2023 Best Counties for Outdoor Activities in Florida

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  Rating 1 out of 5  2 reviews

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• Population 82,244

• County in Florida

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  101 reviews

Current Resident: Saint Johns County is close to it all! I have the beach no more than thirty minutes away from me, the downtown Jacksonville area extremely close! I feel safe where I live and I think that is what is most important. My neighbors are nice and keep to themselves most times.... Read 101 reviews

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• Population 265,724

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  Rating 4 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: My experience with lee county is its a great county for as long as I've been living in it. Ever since I've been here the county has always done its best to make the residents happy. For example putting up gas stations, offering new jobs, and building new schools. By doing these things it makes the residents of the county happy because it gives them a place to get new jobs and a have a well educated and bright place for there kids to learn in. Although, one thing I would change about lee county is its night life. The nightlife is very dead and there's nothing to do. Therefore, if they can have places to go to or have fun activities to do, it would be so much better.... Read 16 reviews

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• Population 752,251

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  241 reviews

Current Resident: Hillsborough County is a safe county with great schools, (public and private). The community has many beautiful subdivisions , upscale apartments and townhouses. Hillsborough County is a clean well kept County with your choice of specialty and grocery stores with very little crime. Patrols are never far away. There are a plethora of restaurants and lots of activity centers to keep children entertained. If you are adventurous enough you can find different hidden lakes to sit buy and relax and neighborhood parks with plenty for everyone to do. Not to mention the beautiful golf courses. Most of all everyone in Hillsborough County is so happy and friendly. It’s a great area to live in.... Read 241 reviews

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• Population 1,444,359

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Collier County is a very family friendly place to live. There is a lot of fun stuff to do here such as going to their beautiful beaches and parks. It is very safe with no worries if you want to go for a late night jog. I would recommend Collier County if you have a family and want a safe, fun and beautiful environment.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 372,797

• County in Florida

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  Rating 3.99 out of 5  987 reviews

Current Resident: Family friendly and very safe neighborhoods. Schools are good. Everything is close. You can commute from your home to supermarkets, pharmacies, and parks. Wide variety of green areas. Child and pet friendly. Clean and organized!... Read 987 reviews

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• Population 2,690,113

• County in Florida

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  150 reviews

Current Resident: roward County has a strong economy with a mix of industries, including tourism, healthcare, and technology. The county is also home to several colleges and universities, including Nova Southeastern University and Florida Atlantic University, which provide educational opportunities for residents. Like any community, there are always areas that could use improvement. One issue that Broward County has is traffic congestion, especially during rush hour. Another issue is the cost of living, which can be higher than in other parts of Florida. However, the county does offer a range of housing options to accommodate different income levels. Overall, Broward County is a dynamic and diverse community with a lot to offer its residents. While there may be areas for improvement, the county has taken steps to address some of these issues and continues to work towards making the community a great place to live, work, and play.... Read 150 reviews

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• Population 1,934,551

• County in Florida

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  117 reviews

Current Resident: Florida is a beautiful state due to its stunning beaches and sunshine. With over 1,200 miles of coastline, Florida has something for everyone. From the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast to the crystalline waters of the Atlantic and so many incredible nature reserves, parks, and islands in between, it's no wonder why Florida has become a paradise for beach lovers. In addition to its stunning beaches, Florida also hosts a variety of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, sailing, and paddle-boarding. Combine this with some of the best amusement parks in the world, a lively entertainment and arts scene, and an abundance of unique museums, and you'll understand why Florida is one of the most popular states in the US.... Read 117 reviews

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• Population 1,481,233

• County in Florida

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: I love sumter county. It’s my hometown, the town my parents were raised. However, I do wish there was more opportunities for personal and professional growth. It would be lovely not to have to drive over an hour for work or for a decent affordable grocery store such as Trader Joe’s.... Read 1 review

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• Population 127,335

• County in Florida

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: I was raised with a father in the military and have been many places -- moving almost every 2 years. I moved here when I was 17-years-old and fell inlove with the area and the people. I love the laid-back, relaxing feel of the area. Love being able to go to a waterfront restaurant, eat fresh seafood and listen to area musicians at most of the local pubs. Beautiful skies, great weather, best place I have every lived.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 184,837

• County in Florida

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  Rating 4.34 out of 5  225 reviews

Current Resident: Sarasota is one of the most beautiful places to live. From the sandy beaches, shopping centers, recreation, and various cultural experiences--it's a joy!... Read 225 reviews

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• Population 429,336

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  Rating 3.74 out of 5  322 reviews

