray Beach I usually get “I love Delray, such a cool town. Love the strip and that beach there.” And yet Delray can’t crack this list? BTW, as a former Indiana resident I am very familiar with Carmel, and it is a bedroom community of Indianapolis, a very wealthy one at that with probably the best school system in the state.
–Lynn Houser
As a verified escapee from the congestion and costly issues of such inland places like Kendall, Parkland and Weston, I also managed to “do time” in the areas of Lake and Marion Counties. Best places is the last thing that comes to mind. Florida is beaches, sand and waterways. What is more beautiful than crossing over the Intracoastal bridges and gazing on the waters below. Only three beach areas listed when Florida is surrounded by water?
Our own Space Coast area offers beauty as well as job opportunities. So cost of living may be higher but what good is all that extra cash going to do for you in a landlocked town in the middle of nowhere? Did I forget to mention that I did try living in mid- America and there was no beauty on the banks of the Mississippi River! My vote, with prejudice, is Melbourne. Sorry Carmel, give me the ocean and beaches and natural beauty over a landlocked economy.
–Linda Galetta
If you ever saw the commercial, Astronaut beats Fireman for the girl (sorry Firemen, I was a Volunteer at Indialantic back in the day). I’ve shot enough Cape missions to know Space is sexy. And you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Nobody else comes close. Shaking my head at that list. like Mark Twain said, ‘ Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics.’
–Lloyd Behendt
We retired to Florida from Virginia in 1999. We lived in Satellite Beach for thirteen years before moving to Viera. We have traveled the US extensively in our motorhome and were always happy to return to the Space Coast.
The Space Coast offers a homogeneous society of all ages, skills and backgrounds. The area is filled with opportunities for employment, health care, education and wonderful weather. We have always encountered caring and friendly people. The access to the ocean and rivers for leisure and water activities, Cape Canaveral, Patrick Spaces Force Base, Eastern Florida State College, FIT and the many other venues provide one extensive opportunities for active living. For us retirees who enjoy being active the volunteer opportunities are numerous and appreciated. We have particularly been blessed by our affiliation and participation at Holy Name of Jesus CC, when we lived on the beach, and now St. John the Evangelist CC in Viera.
Viera may not be number one for all nationally, but it is No. 1 for us.
However, do not advertise the area’s attributes too loudly, we prefer the lack of congestion and minimum wait times.
— Don and Annette Winterich
Contact Torres at jtorres@floridatoday.com. You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres
Florida video editor Rob Landers contributed to this report.
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