StreetAdvisor Blog

StreetAdvisor knows the best and worst places in Florida

As more and more street and city reviews are submitted to StreetAdvisor.com, the scores we create for cities become more accurate. With a large population and lots of visitors choosing it as a vacation destination, Florida is the ideal state to compare city rankings. So which Florida city is rated the best?

1 Venice, Florida (CityScore 87.32)

Sample street - S Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida (StreetScore 77.81) - LiveWithPassion says:

"South Orange Avenue is comprised of office buildings, boutiques, businesses and lots of things to do. This is nestled in downtown Sarasota but you don't get the typical dirty city feel. It is a well manicured area! Burns court shopping is nearby and the Pineapple district is right next door."

2 Tallahassee, Florida (CityScore 73.03

Sample street - Rockbrook Court, Tallahassee, Florida (StreetScore 73.77) - Pitydafool says:

"I love living here! We are within walking distance of a very nice high school and convenient shopping and restaurants. The neighborhood is very clean and the neighbors are friendly."

3 Tampa, Florida (CityScore 71.29)

Sample street - W Wilder Avenue, Tampa, Florida (StreetScore 77.67) - astrochimp98 says:

"We have a beautiful view of the Hillsborough River. Rivercrest Park, which is a large scenic park with a great walking/running path, is only 2 blocks away. We have a very strong trio of neighborhood associations, who are committed to maintaining the historic bungalows of our area. This is so nice."

4 Fort Lauderdale, Florida (CityScore 67.48)

Sample street - NE 10th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (StreetScore 80.69) - misslu says:

"Las Olas is filled with a great of night life. No matter what your preference in music, you are bound to find a bar/club to fit your needs. As you walk down the street you will hear rock, rap, pop, reggae as well as techno. One can’t forget about all the lovely restaurants and café’s that line up the streets. It’s just really a good place to go hang out for the night with friends."

5 Jacksonville, Florida (CityScore 66.81)

Sample street - Trumbull Place, Jacksonville, Florida (StreetScore 87.81) - Cricketblue99 says:

"This street is located in Walden Woods subdivision. It is absolutely beautiful! The streets are well maintained and the lawns are neatly manicured. The family atmosphere is great! The neighbors are very friendly and look out for one another. There are plenty of kids that get along well together, also. The schools are excellent and very highly rated. There are grocery stores, gas stations, a few churches, and various restaurants within close driving distances. This is an outstanding neighborhood to raise your family in!"

6 Pensacola, Florida (CityScore 65.65)

Sample street - Davis Highway, Pensacola, Florida (StreetScore 35.28) - simonden says:

"Davis Highway literally sucks as far as traffic goes. It is busy at all times during the day and the worst part is that it goes the entire way through town. There is so much to do on Davis Highway, but with all the traffic it hardly seems worth it."

7 Miami, Florida (CityScore 63.84)

Sample street - NE 135th Street, Miami, Florida (StreetScore 17.64) - rockstar49 says:

"This was once a middle class Miami neighborhood and the home of North Miami High School. The neighborhood has changed since the 1960's. I went to high school there and now when I visit, it is virtually unrecognizable. The houses are run down and the school has bars and fences. It is sad for me to see how deteriorated this area, which I once loved, has become. They are re-building the school and hopefully the neighborhood will also begin to make improvements."

8 Orlando, Florida (CityScore 61.94)

Sample street - Landstar Boulevard, Orlando, Florida (StreetScore 60.59) - NikoB says:

"The communities along this road are cheap, but each has its own quirks. A lack of activities in the area has lead to youths turning to petty crime; burglaries and vandalism is relatively-commonplace, not to mention noise coming from neighbors and passing cars. There are several strip malls dotting the road, with affordable grocery shopping as well as barber shops and bars/restaurants. Public transportation is present, but few and far between. Bus-riders will definitely need a pair of walking shoes to be able to catch the bus, many run only once an hour. Cheap prices, but many caveats."

So that's a taste of the diversity of street stories in sunny Florida. How does your street rate in your city? How does your city rate in your state? Search for it in StreetAdvisor.com and find out, then share your own opinion.

StreetAdvisor has made it even easier to review your favorite places

StreetAdvisor has made a minor revision to our homepage to add a 'Write a Review' button to the top menu bar.

