Best Places to Live in Florida to Avoid Hurricanes and Sinkholes

If you’re thinking about moving to Florida, you’ve probably heard the warnings: hurricanes, sinkholes, rising insurance costs. The truth is, not all of Florida is equally risky. Some areas sit on solid limestone bedrock, far from the coast, and rarely see storm surge or flooding. Others? They’re sitting on a time bomb of dissolved limestone waiting to collapse under your driveway. The goal isn’t to find a place with zero risk-it’s to find the place with the least.

Why Kissimmee Stands Out

Kissimmee sits about 20 miles west of Orlando, tucked between Lake Tohopekaliga and the Kissimmee River. It’s not on the coast. It’s not near the Gulf of Mexico. And it’s not in the classic sinkhole belt that runs from Tampa Bay to Daytona Beach. That alone puts it ahead of most of the state.

Since 2000, Osceola County-where Kissimmee is located-has recorded fewer than 15 major sinkhole claims per year on average, according to Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation. Compare that to Hillsborough County (Tampa), which sees over 200 claims annually. Kissimmee’s geology is older, more compacted limestone with fewer underground cavities. It’s not sinkhole-proof, but it’s far less likely to swallow your garage.

When it comes to hurricanes, Kissimmee’s inland location cuts risk dramatically. Storms like Ian (2022) and Irma (2017) dumped rain and knocked out power here, but they didn’t bring 100+ mph winds or coastal flooding. The worst you’ll usually face is heavy rain and scattered tree damage. The average wind speed during a hurricane’s impact in Kissimmee is around 50-60 mph-far below the 110+ mph you’d see in Miami or Naples.

Other Safe Areas in Central Florida

Kissimmee isn’t alone. If you’re looking for similar safety, check out these nearby towns:

• Winter Haven - Located on the Polk County ridge, it’s one of the highest-elevation areas in central Florida. The bedrock here is denser, and sinkhole claims are half the state average.
• Lake Wales - Sitting on the Lake Wales Ridge, this town has some of the oldest, most stable limestone in the state. Only 3 major sinkholes were reported here between 2015 and 2024.
• Apopka - North of Orlando, it’s far enough from the coast to avoid major storm surge. It’s also outside the main sinkhole corridor, though it’s seen a few more incidents than Kissimmee due to older plumbing and soil conditions.
• DeLand - In Volusia County, it’s about 50 miles from the Atlantic. The elevation is higher than most of Florida, and sinkhole activity is minimal.

These towns all share one thing: they’re on the Florida High Ridge, a natural elevated band of land running from Tampa Bay to the St. Johns River. This ridge formed millions of years ago when sea levels were lower. The limestone here was exposed longer, compacted more, and developed fewer voids. That’s why sinkholes are rare.

What Makes a Place Unsafe?

Florida’s danger zones follow clear patterns. Avoid areas with:

• Coastal proximity - Any town within 15 miles of the Gulf or Atlantic coast faces direct hurricane threats. Storm surge can reach 10-15 feet even in Category 1 storms.
• Low elevation - Places like Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Homestead sit just a few feet above sea level. They flood easily, even during minor storms.
• Older sinkhole hotspots - Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and parts of Bradenton have seen over 1,000 sinkhole claims since 2010. Insurance companies here charge double the state average.
• High water table areas - If your yard floods after a heavy rain, the ground beneath it is saturated. That’s a recipe for sinkholes when the water drains away.

Even within safe areas, some neighborhoods are riskier than others. Look for homes built after 2000 on higher ground. Avoid properties near old quarries, drainage ditches, or areas where the ground has been dug up for construction. Old wells and septic systems can also weaken the soil.

Insurance Costs Tell the Real Story

Don’t just look at maps. Look at your wallet.

In Kissimmee, the average annual homeowner’s insurance premium in 2025 is $2,100. That includes wind and hail coverage. In Tampa, it’s $5,800. In Miami, it’s $9,200. And that’s before you add sinkhole coverage-which isn’t even required in Florida, but most people in high-risk areas buy it anyway.

Here’s the kicker: in Kissimmee, only 12% of homeowners carry separate sinkhole insurance. In Tampa, it’s 78%. That’s because insurers in Kissimmee rarely deny claims for structural damage-they don’t have to. The risk is just too low.

Also, flood insurance isn’t mandatory here unless you’re near a mapped floodplain. And even then, most of Kissimmee is outside those zones. In contrast, over 40% of homes in Fort Lauderdale are in high-risk flood zones.

What About Climate Change?

Some people worry that rising sea levels and stronger storms will make even inland areas unsafe. The data doesn’t back that up-not yet.

Florida’s hurricane landfall frequency hasn’t increased since the 1950s, according to NOAA. What has changed is the intensity of storms that do hit. But those strongest storms-Category 4 and 5-almost always make landfall on the coast. They weaken rapidly once they move inland. By the time they reach Kissimmee, they’re usually tropical storms.

As for sinkholes, climate change doesn’t cause them. Heavy rain and groundwater pumping do. And Kissimmee’s water usage is tightly regulated. The city gets its water from the Floridan Aquifer, but it’s drawn from deep wells with strict limits. There’s no over-pumping here like in parts of Tampa or Orlando.

What to Look for When Buying

If you’re house hunting in Kissimmee or nearby, here’s what to check:

1. Ask for a sinkhole inspection - Even in low-risk areas, it’s worth $300-$500. A licensed geotechnical engineer can check for soil voids and subsidence.
2. Check the property’s history - Use the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s sinkhole database. Search by address. If there’s been a claim, find out what was done to fix it.
3. Look at the foundation - Cracks wider than 1/8 inch, uneven floors, or doors that stick suddenly could signal settling. Not always a sinkhole, but worth investigating.
4. Verify flood zone status - Use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. If the property is in Zone X (low to moderate risk), you’re in a good spot.
5. Ask about insurance rates - Get quotes before you make an offer. If the seller says “it’s cheap here,” ask for proof.

Also, avoid homes built before 1980 with slab foundations. Older homes often lack proper drainage and were built over unknown fill dirt. Newer homes (post-2010) usually have engineered footings and better drainage systems.

Real-Life Example: The Smith Family

In 2021, the Smiths moved from Clearwater to Kissimmee after their home in Clearwater was damaged by a sinkhole. Their insurance paid $120,000 to repair the foundation-but they lost $80,000 in equity because their home’s value dropped. They bought a new 2,400-square-foot home in Kissimmee for $320,000. Their annual insurance? $1,900. In Clearwater, it was $6,100. They’ve lived there for four years. No issues. No claims. No stress.

That’s the difference.

Bottom Line

Kissimmee isn’t perfect. It gets rain. It gets wind. It’s not immune to nature. But compared to the rest of Florida, it’s one of the safest places to put down roots. The sinkhole risk is low. The hurricane risk is manageable. Insurance is affordable. And you’re still 15 minutes from Disney World, great schools, and major highways.

If you want to live in Florida without constantly worrying about your house vanishing into the ground or your roof flying off in a storm, Kissimmee and nearby towns on the Florida High Ridge are your best bet.