Recently, Coastal Living Magazine named Stuart America’s Happiest Seaside Town of 2016. Sounds pretty good, right? Here are a few reasons why this is a great time to live in Stuart. Stats given were gathered from Sperling’s Best Places.

  1. Stuart is beloved for its historic downtown.

Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA A quaint, walkable downtown is one of Stuart’s best qualities. The Riverwalk is a popular place for dining and shopping, and locals can enjoy a free open-air concert every Sunday afternoon.

  1. The unemployment rate is lower than the national average, and job growth is on the rise.

Flickr/Marcin Bajer

  1. The people are laid-back and friendly.

Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Though it’s a mid-sized city of more than 15,000 people, there’s a relaxed, small-town vibe here.

  1. Cost of living is 13.4% lower than the U.S. average.

Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA

  1. If you love water activities, you will love the Sailfish Capital of the World.

Flickr/Kim Seng Stuart touches two rivers and sits on the Atlantic, meaning there’s water everywhere you turn. Locals enjoy boating, fishing, waterfront dining, and anything else you can do on the water.

  1. The average commute time in Stuart is only 18 minutes.

Flickr/Kim Seng The national average is 25 minutes.

  1. Home appreciation is up 11.7% in the last 12 months, making it a good time to buy a home in Stuart.

Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA The median home price is $97,000.

  1. Natural beauty is around every corner.

Flickr/Kim Seng Hutchinson Island, Bathtub Reef, and Halpatiokee Regional Park are just a few places to unwind and take in Stuart’s natural beauty.

What do you love about living in Stuart? What’s your favorite city in Florida to live in?

Peter W. Cross via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA

A quaint, walkable downtown is one of Stuart’s best qualities. The Riverwalk is a popular place for dining and shopping, and locals can enjoy a free open-air concert every Sunday afternoon.

Flickr/Marcin Bajer

Though it’s a mid-sized city of more than 15,000 people, there’s a relaxed, small-town vibe here.

Flickr/Kim Seng

Stuart touches two rivers and sits on the Atlantic, meaning there’s water everywhere you turn. Locals enjoy boating, fishing, waterfront dining, and anything else you can do on the water.

The national average is 25 minutes.

The median home price is $97,000.

Hutchinson Island, Bathtub Reef, and Halpatiokee Regional Park are just a few places to unwind and take in Stuart’s natural beauty.

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