Are you ready to get out of the cold and finally make the move to Florida? If so, we’ve got some good news for you. The Sunshine State is home to several of the statistically rated “best places to move.” Actually, it’s been a top North American destination since the late 19th century. But modern-day people on the move think so too, and we at ICI Homes are here with a recent study that proves it.
U.S. News & World Report published, “The 25 Best Places People Are Moving.” The company’s editors and researchers mined extensive U.S. Census Bureau data to track metropolitan areas showing the most robust population growth.
Their reference point? They targeted a list of the 125 most populous U.S. cities and each location’s net migration over a five-year period. For their 2020-2021 study, U.S. News & World Report personnel used the Census Bureau’s net migration data from 2014-2018 — the most up-to-date available.
Let’s take a closer look at three of the most desirable spots where ICI Homes builds custom homes. And don’t worry about having to dig out of the snow to get here; we offer convenient virtual appointments too!
Why people move where
Population growth can be attributed to many factors, including hot industries, housing markets, a desirable geographic location, and so on.
The ability to choose where to live makes a difference too. Some of us have our moving choices made for us by career, family, and personal obligations. But for our purposes here, let’s assume you’re contemplating a move and, that the choice where is fully yours.
Some metro areas in the U.S., are seen as hip and happening places to be. People naturally are attracted to those places, and housing, entertainment, services, cultural offerings, and businesses follow to support those populations.
The reverse also is true. People migrate out of certain metro areas for negative reasons — declining economies, housing availability, cost of living, crime concerns, and wearisome weather.
The latter usually is a big player and Florida has the good kind in spades. Year-round warmth, mild winters, and gorgeous beaches are a perennial attraction for millions of home buyers. The state’s rich recreational resources — freshwater and saltwater fishing, state and national parks, hiking and biking trails, and the boating scene — also lure many new residents. These items and many more create some of the best places to move.
If you’re a winter sports enthusiast, perhaps you’re more likely to migrate to a northern climate where cold and snow set your favorite stage. But even if you are, there’s no reason you can’t be a seasonal Florida resident — more popularly known as a snowbird — in the spring and summer.
So, let’s focus on those three top-25 metro areas in the Sunshine State where you can find a new custom ICI Homes home. We’re sure you’ll agree, ICI Homes is building in some of the best places to move to this year.
Daytona Beach
No. 6 on U.S. News & World Reports’ “The 25 Best Places People Are Moving.”
Here’s why: Due to the housing costs below the national median, the cost of living is lower than the national average.
Weather, tourism, an iconic location — it is known as the “World’s Most Famous Beach” — and growing business opportunities all are factors in Daytona Beach’s recent growth. Its affordability also is a big plus for new residents, who are fueling a very healthy building boom.
Tampa
No. 14 on U.S. News & World Reports’ “The 25 Best Places People Are Moving.”
Here’s why: Tampa Bay living can be akin to a year-round vacation with an abundance of social activities, nature trails and parks, and plenty of shopping and dining with three cities: Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.
Weather, its Gulf Coast location, an attractive business environment, and tourism all are factors in Tampa’s recent growth. Tampa Bay also is home to a busy port, a major military installation, and three professional sports teams — the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays.
Jacksonville
No. 20 on U.S. News & World Reports’ “The 25 Best Places People Are Moving.”
Here’s why: from beaches to shopping to cultural activities, there is always something to do in Jacksonville, the county’s largest metro area by landmass.
Weather, below-average living costs, and robust business growth all are factors in Jacksonville’s recent growth. Like Tampa, Jacksonville boasts a busy port. It’s also home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The six master-planned communities we build in and around the Jacksonville area agree, this is one of the best places to move!
Where to find your ICI Homes home
You know we’ll hook you up! ICI has plenty of places for you to move to in established communities in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Plus, some up-and-coming master-planned communities in the early stages of construction.
Mosaic in Daytona Beach and Plantation Bay in Ormond Beach are two of our signature, master-planned communities. You’ll find both stocked with amazing amenities.
Amelia National in Fernandina Beach and Tamaya in Jacksonville are two more of our master-planned developments that feature top-shelf amenities and locations. Amelia National boasts a Tom Fazio-designed golf course while Tamaya is six miles from Atlantic beaches.
We also build in Oakmont in Gainesville, close to the University of Florida and UF Shands Hospital.
What sets us apart in Daytona Beach, Tampa, and Jacksonville
Take several desirable Florida destinations already labeled Best Places to Move, and combine that with a builder who’s built custom homes all over the state for more than four decades, and you have the foundation for your move.
We don’t build cookie-cutter structures because our customers aren’t cookie-cutter people. We offer all potential customers a no-obligation customization consultation with one of our talented floor plan designers and we encourage you to take advantage.
Choose one of our popular plans or we’ll help you choose one. We’ll even design something for you. Regardless, our designer will listen to your needs, then shift walls. Bump out closets. Help you define what you’d like to do with a flex space.
And those are only a sample of your options, often at little or no cost.
That’s why ICI Homes is Florida’s custom home builder.
Have land? Need a house?
If you already knew these were some of the best places to move and already own a lot near one of our communities and want to build on it, take advantage of our “Build on Your Lot” program.
Choose one of our award-winning floor plans, or bring yours, and we’ll work together to make your custom Florida dream home come true.
All we ask is that you do some homework before contacting us. Knowing what you have, what you need and our parameters will speed up the process.
Be aware the size of your lot may affect the maximum square footage of your home. For example, a castle on a cul-de-sac might not be wise. Also, bear in mind that we can’t quote you anything over the phone. We have to assess all the info for your project first!
Otherwise, make sure you have a valid survey, know whether there are community restrictions that will impact your build and if your lot is within 10 miles of an existing ICI community.
proves it.
