Best Neighborhoods in Tallahassee, FL

Florida’s capital city Tallahassee is known for its beautiful live oak trees, rolling hills, and friendly people. But the scenery and hospitality aren’t the only reasons people decide to move here. Tallahassee has all the advantages of being a state capital city, including a thriving job market, excellent schools, and a rich cultural scene. Plus, with two major universities set up here, Tallahassee feels more like a college town than a governmental city.

Are you considering moving to Tallahassee? Our guide looks at what makes this northwest Florida town a great place to live and provides some top choices for neighborhoods.

Why live in Tallahassee?

You can’t beat Florida weather. Like most of Florida, Tallahassee has a subtropical climate, so locals enjoy mild winters and hot, humid summers perfect for a day on the water. As it’s an inland city, Tallahassee won’t have a storm surge from any tropical storm direct hits. You might even see a sprinkle of snow flurries on the rare colder days, although most winters aren’t that cold.

Tallahassee is home to the Museum of Florida History and FSU’s Museum of Fine Arts. Art galleries abound in neighborhoods like the Railroad Square Art District, and there are many live music and theater venues. Numerous events bring thousands each year, and not just the football games. The Springtime Tallahassee festival is a highly anticipated event that draws in more than 200,000 attendees. The festival features a parade, live entertainment, and much more.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is home to many incredible sights at its lakeside venue. It’s one in a system of 94 parks of all sizes with green spaces, trails, and sports fields.

Florida State University ranks among the nation’s best and draws thousands of undergraduate and graduate students to its programs. Tallahassee also has the public historically black college and university (HBCU) Florida A&M University and a top-ranked community college.

Tallahassee is a relatively affordable city compared to other capital cities. On Sperling’s Best Places Index, it scored 90.6, which is 9% less than the national average and about 12.5% less than the state score. Housing was 25% more affordable than the state and national median. Only utilities, healthcare, and miscellaneous costs were above national expenditures.

While Tallahassee has no beaches, you’re only about an hour from the Gulf of Mexico. Bald Point State Park is the closest beach, at 36 miles or one hour. The Forgotten Coast beaches are about 1.5-2 hours away. So you can enjoy all the beach life you want on the weekends or for a more extended vacation

What’s the real estate market like in Tallahassee?

Tallahassee’s housing market is strong and has been steadily increasing for the past few years. The median home price in November 2022 was $300,000, with 1,189 homes on the market.

That was a 16% year-over-year increase, and prices are expected to continue to rise in the coming years. As a capital city and college town, Tallahassee has a strong economy that is unlikely to experience significant impacts from a housing market downtown.

There is a good selection of homes available in all price ranges. Find single-family rural homes all the way up to downtown condos. Overall, Tallahassee has 50 neighborhoods. To help your home search, here are some of our top picks.

Tallahassee’s Best Neighborhoods

Betton Hills

Though it was founded during Tallahassee’s growth spurt in the mid-20th century, Betton Hills has remained an iconic and desirable neighborhood. A quick tour reveals why the demand for homes here is high even today.

It’s located in northeast Tallahassee near downtown, the Midtown district, and a major medical center. The neighborhood has its own community park with various amenities, including tennis courts, baseball fields, and more. A total of five parks are in Benton Hills.

The nearly 800 homes sit on large wooded lots of pine trees and live oaks. The stately homes date back to the 1950s, with construction ongoing through the 1980s. The Betton Hills Neighborhood Association is a voluntary association with low dues that hosts community events.

November 2022 had 19 homes for sale with a median list price of $597,500.

College Town

As you might expect from the name, this neighborhood is filled with students attending nearby Florida State University or Florida A&M University. It sits roughly equidistant between the two.

The whole district was designed to be a bustling entertainment area with plenty of shops and restaurants. The developer wanted a thriving, walkable urban community with a youthful vibe. Walk to FSU or FAMU game-day destinations like Doak Campbell, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, and Dick Howser Baseball Stadium.

Its proximity to the colleges means you’ll predominantly find housing catering to the student population. For more housing options, you can also look in the communities surrounding College Town, like Villa Mitchell and Alberta Empire.

Killearn Lakes & Killearn Estates

Killearn Lakes is a master-planned community located in northeast Tallahassee. The 4,000-plus acre development contains over 3,800 single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments. It’s made up of several smaller neighborhoods and features many amenities.

Developers planned to preserve the beauty of Tallahassee’s rolling hills and Florida hammocks. All utilities are underground, leaving the majestic oaks and pine forests in place. A chain of lakes and former bridle trails add to the natural appeal of living in Killearn.

The community is home to one private country club with an 18-hole golf course, a swim and tennis club, and many recreational amenities. Eleven parks are spaced throughout Killearn Lakes, including a dog park.

Besides recreation, abundant shopping options include Publix grocery stores, retailers, and restaurants. Several schools service the area, including an A-rated elementary school. It’s a family-friendly community that has something for everyone.

