Living in North Port, FL

Are you considering relocating to North Port, Florida? Follow along as we discuss the essential things to know about this city before moving.

North Port, Florida, is a part of Sarasota County and is one of the best cities to reside in. North Port is located South of Sarasota and North of Fort Myers. This city is more inland and is the only city in the state of Florida that has an entire state forest inside its city limits. 

Even though it is not located on the Gulf of Mexico, it is just a short drive to get to the ocean to enjoy the crystal clear waters and white powdery sand. North Port is a great place to move to for young professionals, families, and retirees. It is a small town and has a quiet atmosphere.

North Port has a population of around 74,793 residents. Even though not many residents live in North Port compared to other major cities around it, North Port is actually one of the largest cities in Florida by area size and population. This city is known for its country lifestyle and amazing year-round weather.

Here are the nine things to know about North Port, FL.

History

When relocating to a new city, learning about its history allows people to understand what made the city what it is today. North Port began with a population of only 178 residents and was initially known as North Port Charlotte. The name was shortened to help create an individual city identity. North Port became a city officially in 1959 and occupied 103 square miles of land.

Since 1980, North Port's population has grown over 120 percent, making it one of Florida's fastest-growing cities. You will find horse stables and natural springs throughout this city. 

As mentioned, North Port is the only city with an entire state forest within city walls. Here you will find Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. It is located in the Northern part of the city, where you will find miles of horseback riding trails, waterways, canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing. This state forest is also a great place to go camping with your friends and family. 

Cost of Living

One of the most important factors that play a role in whether you move to a specific city is the cost of living in that area. The overall cost of living in North Port, Florida, is 6 percent higher than the national average. The average cost of living in this city is calculated by combining a variety of factors like housing costs, utility prices, groceries and food, transportation, healthcare, etc.

Here are those factors broken down and what they compare to the national averages.

• The housing cost is 22 percent higher than the national average
• Utilities are one percent lower than the national average; this includes water, gas, and electricity
• The price of purchasing food and groceries is one percent higher than the national average
• Transportation costs are 5 percent higher than the national average; this includes public transportation and gas
• Healthcare in North Port is higher by 5 percent

The cost of living in Sarasota is the same as in North Port. However, even though Fort Myers is just a short drive from North Port, the cost of living in North Port is 2.7 percent lower, and the housing costs are 3.1 percent higher in North Port.

Real Estate Market

Even though the housing costs in North Port are 22 percent higher than the national average, living in this beautiful, unique city is worth any price. The current North Port, Florida market is a seller's market. This means that home prices tend to be higher, and homes sell faster. Don't let this scare you. Most cities throughout the nation are still in a seller's market.

The median sold price for a home in North Port is around $380,000, about $243 per square foot. This is a 10 percent increase over an entire year. However, on the bright side, there are over 1,000 homes currently on the market for sale. This allows you to have a variety of options to choose from when house hunting. More than half of these homes have three bedrooms, so if that is what you are looking for, North Port is the perfect city. 

Even though the price of homes has increased over the last few years, more than half of the homes that were sold, sold for under the asking price, only a sliver of these homes were sold for over the asking price, and 24 percent of homes were sold for the exact asking price.

On average, homes sit on the market for around 44 days. This is great compared to last year when homes usually were only on the market for eight days. The longer the houses sit, the more buyers can have time to shop around and negotiate deals without being pressured to purchase a home as soon as possible. North Port has many homes for sale, like townhomes, new construction, single-family homes, and more.

Job Market

A great thing about living in North Port is that you are only a short drive to the metro areas of Sarasota and Fort Myers. However, North Port is significantly growing as more residents and businesses move into the city. Over the last year, the job market in North Port has increased by 2.6 percent. The future job growth in North Port over the next ten years is predicted to be around 44 percent, higher than the national average.

Finding a job market that allows you to earn a sustainable salary is important. The median household income in North Port, Florida, is around $65,000, with a poverty rate of 6 percent.

Some of the best-paying jobs in this city are nurse practitioner, independent insurance adjuster, Cad designer, music therapist, fire inspector, and so much more. 

Education

Those who are looking to move to an area with good schools for their children or future children are in luck. North Port has some fantastic schools located within city limits. This city is located in the Sarasota County School District. North Port has nine public schools and one private school. As of 2023, all K-12 students in this city are educated in public schools. 

