Moving to Tallahassee: Your Essential Relocation Guide

Life in Tallahassee provides novel experiences. It’s one part state capital and two parts energetic college town. It’s also not beachfront or lakefront, creating an interesting dynamic for a Florida city. Chances are, most people you’ll run into here came to Tallahassee either for government work or college. But they stayed because they came to love its quirks. 

Learn what shaped Tallahassee into a spunky city and how educational institutions like Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College impact life. We’ll explore the available outdoor activities, including local favorite biking trails and hiking adventures. For those interested in real estate, we delve into Tallahassee’s cost of living and housing market to give you an idea of what you can find here. 

The unique appeal of Tallahassee

When people think of moving to Florida, Tallahassee isn’t a destination that pops up near the top of the list. That’s probably because this city is away from the coast and central Florida. Tallahassee is in northwest Florida, near what’s called the “Big Bend” area between the Panhandle and where the peninsula starts. It’s closer to Georgia than the Gulf of Mexico.

But what you miss in jewel-toned waters and palm trees, you make up for with a unique landscape and city culture. Some long-time Floridians consider Tallahassee one of the state’s prettier cities because it’s actually hilly here–over 200 feet above sea level in some spots, which is quite high for the Sunshine State. Those hills are still covered with tall pine trees that give Tally (as locals call it) a park-like vibe. 

And even though Tallahassee has just under 200,000 residents as of 2021, it’s packed with 24 art galleries, 15 museums, the state capitol, and competitive sports teams. Pretty good for the state’s ninth-largest city!

How Tallahassee came to be

So why is Tallahassee the state capital considering most of the residents live hours away from the Panhandle and north Florida region?

Tallahassee was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Apalachee and the Creek Indians. The name is based on the Apalachee word for “old fields.” The region attracted European settlers in the late 18th century due to its strategic location and fertile land. 

When Florida was a United States territory, the territorial government designated Tallahassee as the capital. This decision was influenced by the city’s central location within the territory, back when more of the population lived between Pensacola and St Augustine, which made it a practical choice for conducting government affairs. The more elevated and less swampy terrain compared to other parts of the state also helped in the decision to establish the capital in Tallahassee.

Remember, Florida was a different animal before air conditioning. Most people avoided the state because of the sweltering heat, bugs, and hostile environment. It took a railroad to start bringing more people to the state, and even then, they were stuck near the coast because of the tempering sea breezes. There wasn’t a lot of development on the coastlines and central regions of the state until then.

Educational institutions add character

You can’t separate Tallahassee from Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU), two prominent universities that significantly influence Tallahassee’s lifestyle. 

These institutions attract students worldwide and enrich the local community through various initiatives like public lectures, art exhibitions, and sporting events open to all residents. Consider that 45,000 students enroll in FSU and almost 10,000 in FAMU; you can’t ignore the college presence in a city of just 200,000 people. It lends what should be a political town a dynamic atmosphere of youthful energy. 

Florida achieved statehood in 1845, and Tallahassee was its capital since 1821. The origins of FSU tie back to the city’s early years, to 1851 when the Florida Legislature established the West Florida Seminary. That makes it hard to separate Tallahassee’s culture, growth, and economy from the college. Over the years, FSU has evolved from a seminary, a military college, an all-woman’s college, and a co-educational institution to today rank as the 55th best national university and in the top 20 public colleges and universities on US News and World Report.

It’s also noteworthy that FSU has a unique and collaborative relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, enabling them to call their sports teams and students “Seminoles.”

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) also has a long and impactful history in Tallahassee, particularly within the context of African American higher education. The historically black college and university (HBCU) was founded in 1887 to provide education to African Americans. 

Modern FAMU is one of the nation’s largest HBCUs by enrollment (over 10,000) and in the top ten, as US News and World Report rated. Admissions is highly competitive, and it boasts a distinguished list of alumni who have excelled in various fields, including politics, medicine, law, arts, and entertainment. The university has also made significant research contributions, particularly in areas related to agriculture, health disparities, and STEM fields.

Outdoor activities in Tallahassee

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find plenty to love about Tallahassee. The options range from a 1,000-acre park in the city to a 68,000-acre wildlife refuge at its back door. 

Plentiful parks

The stunning Maclay Gardens is definitely an attraction that should be on your bucket list of places to check out when you move in. That venue is just one of the total 88 parks available inside the city limits!

The kids will love the splash pad at Cascades Park, while Tom Brown’s large playground will keep them moving.

Biking trails 

The Tallahassee Parks & Recreation Department maintains biking trails and routes totaling over 600 miles. No wonder two-wheeled enthusiasts affectionately call the town “Trail-hassle.”

These range from beginner-friendly paths like the St Marks Historic Railroad State Trail to more advanced routes like the Munson Hills Off-Road Bicycle Trail. No matter your skill level, these well-maintained trails offer scenic views and ample opportunities for exercise.

Hiking adventures

Hiking is a popular activity because of the diverse terrain and forests for exploration. Some notable spots include Apalachicola National Forest, home to over 100 miles of hiking trails, and Leon Sinks Geological Area, with its unique sinkholes and subterranean caves.

Water recreation

Apart from these activities, residents also enjoy kayaking along the crystal clear Wakulla River or fishing at man made Lake Talquin State Park. Its cypress balds hide excellent hiding places for crappie and bass.

Tallahassee bucket list

For a small city, Tallahassee sure packs in activities and fun! Once the moving boxes are gone, you’ll want to get out and explore. Here’s how to get familiar with your new home in Tally.

