Orlando is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and you may be considering moving here due to the thriving real estate market, good weather, or even the low cost of living. Regardless of the reason, relocating to Orlando may be one of the best choices you’ll ever make, and we’ve collected a list of the best neighborhoods you should highly consider.
In this blog post, we will look into the 7 Best Places to Live in Orlando Florida if you or a loved one plan on settling down in The City Beautiful!
Best Places to Live in Orlando Florida
#7 Lake Frederica
If you are into outdoor adventures and fun experiences, Lake Frederica will not disappoint you. Lake Frederica adds a touch of natural beauty to an otherwise industrial area, and it has a distinct identity of its own. This location provides a compelling ambiance and characteristic that can’t be found anywhere else. The low cost of living is an additional benefit of relocating here. As per the Zero Down website, the median property price in the area is $145,075. Moreover, the typical cost per square foot in this area is assessed at $143.
#6 Winter Park
Winter Park is a tiny town in Florida’s Orange County that is home to around 30,500 residents. The neighborhood is famed for its bricked streets and spacious villas overlooking dazzling lakes and immaculate golf courses. Furthermore, Winter Park residents adore the area’s scenic beauty. Some of the top sights in the area include the Rollins Museum of Art, the Mead Botanical Garden, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.
Moreover, the residences in this neighborhood are diverse, ranging from multimillion-dollar mansions to tiny bungalows and mid-size properties. According to the Best Places website, the median home cost in this area is about $367,300. Winter Park is also a cultural hotspot, with museums and concerts and a number of important institutions, including Rollins College and Full Sail University.
#5 Thornton Park
For the next neighborhood in today’s list, allow me to welcome you to one of the chicest places in Orlando. On the eastern side of Lake Eola Park, this area is known for its Indie music and eateries set among bungalows and condos. Living in the neighborhood will allow you to experience an environment bustling with restaurants, stores, festivals, and a weekly farmers market. However, moving to Thornton Park can be costly since housing costs are 48% higher than the national average, and the cost of living is 13% higher than the Orlando average.
#4 Lake Nona Region
Taking the number four spot on our list is acknowledged as one of the fastest-growing communities in Orlando. Let us talk about Lake Nona, a place that both young professionals and families admire. This neighborhood is known for its excellent schools, low crime rates, thriving restaurants, shopping malls, and huge parks. Furthermore, this gem of a town was designed as a “smart” community with the goal of promoting better, healthier living. It features substantial green space and parks on every corner, as well as pools in each area. Residents see this as the ideal family-friendly and safe place to raise a family and retire.
Now, Lake Nona is rapidly developing as a hotspot for mansions and estates, establishing itself as one of the wealthiest areas in the city of Orlando. The cost of living here is 22% higher than the Orlando average. Furthermore, the Realtor website indicates that the median property value in this area is $550,000.
#3 Azalea Park
Do you love bird watching? If so, then living in Azalea Park may be the best choice for you. This area is densely forested with parklands, footpaths, and natural beauty. Furthermore, residents adore Azalea Park for its relatively homey and neighborhood-like ambiance without sacrificing the benefits of city living. Azalea Park also takes pride in its unique homes and mature landscaping, which is a hallmark of Orlando’s early suburbs. With a population of around 14,700, the community aims to engage residents and instill a sense of belonging.
#2 Downtown Orlando
Named one of the greatest places to live in by Orlando magazine, this region is considered the ‘more sophisticated’ part of Orlando. Most tourists are already familiar with this place as it is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the city. Downtown Orlando serves as the city’s epicenter and is home to a range of intriguing and vibrant neighborhoods. The region is home to several high-rise office buildings, condominiums, and many bustling communities popular with singles and young families. Additionally, many professionals want to relocate here due to the numerous business-oriented groups designed to unite like-minded experts and foster innovation.
Another advantage of living here is the sense of security. Downtown is located in Orange County and is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Florida. Overall, residents in Downtown enjoy a dense urban vibe, and the majority of residents rent their homes.
#1 Park Lake Highland
Welcome to Park Lake Highland, where you can witness remarkable skylines and diverse business districts. Are you a foodie? If you are, then you will definitely fancy the numerous Asian restaurants scattered in the neighborhood. Some of the top picks by residents include Pho 88, Chuan Lu Garden, King Bao, and Tako Cheena. Besides indulging in the different cuisines, adults will also love the dynamic nightlife in the area. Here, weekends are best spent in the city’s many brewpubs and dive bars, where you can listen to live indie music.
If you are looking to buy a home in this neighborhood, most of the houses for sale in this area are in places that are easily accessible on foot. This gives you the convenience of access to business establishments of all kinds. Furthermore, homes in this neighborhood are in high demand and range in price from approximately $200,000 to $399,000. If your budget is limited, there are several incentives available to first-time homebuyers to help offset the costs of relocating to Orlando.
