This mid-size Florida town was named one of the top 10 places to live in the US. Sorry, Miami.

Photo byDavid KovalenkoonUnsplash

The US News and World Report ranked 150 cities in the United States on livability factors such as affordability, job market, schools, natural beauty, things to do, and safety. Their top three choices for this year represent smaller cities with a good quality of life: Huntsville, AL, Colorado Springs, CO, and Green Bay, WI.

Coming in at number 9 is a mid-sized Florida town that is less well-known than the state's top tourist destinations. It's a town that some have considered a retirement community in the past but has recently become much more vibrant.

Coming in at 9th place is Sarasota, Florida.

Why was this town chosen over other Florida towns?

Sarasota earned a score of 6.7 out of 10 in the various factors considered. The scoring was fairly rigorous as the number one town only earned a 7.0 out of 10.

The judges felt Sarasota "has a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere, and burgeoning food culture. People who choose Sarasota as their home are generally called by its unique charm."

Also cited was Sarasota's flexibility - it's able to appeal to those looking for luxe resorts and fine dining as well as those who seek the ambiance of a seaside town.

The study also praised Sarasota for its diverse job market that includes demand for those in manufacturing, health care, and the service industries.

At a relatively high 20:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the educational opportunities in Sarasota were deemed solid.

Finally, Sarasota was recognized as having a lower crime rate than the national average, making it a relatively safe place to live.

What are the cons of living in this town?

Sarasota was recognized as having a relatively high cost of living for a city of its size. This comes as no surprise given the popularity of Florida as a town for remote workers able to do their jobs from anywhere.

The median home price in Sarasota is currently $573.9K and rising quickly. As the report says: "Sarasota’s popularity with both the over-65 and under-65 sets means rising home prices and many people who want to live here will be priced out."