Florida is known for its pleasant summer weather, white-sand beaches, and nautical recreation, but Tallahassee, the state’s capital, has a different feel about it. Located in the Red Hills region and near Georgia’s border, the city experiences four distinct seasons, is surrounded by lakes, forests, and natural reserves, and has a growing population of nearly 193K.
Tallahassee’s southern roots are evident in its architecture, lifestyle, landscapes, and attitude. The city offers an outstanding quality of life with its low crime rates, abundant natural beauty, and affordable properties. Since it encompasses three higher learning educational institutions: Tallahassee Community College, Florida A&M University, and Florida State University, Florida’s capital is also a vibrant college town with a student population of over 70,000.
If you are in the market for your own piece of Florida real estate and Tallahassee real estate has caught your eye, the next step is choosing the right neighborhood. Each Tallahassee suburb has a unique flavor, so we’ve narrowed it down to the five best Tallahassee suburbs to make your home search easier. Keep reading to learn more!
What Are The Best Suburbs To Live Near Tallahassee?
1. Betton Hills
Betton Hills is a historic, family-friendly neighborhood just seconds northeast of the city center. Families enjoy a pleasant suburban atmosphere with all the shopping, dining, and entertainment downtown Tallahassee offers just a short drive away. This relaxed community is primarily residential and has leafy quiet streets and cul-de-sacs lined with gorgeous upscale residences on large lots. Betton Hills also provides residents excellent private schools, lush parks, and recreational facilities.
The real estate market in this community is dynamic and competitive. The median list price for homes for sale in Betton Hills is currently $599K, trending up 33.9% year-over-year. Since most of its development occurred during Tallahassee’s great growth between the ’40s and the ’50s, the area boasts many well-preserved historical buildings dating back to those decades.
The most sought-after type of property here is the single-family detached home, and buyers can select theirs from a wide variety of sizes, architectural styles, and prices. Here, most detached houses are sizable, up to 2,200 to 5,300 sq ft, with four or five bedrooms, two or three-car garages, spacious lawns, backyards, and swimming pools. Betton Hills has more wallet-friendly alternatives, such as small entry-level bungalows and cute brick townhouses.
Betton Hills’ combination of great schools, high-quality healthcare, safe streets lined with mature trees, and beautiful scenery makes this area one of the best suburbs in Tallahassee. Residents can enroll the children in top-rated schools like Christ Classical Academy, Betton Hills School, and Betton Hills Preparatory School. For fun, the locals visit Goodwoods Museum & Gardens or the community park that provides baseball fields, tennis courts, and other high-end amenities. On top of it all, the community is close to the Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center and the fashionable Midtown district.
- Top Attractions: Goodwoods Museum & Gardens, Winthrop Park, McCord Park.
- Distance from Tallahassee: 2 miles
- Median Sale Price: $599K
- Zip Code: 32308
2. Killearn Lakes
Killearn Lakes was established in the 80s and includes the unique golf community of Golden Eagle. Also known as Killearn Lakes Plantation, this traditional neighborhood captures Tallahassee’s natural beauty. Located on the banks of Lake Iamonia, about 30 minutes north of Tallahassee’s downtown, Killearn Lakes is also right next to Georgia. Residents enjoy the serenity of feeling out in the countryside but with modern conveniences just 10 minutes away.
Families flock to this Tallahassee suburb looking for a bargain on their dream property. Killearn Lakes has all sorts of homes for sale available, from meticulously maintained low-country style residences with acreage for over $1M to humble all-brick bungalows or beautifully landscaped cottages in the $300K-$400K range. A substantial proportion of the real estate in this area has lake views.
There’s also the Golden Eagle area, where the market is more luxurious, offering ample states near the fairways and ponds of the golf course. It all depends on the homebuyer’s budget, needs, and wants. The increasing demand for Killearn Lakes real estate is driven by its many appealing amenities, including its location, good schools, and beautiful natural setting.
Life is peaceful in Killearn Lakes. Families love spending time in their spacious backyards or feeding turtles on their private docks. It is common to go golfing and participate in community events at nearby parks. The neighborhood features six artificial lakes, allowing residents to fish, paddle, canoe, enjoy wildlife, and breathe fresh air. For shopping, locals usually head south to Bannerman Crossing and Bradfordville Commons, the commercial areas on Bradfordville Rd. The top schools in Killearn Lakes include Deer Lake Middle School and Killearn Lakes Elementary School.
- Top Attractions: Tekesta Park, Golden Eagle Country Club, Lake Monkey Business Park, Lake Iamonia.
- Distance from Tallahassee: 15 miles.
- Median Sale Price: $375K
- Zip Code: 32312
3. Havana
Havana is a friendly small-town situated northwest of Tallahassee, in Gadsden County, FL. The tiny suburban community was built in the early 1900s, so it has a lot of history in its cobblestone streets and hilly countryside. Today, it’s a haven for artisans, antique dealers, creative galleries, and charming local restaurants, which remains hidden amid the hustle and bustle of contemporary development.
