Each year, tens of thousands of individuals flock to the Sunshine State for mild winter weather, the ocean, and year-round outdoor activities.
As a result, the state has become incredibly diverse, with new developments in all regions, bringing new life to old towns.
Shopping, restaurants, bars, events, and countless activities mean you will never be bored in Florida.
However, before calling the movers, it’s crucial to understand the safest neighborhoods to live in, so you can make informed decisions before moving.
Keep reading to learn more about the ten safest neighborhoods in Florida!
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10 Safest Neighborhoods in Florida
Ten: Sebastian
Sebastian, an Atlantic Coast community that’s an excellent destination for deep sea and bass fishing, is among the top ten safest neighborhoods in Florida.
The area is home to America’s first national wildlife refuge, Pelican Island, established in the early 1900s to protect fish and wildlife.
Sebastian boasts a small population of around 26,000 and has a crime rate of just 12.05 per thousand residents.
Property crimes lead the way with 11.32 per thousand, and violent crimes are only 0.72 per thousand.
Nine: Cooper City
As a more affordable and safer alternative to Fort Lauderdale, Cooper City is only 15 miles from the Lauderdale border.
Fort Lauderdale is considered one of the least safe cities in the state, and Cooper City is near the top with only 10.46 crimes per thousand residents.
This statistic comprises 9.76 property crimes and 0.70 violent crimes per thousand residents.
Given that this safe community is so close to Fort Lauderdale, residents have easy access to the international airport, entertainment options, and beaches without compromising safety.
Eight: Port St. Lucie
Situated on the Treasure Coast along the Gulf of Mexico side of the state, Port St. Lucie delivers a lower cost of living than the surrounding areas, coupled with exceptional weather.
Interstate 95 is easily accessible, allowing residents to travel easily throughout the state and beyond.
Port St. Lucie is number seven on this list due to the low total crime rate of 9.97 incidences per thousand individuals, comprising 1.47 violent crimes and 8.5 property crimes.
Seven: North Palm Beach
In addition to being highly safe, with a total incident rate of 9.12 per thousand residents, it’s almost always beautiful and sunny, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
This means that boating and fishing are popular outdoor activities, and North Palm Beach has a large marina with expensive yachts.
When living in this area, you’ll see plenty of sea life, like sea turtles hatching or manatees swimming along the coastline.
The property crime rate is only 8.36, and the violent crime rate is 0.75, making this community a great place to live.
Six: Oviedo
Oviedo is part of the Orlando Metropolitan area known for a tight-knit and safe community supporting each other.
Known for historic architecture, Oviedo has plenty of community events, like food truck gatherings and movie nights, that further create an area of close neighbors.
One of the most exciting aspects of this town is the chickens that roam freely without being bothered.
Oviedo boasts a total crime rate of 8.15, with a violent crime rate of 1.31 and a property crime of 6.84 incidences per thousand individuals.
Five: Winter Springs
Winter Springs is an ideal option for those looking to be close to Downtown Orlando without the hustle and bustle and a lower crime rating.
Those living in this area are only a 20-minute drive to downtown and enjoy a much lower cost of living.
With Orlando being one of the least safest cities in the state and a 4 percent higher cost of living than the U.S. average, Winter Springs is a great alternative.
The total crime rate of 7.79 incidences per thousand residents, with 1.22 violent crimes and 6.58 property crimes, makes residents feel at ease and happy.
Four: Satellite Beach
Nestled on the east coast of Central Florida, halfway between Miami and Jacksonville, is Satellite Beach, named after being on the Space Coast.
This location is a great place to watch NASA launch satellites into orbit.
In addition to the space connection, Satellite Beach is famous for its whale sightings and long sandy beaches.
Additionally, Satellite Beach is a great place to raise a family due to the low total crime rate of 7.13 incidences per thousand residents.
This statistic comprises just 0.98 violent crimes and 6.15 property crimes per thousand individuals.
