Orlando, FL Relocation Guide

Moving to Orlando, Florida, is a popular choice for families with children, and those seeking out a career in hospitality or the booming digitech industry, with affordable homes and excellent healthcare.

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Introduction to Orlando, Florida

Orlando is one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S, with more than 74 million people coming to visit each year. While it has much to offer visitors, new residents will find so much more than just tourist shows and attractions. In fact, Orlando is so appealing to home buyers that tens of thousands of new residents flock to the city each year (2022 saw 319,000 new residents)!

Orlando is a large city with a population of 302,968. It’s part of the Orlando Metropolitan area, within Orange County, which has a population of approximately 2.4 million residents and consists of a number of suburbs and small towns. It’s situated west of Tampa in the Central Florida area, and has rightfully earned its nickname of “The City Beautiful”, offering much more scenic surroundings than the plethora of theme parks and chain hotels might suggest.

As one of the fastest-growing cities in America, Orlando offers an eclectic mix of suburbs, country, and lake living. You’ll also find lots of employment opportunities here in tourism, entertainment, service industries, and healthcare.

All in all, this is a fabulous and highly popular place to relocate to, so we put together this guide to help you with everything you need to know about moving to Orlando and the Central Florida area.

Josh Wilson

REALTOR®

License # SL3486473

eXp Realty

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If you have any questions about real estate or homes for sale in Orlando and the surrounding areas, feel free to reach out. As a licensed real estate agent with eXp Realty, I’m more than happy to do whatever I can to find you the perfect home in paradise.

Feel Free to Reach Out if You Have Any Questions!

Relocation Guide for Moving to orlando, Florida

Jump to Any Topic in This Guide

Quality of Life

Find out why Orlando is such a desirable relocation destination

About Fort Myers

Learn more about Orlando's history and culture

City Data

Population, housing prices, demographics and more

Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living in Orlando to Florida and the US

Climate & Weather

What's the weather like in Orlando and general climate date

Things to Do

Discover all the fun things to do in Orlando

Transportation

Major highways, interstates and airports in the area

Hospitals

Major hospitals serving the Orlando area

Schools

Discover some of the best schools in Orlando, right here

Neighborhoods & Homes for Sale

Explore some of the most popular neighborhoods in Orlando and check out what homes are for sale

Quality of Life in Orlando

Orlando has firmly fixed itself in the high ranks of America’s Top 100 Best Places to Live. The city boasts booming economics and demographics, as well as a bustling technological scene and wide social diversity.

Residents here can enjoy year-round sunshine, diverse neighborhoods, and access to excellent health care. Choose from distinct communities, like Lake Nona, designed with health and wellness in mind. Or consider one of the many Orlando suburbs and towns, each with their own vibe and just a short drive from the city and attractions.

With a mixture of quality public and private schools, great parks, and a seemingly endless list of fun things to do (given all the tourist attractions) this areais a popular place to relocate for families with young children. And the tight-knit community will make you feel right at home.

While the cost of living in Orlando is a bit higher than the U.S. average, Florida has no state income tax, which boosts the quality of life for retirees and professionals alike.

Moving to Orlando or one of it’s suburbs offers an excellent quality of life, and could be the perfect move for you and your family.

A Brief History of Orlando, Florida

The Early Years

In 1838 the U.S. Army built Fort Gatlin southeast of what is today Orlando’s downtown, during the Second Seminole War. The name of the settlement was changed to Orlando in 1856. In 1875, the Town of Orlando was incorporated with a population of 85 residents.

Community Development

In the years between the Spanish-American War and World War One, Orlando became a popular resort. During and after World War Two the McCoy Air Force Base was built, which was then expanded into what is now the Orlando International Airport.

Economic Revolution

Orlando evolved from the hub of Florida’s citrus industry in the 19th century to a mecca for tourism in the 20th century.

One of the most important events in the history of the city was the arrival of the Walt Disney World near Orlando in 1971. Walt Disney World changed Orlando forever as the population exploded together with the number of tourism industry service jobs.

Orlando City Data

Orlando has a booming rental market and higher than average home prices. The housing costs are offset by high employment rates and good earning potential. Technically the crime rate is slightly higher than the national average; however, the large number of visitors can skew the data. Overall the city remains a welcoming and popular destination.

Population – 302,968
Median Age – 34
Median Home Price – $399k
Home Value Projections – up 1% year over year
Homeowner rate – 47.5%
Average Household Income – $58,968
Unemployment Rate – 5.8%
Poverty Rate -15%
Median House value is $380k
Crime Rate – 4,664 crimes per 100,000 people = 1 in 21 chance of being a victim of crime.

Source: https://www.bestplaces.net/city/florida/orlando

Major Industries

Orlando is an ideal location for job seekers. The unemployment rate is lower than the national average, while job growth is significantly higher than the national average.

As a tourist hotspot the city offers ample employment opportunities in tourism, service, sales, and hospitality. Additionally, Orlando is a world-leader in digitech opportunities.

