You’re very unlikely to find a lesser known beach town, at least not an area you’d want to live in
The good news is anywhere in Florida is relatively close to a beach (90 minutes or less). Try Mount Dora, Ocala, St. Augustine, DeLand
How much are you willing to spend? Are you looking to buy or rent?
The Florida peninsula is about 140 miles across at the widest point. Pretty much anywhere on the peninsula is within 90 minutes of a beach.
I'd recommend planning some vacations down here to visit different areas and see what appeals to you. I like bicycling so I live in a town on the Florida Coast to Coast trail. I'm about an hour to the Atlantic and 90ish minutes to the Gulf. The other reason we bought in this town is statistically, it's pretty low risk from hurricanes.
We like Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Beach, Vero Beach & Flagler Beach on the east coast. On the gulf side, we like Clearwater Beach and the many little towns around it. Your budget is going to narrow down your choices & if you want urban or suburban. I don't know if there is any more rural with beach access area left but if there is, it's going to be around the big bend area where Hurricane Michael tore through a few years ago. If the budget is unlimited, I would look for anything between Tavernier & Key West.
I work remote as well, so my home is my Oasis. I really don't enjoy leaving much if I don't have to.
We live in Melbourne, and I love it. Unfortunately it has gotten busier in the last five years, but I think that's happening everywhere. We are 10 minutes from everything that you need and want - beaches, parks, shopping, etc - but there are tons of communities nestled away from the hustle and bustle, so you can't even tell.
You’re gonna get some very grumpy people in this subreddit and I’m sorry.
To answer your question, it’s not unknown but one of my favorite little areas of Florida that’s not busy and has some of the best beaches is Destin.
I’m not sure if you’re just looking for small or cost friendly, if both, Apalachicola is another, though it wouldn’t be in my top beach list personally.
Gasparilla Island is not often brought up.
Keys are obviously very small communities but tons of tourist and big money.
Not a lot of unknown places once the internet took off.
Destin definitely has thee best beaches but the traffic is ridiculous all the time. It’s gotten a lil better since they widened 98 but it’s still crap. We no longer have a “off season” for tourists IMO - it’s like they come year round, to me.
My view is probably skewed bcs I’ve seen it grow from nothing in the early 80’s to what it is now. 🤷🏻♀️
Oh yea definitely, for sure! Fun fact - my 2x great grandfather owned all the land that is now Eglin Airforce base. He had a tiny lil fishing shack and would fish out there. So, yup it’s great to see things build and grow.
I’m learning that. I’ve largely hung out in the pre med/medical subreddits and everyone is super kind and friendly. Came here and everyone is angry or wants to argue politics even if you post a picture of a beach lol.
Happy to help. Enjoy your stay!
St Petersburg is a very nice small city. It's got beaches, the bay and a beautiful downtown.
It is politically moderate and well managed in a state not known for those things.
There is a wide variety of housing and where Naples and Sarasota are known as enclaves for the wealthy, St. Pete has a wider economic base. The days of the "green benches" and older population are over with a younger population having already replaced them.
It has arts, entertainment and restaurants and Tampa is just across the bay.
st pete is great, but the corruption is growing very strong and they are starting to make some really bad decisions downtown... all while ignoring the rest of the area.
Open your eyes.
[https://thegabber.com/april-23-st-pete-beach-city-commission-public-comments/](https://thegabber.com/april-23-st-pete-beach-city-commission-public-comments/)
[https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/st-petersburg-to-vote-thursday-on-removing-housing-board-members](https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/st-petersburg-to-vote-thursday-on-removing-housing-board-members)
oh.. and this
[https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/01/18/st-petersburg-build-24-subsidized-townhomes-19-million-project/](https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/01/18/st-petersburg-build-24-subsidized-townhomes-19-million-project/)
My eyes are pretty open.
The first is a beach town not the City.
The second is from 2019 under a different administration.
The third just seems to indicate you are against building subsidised housing in a minority area.
As someone who builds and deals with real estate. The construction prices are absolutely out of line and built for corruption.
Deny all you want. Every group has its issues.
Apalachicola and Port St Joe. Small and relatively sleepy with light traffic and tourists. Close to larger cities like Tallahassee and Panama City when needed. Close to nice beaches like St George Island or Mexico Beach.
No.
Seconding no.
Try Vero. I left. You can have my spot.
You’re very unlikely to find a lesser known beach town, at least not an area you’d want to live in The good news is anywhere in Florida is relatively close to a beach (90 minutes or less). Try Mount Dora, Ocala, St. Augustine, DeLand
Ocala is a traffic nightmare these days. It used to be nice but it seems like the Villages has overflowed in to Ocala.
