Tallahassee, Florida's capital city since its establishment in 1824, is a cornerstone of state legislation and college education. The city is Florida's political and legislative center, and at its heart, the historic Florida State Capitol towers over Capitol Hill. The city is additionally the seat of well-regarded post-secondary institutions, Florida A&M University and Florida State University. The schools draw students from across the nation and have left a lasting impact on the culture and energy of the city, most palpable in neighborhoods like College Town.
But according to local Realtor Christie Perkins of Coldwell Banker Hartung, there's a lot more to Tallahassee. "The main reason people want to move here is we are one the more affordable cities in Florida," Perkins says. She's sold homes across the city for over 21 years. Perkins also emphasizes the city's cooler temperatures compared to South Florida. The winters are mild, but the city still experiences all four seasons. Plus, Perkins calls out the city's recreation outlets. "We have 700 miles of trails, so we've been nicknamed Trailahassee," Perkins says. "Things like mountain biking and paddling are a big deal here. We actually won an award for having the best parks and recreation department in the country." As the ninth-most-populated city in Florida, with more than 203,000 residents as of 2023, it still maintains a relatively slow-paced feel. "We are big enough to have everything people want but small enough not to have the stress of the big city," Perkins says.
The skateboard park at Railroad Square is a favorite local hangout for FAMU area teens.
The Florida Capitol is located at the heart of Tallahassee.
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Relatively affordable housing and state government jobs
Homes in Downtown Tallahassee include high-rise condos and historic homes, from 1940s bungalows to Victorian homes. A bit further out are neighborhoods like Midtown, which features walkable streets near shops and restaurants and several ranch-style houses and townhomes. Perkins says affordability is a huge selling point here. According to the National Association of Realtors local market report for Tallahassee, in Q3 of 2023, the median price for single-family homes was $326,200, lower than the national median of $406,900. "It's still a desirable area with houses selling fairly quickly, but due to the interest rate increase, we did see a slowdown this past winter," Perkins says. "But that still means one offer in two weeks instead of multiple offers in one day."
Government, education and healthcare are the pillars of employment in Tallahassee. As the state capital, many residents work in state and city government – over 5,000 people work for the State of Florida, and thousands work for the City of Tallahassee. According to the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, many work at one of the city's major universities. Florida State University employs over 5,000, and Florida A&M University has over 2,000 employees. Over 5,000 healthcare workers are employed by Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc. Under 2,000 residents work for Leon County and the Capital Region Medical Center.
Traditional modern colonial homes can be found in the area.
Luxury high-rise condos are available throughout Tallahassee.
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Putting the "trail" in Trailahassee
According to the Trust for Public Land, Tallahassee has 88 parks, and 46% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of one. Tallahassee proper features over 70 miles of hiking, biking, riding and paddling trails, earning it the nickname, Trailahassee. But just outside the city are hundreds of miles of trails. The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, a joint city-county agency within the Department of Planning, Land Management and Community Enhancement (PLACE), reports new projects are in the works. Plans for new projects include new parks and expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities. One of Tallahassee's major outdoor pastimes is mountain biking. Hundreds of miles of trails are available for different skill levels. Organizations like the Tallahassee Mountain Bike Association host events and advocacy work to protect trail access and promote new trail development. The closest beaches are along the Gulf Coast, including Marshes Sands Beach, 37 miles south of Tallahassee.
Tallahassee's historic charm makes it a picturesque community.
Tallahassee is home to top-rated golf courses.
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A vibrant art district at Railroad Square
The Railroad Square Art District is the beating heart of Tallahassee's art scene. It has served the community for more than 50 years and features over 70 art galleries, shops and locally-owned businesses. It's also home to the First Friday Monthly Festival, which features live music, food and drinks and a craft table for the kids. LeMoyne's Chain of Parks Art Festival is one of the state's most recognized art festivals. It features 150 juried artists and a $10,000 cash prize. Plus, the festival features pop-up art studios for kids, live entertainment and food and wine. The Council on Culture and Arts (COCA), a local art agency, promotes and advocates for arts and culture across the city. National and local bands routinely make their way through the city at venues like the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park, an outdoor arena with space for more than 3,200. Popular city events include the Word of South Festival, which explores and celebrates the relationship between literature and music. Plus, the Tallahassee Museum hosts the two-day Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival.
