The Best Neighborhoods in Tallahassee
Betton Hills takes the #1 spot once again
By Cameron Jacox - 04/10/2025
Ranking Where to Live: The Best Neighborhoods in Tallahassee for a High-End Lifestyle with Space & Community
To answer the question of where in Tallahassee someone can find upscale living, large lots, strong neighborliness, and proximity to the city, we assembled a panel of seasoned experts from urban planning, real estate, sociology, and landscape architecture. Their collective insight revealed five standout neighborhoods—each suited to different shades of refined living within the city limits.
#1. Betton Hills: For Timeless Charm, Elevation, and Walkable Affluence
“Betton Hills is what I call old Tallahassee elegance,” says Bennington. “It’s a quiet neighborhood where people build families, retire, plant trees, wave to their neighbors, and walk to Whole Foods. Just space, trees, and heritage.”
Indeed, Betton Hills is walkable to parks and Midtown, offers large lots often shaded by mature oaks, and features architectural variety from mid-century estates to lovingly restored bungalows. This multi-year winner of Tallahassee’s “Neighborhood of the Year” award is a true gem among American cities.
Antonio Vierra, a landscape architect, notes:
“The lots here are beautiful in their irregularity—old-growth trees, rolling topography, and zero pretense.”
Lot sizes: 0.4–1.5 acres
Commute to downtown: 5-7 minutes
Commute to midtown: 4-6 minutes
Commute to airport: 15-20 minutes
Greenery Ranking: #1
Neighborliness Ranking: #1
Parks Ranking: #1
Best for: Buyers who want privacy and authenticity without HOA rigidity, cookie cutter homes, or a time consuming commute to downtown, midtown, the airport, school or work.
#2. Waverly Hills: For Individuality, and Quiet Prestige
“Waverly Hills is for the buyer who wants character,” says Vierra. “It’s hilly, wooded, and full of unique homes—not cookie-cutter builds.”
This area combines privacy with architectural individuality, offering a quiet haven just outside Tallahassee’s Midtown. You’ll find no two homes alike, and many lots exceed a half-acre in size.
City planner Cameron Wright chimes in:
“Like Betton Hills, Waverly Hills is in a pocket of the city that feels miles away—elevated literally and culturally—but you’re still only 10 minutes from downtown.”
Lot sizes: 0.4–1.2 acres
Commute to downtown: ~12 minutes
Commute to airport: 25-30 minutes.
Best for: Buyers seeking a hidden-gem neighborhood with character and quiet luxury but at a lower price point than Betton Hills.
#3. Summerbrooke: For a More Suburban Environment
“Think of Summerbrooke as Tallahassee’s more relaxed cousin,” says LeMasters. “Still big homes, still great yards, but more informal—great for families who want space and community without the country club formality.”
The lots are spacious, the ponds and greenways plentiful, and there’s a high concentration of dual-income families who value privacy.
Lot sizes: 0.4–1 acre
Commute to downtown: ~20-25 minutes
Commute to midtown: ~18-20 minutes
Commute to airport: 35-45 minutes
Best for: Families seeking traditional suburban lifestyles
#4. Lafayette Oaks: For Gated Seclusion Near the City
Straddling the edge of urban Tallahassee, Lafayette Oaks offers something unique: large lots behind a gated entrance, dense tree cover, and a semi-rural vibe.
“It’s one of the places where you get seclusion without living too far out,” says Wright. “Unlike Golden Eagle, it doesn’t feel engineered—it’s rawer, more rural. It’s farther out than Betton, and less authentic, but an important option for those who can’t find availability elsewhere.”
Vierra adds:
“There’s a rustic elegance to it. Fewer manicured lawns, more natural landscaping. It’s great for someone who wants land and privacy, not ceremony.”
Lot sizes: 1–2 acres
Commute to downtown: ~12–15 minutes
Commute to airport: ~32–40 minutes
Best for: Those wanting wooded privacy while still being reasonably close to the city
Recap: Deep Dive into the #1 Neighborhood, Betton Hills
Tucked just north of Midtown, Betton Hills is one of Tallahassee’s most beloved neighborhoods. It’s a walkable area with custom homes on large, tree-filled lots—often greater than one acre. The streets wind through parks, markets, and green spaces, promoting community interaction. There’s a timeless Southern charm here, with an intellectual undercurrent shaped by professionals.
Neighborhood association events like holiday gatherings and neighborhood socials bring everyone together, fostering connections that make you feel like you’re truly part of something special.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat. Homes are spacious and lots are unprecedentedly large for being so centrally located. It’s just minutes from Midtown and Downtown, where you’ll find great dining, shopping, the State Capitol, FSU, and entertainment. And despite being so close to the city’s hotspots, the neighborhood remains peaceful and quiet—an ideal balance.
Families love Betton Hills for its proximity to top-rated schools and parks like Winthrop Park, which features acres of playgrounds, 10 tennis courts, and plenty of open space for kids to enjoy. It’s a neighborhood that feels safe and welcoming for people of all ages.
What truly sets Betton Hills apart is the lifestyle it offers. It’s not just a neighborhood; it’s a place where you feel grounded, connected, and at home. From its natural beauty to its unbeatable location and strong community vibe, Betton Hills is easily one of the best places to live in Tallahassee.