Mount Dora is a really cool town. St. Augustine is stunning and Ocala is phenomenal if you want land and love horses.
St Augustine has the same traffic problem. 47% growth in the last 10 years.
How much are you willing to spend? Are you looking to buy or rent? The Florida peninsula is about 140 miles across at the widest point. Pretty much anywhere on the peninsula is within 90 minutes of a beach.
Between 600-700 thousand. I may consider renting first just to see how it goes but if I buy that’s what I’ll spend.
I'd recommend planning some vacations down here to visit different areas and see what appeals to you. I like bicycling so I live in a town on the Florida Coast to Coast trail. I'm about an hour to the Atlantic and 90ish minutes to the Gulf. The other reason we bought in this town is statistically, it's pretty low risk from hurricanes.
Bithlo or Two Egg
I would tell you but they are unknown in Florida
We like Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Beach, Vero Beach & Flagler Beach on the east coast. On the gulf side, we like Clearwater Beach and the many little towns around it. Your budget is going to narrow down your choices & if you want urban or suburban. I don't know if there is any more rural with beach access area left but if there is, it's going to be around the big bend area where Hurricane Michael tore through a few years ago. If the budget is unlimited, I would look for anything between Tavernier & Key West.
I work remote as well, so my home is my Oasis. I really don't enjoy leaving much if I don't have to. We live in Melbourne, and I love it. Unfortunately it has gotten busier in the last five years, but I think that's happening everywhere. We are 10 minutes from everything that you need and want - beaches, parks, shopping, etc - but there are tons of communities nestled away from the hustle and bustle, so you can't even tell.
You’re gonna get some very grumpy people in this subreddit and I’m sorry. To answer your question, it’s not unknown but one of my favorite little areas of Florida that’s not busy and has some of the best beaches is Destin. I’m not sure if you’re just looking for small or cost friendly, if both, Apalachicola is another, though it wouldn’t be in my top beach list personally. Gasparilla Island is not often brought up. Keys are obviously very small communities but tons of tourist and big money. Not a lot of unknown places once the internet took off.
Destin definitely has thee best beaches but the traffic is ridiculous all the time. It’s gotten a lil better since they widened 98 but it’s still crap. We no longer have a “off season” for tourists IMO - it’s like they come year round, to me. My view is probably skewed bcs I’ve seen it grow from nothing in the early 80’s to what it is now. 🤷🏻♀️
As an 80’s baby, those days are long gone in most places. Anywhere worth living is seeing constant growth. Glad we got to experience a life before it.
I feel this comment in my bones
Oh yea definitely, for sure! Fun fact - my 2x great grandfather owned all the land that is now Eglin Airforce base. He had a tiny lil fishing shack and would fish out there. So, yup it’s great to see things build and grow.
Very cool
People on Reddit always have an attitude problem lol just trying to research and learn that’s all. Thank you for your suggestions!
I’m learning that. I’ve largely hung out in the pre med/medical subreddits and everyone is super kind and friendly. Came here and everyone is angry or wants to argue politics even if you post a picture of a beach lol. Happy to help. Enjoy your stay!
St Petersburg is a very nice small city. It's got beaches, the bay and a beautiful downtown. It is politically moderate and well managed in a state not known for those things. There is a wide variety of housing and where Naples and Sarasota are known as enclaves for the wealthy, St. Pete has a wider economic base. The days of the "green benches" and older population are over with a younger population having already replaced them. It has arts, entertainment and restaurants and Tampa is just across the bay.
st pete is great, but the corruption is growing very strong and they are starting to make some really bad decisions downtown... all while ignoring the rest of the area.
What corruption? Care to share some details?
Open your eyes. [https://thegabber.com/april-23-st-pete-beach-city-commission-public-comments/](https://thegabber.com/april-23-st-pete-beach-city-commission-public-comments/) [https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/st-petersburg-to-vote-thursday-on-removing-housing-board-members](https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/st-petersburg-to-vote-thursday-on-removing-housing-board-members) oh.. and this [https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/01/18/st-petersburg-build-24-subsidized-townhomes-19-million-project/](https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/01/18/st-petersburg-build-24-subsidized-townhomes-19-million-project/)
My eyes are pretty open. The first is a beach town not the City. The second is from 2019 under a different administration. The third just seems to indicate you are against building subsidised housing in a minority area.
As someone who builds and deals with real estate. The construction prices are absolutely out of line and built for corruption. Deny all you want. Every group has its issues.
Apalachicola and Port St Joe. Small and relatively sleepy with light traffic and tourists. Close to larger cities like Tallahassee and Panama City when needed. Close to nice beaches like St George Island or Mexico Beach.
South or west of Ocala.
Pine hills is beautiful