Sarasota ranked higher than any other Florida city in a recent survey of 95 "livable cities" for renters, based on satisfaction, affordability and vacancy. Sarasota/Bradenton ranked eighth in the nation. Gainesville came in at 34; Jacksonville, 57; Melbourne, 60; Tampa, 72; Tallahassee, 73; and Orlando, 74. West Palm Beach/Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale came in 86 and 87, respectively, and Miami was the lowest-ranking Florida city at 94. Only Los Angeles ranked lower.
Top Cities for RentersRankMetro Area1Raleigh, N.C.2Ann Arbor, Mich.3Fort Wayne, Ind.4Grand Rapids, Mich.5Kalamazoo, Mich.6Athens, Ga.7Lansing, Mich.8Sarasota/Bradenton9Charleston, S.C.10Salt Lake City, UtahSource: ApartmentRatings.com, winter 2005