The Havana real estate market is on the rise, partly thanks to its convenient location near Tallahassee, FL. The peaceful surroundings, abundant amenities, and charming sizable properties also play a role in this growth. Currently, the median sale price of homes for sale in Havana, FL, is $342K, and house shoppers can expect a plethora of options, almost all of them being single-family detached homes.
There are some large custom-built houses with acreage, 5+ bedrooms, and pole barns in Havana, but also spacious brick move-in ready houses, in-town bungalows, and some of the most charming, rustic barrel cabins with nice floor plans. Some properties in Havana also have equestrian features and incredible lakefront views.
Havana residents live among acres of picturesque, rolling countryside rich with greenery, plantations, and farms. This is the ideal place to settle for those who want to work the land, ride horses, or go hunting. With hundreds of miles of quiet waterways, Havana is also an excellent location for those who wish to paddle, boat, and fish without ever leaving their property. Local schools are excellent and governed by the Gadsden County School District. The best options include Havana Magnet School and Gadsden Christian Academy.
- Top Attractions: Havana Golf & Country Club, Eugene Lamb Jr. Community Park, Lake Tallavana, The Shade Tobacco Museum.
- Distance from Tallahassee: 17 miles
- Median Sale Price: $342K
- Zip Code: 32333
4. St. Marks
The port city of St. Marks is one of the best suburbs in southern Tallahassee. Situated 29-minutes south of the city’s downtown, and washed by the waters of the Wakulla River and the St. Marks River, the little waterfront town is a hidden gem. St. Marks is surrounded by protected parks, historical monuments, and its picturesque downtown area is packed with little marinas, picturesque eateries and cafés, and fishing areas. Families who value privacy and living among natural beauty will definitely thrive in this resort-style community.
St. Marks real estate market is balanced and stable with affordable property prices and diverse properties for sale. Homebuyers will love the contemporary luxury beach houses, but there are also beautiful heritage cracker-style homes, and small cottages. Though the median list price for homes for sale in this area is around $377K, there’s plenty of undeveloped real estate in St. Marks costing considerably less than that.
Outdoorsy and active individuals and families will be extremely happy in St. Marks. The town is nestled between the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the Apalachicola National Forest, and it’s on two Outstanding Florida Waters, a perfect spot for hikers, nature lovers, paddlers, and kayakers. The quaint village also provides a fish camp, restaurants, boat rentals, public boat ramps, fishing guides, and two city parks. Schools in St. Marks include Wakulla Coast Charter School.
- Top Attractions: San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, Wakulla River Park, Shields Marina.
- Distance from Tallahassee: 20 miles.
- Median Sale Price: $377K
- Zip Code: 33143
5. Killearn Estates
Killearn Estates is one of Tallahassee’s best suburbs and first master-planned communities. It boasts beautiful homes and ample amenities near city parks and a gorgeous golf course. The community is located about eight miles northeast of Tallahassee, a 20-minute drive from downtown, and right next to the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park and Lake Hall. The neighborhood provides easy access to busy shopping areas with plenty of dining and entertainment options just steps from their neighborhood’s quiet, leafy streets.
The real estate market in Killearn Estates, Tallahassee, FL, is heating up! Located just minutes from downtown Tallahassee and Florida State University, Killearn Estates is a popular choice for those looking for a suburban feel with city conveniences. Most of the properties available in this area are single-family detached homes that vary greatly in size, style, and price point.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable, comfy ranch, a Mediterranean villa, a unique custom-built, or an older, carefully maintained home on acreage, Killearn Estates has you covered. Most of the properties in this suburb range between $200K and $500K, so what are you waiting for?
Killearn Estates residents love that they have everything they need within reach in their community but are also conveniently close to major roads like Thomasville Rd and I-10 in case they wish to visit downtown or any other locations in Tallahassee or beyond. For recreation, there are several local parks and trails. Still, there’s also Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park with 1,176 acres of lush green space and the Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway, perfect for jogging or enjoying a calm stroll.
Leon County Schools rule Killearn Estates schools, and the community is zoned to Desoto Trail, Gilchrist, W.T. Moore, Roberts Elementary schools, Lawton Chiles High School, and Lincoln High School.
- Top Attractions: Killearn Country Club, AJ Henry Park, Shannon Lakes Park, Killearn Swim Club, Alfred B. MacLay Gardens State Park.
- Distance from Tallahassee: 8 miles
- Median Sale Price: $336K
- Zip Code: 32309
The 5 Best Suburbs Of Tallahassee, Florida — A conclusion
If you’re not sold on Tallahassee, no worries. There are plenty of other great living options near big cities where you can find everything you need without sacrificing your quality of life. Check out our list of the best suburbs to live near Dallas – they offer all the excitement of a metropolis while still providing a small-town feel, with less traffic and fewer crowds. To assist you get started on your house hunt, contact your local real estate agent.