Now it is even easier for you to review your favorite places. Click the button to visit our new review page, where you can follow three simple steps to create a review of your street or city:

1. Search for a place
2. Select from the list
3. Write your review

You can of course continue to browse our site and then review places you find that way. What local news do you have to share today on StreetAdvisor.com?

Looking for fun? Where's the nightlife? Ask a local on StreetAdvisor

If you've visiting a city for work or maybe exploring a new place on vacation, it can be difficult to know where to go to have fun. Sometimes when you read the tourist brochures, they seem to provide everything but the specific thing you're looking for. The solution is to ask a local (or a previous visitor) for their expert knowledge and personalized recommendations.

At N Caldwell Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, StreetScore 88.20), tonyafraley says:

"Caldwell Street is home to some of Charlotte's downtown nightlife, and close to the Carolina Panthers stadium and Bobcats Arena. Obviously, this street gets busy around game time, and on Friday and Saturday nights. Caldwell also boasts some of the best downtown restaurants. Yummy food and tons to do!"

At Firehouse Alley, Sacramento, California (StreetScore 88.20), ridetilldawn says:

"If you visit Old Sacramento and neglect to walk down Firehouse Alley that parallels Front Street and 2nd Street but is faced by the backs of bars and clubs, you will have missed an important piece of the puzzle that explains Sacramento's allure to young people.

Firehouse Alley is predominately used by workers from the businesses operating along Front Street and 2nd Street in Old Sac. The street transforms at night, however, into a boisterous alley filled with the young and the young at heart as they mill around the entrance to their night clubs and the back patios of bars. Those who are going to cause trouble seem to leave this area alone, luckily, as most people who frequent the bars and clubs are having a good time and there is a significant security presence at either end of the alley during heavy use periods.

As with all Sacramento night-life, Firehouse Alley clears out quickly after the clubs close and there's not much in the way of housing in Old Sac so most people get into their cars and leave the area quiet for the workers to clean up and close down.

I'd highly recommend visiting Old Sac if you are in Sacramento and have a couple of free hours downtown. Check out Firehouse Alley if you are looking for a good bar-hopping experience one weekend night in Sacramento."

Photo by Viktor Enns - Creative Commons license

At S Kirkman Road, Orlando, Florida (StreetScore 81.59), lestergal says:

"So, we all know that you cant go to Orlando without going to the City Walk. It just isn’t right. During the daytime, you can travel this strip and find some pretty awesome food. We went to Maccoroni Grill and I had the Vodka Rustica. It was amazing. Matt was our server and he gave us excellent service! It was really crowded, but we didn’t have any problems with losing group members. Lots of fun!!!"

Now it's your turn to share your local knowledge about where to go to party and have fun. Find your favorite places and review them or post a forum topic at StreetAdvisor.com today.

Noisy neighbors

Noisy neighbors are so annoying! Here are some comments about noisy neighbors from StreetAdvisor community members. It's a topic that many people relate to, and one that has recently been discussed in the New York City forums.

At St James Avenue, Holyoke, Massachusetts, StreetScore 33.33), resident glogrrl says:

"There are several apartment buildings & homes on this street where the people feel entitled to be as loud as they want, throw trash anywhere; their yard, their neighbor's yard, the street, etc. Many people on (my end) of the street have blatant disrespect for the law; unlicensed dogs, smoking & snorting dope on their front porch, and selling dope in their driveway.

I have called the police more times on my neighbors, since I have lived in this building, than ever in my life. I hate living here and look forward to eventually moving."

At Danforth Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey StreetScore 35.28), resident lioness says:

"The adjacent street, Garfield Ave, and Danforth are known for their 'realness'. You go down by these areas and if your not from around these parts u might just stick out like a sore thumb. I have grown up around here so I think its a fairly good neighborhood however between all the businesses and schools surrounding there are always teens and tweens hanging out making noise and being teens! So, if you don’t mind the nosiness, this is just a place for you!"

At 29 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta (StreetScore 74.95), resident christineo says:

"29 St can be a little noisy with the ambulances and buses, but it does make you feel safer that there are so many people around. Lots of people walking around all the time, 5 mins to downtown, 5 mins to university and lots of transit around. Makes a busy life that much easier!"

