Orlando

It’s no secret that Orlando Florida is the theme park capital of the world, offering over 20 parks and attractions within the Orange County limits.  And as the 2nd largest metro area in the state, when Orlando made the “America’s Most Visited Cities” list in Forbes Magazine in 2009, it had become more than apparent that Orlando had become one of the most exciting Florida resort communities. Having many reasons to visit Orlando, The Pewter Institute revealed Orlando had many reasons to stay, voted as the the fourth most popular city that Americans want to live. A hugely diverse city because of tourism, Orlando continuously strives to provide extraordinary moments for visitors and residents, alike, by creating memories that last a lifetime.

Orlando Sentinel is the 2nd largest newspaper media circulating in Florida; and, The University of Central Florida is the second largest college campus in the country.  So as you can see, Orlando does it big. Known as “The City Beautiful”, Orlando played host to over 59 million visitors in 2013, 4.1 million being international guests, which brought in 33 billion dollars in revenue. Not too shabby for a city that was mostly farmland struggling to make it in the big world market until Walt Disney came along.

Here are some of the best places to live in Orlando:

WINTERPARK: The historic city of Winter Park is 10.2 square miles and located in the northeast section of Orlando with a population of 24,090 people.  There are over 200+ Orlando new homes for sale  and price ranges from affordable to lavish. Condominiums and homes offer many styles like Spanish, traditional, and contemporary. 

CELEBRATION: Home to over 9,000 residents and over 4,000 home sites. Celebration is an all-inclusive master planned community located in northwest Osceola County.  Downtown Orlando is 30 minutes to the northwest and Orlando International Airport is 20 minutes east.  Homeowners enjoy 5 large recreational areas with amenities, 40 parks, and 26 miles of walking trails. Within the community of Celebration, single family terrace, bungalow, garden, cottage, village, and estate homes, as well as condominiums, and townhomes are offered and in styles reminiscent of French, Mediterranean, Coastal, Classical, Colonial, and Victorian architecture. There are still plenty of opportunities to find a lot and choose from the preferred home builders in Orlando FL to build your dream home.

DOWNTOWN ORLANDO: Thriving with life: downtown is the center of Orlando’s diverse business sector and cultural settings. Residential areas are throughout downtown, which is divided into sections, each section themed in a way that emulates historical significance. Uptown Orange, located uptown is the cultural pathway of northern influences broached upon the downtown area; Eola Heights is in the heart of downtown and within walking distance to Thornton Park and South Eola district, also great dining and shops; just east of Lake Eola is Thornton Park and by far the hippest districts with chalets lining the streets and a European feel to the restaurants and shops; Lake Eola Park is in the heart of the South Eola district, where events like Orlando Farmers Market take place; Lake Cherokee Historic District is mostly residential with over 160 historical sites and homes recording as far back as the 1870s.  Parramore Heritage Community is in flux with industry, residential areas, and a business sector. Parramore Town Center is located at the intersection of Parramore Avenue and West Church Street.

MOUNT DORA: A beautiful and historical town on the shores of Lake Dora, known for antiquing, great boutiques, shops and quaint restaurants. Orlando new homes and fixer-uppers are very affordable and great for larger families. Large floor plan featuring homes with 4 bedroom 3 bathroom layouts with generous kitchen space and storage for as low as 285k. 

ARTS & CULTURE

Home to world theme parks like Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and waters parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. And, let’s not forget about one of our all-time favorite movie studios, Universal Studios and the little more daring, little less movie making, Island of Adventures. Not only does Orlando lead the world in theme parks but also in the type of innovative technology needed to develop such concepts in the Florida resort communities.

Orlando has the 7th largest technology park in the country and Orange County Convention Centers hosts the world’s largest model and simulation conference known as I/ITEC (Interservice/ Industry Training Simulation and Education Conference).  Metro Orlando is the nation’s command hub for simulation procurement regarding the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. 

And of course, let us not forget about Orlando’s plentiful professional and semi professional theatre culture. Places like Central Florida Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Mad Cow Theatre, and The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center where local and artists abroad perform original plays and timeless Broadway shows.  

