9 Best Places to Live in Daytona Beach, FL

Sun, surf, and…speed? That’s what you get when you live in Daytona Beach, Florida. This Atlantic coastal city is home to beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, and a history of stock car racing. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or planning to make it your permanent home, Daytona’s endless events and amenities make sure you’ll always stay busy.

Add in hundreds of sunny days and a booming job market, and Daytona Beach has no shortage of reasons why it’s one of the top spots to live in the United States. But before you take the plunge and make Daytona your next home, consider which neighborhood best fits your lifestyle.

Learn more about why living in Daytona Beach might be right for you and gain some insight into the best places to live in the metro area.

Why live in Daytona Beach?

Daytona Beach has long been a popular tourist destination on the east coast, drawing visitors from all over the world to its famous beachfront. Tourists started coming in the 1900s to enjoy the smooth beaches and test cars on the hard-packed sands. Daytona remains one of the few places to drive cars on a beach.

The need for speed continues at Daytona International Speedway, where Daytona 500 and other NASCAR races are held. Daytona Beach is also known for Daytona Bike Week, a festive biker event in March every year.

The visitors and locals enjoyed other water sports when they weren’t racing. Daytona’s waters are perfect for anglers to try reeling in a prized catch, such as sea trout, pompano, flounder, and cobia. Daytona Beach is also home to one of Florida’s best surfing spots. You can join in on the fun of catching some sick waves.

Daytona’s mild climate allows for outdoor activities year-round, so residents enjoy golfing, biking, and fishing whenever they please. It’s one of the reasons US News and World Report ranks it the no. 7 places to retire and live in Florida in 2022.

Like many Florida Atlantic towns, the City of Daytona Beach has a barrier island and mainland section. The Halifax River splits Daytona from its island, so beach residents have a waterfront on two sides.

People from all walks of life have found a reason to call Dayton Beach and its suburbs home. For our profile of the best neighborhoods, we’ve included neighborhoods inside city limits, mainland Daytona, and a few of the surrounding suburbs.

Daytona Beach Shores

Daytona Beach Shores is on the barrier island just south of the city proper. Home to some of Daytona’s most luxurious homes, Daytona Beach Shores boasts a top-notch school system and over a dozen green parks for recreation.

On the Atlantic side runs 5.5 miles of beaches. The vibe is slightly quieter than Daytona Beach to the north, but there’s still its fair share of tourism. Still, locals appreciate the more peaceful setting and watching the boats sail the ocean and riverside waterways.

While not as touristy, there are still plenty of hotels and resorts. That also means the 5,000+ locals gain excellent dining spots, retailers, and shopping choices. Active living is easy with the numerous tennis and pickleball facilities, water access, and trails. The community center hosts social events, classes, and free concerts year-round.

Daytona Beach Shores has the full mix of island real estate, from single-family homes to high-rise condominiums. December 2022’s real estate market had 182 homes for sale with a median list price of $429,500.

Holly Hill

Holly Hill sits on the mainland along the Halifax River between Ormond Beach and Daytona. It was home to a famous rum runner, Bill McCoy, during the prohibition era. Nicknamed “The City with a Heart,” the riverfront has scenic views and multiple parks along Riverside Drive.

It has its fair share of attractions and recreation activities for residents. The Riviera Country Club is a semi-private club with 18 holes of championship golf. With Daytona proper just south over the bridge, Holly Hill’s 11,000+ locals enjoy its close proximity to Daytona Beach without the hustle and bustle of living in a tourist town.

Holly Hill is heavily residential and has numerous neighborhoods inside its city limits. December 2022 had 112 homes on the market ranging from $22,500 to $2.75M.

Indigo Lakes

Indigo Lakes is a gated community outside Daytona Beach that offers resort-style living with upscale homes. Many overlook one of the area’s lakes. The neighborhood’s former championship golf course closed in 2018, and there are plans to redevelop it with new homes.

Indigo Lakes features around 450 homes conveniently located to I-95, I-4, and Daytona’s many amenities. Shopping is at the International Speedway Square, which sits adjacent to the speedway.

The community includes Indigo Woods, the Park at Indigo Lakes, Village at Indigo Lakes apartments, and Indigo. The prevailing architecture is one-story ranch-style, but you’ll find some other styles. In December 2022, four properties were for sale at a median of $314,400.

LPGA Homes

LPGA Homes is a golf-forward Daytona Beach suburb west of city limits. The master-planned community has been around since the 2000s and is still growing.

LPGA International is home to two renowned golf courses: the Rees Jones Course and Arthur Hills Course. The former features a traditional, links-style design across 7,088 yards that has received acclaim from tour players. As for the latter course, get ready to traverse wetlands, narrow pine corridors, small greens, and strategically placed water hazards – all combined for an invigorating challenge!

