Orlando is the top tourist destination in the world, boasting beautiful beaches, a warm climate, and abundant wildlife. Additionally, tens of thousands of new residents are flocking to this vibrant city every year. Below are 10 things you should know before moving to Orlando.
Orlando is Landlocked
“When people think of Florida, they automatically picture places like Miami with its sandy beaches. However, Orlando has none. The closest beach is Cocoa Beach and it’s an hour away to the east,” says Diane Ellis, a blogger. Clearwater Beach is further away, to the west.
Be Prepared for Hurricanes
Hurricanes are a part of living in Florida, including Orlando. You might have to board up windows or stay in a safe house. Come with a plan, have proper house insurance, and keep an eye on the weather reports.
Orlando Beyond Disney World
Universal Studios and Sea World are great places to visit, plus numerous art exhibitions and museums. Many festivals occur throughout the year, including the Florida Film festival and The Fringe Festival. Orlando also boasts live music events, local farmer’s markets as well as live sporting events.
Florida Has More Than Just Alligators
Florida has a rich variety of ecosystems. Swamps, canals, The Everglades, filled with different birds, like egrets and a variety of snakes. The gentle giant manatees are a local favorite, who can be seen lazily swimming in the canals.
Orlando Neighborhoods
“Orlando has something for every family. Whether you plan on living close to the theme parks in Celebration or quaint small towns like Heathrow, you will be sure to find an amazing place to live and work,” says Stephanie Morgan, travel expert at Write My Assignment. Celebration was originally planned and designed by Disney and is home to 10,000 happy residents in the thick of all the action. Heathrow offers small quiet suburban life, with only 6,000 residents in total.
Florida Has No Income Tax
This state is perfect particularly for small income earners with no income tax, property taxes below the national average at .97% and sales tax at about 6.5 to 7%. Moving to Orlando could save you money, depending on where you previously lived.
Orlando Tourism Traffic
The normal rush hour traffic hours do not always apply, so it is good to pay attention to when you are in tourist off-season or high season. Knowing the nearby park opening hours can help cut down drive time. Orlando also offers lots of public transportation options for the environmentally conscious.
Orlando and Higher Education
Orange County in Orlando offers an amazing schooling experience. Valencia College offers a dual enrollment program, where students can take courses and earn both high school and college credit for passed courses. The University of Central Florida is the second-largest university in the US and located in Orlando. North of the city, in DeLand, is Stetson University, which is ranked top in the nation.
Resident Discounts
Locals must put up with a lot from the tourist season. The local theme parks and other businesses have recognized this. They offer discounts to help say thank you to the locals. Residents can save 30% on a 4-day Disney Select ticket and Universal offers a three-park annual pass which costs $18 a month after down payment.
Orlando Foodie Heaven
Orlando is home to many wonderful new restaurants and high dining establishments. Victoria and Alberts, located inside Disney’s Grand Floridian is one of the finest restaurants in the Southeast. It received AAA’s Five Diamond Award and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating. Due to its up and coming foodie scene, the city offers a month-long program, called the Magical Dining Month, where for $35 per person you can experience a 3-course meal at all participating locations, allowing people to experience fine dining in a much more affordable way.
These ten things are some of the ideas to consider before moving to Orlando, Florida. It is not all about the theme parks and Florida sun, there are some practical things to consider as well. Orlando is not only a great place to visit, but a wonderful place to live and work.
We hope you found this blog post 10 Things to Consider Before Moving To Orlando useful. Be sure to check out our post Moving to Florida? All You Need to Know! for more great tips! By the way, Fort Lauderdale, FL is a place to consider, just mentioning..
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