Living in Okeechobee, FL isn’t just about the amazing freshwater fishing. It’s about the small town feel and a slower pace of life. It’s a cozy little getaway from the hustle and bustle of a big city into the countryside. A safe place to raise your children and a great location to get your best bang for your buck in real estate.
Most importantly, the small city of Okeechobee offers lots of community support. People you run into probably know you by your first name and are genuinely interested in small talk. —Which by the way can build up a sense of belonging in your community.
If you’re looking for a place to call home, we’ve got the top reasons why Okeechobee, FL is it.
Here are the top 5 reasons to live in Okeechobee, FL
1. The cost of living is low
According to bestplaces.net, Okeechobee, FL has a relatively low cost of living. In fact, compared to the rest of the country it’s 14% lower. Housing is the biggest factor in cost of living. That’s why it’s such a good idea to invest in real estate in this cozy town.
The median price from a home, according to best places, is $97,800. You can check out our most recent Homes for sale in Okeechobee.
2. The traffic is zero to none
That’s right, no traffic. Even when the snowbirds (as we call them) come to town, the traffic is zero. I mean what do you expect when your little town only runs off a few main roads. When moving to Okeechobee, FL you’ll hear these roads as a main point of direction: 441 and 70. Learn them now so you know what locals are talking about when you come to town.
3. You can be a big fish in a small pond
Although it’s true that job opportunities can be limited in small towns, it doesn’t go without saying that it can actually be beneficial to you. Smaller towns such as Lake Okeechobee can actually offer you more support and less competition.
In small town ‘Chobee you can count on more opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals because it’s extremely close-knit. The community is welcoming and supportive because it’s considerably smaller than other cities making it a great place to be a big fish in a small pond.
4. It’s close enough to other major cities
Another great thing about living in Okeechobee, FL is the close proximity to other major cities. Want to take the kids to Disney World for the weekend? No problem. Jump on 441 to the turnpike and you’re looking at about an hour and a half. Want to take your wife out for a night of fine dining and shopping? No problem. Jump in the car for an hour and you’re at City Place in West Palm Beach. Speaking of beach, we’re close to four major beaches including Jensen Beach, Jupiter, Ft. Pierce, and Stuart Beach.
Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival
For music lovers, the Kravis Center and Mars Music Amphitheater in West Palm Beach bring in all of the acts that play in large cities across the country. Speaking of music, did you know we host the famous OkeechobeeFest as well? This event is a 4-day surreal experience, filled with multi-
Other major cities that are in close proximity
- 109 miles to Miami, FL
- 111 miles to Tampa, FL
- 119 miles to Saint Petersburg, FL
- 219 miles to Jacksonville, FL
5. It’s a great place to raise your children
Due to the low crime rates, Okeechobee, FL is a great place to raise your children. The tiny town offers a few playgrounds including the newly rebuilt Wooden Jungle Playground at the Okeechobee Sports Park. This is a popular spot for birthdays and celebrations with kids.
The community is also known for it’s Annual Okeechobee County Fair which will begin this year on March 14th, 2017. This event is a great opportunity for kids to get involved with the livestock show or participate in the Miss Okeechobee Pageant.
Okeechobee currently has 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 freshman campus, 1 regular high school, and 1 alternative high school. You can find out more about that here.
There’s an abundance of reasons why people move to Lake Okeechobee and we would love to hear your feedback on the place we call home. Tell us what makes you live in Okeechobee.