The Killearn area had 35 homes for sale in November 2022 with a median list price of $400,000. Each neighborhood was purposefully designed to cater to different needs. Some have spacious yards, while others are low-maintenance condos and villas. A homeowner’s association oversees the deed restrictions and amenities.

Levy Park

This neighborhood is one of the oldest in Tallahassee. Locals are proud of its charming character, calling it an “awesome neighborhood.” It has a diverse collection of residents, with artists and musicians, college students, and government workers, all rubbing elbows with the local wandering chickens.

The parks and live oak trees give Levy Park a feeling of Southern charm. The neighborhood is adjacent to downtown Tallahassee, making it a popular spot for young professionals who want to be close to employment centers and entertainment attractions.

People living here will find it easy to get to many bars and restaurants and different sections of town. Lake Ella is one of Tallahassee’s hidden gems, and it’s right next to the neighborhood. It’s usually active on the weekends when families come to enjoy a snow cone or soak in the Florida weather.

The streets are lined with stately live oaks, magnolias, and dogwoods. Homes here are mostly historic single-family detached houses built in the 1940s with small footprints and front porches. You’ll also find some townhomes and apartments, but the residents have fought hard against new development to preserve the community’s eclectic charm. The median home price in Levy Park was $245,000, with two homes listed in November 2022.

Midtown

Midtown is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Tallahassee because of its central location. As its name suggests, Midtown is located in the center of Tallahassee. It’s bordered by Apalachee Parkway to the north, Monroe Street to the south, Thomasville Road to the west, and Magnolia Drive to the east. This makes it easy to commute around Tallahassee.

The streets are lively, with people walking their dogs, going for a run, or just enjoying a leisurely stroll. It’s not uncommon to see neighbors chatting on front porches or gathered around one of the many community gardens.

Boutique shops and historic homes combine to create a distinct character in Midtown. Lake Ella is to the east, and several other parks, like Lafayette and Winthrop, are easily walkable.

Midtown had one home for sale at $350,000 in November 2022.

Summerbrook

The neighborhood was developed in 1989 to be a golf course neighborhood and have a peaceful community vibe. Centered around the semi-private Golf Club at Summerbrook, this neighborhood is outside the central part of Tallahassee but still close enough for an easy commute. Locals live surrounded by rolling hills, ravines, and majestic oaks.

A community park serves as a gathering place. It has a playground and a pavilion area. Five lakes are spaced throughout the community, as are walking paths. Families will also appreciate the quick drive to grocery stores and restaurants.

A neighborhood association runs social events for the year. The 600-plus homes here are mostly single-family detached houses ranging from 2,800-3,000 sq ft on large lots. There are also some townhomes and apartments available. The November 2022 median home price was $549,000, with five homes listed for sale.

SouthWood

This newer neighborhood is south of Tallahassee and was developed to be a master-planned community with conservation in mind. SouthWood is spread across over 3,000 acres and is a high-demand community.

The streets are wide and perfect for biking or walking. Over 1,000 acres of green spaces throughout Southwood encompass parks, biking, and hiking trails. The 123-acre Central Park and Lake are at the heart of the development.

SouthWood’s amenities include a community center with an Olympic-sized pool and children’s water play features. Tennis courts and pickleball courts are lighted and overlooking Central Park. The historic and restored Ball House is available for event rentals. The Town Center provides essential amenities and local shopping.

In November 2022, there were 29 homes for sale, with prices ranging from $115,000 to $1.1 million. The median list price was $445,000.

Waverly Hills

This historic neighborhood is one of Tallahassee’s first planned communities. Formerly a hunting and fishing plantation, it was named after the novels written by Sir Walter Scott. It’s situated near Thomasville Road and convenient to I-10.

The voluntary Waverly Hills Homeowners Association puts on regular events like an Easter Egg Hunt, 4th of July Parade, and Movie Nights in the Park. Many events are hosted at the charming Waverly Pond, like the food truck nights and ice cream socials.

The Waverly Hills neighborhood is incredibly charming. Its old brick homes developed in the 1960s and 1970s and giant live oaks wrapped in Spanish moss. The 400-plus houses are a mix of styles, including bungalows, Tudors, Cape Cods, and ranches. Many are around 2,300-2,700 sq ft and on larger lots.

Waverly Hills had four homes for sale in November 2022 with a median list price of $450,000.

Live in Tallahassee

Tallahassee has plenty of perks for its residents, from its live oak trees and rolling hills to its thriving job market and excellent schools. There’s sure to be the perfect fit for everyone, thanks to the many unique neighborhoods to choose from.

Tallahassee has everything, whether you’re looking for an upscale golf course community or a historic neighborhood with character. So look around and see which one of these great neighborhoods is the right fit for you. Contact a local real estate agent to start your search for your new home in Tallahassee today.