FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A Southwest Florida metro area is getting high marks for livability according to a national publication.
U.S. News & World Report released their Best Places to Live 2019 list on Tuesday. Fort Myers was ranked as the third-highest metro area in Florida, with an overall ranking of No. 35.
Sarasota ranked as No. 18 and Melbourne as No. 25.
U.S. News used job market, affordability, quality of life and the "desirability" of the city to create their rankings, which put Austin, Texas, at the top of the list.
Fort Myers was credited for its small-town heritage, charming downtown, and active social calendar. It scored a perfect score for 'net migration' and a high score in the 'desirability' category, but scored low for 'value'.
Other Florida areas on the list include Pensacola (#37), Jacksonville (#42), Tampa (#56), Lakeland (#59), Orlando (#63), Port St. Lucie (#78), and Miami (#113).