At George Street, Sydney, New South Wales (StreetScore 54.00), visitor tjsydney says:

"George St is the main street dissecting the Sydney CBD. It starts around the Rocks area with its touristy shops, bars and restaurants, has numerous shopping options in the middle (Myer and the Queen Victoria Building) right up to the sleazier end past Market St.

I wouldn't want to live here, even when you stay in a hotel (I've stayed in a few around here) the noise from the buses is constant."

How noisy is your street? Provide some advice to your neighbors about how noisy your street is on StreetAdvisor today.

StreetAdvisor community members are happy in paradise and other places

Many top quality street and city reviews from around Australia have been added to StreetAdvisor recently by StreetAdvisor community members happy to promote the characteristics of their neighborhoods.

At Paradise Point, Queensland (CityScore 70.56), visitor zoewolf says:

"this is one of the sunny spots to be, not too busy and nice and friendly."

A view of the water from The Esplanade, Paradise Point, Queensland

At Carbine Street, Kerang, Victoria (StreetScore 65.26), resident shaggydee tells us that:

"Carbine is an insignificant little street in the small town of Kerang, a street full of friendly, down to earth working class country people, some would say that it is the wrong side of the tracks, however this is undeserved, and is in fact a very nice street to live in, it has a mixture of people from all cross sections of the community, from young families to retirees, although on the northern outskirts of the town, it is close to most services."

In Karalee, Queensland (CityScore 74.95), resident Tara says that:

"Karalee is a beautiful area to live in with: large lots, a small shopping village with a Woolworths, a local primary school, reasonable commute and a beautiful semi-rural feel. There are no noisy neighbors here other than the birds! A great place for families because of the quiet streets and large properties to play on. Most yards are around an acre, enough room to own a horse. There is an abundance of parks and wildlife, many of which you will find living in your property. Located next to two rivers with stunning views. "

At Shore Grove, Coburg North, Victoria (StreetScore 86.81), resident LaurieS says:

"The street is relatively quiet. Plenty of greenery around with tree lined footpaths and clean roadways. Quite a mix of different cultures and nationalities. Just a short walk to shops, schools, large parkland and to the famous cosmopolitan Sydney Road shopping strip. A short bus ride to Northlands Shopping Complex and very close to rail and tram public transport."

At Swimming Pool Road, Tingha, New South Wales (StreetScore 53.92), TinghaDon says:

"come on down to Tingha and live the good life we are already living - you're always welcome here."

Swimming Pool Road, Tingha, New South Wales

It's always great to hear happy stories from satisfied neighbors at StreetAdvisor. What do you have to say about your street and city? Share your news at StreetAdvisor.com.

StreetAdvisor in Singapore

I was lucky to take a few days break to attend the 2008 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix - the first night race in the history of the sport held on a new street circuit in the Marina Bay area of Singapore. The race itself and the whole event were fantastic and spectacular to see, but I also enjoyed spending time exploring Singapore, which I had only visited briefly some years ago.

Beatty Lane (StreetScore 72.00)

On my return home, I immediately started looking up the streets I had walked on every day between the nearest MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train station and my budget hotel in the old and somewhat unfashionable neighborhood of Lavender. I thought it would be fun to write some street reviews while the memories were fresh in my mind and upload my photos.

Jellicoe Rd (StreetScore 54.00)

Lavender is far from the European chic and sophistication of rich areas like the Orchard Rd shopping district. It's a combination of high rise public housing and light industry, with small shops and traders offering almost everything you can think of, including car tires and wheels, scooter repairs, hardware, canvas awnings, sheet metal, plumbing supplies, bathroom fittings and office chairs.

Beatty Lane (StreetScore 72.00)

There's also Buddhist temples and many excellent hawker food centers serving delicious local foods. The charm of Lavender is it's scruffy authenticity. It isn't cleaned up and sanitized for tourists - it is a real neighborhood where people live and work and conduct business and come from other areas to eat.

Horne Rd (StreetScore 72.00)

StreetAdvisor is a great platform to use to show your family, friends and neighbors where you have been on vacation. You can review the streets you walk near your hotel and the places you visit where you have interesting experiences. You can also upload photos to show people exactly what it was like when you were there. Share your travel memories on StreetAdvisor.com today.