Three: Weston
The suburban area of Weston is around 40 miles from Miami and is considered an affluent area with great schools, nice neighborhoods, and large homes.
While Weston isn’t cheap, it’s a safe and beautiful place to raise a family if you can afford it.
With a population of just under 72,000, Weston boasts a low total crime rate of 5.49 per thousand residents, comprising 0.46 violent crimes and 5.03 property crimes.
This impressive low crime rate makes it a great place to live for all ages and lifestyles.
Two: Parkland
Unsurprisingly, Parkland is full of parks, making it easy to play tennis, football, soccer, basketball, and baseball year-round.
There’s also an abundance of playgrounds, dog parks, and walking trails. The community even boasts a horseback riding center.
Parkland is a wealthy area with a suburban, residential vibe without downtown congestion and large shopping centers, so it’s a quiet and peaceful place to live.
Also, the total crime rating is only 5.62 crimes per thousand people, comprising 0.26 violent crimes and 5.36 property crimes.
One: Marco Island
As the safest neighborhood in Florida, Marco Island boasts an ideal location off the western Florida coast on the Gulf of Mexico.
As the largest of Florida’s ten thousand islands, Marco Island has a high cost of living, with a median home price of $1.3 million.
Residents would argue that despite the high prices, the white sandy beaches make it a priceless place to live.
Fulltime and part-time residents enjoy an impressively low total crime rate of 4.97 crimes per thousand individuals, including a violent crime rate of only 0.39 and a property crime rate of 4.58.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Florida
One: Remain in Well-lit Areas
Many of Florida’s cities have high crime rates in pockets of the city but are also incredibly vibrant due to growing populations.
When exploring these destinations, especially at night, it’s crucial to remain in busy, well-lit areas and on main roads.
One wrong turn, and you can end up in a secluded area where criminals may be hiding and looking to take advantage of you.
If you’re in this situation, turn around and calmly return to the way you came.
Two: Watch the Florida Weather
Despite being called The Sunshine State, Florida weather can sometimes pose a safety risk, with impromptu storms appearing out of nowhere.
When lying on the beach, if you see lightning or hear thunder, it’s best to evacuate the area immediately and go to shelter until it passes.
If you’re visiting during hurricane season, be vigilant in checking the weather reports to know if a massive storm is heading your way.
Three: Beware of Wildlife
Florida’s national parks, especially Everglades National Park, are excellent ways to experience the great outdoors.
While you will undoubtedly see rare wildlife when hiking, it’s important not to approach or try to feed them.
Most freshwater in the state has alligators, so don’t be tempted to swim in undesignated sections.
Four: Bring the Proper Gear
The Florida sun can be scorching and exhausting, especially if you’re visiting from a colder state.
It’s critical to bring and use sunblock when out for the day and to remain hydrated constantly.
The sun is incredibly unforgiving, so severe burns, dehydration, and exhaustion are dangerous situations that regularly occur.
Five: Be Familiar with the Roads
Florida has over 390,000 accidents per year, with almost 250,000 sustaining injuries as a result.
Therefore, if you plan to drive while visiting, be familiar with the roads and don’t drive distracted by technology or the local scenery.
This will help reduce the risk of accidents.
Florida Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Florida Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the state is safest from hurricanes?
The most secure areas of the state are Central Florida, North Central Florida, Central West Florida, and Northeast Florida, as they statistically get hit by hurricanes the least.
Does Florida have a low crime rate?
Compared to many other states, Florida’s crime rate is in the middle.
Many cities boast high crime, but the smaller towns offset this statistic with lower ratings, placing them in the middle.
Surprisingly, the mid-range crime rate doesn’t align with the general high anxiety about safety and crime.
Are any towns in Florida hurricane-proof?
The only town in the state that’s completely hurricane-proof is Babcock Ranch, built to resist extreme weather events.
The numerous lakes are second as retention ponds to protect homes during floods.
Roads were constructed to absorb excess rain, and the community hall is also a shelter.