You can’t miss the Florida State Capitol building rising over the city skyline. Not only does it house the state’s legislative chambers, but the tower is the nation’s third-largest state capitol building. Explore the beautiful grounds and learn about Florida’s political history.

To get a comprehensive look at the state’s history and wildlife nature, check out the Tallahassee Museum. Walk along the elevated boardwalks to observe native animals. Explore historical buildings and learn about Florida’s cultural heritage from its Native people up through the modern day.

Just outside of Tallahassee, the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge has breathtaking natural landscapes, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Birdwatching, fishing, and kayaking are available activities in this serene natural setting. Its lighthouse survived two wars and is one of the state’s oldest.

Attend a Florida State University football game, especially when playing rivals the University of Florida. The atmosphere is intense, and the surrounding game hype and vibe are a one-of-a-kind experience. What other team has a horse charging across the field? None that we know of!

If you like creativity, visit a First Friday at Railroad Square Art Park. This repurposed lumber yard covering ten acres has an artist studio space for students in Florida State University’s studio art program, unique restaurants, and eclectic shops. The bars often have live music, even if you don’t go on a First Friday.

Finding a home in Tallahassee

Looking for a new place to call home? Tallahassee has got you covered with its stunning architecture and diverse real estate options. It’s not all student housing. Tallahassee’s neighborhoods have opulent single-family homes in master-planned neighborhoods, historic old Florida homes with character, and retirement communities around golf courses. Homes were lakefront, riverfront, downtown, and by the college. In total, you’ll have over 50 neighborhoods to explore!

Real estate markets are always in flux, but the perk of Tallahassee is it tends to be below Florida’s housing price average, usually by about 13%. Using July 2023 as a snapshot, the median price for the 1,200 listings was $308,000. Prices were up 15% year-over-year. The market ranged from $5,000 up to over $10 million. 

Thinking of making the move? Check out local listings on our platform EZ Search to find your dream North Florida home. We’ve also profiled some great neighborhoods to live in Tallahassee.

Cost of living in Tallahassee

Living in Tallahassee will deliver some relief to your wallet. Compared to Miami, housing costs here are as low as a limbo stick, running about 10% under the national average. That way, you can save your money for important things, like tickets for an FSU football game.

Tallahassee residents do tend to pay more for health care, utilities, and miscellaneous costs–like museum tickets, restaurants, and childcare. But balance that with more affordable housing, public transportation, and groceries, and the city’s much more budget-friendly than many Florida towns.

Snow in Florida? 

When you think of Florida, scorching summers and tropical climates might come to mind. Tallahassee breaks this stereotype with its relatively milder weather conditions. That’s not to say it doesn’t get smoking hot –it does–but the winters are much cooler because of its northern location. This city has seen those rare Florida snowfalls that bring all activity to a halt and delight native Floridians. Year-round temperatures average 68F. 

But beware, it’s pretty rainy in Tallahassee, which reports an average annual rainfall of about 64 inches. Summers are definitely the wettest thanks to those pop-up thunderstorms that bring heavy rains and lightning but disappear within an hour. 

On the upside, being this far from the coast buffers the capital from direct tropical storm impacts. The city can still feel the effects of high winds and rains from these severe weather events, but it misses out on storm surges and the brunt force of landfall.

Tallahassee’s blend of slightly more comfortable summers and gentle winters makes living in the capital appealing for anyone looking to escape severe cold snaps and sweltering heat waves elsewhere.

Easily move around Tallahassee

As we mentioned before, bicycles are a popular mode of transportation, especially for shorter trips within the city, around the campuses, and the downtown area. These areas are also pretty walkable, which is great when you’re spending a day touring museums and art galleries.

If you are a student or visitor at Florida State University or Florida A&M University, both campuses offer shuttle services to help students and staff move around the campuses and nearby areas.

The Tallahassee StarMetro system operates buses on routes within the city and surrounding areas. Buses are an affordable and convenient option for getting around Tallahassee. Information about routes, schedules, and fares can be found on the StarMetro website.

If you decide to live further from the capital core and campus, a car will make it easier to get around. The good news is the city has a well-developed road network with major highways and local streets. Interstate 10 runs east-west on the northern side of town. Tennessee Street is the major east-west highway through the downtown area and the FSU campus, with Apalachee Parkway as a backup if you’re on the east side of town. Monroe St splits Tallahassee in half, while Thomasville Rd is another major road for the northern suburbs. 

Just get to know important dates in the Tallahassee calendar, like any FSU home games, college graduation, and the governor’s inauguration, all days when the influx of traffic is much worse.

Exceptional public education

We’ve already hit on the universities, but what about those with families and young children? As one of the nation’s most educated cities, Tallahassee has you covered with two major options!

First, Leon County Schools is Tallahassee’s overarching public k-12 education provider and its surrounding area. On the Florida Department of Education grading system, it’s solidly a “B” district looking back at the last ten years. The 33,000 students attend one of its 48 schools.

But you also have the Florida State University School System (FSUS) and the FAMU Developmental Research School, both of which offer cutting-edge K-12 education. These are research and teaching schools that use innovative strategies in the classroom. They are charter schools; FSUS uses a lottery enrollment process, while FAMU-DRS uses an application. 

Making Tallahassee your home

You can learn even more about living in Tallahassee with the city’s multiple relocation guides purpose-built for people at different stages of life, from prospective students to retirees. Chances are, you’ll feel right at home in no time in this friendly, energetic city. Explore more of Tallahassee living with a local real estate agent who can help you dive into the city’s 50-plus neighborhoods.