Tallahassee features almost 300 restaurants with over a dozen cuisine options. Many dining favorites are concentrated in the Market District, which features Gordos Cuban Cuisine and Momo's Pizza. Neighborhoods like Midtown, College Town and Railroad Square Art District have additional, locally-owned craft breweries, cafés and upscale cuisine. In March, the Tallahassee State College Foundation brings world-renowned chefs to town for an exclusive dining experience at Cleaver and Cork, a three-part culinary event. Tallahassee's Beer Festival, held in August, has grown yearly since its inception in 2018. The event welcomes over 100 craft brewers and features over 300 various fermentations.
Cascades Park is located in downtown Tallahassee, only minutes from the Capitol.
Pick up freshly procured jam and honey at the local farmer's market.
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FAMU and FSU attract students across the nation
Tallahassee is zoned for Leon County Schools, which serves over 32,000 students and scores an overall A-minus on Niche. The district features several A-rated public schools, from Buck Lake Elementary School and Deerlake Middle School to Lawton Chiles High School. Tallahassee is home to Florida State University, a top research institution. It has the highest amount of National Science Foundation research funding in Florida, and Niche ranks it the tenth-best overall public university in America. The city is also home to Florida A&M University, which Niche ranks as the top Historically Black College and University in America. FAMU is the only public, historically Black institution in the State University System of Florida. Both schools are located in Tallahassee's College Town neighborhood.
College Town in Tallahassee sits in the middle of the Capitol and the universities.
View of Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
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Hopping on I-10 or a StarMetro bus
Interstate 10 passes through Tallahassee's north end, leading west toward New Orleans and east toward Jacksonville. U.S. Routes 27 and 90 cut through downtown, leading toward north to Georgia and south to Tampa. StarMetro, the city's public transportation, features a fixed-route bus system that is free to FAMU and FSU students. Leon County also has a Bicycle Route Network that highlights bike-friendly roadways. The Network offers "comfort ratings" based on the number of lanes, traffic volumes and speed limits of a specific route. There is no passenger train service in Tallahassee. Tallahassee International Airport is 7 miles southwest of downtown. It offers direct service to seven domestic destinations serviced by American Airlines, Delta and Silver Airways. Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and HCA Florida Capital Hospital both serve the city.
Tallahassee International Airport is the hub for air travel in and out of the area.
The Tallahassee public transportation system makes travel easy.
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Tallahassee Police initiatives and climate considerations
Tallahassee Reports, a local newspaper, tabulated daily incident reports from the Tallahassee Police Department. Their data reflected that overall violent crime rates dropped by nearly 21% between 2023 and 2024, and property crime rates fell by more than 3%. The Tallahassee Police Department works directly with city residents through initiatives like the Citizens Advisory Council. The Council consists of 26 residents from across the city who meet monthly with a TPD representative to address concerns and create a channel of communication.
Tallahassee is about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms. According to Risk Factor, the city has an extreme wind factor, and over 61,000 properties are at risk during a severe weather event. Like the rest of Florida, Tallahassee also has a severe risk from heat.
Multi-million-dollar project at the Tallahassee International Airport
Leon County has an overarching Comprehensive plan established in 1981 that is updated annually. It currently lays out goals through 2030, and a process for updating the document with the community's vision for the future through 2055 is underway. Two areas receiving special attention from the city are Downtown and Frenchtown/Southside. Both areas have redevelopment plans to strengthen local businesses, enhance property values and neighborhood beautification. The City of Tallahassee has its own five-year plan that has achieved several goals in anticipation of the city's 2024 bicentennial. One primary goal is the construction of the International Processing Facility at the Tallahassee International Airport. The $30.5 million project will be a prominent economic driver for the region. The city also has several ongoing projects, from the Pullen Road Sidewalk Project to the Lake Ella and DeSoto utility upgrades.
On average, homes in Tallahassee, FL sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Tallahassee, FL over the last 12 months is $309,900, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
ABOUT COURTNEY
Ten years after Courtney started her career in real estate, she turned her dream of owning her own real estate company into a reality and formed Roberts & Co Real Estate Services in 2015. She loves helping clients through the {sometimes intense!} process of purchasing and selling properties. Since sometimes finding the perfect home proves difficult, she has helped many clients create the home of their dreams by walking them through the renovation or custom building process from selecting contractors, designing layouts, and selecting finishes.
Courtney is a member of The Tallahassee Board of Realtors where she has served on the Finance Committee, Grievance Committee, and Building Committee. She is a member of the board of directors at Trinity United Methodist Preschool and Capital Area Technology & Realtor Services Board, and is a member of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Capital Area Young Professionals.
Outside of work, Courtney enjoys honing her skills with interior design projects and cheering on the Florida State Seminoles. She treasures spending quality time with her family at their home away from home in Mexico Beach, Florida.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
