City Guide

Looking to Fly South For the Winter? 7 Florida Cities to Consider

By Bri Hand | Oct 11, 2021
Sunglasses on the beach in Florida

If you’re thinking about moving to a warmer place for the winter, Florida is home to plenty of cities that Snowbirds love. Whether you’re looking for a party vibe or something a little quieter, Florida has it all! 

Have the Sunshine State on the brain? Here are seven Florida cities we recommend checking out: 

1. Miami

Located in southeast Florida, Miami is a great place to spend the winter months, with stunning beaches and plenty of opportunities to eat, drink, and dance once the sun goes down. Miami has highs around 75 degrees and lows around 64 degrees during the winter, which means there’s no need to wrangle your puffy jacket into your suitcase! 

Nightlife is a big part of living in Miami—clubs and venues can legally serve liquor 24 hours a day, and most stay open until 5 a.m. Be sure to check out Club Space (the city’s first 24-hour venue), Basement, Floyd, and LIV Miami

Miami also has a vibrant arts scene to explore, between the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Wynwood neighborhood, which is filled with old warehouses and businesses now splashed with vibrant murals and eclectic art. 

Looking to move to Miami for the winter? Check out our furnished apartfments in Miami

2. Fort Lauderdale

Located less than an hour from Miami is Fort Lauderdale, which is known for being just a bit quieter than its nightlife-loving neighbor. This city boasts 246 days of sunshine a year—yes, you read that right!—and has highs around 77 degrees and lows around 61 degrees during the winter months. 

Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America” for its Italian ethos and gondola-filled winding waterways, though it still has plenty of oceanfront views along the Atlantic to admire, too. And, between Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and Hollywood Beach, you’ll have plenty of sandy spots to choose from.

Retail therapy is the name of the game in Fort Lauderdale. You can easily spend your days exploring the ritzy shops, delightful restaurants, and stunning art galleries along Las Olas Boulevard, or going on a shopping spree at Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet mall in the country. 

Looking to move to Fort Lauderdale for the winter? Check out our furnished apartments in Fort Lauderdale

3. Tampa

If your idea of the perfect winter is finding plenty of ways to stay active, Tampa may be the place for you. This city offers all sorts of ways to get in shape, from paddleboarding to rock climbing and biking. And, with highs around 74 degrees and lows around 56 degrees, it’s harder to use the cold as an excuse not to go for a run along the gorgeous waterfront. 

You’ll also have no shortage of beaches to choose from, between Tampa’s Clearwater Beach, Fort De Soto Park, Treasure Island, and Honeymoon Island State Park. And, if you’re looking to spend some time outside beyond some sandy shores, Lettuce Lake Park and the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve are located just outside city limits.

While Tampa is quieter than Miami, it still offers its fair share of fun through its many festivals. If you like it, Tampa residents will find a way to throw a party for it! 

Looking to spend your winter months in Tampa? Check out our furnished apartments in Tampa!

4. West Palm Beach

Located in South Florida, West Palm Beach is known for its gorgeous weather, even in wintertime, with highs around 77 degrees and lows around 60 degrees. You can spend your days hiking, biking, walking, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding—and spend your nights exploring the city’s many bars, clubs, breweries, and comedy venues. There are plenty of fun things to do in West Palm Beach!

This city is known as the golf capital of Florida, so there are plenty of opportunities to practice your swing during the winter so you can show off come summertime.

Looking for wildlife? Check out the McCarthy’s Wildlife sanctuary, the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, or the Manatee Lagoon, a viewing area for—you guessed it!—manatees! 

If you want to move to West Palm Beach for the winter, check out our furnished apartments in West Palm Beach

5. Fort Myers

Located along the Gulf Coast, Fort Myers is a popular place among retirees, college students, young families, and tourists. The city has fantastic shopping, restaurants, and weather, with highs around 75 degrees and lows around 60 degrees in the winter. 

Whether you want to lounge on Fort Myers Beach, watch the many manatees at Manatee Park, or explore the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, you’ll never run out of interesting things to do and see in Fort Myers. 

Plus, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are only a causeway drive away, with gorgeous beaches, the Ding Darling wildlife preservation area, and restaurants you’ll definitely want to write home about. 

If you want to move to Fort Myers for the winter, check out our furnished apartments in Fort Myers

6. St. Petersburg 

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Tampa is St. Petersburg, a city located on a peninsula along the Gulf Coast. This city has perfect winter weather, with highs of 72 degrees and lows around 56 degrees. 

St. Petersburg has a fantastic arts scene to explore, between its seven distinct arts districts, plenty of museums, and many arts festivals. We recommend checking out the Salvador Dalí Museum while you’re in town!

The area also has several beautiful outdoor areas to explore, such as St. Pete’s Beach, Fort De Soto Park, and St. Pete Pier. And, if you’re looking to expand your horizons beyond St. Petersburg, both Tampa and Clearwater are close enough for day trips. 

Looking to move to St. Petersburg? Check out our furnished apartments in St. Petersburg

7. Orlando 

What Orlando lacks in oceanfront views, it more than makes up for with its plethora of theme parks and things to do. This inland city has perfect winter temperatures, with highs of 74 degrees and lows of 54 degrees. 

While Orlando is known for being the home of Disney World and Universal Studios, among other theme parks, there’s plenty to do beyond these tourist attractions. You’ll love Orlando’s breweries, fun festivals, nightclubs, and cultural attractions. 

Want to move to Orlando? Check out our furnished apartments in Orlando

Try living with Landing!

If you’re dreaming of living somewhere warmer for the winter, be sure to check out Landing’s network of fully furnished apartments.

Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.