CLIMATE

Away from the coast but still somewhat prone to hurricanes, Orlando is a tropical region with two seasons: hot/ wet and cold/ dry.  The summer months, typically have afternoon thunderstorms almost daily and remains from April –October with lows never reaching below the 70s and the highs in the mid 90s And since tropical regions are mostly hot and humid, Orlando gets very mild winter temperatures averaging at about 60 degrees from only November until about February. 

LIFELONG LEARNING EXPERIENCES

As a leader in the entertainment industry, Orlando is home to institutions like Full Sail University, UCF College of Arts and Humanities, and Florida Entertainment Interactive Academy which gears students toward careers that specialize in the many facets of entertainment.   Orlando has many nationally and regionally accredited learning institutions available like, Keiser University, Devry, Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts, and ITT Technical Institute, Florida Institute of Technology, to name a few.  As well as, chapters from other well known schools like Dwayne O Andreas School of Law, Barry university; Nova Southeastern University, Belhaven, and Columbia College.  State Universities include, Florida A&M University School of Law in Parramore and University of Central Florida (UCF) home of the Knights and the second largest campus in the country.   Any degree you are seeking, whether it be entertainment, nursing, business, or technology, learning facilities in Orlando have options for you.

MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE

Orlando Health is a non- profit health group in Orlando that employs over 14,000 people and 2,000 working physicians making it the fifth largest employment area in Orlando.  Facilities that work within the group are Orlando Regional Medical center, Arnold Palmer’s Children Hospital, and Winnie Palmer’s Women & Babies, Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, South Seminole Hospital, as well as, Health Central And UF Health Cancer Center.    ORMC is the only hospital in Central Florida for Level I Trauma Care. Orlando Hospital is another non-profit hospital and is, as well as WPW&B the only facilities equipped to handle Level III Neonatal Intensive Care treatments.  Nemours Children’s Hospital located off Nona Lake Blvd specializes in Cancer and Blood disorders, Orthopedics, Surgical Services, Neonatology, Neuroscience, And Emergency Services.

RECREATIONAL SPORTS

Bay Hill Club and Lodge is Orlando’s premium golf resort and also the location of the Arnold Palmer’s Invitational for the annual PGA Tour.  The club features Dick Wilson’s best course to date and when Arnold Palmer competed on the course against Jack Nicklaus in 1965, he decided he wanted to buy it.  The private golf club offers high quality recreational time, spent with old friends, while easily attaining new ones. Enjoy luxurious amenities and improve your game while inquiring about the best home builders in Orlando FL. 

UCF Knights play division 1 college football at the Bright House Networks Stadium.  UFC Knights Men’s basketball performs at CFE Arena located on the main campus at UCF, as well as, the Orlando Predators, an arena football team. Orlando Magic plays their season at Amway Center in the downtown area. 

SHOPPING & DINING

Having such a large industry in tourism, Orlando has a wide selection of shops and restaurants.  The Florida Mall is conveniently located close to the Orlando International Airport and is the largest single story mall in the country spread out over 1,849,000 sq. ft. housing over 250 stores and 7 anchor stores.  The Millennia Mall opened in 2002 and is Orlando’s premiere shopping destination by offering upscale shops like Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, to name a few, and trendy dining spots like The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen and PF Chang’s China Bistro.  Close to downtown, The Orlando Fashion Mall offers anchors like JC Penney, Dillard’s, and Macy’s.  Artegon Market Place is an indoor mall located on International Drive that offers the service of specialty stores like Bass Pro Shops, Ron Jon Surf Shop and more.  

Dining in Orlando can be quite the experience. From culinary favorites like Emeril’s located at City Walk between Universal Studios and Island of Adventures, to Hard Rock Café and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Orlando has many dining establishments that will exceed expectations surrounding the Florida resort communities. Upscale, mid range and affordable, Orlando can cater to all budgets. Yelp.com offers thousands of great reviews of restaurants in the greater Orlando area, which, never falls short of great and diverse options. 

HOME AFFORDABILITY & TAXES

Orlando new homes and resales average in the mid $100's. The Orange County estimated real estate tax millage rate is .0195 per $100. Visit our library to find help and to learn how to calculate property taxes in Orange County Florida. There are a number of Orlando retirement communities and gated communities we find of interest or we can recommend places to live around beautiful Lake Eola.