A Guide for Relocation to Orlando
If you’re planning to move to the Orlando area, we’ve got a rundown of the city’s iconic neighborhoods, attractions, and more. Orlando is nicknamed “The City Beautiful,” and for good reason— read ahead to find out why.
What to Expect in Orlando
Thousands of people move to Orlando each year for the weather. Year-round temperatures that rarely dip below freezing and gentle breezes are all part of Orlando’s allure. Orlando can heat up in the summer, but many of the city’s beachside culture and outdoor attractions take advantage of this.
Orlando’s job market centers in the hospitality industry. There is no shortage of jobs across the theme parks or the roughly 120,000 hotel rooms in the metro area, not to mention the city’s booming restaurant scene. There is a strong presence of jobs across health care, education, and research at the University of Central Florida.
Orlando’s major employers include:
●AAA
●ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
●Amazon
●Disney World Resorts
●JetBlue
●Lockheed Martin
●Oracle Corporation
●Orange County Public Schools
●Siemens
●Tupperware Corp.
The average home comes in around $260,000, and the overall cost of living is competitive, coming in at slightly below the national average.
Orlando Attractions and Landmarks
Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, with Universal Studios, Sea World, LEGOLAND, and Walt Disney World all located there, along with dozens of other smaller theme parks. Going beyond the theme parks, there are film festivals, the Museum of American Art, and trips to the Kennedy Space Center all nearby for entertainment.
Notable Neighborhoods
Living in Orlando is an eclectic mix of urban, suburban, and theme park bliss. Here’s the lowdown on some of its many neighborhoods.
Urban Oases
Milk District & Audubon Park — these older neighborhoods bring an artistic flair that the newer neighborhoods in Orlando lack.
Thornton Park — 1920s bungalows dot brick-lined streets under huge leafy oaks. High-end shopping and trendy restaurants add to this neighborhood’s appeal. You’re within walking distance to downtown, but the real estate can be more expensive here.
Lake Eola Heights — historic homes that have been meticulously restored are located just a short walk from Lake Eola Park. This busy neighborhood hosts multiple cultural festivals and a Sunday farmers’ market. There is also an extensive public library here.
College Park — This family-oriented neighborhood is named for its street names like Yale and Harvard. Northwest of downtown, it is packed with historic homes and brick-lined streets.
Suburban Living
If you want to be further away from the action, then suburban life may be for you. Check out these suburbs:
Winter Park — This area is home to Rollins College. It’s known for its food scene, lakes, and quaint Park Avenue. It’s not in the heart of the action, but it’s still within driving distance of the attractions. About 30,000 people reside there with media real estate values approaching $400,000. This is a close-knit community with access to all that Orlando has to offer.
Hunter’s Creek — A quaint suburb located in Orange County, Hunter’s Creek has a population of just over 20,000. The median home price is a little bit above $240,000, making it one of Orlando’s more affordable neighborhoods.
Oviedo — This neighborhood is for well-established families who desire a close-knit community. The median income here is 578,000, and the residents continually invest in expansion projects to enhance the town.
Heathrow & Lake Mary — These towns, with populations of 6,000 and 17,000, provide a small-town feeling with excellent public and private schools. They host lots of events and festivals. The median home price is just over $370,000 for the privacy you desire.
Lake Nona — This newer community is family friendly and features modern homes. If you’re a tennis buff, this is your neighborhood with USTA’s new national campus featuring 100 fully-lit courts. Cycling studios, gyms, Pilates classes, and barre fitness centers are located next to Boxi Park, which hosts live music and food vendors.
Downtown Disney
If you want to be near all the Disney theme park action, then these three neighborhoods are for you.
Celebration — This community was planned and designed by Disney. This picturesque little town has an abundance of festivals, fantastic restaurants, excellent schools, and residential events. Its population is around 10,000, and it is located 30 minutes from downtown Orlando and about 20 minutes from the airport.
Windermere and Winter Garden — These two communities are bristling with new construction. Disney employees favor both due to easy access to the parks. These communities offer wonderful facilities for young families with children and feature fantastic brand-new schools. There are also lots of lakefront homes here and plenty of sports clubs, shopping, and a farmers’ market nearby.
Helpful Tips for your Move
Relocation to any city requires preparation. Here are a few tips to help you get started with moving to Orlando:
- Get your driver’s license, car insurance, and Florida license plates within your first 30 days of residence.
- Subscribe to the Orlando Sentinel to stay up-to-date.
- Don’t move any more than necessary. Donate or discard as much as possible to save on moving costs.
- Set a budget for moving, and stick with it.
- Consider renting initially. It takes time to familiarize yourself with a new city, so make sure you know where you want to buy a home makes sense. Rent a portable storage unit for any excess belongings that won’t fit in a rental.
There’s our rundown of Orlando’s neighborhoods and attractions, as well as a few tips for moving thrown in. Orlando is home to more than 2.4 million residents and over 70 million visitors annually, and you could be one of them!