Recommended areas to consider

1. Polk County / I-4 corridor (between Orlando & Tampa)
   Why: central location between two big metros, strong demand for logistics and housing, heavy investment along I-4 and nearby US-27. Good for residential subdivisions or logistics sites. Eshenbaugh Land Company+1

2. Pasco County (north of Tampa)
   Why: increasing institutional buyer interest, affordable land relative to the core Tampa market, strong road access to I-75 / I-275. Good for long-term residential and light industrial plays. Eshenbaugh Land Company

3. Manatee / North Sarasota County (Bradenton / Palmetto area)
   Why: coastal-adjacent growth with spillover from Sarasota/Tampa — attractive for higher-end residential and mixed-use development near SR-41, I-75 and coastal routes. Eshenbaugh Land Company

4. Clay County / Jacksonville outskirts
   Why: Jacksonville metro is expanding; Clay County offers lower entry prices with good highway connections (I-10 / I-95 / I-295) for commuters and logistics. US Atlas

5. Areas along proposed Brightline / rail expansion corridors (Orlando ↔ Tampa and coastal South Florida corridors)
   Why: proximity to passenger rail or improved commuter links typically lifts land values and attracts transit-oriented development. Target parcels near planned stations or expressway interchanges. High Speed Rail Alliance+1

6. Marion County and selected inland counties (affordable, near I-75 / US-27 corridors)
   Why: lower land prices, good highway access, potential for suburban/rural housing and ag-to-residential conversions as metro areas expand outward. Good for speculative buy-and-hold. Land Boss+1

Quick reasons these choices focus on transportation

• Interstate spine (I-95, I-75, I-4, I-10) and major US routes concentrate commuting, logistics, and population growth. Use FDOT maps/exits to find parcels with good access. Wikipedia+1

• Active rail and transit projects (Brightline expansions, Tri-Rail/commuter lines, BRTs) create nodes that often appreciate faster than remote land. High Speed Rail Alliance+1

Short checklist before you buy (parcel-level due diligence)

• Zoning & future land-use: county planning maps (will tell you allowed uses and density).

• Access to highways / road easements: confirm legal paved access and proximity to exits or on/off ramps.

• Floodplain & FEMA maps / elevation: Florida has large flood and wetland constraints — verify buildable area.

• Utilities & septic/water availability: hookup costs can kill small-lot economics.

• Environmental restrictions / conservation overlays: preserves, wetlands, endangered species habitat.

• Market comps & holding costs: property taxes, insurance (flood), and expected carry time.

• Planned infrastructure: check county/FDOT project pages for upcoming interchanges/managed lanes near the parcel. FDOT+1