Some of the top public schools in North Port are Toledo Blade Elementary School, Cranberry Elementary School, and Atwater Elementary School. The average math and reading scores within North Port's school system are higher than the Florida average, 

Restaurants

When moving to a new city, it is nice to know the best restaurants in the area. These dining destinations could be your new favorite stop to eat and relax with your friends and family. Check out some of the best restaurants in and around North Port.

Local Favorites:

• Blue Tequila Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: This is an easygoing Mexican restaurant that is known for its authentic recipes and heaping servings. It has a lively atmosphere and massive plates of incredible food.
• Shark's Fish House: This restaurant is a local, family-owned seafood joint, and it is known for its fried options, burgers, and sandwiches. They have a clean and simple atmosphere while serving classic seafood.
• Greek Grille: This laid-back restaurant serves classic recipes in an art-filled space. It is one of the best places to eat in North Port that serves healthy and delicious meals. 
• Bocca Lupo Coal Fired Pizza: This elegant pizzeria serves classic Italian flavors. It offers a fine-dining and elegant environment where you can enjoy pizza and pasta with your friends and family.

Weather

The weather in North Port, Florida, is what many locals love about the city. The warm weather attracts residents, mainly from New York and Washington, to relocate to the area. North Port's climate is described as a tropical climate. They have hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters.

North Port, Florida, gets a ton of rain in the spring and summer seasons, so bring your umbrella. One thing you will never see in this city is snow. The temperatures in North Port average between 39 degrees and 92 degrees. Because of this, the climate is never cold enough for snow to form or stick on the ground.

Amazingly, North Port is located near the coast and is within driving distance of various beaches. If you get too hot in the summer, you can take a quick trip to the ocean to cool off. 

Crime Rate

If you are looking for another reason to relocate to North Port, Florida, keep reading to understand the crime rate in this city.

North Port is loved by its locals because of how safe the city is. When living in North Port, you more than likely will hardly ever face safety concerns. However, it is still important to remember always to take security precautions wherever you are, even if you assume it is safe. 

Some areas in North Port are more dangerous than the rest, but according to Neighborhood Scout, North Port is safer than 44 percent of U.S. neighborhoods. The chances of you becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 606, which is significantly less than the Florida statistic of 1 in 255. 

Things To Do

Because North Port is the only city to have an entire state forest within its city limits, most of the things to do throughout this town is located near or in the forest. A great thing to visit in North Port is Warm Mineral Springs Park. It is the only warm mineral spring in Florida, so it is well worth the visit.

Not only do they have amazing nature destinations throughout this city, but they also have a handful of attractions for you to enjoy with your friends and family. Check out some of these local favorite spots.

Local Favorites:

• Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park
• Warm Mineral Springs Park
• Atwater Community Park
• CoolToday Park
• The Axe Haus
• Do The Happy Bounce
• And so many more things!

Pros and Cons of Living in North Port

Pros:

• Great atmosphere and community
• Utilities are affordable in this city
• Great restaurants
• A perfect place to retire and raise a family
• Healthy real estate market
• Excellent job market with high-paying jobs
• Proximity to major cities and the ocean
• Good education system
• Safe city to reside in

Cons:

• Expensive cost of living
• High housing costs
• If you don't like hot, humid weather, North Port may not be the place for you.
• Pricy food and healthcare costs

Things To Know About North Port, Florida - Our Last Words

When relocating to a new city, it can be pretty stressful. Moving into an environment, you are unsure of or uncomfortable with can hinder your moving process. We hope this guide helped you better understand North Port as a whole and what it has to offer its residents. 

Not only is North Port a great place to move to if you are a young adult, have a family, or are retiring, but it is also a fantastic place to go to to make friends and enjoy what the city has to offer. The weather is fantastic. You are driving distance from the beach and other major cities. There is a healthy real estate market, a variety of jobs, and so much more.

The only major downside of living in North Port, Florida, is that the cost of living is more expensive than the national average. However, this can be maintained with the proper budgeting. 

If you are considering relocating to North Port, Florida, you can contact us today to get connected with a local real estate professional for further guidance on the buying and selling process in North Port.