East Coast or West Coast: which Florida suits you best (2026)
Short answer
The East Coast (Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach) has the French-speaking community, the major airports and more going on, but it costs more. The West Coast (Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota) is quieter, with fine-sand beaches and calmer waters, but more exposed to storm surge. Orlando is the cheapest big city, with no beach.
The regions at a glance
| Region | Best for | Strengths | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood, Hallandale, Fort Lauderdale | French speakers, remote workers, families | "Little Quebec," services in French, FLL airport, Brightline train | High cost; fewer Quebec visitors since 2025 |
| Palm Beach (Boynton, Lake Worth) | Couples, condo owners | Less crowded, growing French-speaking community | Many condos for sale (high inventory) |
| Vero Beach (Treasure Coast) | Those looking for peace and quiet | Less touristy, more affordable, tourism on the rise | Few services in French |
| Orlando | Young families, remote workers | The cheapest big city, theme parks, MCO airport | No beach |
| Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral | Golfers, active retirees, families | Calm Gulf beaches; Fort Myers more affordable than Naples | Rebuilding after hurricanes; storm surge risk |
| Sarasota, St. Pete, Clearwater | Families, beach lovers | Siesta Key and its white-sand beaches | Few French speakers |
| The Keys | 1- to 2-week stays, divers | Turquoise waters, one-of-a-kind atmosphere | Very expensive: US$200 to US$650 a night in high season |
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How much is rent?
| City (2026) | Average 1-bedroom rent | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | US$2,452 | About 20% above the US average |
| Tampa | US$1,717 | About 3% below average |
| Orlando | US$1,598 | About 9% below average |
To compare in Canadian dollars, multiply by about 1.42 (October 2026 rate). See also the monthly budget in Florida.
How to choose?
- You want to speak French and be among Quebecers: Hollywood, Hallandale, then Palm Beach.
- You work remotely: near a major airport (FLL, MIA, MCO, TPA) with good internet.
- You're travelling as a family: Orlando for the parks, the Gulf for calm beaches.
- You want peace and quiet and a better price: Vero Beach, Fort Myers, Cape Coral.
- You're leaving in the fall: factor in hurricane risk, which is higher on the Gulf. See hurricane season.
Key takeaways
- East Coast: French-speaking, lively, more expensive.
- West Coast: quiet, gentle beaches, more exposed to storm surge.
- Orlando: the cheapest big city, with no beach.
- The Keys: stunning, but for short stays.
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 6-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Sources
- RentCafe — Miami vs. Tampa (2026)
- RentCafe — Orlando (2026)
- WLRN — Canadians in South Florida (Oct. 2026)
- WPTV — Canadians in Palm Beach
- Houfy — Rentals in the Keys (2026)
General information. Rents and trends change quickly: check recent prices before booking.