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Relocating To Orlando Florida?
Relocating can be a daunting task. You're, searching for two real estate agents while both selling and buying a home, you're changing jobs, finding new doctors, dentists, dry cleaners, tailors, housekeepers, restaurants and more. We know just how stressful all this can be, so we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help make your relocation as stress free as possible. If you see something missing that you'd find useful, please contact us to let us know. We'd love to add it to this guide.
About Orlando Florida
Orlando in Central Florida is one of the fastest growing cities in the world! It’s the vacation capital of the U.S., and is known for its many attractions, visited by about 52 million tourists from all over the world every year!
Orlando Florida is home to some of the greatest theme parks and tourist attractions in the world, including Disney World Orlando, located about 20 miles south of Orlando city limits, in Lake Buena Vista.
The county seat of Orange County is located in Orlando, with a population of approximately 186,000 people, and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Orlando Florida has warm and sunny weather all year round and is centrally located in Florida…easily accessible from Interstate 4, Florida Turnpike, East/West Expressway, and the Beachline.
Orlando is also one of the most popular venues in the country for conferences and conventions, and the Orange County Convention Center is the second largest in the world, in terms of square feet of space.
The beautiful Orlando golf courses are well known, and are suitable for golfers of all levels.
Where real estate is concerned, in recent years, there has been a boom in residential and commercial development in downtown Orlando. The many beautiful suburbs as well have seen tremendous growth in recent years. These suburbs also boast some of the best schools in Florida and all of the U.S.
History of Orlando
Fort Gatlin was built in around 1838 by the US Army, to protect the local settlers from being attacked by the Indians. A small settlement developed around the fort, which came to be known as Jernigan by 1840, after the family that founded the community. In 1856, the name was changed to Orlando, though there is no consensus on the origin of the name.
Orlando became the county seat of Orange County, Florida in 1856. It was incorporated as a town, with an area of 4 square miles, in 1875, and was incorporated as a city in 1885. In the present day the city of Orlando has an area of more than 100 squares kilometers, and is located entirely in Orange County.
Demographics
Orlando has a population of about 186,000 people (2000 census. Almost 55% of the population is between the ages of 18 and 49, and the average household income in 1999 was $47,938.
About 65% of Orlando area citizens take less than 30 minutes to commute to work, while about 24% take 30 to 44 minutes to reach their offices.
Location
Orlando is located in Central Florida at an elevation of 98 feet, and is about 84 miles from Tampa. For those relocating from out of state or out of the country, Orlando is in the Eastern Standard time zone.
Orlando Weather
The weather in Orlando is warm and sunny weather throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of 72.3°F.
Orlando Attractions
The Central Florida Zoo has an impressive collection of rare species, which include Cheetahs, Clouded Leopards, American Crocodiles, Banded Egyptian Cobras, and more!
Cypress Gardens has a lot to offer, including water ski shows, gardens, a water park, 38 carnival style rides, 4 roller coasters, and a spinning rapids ride. You can also take a ride on the 120-foot free fall simulator, if you have the stomach for it!
Discovery Cove is the sister water park of SeaWorld, and visitors can have a great time here swimming with the dolphins in the middle of beautiful coral reefs! It is best to make reservations a month or two in advance, because only a thousand visitors are allowed to enter SeaWorld every day.
Full Speed Race & Golf includes an odd combination of attractions. You can drive a NASCAR racing simulator facing a three-sided screen, with loud sound, and you can play golf on a miniature 18-hole course with racing themes!
Fun Spot is an amusement park that offers a change from the usual theme parks. There are a lot of fun options that include go karts, bumper cars, a skydiving simulator, and miniature golf. It can be quite crowded on Sundays, and may be just as pricey as Disney World!
Gatorland calls itself the “Alligator Capital of the World!” It is well known for all the alligators and crocodiles on display, and the professional gator wrestlers and wranglers who work with them!
Here you can take a sunrise flight to get a birds-eye view of Orlando. The one-hour flight is followed by champagne and breakfast!
This museum exhibits the works of photographers and artists like Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran, George Inness, Suzanne McClelland, and John Singer Sargent.
Orlando Science Center has 10 exhibit halls where you can explore the human body, the plains of Mars, the swamps of Florida, a miniature version of a power plant, and lots more! You can also see magnified views of insects on an electron microscope, and view many other amazing exhibits!
