Orlando is situated in central Florida and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the state of Florida. The metro area is home to 2.5 million people, while the city proper is home to almost 300,000. Orlando is a center for tourism, industry, entertainment, health care, and sports. Orlando is also a major convention city and event destination. Below is a guide detailing what you should know about moving to Orlando.
Real Estate
Whether you prefer condos, apartments, or single-family homes, Orlando has lots to offer home buyers. Architectural styles range from mid-century modern to modern, Mediterranean, Spanish, and even a few Craftsman. Prices begin in the low $100s and go up.
Homes offering two bedrooms and two baths are available as are homes with six bedrooms and five bathrooms. It is Florida, so outdoor rooms are almost a given. Waterfront properties are available, as well as properties offering acreage and the wooded areas. Whatever your needs or ideas of a dream home, Orlando has just the place for you.
Schools
Both SchoolDigger and Great Schools rank Orlando public schools in the highest percentile in Florida. The basis of rankings is on test scores and equity. For those who prefer charter schools and private schools, such accommodation is available. Orlando is home to 506 preschools, 255 elementary schools, 157 middle schools, and 98 high schools. There are 30 charter schools and 459 private schools.
Orlando has a variety of schools you can choose from.
Jobs
Just about every industry is present in Orlando. Aviation, electronics and technology, film and television, biotechnology, health care, manufacturing, and finance all have corporate headquarters in Orlando. Tourism factors in the job scene very well. Entrepreneurism is welcome in Orlando and does very well.
Economy
The tourism industry contributes over $50 billion to Orlando’s economy. The military awards almost $5 billion each year to simulation companies in the city.
Orlando’s Central Florida Research Park hosts more than 120 companies that employ over 8,500 workers to facilitate the military’s simulation and training initiatives. If any of these were to move tomorrow, Orlando’s economy would still rock.
Transportation
While you’re unpacking and getting your job lined up, getting around won’t be a problem. Public transit, Lyft and Uber, cabs, and the trolley are all available to get you where you need to go.
The I-Ride Trolley ranges on and around International Drive and costs $2 per ride. Drive an electric car? Charge it at one of the many charging stations. All the businesses and attractions are well within the electric car range.
Any mode of transportation in Orlando is accessible to anyone.
Dining
Seafood straight out of the water. Food trucks with an imaginative fare. Fine dining restaurants with their gardens for genuinely fresh food. Chef-prepared foods in out of the way, hole in the wall surroundings are a treat. Whether your taste goes to pizza, burgers, steak, Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, or down-home Southern cooking, Orlando has it.
For example, the owner of Trevi Pasta is from Rome. The pasta is homemade every day in addition to vital proteins and veggies. You could always go Cuban with a heaping plate of beans and rice.
You’re not in the South if you’re not eating barbecue. Four Rivers Smokehouse has mouthwatering Texas-style barbecue with sides like fried okra and baked cheese grits. You’re going to have a blast discovering all the culinary personalities in Orlando.
Entertainment
Orlando is more than just Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Theme Park. If you’re the hiking and biking type, nature trails throughout Orlando’s 55 nature parks are full of flora and fauna. Orlando offers bird lovers a park specifically for bird watching with bald eagles, owls, and other fantastic birds.
Are you more the exotic animal type? You can see kangaroos and pet a miniature horse at Exotic Animal Experience. Botanical gardens, sea life parks, and an abundance of lakes give Orlando visitors and residents plenty of nature’s attractions to see.
History, museums, music and arts, and of course the nightlife is also available to entertain and amaze. There are 150 golf courses in Orlando. The NFL Pro Bowl is in Orlando. Basketball, soccer, and tennis are in their facilities, so sports aficionados have plenty to do and see. There’s also fishing and running to keep you busy.
Moving to Orlando
Convinced that relocating to The City Beautiful is the right move for you? In addition to finding the perfect neighborhood and the ideal job, you also need to think through the logistics of moving! Hiring a local moving service may be the best route if you’re wary of driving a rented moving truck or don’t have the time to pack everything by yourself. Professionals have expertise and equipment to do the job quickly and efficiently, so you can start enjoying everything Orlando has to offer that much sooner!