I can't speak for the HN crowd, I imagine opinions vary, but I can say what has caught my eye. I pay attention to what I can walk to in a neighbourhood (beer? l

I can't speak for the HN crowd, I imagine opinions vary, but I can say what has caught my eye. I pay attention to what I can walk to in a neighbourhood (beer? live music? park? supermarket?), location in the city (near other things), and cost (not crazy expensive) I've been mostly around Jacksonville, and there are spots that I like. The three blocks along the beaches if you can swing it! Or on the beach side of the ditch (inter-coastal). Or the hipster neighborhoods near downtown (Riverside, San Marco, Springfield, Murray Hill, maybe uptown proper). I would be impractical to live on the beach and work downtown. Cost of living is a good deal. It's got everything, you just might need to look for it a bit! I've been through St. Pete, and some spots, including some of the small towns on the coast of the peninsula, left a good impression (Tarpon Springs, for example). As long as you avoid the sprawl on 19 and don't have a killer commute off the peninsula. I thought St. Augustine was interesting, I've been there multiple times. It's a small city, and has a lot of tourists - and a lot of the things that tourists like to do. I lived in a similar tourist town, and you find the good stuff and learn you way around. I haven't lived here but know people that do. I've been to Gainesville. It's a college town. The unique and interesting stuff is tied to that. But I do like small cities, it's easy to be close to everything and not have the hassles of a bigger/busier place. I've been around Orlando. Nothing I saw caught my eye. Avoid I4 during rush hour, during the day if you can! I've been though some of the suburbs south of Miami, didn't like the traffic, nothing I saw caught my eye. I've visited Key West and South Beach Miami. Both were interesting and unique in their own way. I'd spend more time in Key West if I had the chance. (and money!) My visit to South Beach was a while ago. Neat place to visit. I stayed at a hostel that had valet parking :-)