You can get aboard a pontoon boat and take a tour of Winter Park, which includes the Isle of Sicily, Kraft Azalea Gardens, and Rollins College. Many also enjoy the exploring the swamps, lake and rivers with a thrilling ride aboard an airboat.
It is spread over 200 acres, and it has a lot to offer, apart from the well-known Whale Show. The attractions include a roller coaster, a water coaster, water ballet, simulated tropical rain forest, indoor penguin, manatee, and polar bear exhibits, and lots more!
To get a taste of what it feels like to be an astronaut, go for the Shuttle Launch Experience in a simulator that will take you through the launch sequence. The Family Astronaut Training Experience is a two-day program that will allow you to experience what it feels like to be in space.
View a model of Jerusalem in 66 AD, and view characters from the Bible. Learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls, and see films of Biblical stories.
It is the second most popular destination after Disney World, even though it is much smaller than it. It has two theme parks, and a number of rides and attractions, which are based on some of the greatest hits produced by Universal Studios.
You can take off on a hang glider flight in tandem, over an area called the Four Corners. The launch area is one hour to the southwest of downtown Orlando.
Walt Disney world Orlando is the largest and most popular family resort in the world! It is a vast complex that covers 47 square miles, and includes 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and more than 30 hotels. You can check out the nightclub and shopping districts, and enjoy natural beauty in between the excitement.
It is one of the most popular water parks in Orlando, with lots of thrills to offer, including a six-storey free fall slide, a knee-boarding course, an exciting flume ride, and a 500-foot raft ride in the darkness!
Towns and Cities in the Orlando area
With a population of about 40,000 people, Altamonte Springs is the largest city in Seminole County. It is 15 minutes from Downtown Orlando, and 35 minutes from Orlando Sanford Airport. Altamonte Springs provides easy access to major cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami. It has lots of offices and retail establishments, parks and sports facilities.
This fast-growing community has a population of more than 31,000 people, and is located 12 miles to the northwest of Orlando. It is also just minutes away from Mt. Dora and Altamonte Springs. Real estate buyers have a choice of exclusive golf communities, as well as budget homes in planned communities.
This is a thriving city, in Seminole County, with a population of about 23,000 people. It is only 7 miles to the north of downtown Orlando, and is very well connected. You can reach most of the important cities and airports in the area within minutes. It has peaceful residential areas, a growing marketplace, and some excellent schools—a great place to live and work!
Celebration is a planned community created by the Walt Disney Company, with a population of about 3,200 people. It is divided into different villages or neighborhoods. Some are busy downtown areas, while others are more peaceful neighborhoods.
Kissimmee is located in Osceola County, on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. It has a population of about 60,000 people, and has lots to offer, including great theme parks, and bass fishing. It is very close to all the action, and is located right next to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando. Visit the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau for more great Kissimmee resources.
This exclusive community has a population of about 14,000 people, and is located 10 miles to the north of Orlando in Seminole County. There has been a lot of development in Lake Mary during the last few years. It has become a popular relocation destination for businesses, and Lake Mary was chosen as one of the best places to live, by CNN Money.com!
Longwood has a population of some 14,000 people, and it has remained a family-oriented community. It offers real estate buyers a choice of affordable homes, as well as exclusive country club developments and neighborhoods, with excellent amenities and schools. Longwood has a lot of parks and recreational facilities.
It has a population of about 12,000 people, and is located to the north of Winter Park close to Orlando. Maitland has well established neighborhoods, and it offers affordable homes most of which were built in the 60s and 70s. It is preferred by people who are working in downtown Orlando. Maitland has lots of parks, recreational facilities, and good schools.
With a population of about 11,000 people, Mount Dora is located 25 miles to the northwest of Orlando. It was rated by as one of the best places to live by Money Magazine in 1994. It has a beautiful countryside with lakes and gently sloping hills. There are old buildings close to the town center, with new planned communities on the outskirts.
It is located in Orange County, 10 miles to the west of Orlando, and has a population of about 35,000 people. The city has many historical locations, and it is known for its great water sports, fishing, and picnic areas.
With a population of some 26,000 people, Oviedo is only 20 minutes away from downtown Orlando, and is the fastest-growing city in Seminole County. It is known for its good schools, and great shopping. There are lots of parks, sports, and recreational facilities in Oviedo for people with diverse interests.
