Monticello, FL

Located just north of I-10 roughly 24 miles northeast of Tallahassee, Monticello has that "Old Florida" look -- massive oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, palm trees and tropical foliage, and peaceful neighborhoods filled with Florida-style homes. With roughly 2,500 residents and a fantastic history, Monticello is a hidden gem. It even features a terrific downtown shopping district selling everything from local honey to antiques.

Outdoor adventures are everywhere in Monticello, from canoeing along the Aucilla River Canoe Trail to fishing and wildlife viewing. Monticello's landmarks range from the Letchworth Mounds to the Perkins Opera House. The opera house, built around 1890 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, once sold livestock and featured a general store. The Letchworth Mounds, contained in an 80-acre park, is one of the most complex and tallest earthen mounds in the state -- it is also one of the oldest in the Southeast, dating to about 200 AD. The Monticello Old Jail Museum, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1909. After moving to your Monticello apartment, be sure to visit this terrific museum to learn more about your new home.