The residential section of LPGA was purposefully designed to provide exceptional living to all residents. The necessities, from shopping plazas and restaurants to schools and hospitals, are at their doorstep. Florida Tennis Center is across the street.

The homes in LPGA happen to be in one of Daytona’s most desirable neighborhoods, thanks to its well-planned layout, numerous developments, and many options. Find townhomes, villas, single-family, golf course views, and waterfront choices at various price points.

Mosaic

Mosaic is a premier multigenerational neighborhood located just west of LPGA and Daytona International Speedway.

Convenience is part of what makes Mosaic a desirable place to live. It’s minutes from I-95 and I-4, connecting residents to central and Atlantic coast Florida destinations. Tanger Outlets and the Daytona Farmer’s Market are also short distances away.

The heart of Mosaic lies in its social-first design. Amenities include a bandshell, fitness center, playground, Lake Mosaic with a boardwalk, and two pools.

The development offers one- and two-story single-family homes designed as energy-efficient “SMART” homes. Most homes are between 1,650-3,000 sq ft. Prices started in the $500,000s in 2022.

Ormond Beach

Ormond Beach is Daytona’s northern neighbor and one of the most sought-after Daytona Beach suburbs. John D. Rockefeller was one of Ormond Beach’s earliest settlers. The small-town, luxurious beach-town vibe remains to this day.

Nestled between the Tomoka River and the glittering Atlantic Ocean, Ormond Beach is an idyllic backdrop for many water adventures. Sailing, kayaking, deep sea fishing, beach volleyball–you name it, you’ll find it here.

The historic downtown exudes small-town charm with its historic architecture and charming boutique shops. The town center includes two parks, a library, and the Ormond Beach Historical Museum. Enjoy delicious local dining options here.

Tomoka State Park is nearby, with nature trails and historical sites to explore. Rent canoes or kayaks for a day on the water. Local cultural attractions include monuments from Florida’s Seminole Wars, the local arts scene, and historic buildings.

Ormond Beach had 16 distinct neighborhoods with a combined median sales price of $440,000 in December 2022. The market had 789 homes for sale.

Ortona

Ortona is an urban beachside neighborhood on Daytona Beach’s Northside. This neighborhood features upscale homes and studio condos, letting residents from all walks of life enjoy the best of both worlds: beach life and natural beauty.

It’s a highly walkable area, especially to the beachfront. The community and nearby Ortona Park sit on gridded streets between Halifax Ave and Atlantic Ave. Seabreeze High School is just north of Ortona. Many shops cater to the visitor crowd, as you’ll see in the strip of surf shops and beach trinkets.

The neighborhoods have options like waterfront or water-view townhomes, single-family homes with private pools, newer construction residences with modern finishes, and more. Prices ranged from $306,000 to $919,000 depending on size, condition, and location in December 2022.

New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach, Daytona’s southern neighbor, is a laid-back beach town with an old-fashioned flair. Whether it’s the historic Canal Street Historic District or its proximity to Canaveral National Seashore, New Smyrna is one of the area’s most charming beachside towns.

The town is one of the surf hubs on the Atlantic Coast. Its densely packed white sands are also drivable, like nearby Daytona’s. Wildlife is abundant here. Expect to see dolphins and sharks offshore, flocks of native and migratory birds along the Indian River, and other native wildlife at the town’s parks and preserves.

New Smyrna has an interesting history as a Greek colony and a sugar processing town. Today it’s transformed into a beach town where you’ll find top-tier seafood restaurants and surfers chilling beachside.

The neighborhoods in and around New Smyrna Beach offer a variety of amenities and homes. Top communities include Edgewater, with its picturesque riverfront views, while Coronado Beach features older beach cottages on deep lots. Prices for the 598 homes on the market were at a median of $515,000 in December 2022.

Pelican Bay

Pelican Bay is among Daytona’s most desirable neighborhoods due to its safety and convenience. Daytona’s beaches are a short drive away, while the Daytona International Speedway and the International Airport are a few blocks north.

Inside the gated community, residents feel secure thanks to a 24-hour guarded entrance house and roving patrols. There are two privately-owned golf courses and 110 acres of maintained waterways.

The community features 1,806 homes on 900 acres. Most single-family homes were built from the 1980s through the early 2000s. There are some one- and two-bedroom attached townhomes. Pelican Bay has an active homeowner’s association. The 29 homes for sale ranged from $69,000 – $590,000 in December 2022.

Living in Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach is the perfect place to call home or visit on vacation if you’re looking for spectacular beaches and modern amenities. Its idyllic weather, booming job market, and incomparable coastlines make Daytona Beach one of the top spots to live in the United States.

Regarding real estate, the Daytona Beach area has something for everyone, from luxury homes to beachfront cottages, private golf courses, and gated communities with round-the-clock security. No matter your budget or lifestyle, Daytona Beach has a place for you! So come check out this east coast destination.