Current Resident: Orange County is diverse and tourist-friendly. There are lots of activities to take part in for fun. All for the purposes of culture and inclusion. The environment itself is open and welcoming. Tourist attractions like theme parks, beaches, and malls are near this county for residents and tourists. Having an annual pass to Sea World parks and Universal Studios parks have to be my favorite thing about living here. There are many diverse cultures that allow us to have a variety of food options, whether in grocery stores, food trucks, or restaurants. Not only are attractions close but also, healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, vets, and pharmacies. My family and I have been living here for about eighteen years, meaning I grew up here. Honestly, I would not have chosen a better place to grow up, because; every experience whether good or bad has shaped me into who I am today.... Read 322 reviews

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• Population 1,409,949

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  Rating 3.65 out of 5  169 reviews

Current Resident: Pinellas county is beautiful. Between downtown St. Pete having absolutely beautiful views and city life and the beaches on the other side of the county, there is just about anything and everything anyone could want! Besides snow I guess haha!... Read 169 reviews

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• Population 957,989

• County in Florida

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: Such a great place in central Florida to grow up. Wonderful for families kids. Great parks, libraries, stores, and schools! Wonderful people too!... Read 11 reviews

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• Population 375,059

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  39 reviews

Current Resident: Great restaurants, bars, schools, houses. Duval county is huge, so the schools vary depending on what school district you live in. The private schools in Duval County are some of the top in the nation.... Read 39 reviews

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• Population 983,153

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  Rating 3.25 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Volusia County is a very safe and comforting are in Central Florida. The people are kind and you can find a friendly neighbor around every corner. The area is only about 30 minutes from most major tourist attractions like Disney, Universal, Sea World, and the beach making it a prime area to live, in that, you are able to visit these places without having to deal with the constant traffic that usually comes with it. The only thing I wish to see more of in the future is a wider range of diversity in certain neighborhoods to better reflect and include the minorities present.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 548,783

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  Rating 3.39 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: This area is rapidly growing. There are some rural aspects but it is in the location to travel to the rest of the state within a reasonable time. It is not as expensive as other areas and there are job opportunities everywhere. The atmosphere in public settings is pleasant and the people are amiable. There are plenty of vacant homes and apartments to rent. If you like the lake or beach life, this is the place for you.... Read 23 reviews

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• Population 551,598

• County in Florida

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  130 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I think Alachua County is a safe and clean area. Over the years, I have lived in different areas of Alachua County and felt pretty safe in each one. If I ever did need the police, I've never waited longer than 10 minutes for an officer. I would only like to see more crosswalks on longer roads such as 13th street.... Read 130 reviews

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• Population 276,171

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: I recently relocated to Seminole county after living for years in New England. I enjoy going to the marina, walking the jogging trail, and over looking the water. There is a small airport, and yearly there is an air show which is amazing to watch. The downtown area has events monthly, with live music, shops to visit, food trucks, and activities like watching monster trucks. There are lots of jogging trails, and the trails all vary in what scenic view you experience. The farmers market is an affordable & great weekend experience with the whole family. The Sanford Zoo is also a great place to visit no matter what time of the day. The downtown area has lots of local restaurants, local shops, and beautiful structures with a paved street section. The local shops all have unique products.... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 467,382

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  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Nassau county is home. I attended two schools in Nassau county and they were both great schools. We are a small county but we have great academics, great athletics and great people here.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 88,492

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: I'm currently a resident and go to school in this area. I really like the community because it's family friendly and very diverse which allows me to broaden my perspectives with another culture. Living here for a year made me see that it is a safe place to live, start your own family and business as it is continuously being developed. Osceola is a great place to live, though commercialized, it's not as crowded and traffic as Orlando, and you can still enjoy the beauty and peaceful ambiance of leisure parks. Not to mention, the people in the community are very friendly, warm and helpful whenever you need. Overall, I recommend Osceola for those starting out in Florida.... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 380,331

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  Rating 2.83 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: It's an average little town. The education system is decent enough and the community is just as average. Everything is average. The people consist of conservatives and the few die-hard liberals. Job opportunities are scarce and require extreme drive to land one. The restaurants are average, run-of-the-mill restaurants.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 216,308

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  13 reviews

Former Resident: I really enjoyed living in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast. I lived in a brand new building from 2010-2012. I could walk to a giant Publix and everyone was always really friendly there. Now as far as the beach goes, the water is not really warm but yes you have something to do if you like fishing, there is lots of it around. Driving is really straight forward if you take A1A and you get the sense of what is new to town there going south. I used to go to the humane store to donate and shop for the animals and make friends. Getting gas is actually really convenient anywhere. It is a nice location if you go to Orlando for anything. I would recommend people live here if they worked from home and liked to go surfing because it is really laid back. People desire better entertainment options but the fact is, the city is not that populated still. Maybe one day they can bring in a stadium or something comparable!... Read 13 reviews

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• Population 113,888

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Walton county is a great county. The community is close together, and truly one big family. Thank you Walton county for being so great!... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 73,456

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Great area to explore and try new things. It may seem like a small town that alleviates the opportunity of doing big city things and trying mainstream forms of entertainment at times but makes up with the countless nature-based activities available to the public.... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 290,965