Sanford has a population of about 38,000 people, and is the oldest city in Seminole County. It offers a blend of great shopping, modern amenities, old world charm, and natural beauty! People can have fun at the parks, recreational and sports facilities, and the Central Florida Zoo. Sanford has experienced explosive growth, and many exclusive golf and gated communities are under development.
This is a small, family oriented community, about 20 miles south of Orlando, with lots of parks, and beautiful lakes. St Cloud has a population of about 20,000 people, and has a great downtown. It is located in the Orlando metropolitan area.
With a population of only about 2,000 people, Windermere is located 12 miles southwest of downtown Orlando, in the middle of the unspoiled Butler Chain of Lakes. It has lots of luxurious country homes, where the rich and famous reside. Windermere retains its small-town charm, and you can enjoy its natural beauty.
It has a population of some 21,000 people, and is about 15 miles to the west of Orlando. Winter Garden has a small-town charm, and there are lots businesses, stores, and restaurants that capture the ambience of a different time. It has a lot to offer for those who love the outdoors. Winter Garden is well connected, and this has led to a lot of growth in housing in the area.
With a population of some 25,000, Winter Park lies to the northeast of downtown Orlando. It has beautiful oak-lined streets, and picturesque lakes, with some of the finest houses in the area. It offers great shopping, and has excellent schools and colleges.
Winter Springs has a population of about 34,000 people, and offers easy access to downtown Orlando. It is one of the newer municipalities in Seminole County, and has lots of parks, and recreational facilities. There has been a lot of commercial and residential growth in the area, and the huge Tuscawilla development is located in the area.
Want to invest in Orlando real estate?
Orlando has been called the vacation capital of the world, and it is one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country! It offers great prospects for short term rental properties, as well as for long-term appreciation in real estate investments.
Investing in Orlando real estate may be a great idea, because the economy is booming, and property prices are bound to go up. It has been predicted that the population of Florida will double by 2030, and this is bound to lead to a big increase in real estate prices.
Florida has great sunny weather and many baby boomers are planning to settle down in the state. People, who have invested in real estate in Florida, have made significant gains in the last few years.
The weakness of the dollar is making US property investments more attractive for foreign investors. A real estate investment can help you to hedge your risk against the uncertainty prevailing on Wall Street.
Orlando has a lot to offer for people who want to relocate, buy a second home, acquire a vacation home, or to invest in an area with a high price appreciation potential. We can even provide you with a free list of foreclosure and pre-foreclosure properties.
Important phone numbers
- Mayor: Buddy Dyer, Phone: 407-246-2221, Fax: 407-246-2842,
E-mail: buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net
One City Commons
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32802-4990
- Fire/Police/Medical Emergency: 911
- Orlando police Non-Emergency Complaint Desk: 404.246.2470 or 321-235-5300 (24hours)
- Police Information Desk: (407) 246-2470
- Parks Division (regarding fallen trees): 407.246.2283
- Solid Waste Management Division (regarding trash removal & recycling): 407.246.2314
- Department of Housing and Community Development (regarding house repairs): 407.246.2708
- Jobs -- General City Positions: 407.246.2178, Jobs -- Orlando Fire Department: 407.246.2326, Orlando Police Department: 407.246.3879
- Office of Human Relations (regarding problems with landlord): 407.246.2122
- Orange County Clerk of Courts (regarding problems with landlord): 407.423.5732
- Parks Division (regarding reserving parks): 404.246.2283
- Transportation Engineering Division, Public Works Department (regarding potholes & street repairs): 407.246.2281 or 321.235.5360 (24 hrs)
- Transportation Engineering Division, Public Works Department (regarding faults in traffic lights): 407.246.2281 or 321.235.5360 (24 hr)
- Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) (regarding faulty street lights): 407.737.4222
- Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) (regarding getting utilities): 407.423.9100 or Progress Energy - 407.629.1010
- Orange County Tax Collector (to register a vehicle): 407.836.4145
- Florida State Division of Workers Compensation (regarding worker’s compensation): 407.245.0758
- Volunteer Program Manager (to volunteer with the City): 407.246.2082
Orlando Hotels
· Animal Kingdom Lodge: 407-938-3000
· Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport 800-233-1234
· Lake Buena Vista Resort 407-597-0214
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Altamonts Springs
Apopka
Casselberry
Celebration
Downtown Orlando
East Orlando
Heathrow
Lake Mary
Longwood
Maitland
Orlando
Oviedo
Sanford
Winter Park
Winter Springs
