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YOUR EXPERT GUIDE TO THE 12 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN ORLANDO, FLFor decades, people have called Orlando "The City Beautiful," and for good reason. Lush green spaces, shimmering lakes, gorgeous communities, and urban districts brimming with restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment for all ages surround this Central Florida city and neighboring areas. It's no wonder so many people want to call Orlando their home.
With countless wonderful neighborhoods to discover in the Orlando area, you are probably asking yourself, "Where are the best places to live in Orlando? Which locations are at the top of the list?"
If so, then you've come to the right place. Whether you're looking for a starter house, a rental property, or a forever home, this expert guide will direct you to the 12 best places to live in Orlando and show you some of the amazing qualities each location will offer your family.
Ready to navigate the most marvelous Orlando locations to live? Let's dive right in.
When speaking of Orlando, the first place that comes to mind is downtown Orlando. And consequently, downtown Orlando is also the first destination on your tour of the best places to live in Orlando.
With a hearty population of nearly 20,000 people, downtown Orlando is the epicenter of this Central Florida city and is home to a variety of exciting and lively communities. Here are some of the reasons why downtown Orlando is such a remarkable place to live.
Downtown Orlando offers the best of city living –– without the hectic vibe of other Florida metro areas like Jacksonville or Miami. Connected by the popular I-4 roadway and just a 20-minute drive away from Orlando's well-known theme parks, downtown Orlando contains a cluster of high-rise office buildings, condos, and several vibrant neighborhoods appreciated by singles and young families.
Furthermore, if you are a working professional, downtown Orlando is an incredible place to live. For instance, the city offers various business-oriented organizations established to connect like-minded professionals and encourage innovation.
When it comes to finding a home in downtown Orlando, the options are endless. The neighborhood you choose depends on your lifestyle, wants, and needs.
For instance, the Mills 50 District near Lake Ivanhoe is full of modern apartment complexes planned around trendy restaurants and bars.
In contrast, Thornton Park, Colonialtown, and Lake Eola Heights are best known for their craftsman-style homes, beautifully restored to preserve their historic charm. These neighborhoods are much quieter than the Mills 50 District and are great spots to raise a family.
Next, Audubon Park offers colorful mid-century cottages and ranch-style homes. Meanwhile, the upscale condos overlooking Lake Eola provide a front-row view of the heart of the city. As you can see, downtown Orlando truly offers something for everyone!
Orlando is home to over 290,500 people and spans two major Central Florida counties Orange County and Seminole County. Dotted across this expansive area are neighboring cities and towns that are home to some of the best places to live in Orlando.
For starters, the historical city of Winter Park is located in the heart of Orange County and is just a 12-minute drive (6.2 miles) north of downtown Orlando. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist district, Winter Park is an affluent community known for its bricked streets and sprawling estates overlooking sparkling lakes and immaculate golf courses.
Established in the late 1800s as a winter playground for Northerners, Winter Park now remains one of the most exquisite places to live in Central Florida. This affluent city is home to many significant historical landmarks, including:
Most custom-built and historic homes are exceptionally well-kept and located near manicured gardens and lush parks. Locals and visitors alike peruse the upscale shops and restaurants of historic Park Avenue and Hannibal Square.
Residents love living in Winter Park primarily because it is so picturesque. The homes here are eclectic, stretching from multi-million-dollar mansions to quaint bungalows and mid-size houses for more modest budgets.
Winter Park is also a cultural hub of museums and concerts, plus prominent institutions such as Rollins College and Full Sail University. Furthermore, the city is centrally located, making it an easy commute to almost anywhere in the greater Orlando area.
Next up on your list of the best places to live in Orlando is the luxurious suburban city of Maitland.
Although the city is a lesser-known part of Orlando, Maitland is one of the wealthiest and best-kept areas in the region. Located on the edge of Winter Park along the I-4 corridor, it is a suburban haven for families and young professionals looking to live near downtown Orlando without sacrificing space or amenities.
As one of the older communities in the Orlando area, Maitland is a place that honors its history, with many homes and buildings maintaining their original facades. Yet, at the same time, it's thoroughly modern, with a newly built City Center flanked by trendy restaurants, retail, and a brewery centered on a community lawn.
Despite its modest size, Maitland has it all: apartments, lakefront mansions, mid-century condos, and spacious ranch-style homes.
And here's the best news: almost all are zoned for the area's top educational centers, making it a wonderful place to plant family roots. It also boasts plenty of public parks, sports facilities, lakes with boat ramps, and playgrounds.
