In U.S. News 2017 Report

The Tampa Bay area rated near the top in the 2017 U.S. News and World Report  “Best Places to Live” rankings. The magazine recognized Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa in its top 100 places to live. While none of the three earned top 10 honors, they all appeared in the list’s top 75, and Tampa actually improved the most of the three over its 2016 position.

Based on surveys of thousands of people across the country, along with data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the F.B.I. and the Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as its own Best High Schools and Best Hospitals listings, combined with job market, value, quality of life and net migration, U.S. News ranked Sarasota, Tampa and Lakeland among with top 75 places to live in the entire country.

Sarasota placed 24th, Tampa placed 35th, and Lakeland 64th. Tampa’s rating improved the most, up seven places from last year’s ranking of 42nd. “Living in the Tampa Bay area is like being on vacation all year long,” U.S. News reported.

“When considering a move people are concerned about finding a job in their field, earning enough to afford a home, sending their kids to good schools and feeling like a part of their community,” Kim Castro, executive editor at U.S. News, said in announcing this year’s rankings. “The Best Places to Live ranking takes all of that into account – the metro areas that do well are the ones with strong job markets and high quality of life.”

Austin, Texas, topped the list as Best Place to Live, followed by Denver, Colorado, in second. Other Florida cities that ranked in the top 100 include Orlando, 40th place, Jacksonville, 45th place, Melbourne, 49th place, Fort Myers, 70th place. Daytona Beach, 82nd place and Miami, 92nd place. To read the full rankings report, visit U.S. News & World Report online.

Photo Courtesy of Dorian Photography Inc.