This extraordinary little city also features the annual Florida Film Festival, hosted at Maitland's famous Enzian Theater, an independent movie house.
If you're moving to Orlando because you want to be closer to the magic, then you will love this next Orlando town.
You may not be capable of buying a home in Walt Disney World®, but this is the next best thing.
Developed by the Walt Disney Company, the picturesque Celebration community is right next door to the theme parks. So who's ready to buy annual passes and hang out with Mickey Mouse all year long?
So, what can you expect if you decide to move to this cheerful little town?
First, you can expect to feel right at home in the vintage theme of Celebration. For example, there is a strong presence of homes, townhomes, and apartments that take on a well-designed style featuring Colonial, Mediterranean, and Victorian influences, so the whole area comes together in unity.
Next, you can walk down to the Celebration Town Center, located on the main street, and meander through quaint little shops and local restaurants all the way down to the lakefront park. Perfect for the whole family to enjoy a day out on the town.
With its manicured lawns, streets dotted with trees, and pleasant pathways, who wouldn't want to live in this charming Orlando location?
This next city is at the top of the best places to live in Orlando for families. Introducing the family-friendly town of Winter Garden.
Situated west of downtown Orlando, Winter Garden is a hub for those who prefer to live in a quieter, more peaceful part of the Orlando area. Throughout this city, you'll find gated communities, brand-new lots that give you the option to build your own custom home, and tranquil family neighborhoods.
Speaking of restaurants, take a walk down the historic cobblestone streets of downtown Winter Garden and glance through the windows of delicious dine-ins and old Florida restaurants.
Winter Garden is also home to many outdoor attractions, so you can enjoy Florida's beautiful nature to its fullest. For instance, ride your bike down the pristine West Orange Trail or grab your fishing pole and catch largemouth bass in Lake Apopka.
As you can see, Winter Garden is a delightful place to call home for anyone who wants to soak up Central Florida living at its finest.
Welcome to the wonderful town of Windermere, an excellent destination for those who want to live in the heart of luxury.
Like many big cities in the United States, Orlando has neighborhoods that cater to the "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous." In this case, it's Windermere.
Known for its abundant high-end neighborhoods, it’s no wonder so many famous celebrities have called this area home, including sports stars Tiger Woods and Shaquille O'Neal.
Founded in 1887, Windermere got its start nearly a century and a half ago through the citrus industry. However, as more people began to move to this scenic town, Windermere grew and became the highly sought after location it is today.
Along with its huge host of prestigious neighborhoods, Windermere is also known for its gorgeous Butler Chain of Lakes. This natural wonder consists of 13 interlocked lakes that span across 5,000 acres! These lakes are protected and offer a rich habitat for native Florida wildlife.
Just a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Orlando, Windermere is considered a prime location for an Orlando community. With its luxurious neighborhoods, scenic parks and natural areas, and robust community lifestyle, it's no wonder why Windermere made it on the list of best places to live in Orlando.
If you are searching for a more modern location to call home, this next stop is for you.
Built atop land that once housed a United States Navy base, Baldwin Park is one of Orlando's newer gems and boasts a bustling walkable community of homes and rental communities. A variety of excellent restaurants, shops, and amenities are clustered in a "New Urbanism" concept that creates a town within a neighborhood.
This New Urbanism style of living allows for your active outdoor lifestyles to flourish as most of Baldwin Park is crafted with bike lanes, tree-lined sidewalks, and relaxing parks throughout, including Lake Baldwin Park, a 23-acre dog-friendly park.
If you are considering moving to Baldwin Park, be sure to imagine yourself easily strolling down a well-maintained sidewalk to your favorite local restaurant and then doing some light shopping at your very own grocery store.
With over 1,125 acres, Baldwin Park is still undergoing lots of positive growth. So, if you're seeking new construction and an excellent location for new families, take a long look at what the area has to offer.
Next up on the guide of best places to live in Orlando is none other than Lake Mary. Central Florida offers several astounding communities that are standalone cities in and unto themselves –– and Lake Mary could be at the top of the list.
Approximately 18 miles north of downtown Orlando, Lake Mary is a choice destination for high-tech businesses and growing neighborhoods. This community is known for its well-planned residential areas, excellent schools, and outstanding businesses, including great restaurants and various shopping options.
First known as Lake Mary in 1882, many assume the area is very newly established. Its slower-than-downtown pace gives visitors a genuine sense of community.
Do you want to be located close to Orlando International Airport and part of one of the nation's most high-tech infrastructures? Then Lake Nona's 17-square-mile, mixed-use neighborhood might just be a perfect match.
Lake Nona is 20 minutes "from everything," including the city limits of Orlando, and even closer to the Orlando International Airport.
Furthermore, the town has several excellent golf courses dotted around the surrounding area. As a result, Lake Nona has many professional golfers calling Lake Nona Golf & Country Club home, including Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, and Ernie Els.
From the University of Central Florida's Health Sciences Campus to UCF's College of Nursing, Nemours Children's Hospital, and many more, it's no wonder why Lake Nona has become known as the "Medical City."
Health and life sciences are part of the community culture. In fact, Lake Nona holds one of Florida's most prominent VA Medical Centers.
Along with the strong presence of the medical field, this town is also home to many recreational destinations such as the USTA National Campus and the family-focused Nona Adventure Park. Constructed from repurposed shipping containers, kid- and dog-friendly Boxi Park features hip food-truck-style eateries, live music, and volleyball courts.
Lake Nona offers something for everyone and is a perfect destination for technical and medical startups, so keep an eye out for Lake Nona as you create your own future.
Once a sleepy little Florida town, Sanford has awakened and re-established itself as the place to be when seeking a modern city with vintage charm and pace. The downtown area has been renovated and turned into a vibrant district with many restaurants, breweries, and shopping.
Nowadays, the entire town is a delightful location to explore with friends and family.
If your family loves a good day out on the water and under the warm Florida sunshine, then look no further than this "Historic Waterfront Gateway City." The town of Sanford sits on the shores of shimmering Lake Monroe.
Sanford is also close to the St. Johns River, so the town offers several picturesque lakefront views, thrilling water activities, and easy-to-access boat ramps.
Finally, the Orlando Sanford International Airport functions as the secondary airport for international and domestic carriers in the Orlando metropolitan area. This makes Sanford an even more attractive home if business travel is a priority.
For this next destination on the list of the best places to live in Orlando, you have to travel just a mere 19 miles northwest of the city to the town of Apopka.
With the robust growth in population and local business development, the Apopka area offers abundant economic opportunities for residents.
Furthermore, convenience is essential in Apopka, with plans to expand the Wekiva Parkway. When the expansion is complete, it will be the shortest route from Apopka to the Disney attractions.
If you are a gardening enthusiast, then you will love this town! Apopka is often referred to as the "Indoor Foliage Capital of the World" due to its extensive greenhouses and nurseries.
Additionally, water-sports fans enjoy fishing or hiking along Lake Apopka, and birdwatchers can enjoy many of the area's 300 documented species. Scenic Wekiwa Springs State Park offers more than 13 miles of nature trails that you can canoe, camp, or hike. Moreover, cyclists can traverse 22 paved miles of the West Orange Trail, an epic stretch of trail for cyclists and fitness enthusiasts.
Apopka is also home to one of Florida's premier outdoor sports facilities, featuring 28 fields and an outdoor amphitheater. This town is truly a slice of heaven for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Are you ready for the last and final fantastic community to live in Orlando? It's time to check out Oviedo.
Once a "best-kept secret" for new home communities, Oviedo is also known for its abundant community events, well-preserved buildings, and its population of chickens that roam the downtown area. Due to its distinct community culture and unique charm, Oviedo has been ranked #43 on Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" for 2020.
Here's a fun fact: during Oviedo's initial growth as a quintessential Central Florida city, educators became instrumental in Oviedo's expansion. As faculty and staff members of the nearby University of Central Florida moved into Oviedo, new businesses and industries soon followed.
From that expansion came the boom of attractions and amenities such as the city's new gym and aquatic center featuring a waterslide, kid's water park, and an Olympic-sized pool. Oviedo's Riverside Park also contains a pool, tennis courts, and a skate park.
Clearly, Oviedo is the perfect blend of small-town culture with modern restaurants, stores, and local destinations. It's the ideal place for new families and young professionals.
As you can see, Orlando and nearby Central Florida neighborhoods offer something for everyone. Each community has its own unique character and charm.
There's no perfect answer for that, as Orlando and its surrounding communities offer so much no matter where you go. It's just a matter of deciding which fits your style!
If you are looking for the perfect location to settle down in Orlando, then reach out to a REALTOR® who is a member of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association to help you discover which Orlando neighborhood is for you.