Demographics & Education

Orlando has a well educated population, with over 92% of residents graduating high school, 25% having some college education, and over 10% of the population attaining a Bachelor’s degree.

For additional demographic data about Orlando check out the US Census Bureau for the following:

Population
Demographics (age, etc.)
Housing
Family & living arrangements
Computer and internet use
Education
Transportation
Income & poverty
Economy
Business

Cost of Living in Orlando, FLORIDA

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities in Orlando is 6.0 percent higher than the U.S. average and 2.8 percent higher than the average for Florida.

To live comfortably in Orlando, Florida, a minimum annual income of $70,920 for a family, and $61,200 for a single person is recommended.

100 = USA Average Cost of Living

103.1 = Florida Cost of Living

106 = Orlando cost of living

	Orlando	Florida	USA
Overall	106	103.1	100
Grocery	100.7	102.8	100
Health	103.4	102.3	100
Housing	100.9	101.1	100
Median Home Cost	$369,400	$362,400	$338,100
Utilities	102.3	101.3	100
Transportation	110.1	112.6	100
Miscellaneous	106.7	87.6	100

SOURCE: https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/florida/orlando

Climate and Weather in Orlando

Orlando has the typical humid subtropical climate of central Florida, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy very hot and sunny summers and mild winters. While it may take a while to adjust to the heat of the 10th hottest city in America, most residents enjoy the high number of sunny days per year.

Rainfall –147 rainy days per year (approx 52” per year)
Sunny Days – 233 sunny days per year
Hottest Month – July high is around 92 degrees
Coldest Month – January low is 49
Most Comfortable Months: November, April and March
Most Uncomfortable Months: August and July
Check out the current 10-day Orlando Weather Forecast Here

Hurricane Season

Hurricanes can affect Orlando; however, typically the impacts are less because the city is more inland rather than on the coast. Still, the Atlantic Hurricane Season can bring remnants of hurricanes or tropical storms through Orlando from June til November.

Things To Do in Orlando

Activities & the Arts

Despite popular belief, Orlando is not just about theme parks such as Disney, Universal or Sea World. Whether you want to discover the great outdoors or go window shopping at some of the most popular malls in America, this city will delight you with options.

We’ve compiled some of the best things to do in Orlando and Central Florida below, and for bonus suggestions you can check out our blog post on free things to do in Orlando right here.

Museums & More

Festivals & Events

View the calendar of Orlando Events & Festivals here

Theme Parks

Recreation & the Outdoors in Orlando

Outdoor Fun Year-Round

Orlando is home to some wonderful places where you can relax alone or with your family.

Take a scenic hike at the Mead Botanical Garden, located just a few miles from downtown. It’s free entry and there’s even a butterfly garden to explore.

Just a short drive from downtown Orlando, Wekiwa Springs is the perfect spot for wildlife watching or cooling off in the waterways with your paddleboard or kayak on hot summer days.

Winter months at the Blue Spring State Park is where you wanna be for manatee spotting. Only 40 minutes’ drive west of the city, it’s also a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and wildlife watching.

Mountain bike lovers will definitely enjoy hours of fun at the Snowhill Trail, nestled in the Little Big Econ Forest Park, which is the largest trail system in the city.

Adventurers can embark on an extraordinary night tour of the Indian River Lagoon and be mesmerized by its bioluminescent wonders produced by plankton that naturally thrive in salt water.

Tibet-Butler Preserve features 438 acres of pristine wilderness and is a perfect place to relax on the waterways and take in the scenic surroundings.

In downtown Orlando, the 43-acre Lake Eola Park offers relaxation, concerts and events, and even outdoor yoga on Sunday mornings.

Book an airboat tour around the swamps with Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures to experience the ultimate outdoor fun as you get an up-close and personal view of Florida’s favorite reptile – the alligator!

Enjoy world-class sporting events – From soccer to pro basketball, there are lots of professional and semiprofessional teams that call Orlando their home.

Golf Courses in Orlando

Golf enthusiasts know that Orlando is home to 24 pristine golf courses, with another 35 within 20 miles of the city. It’s no wonder many golf greats and celebrity golfers have homes around here. You’ll have the opportunity to play at some award-winning courses. such as Bay Hill Club and Lodge, and Grand Cypress Golf Club.

Located close to Orlando Downtown, the Bay Hill Lodge has been open since 1961. This 27-hole facility boasts what is considered to be one of the toughest courses on the tour.

At Grand Cypress Course you’ll find the Grand Cypress Golf Academy, which is led by one of the Top 100 Teachers in America. This features a variety of learning programs from one to five days of instruction, as well as some of the most advanced teaching methods to improve your performance.

Beaches Near Orlando

Orlando is set slightly further inland so is not actually coastal. However, there are plenty of magnificent beaches within an hour’s drive of the city. Since Orlando is centrally located, it’s easy to reach both Atlantic and Gulf Coast destinations, giving you even more beaches to choose form.

You can take a look at our full blog post detailing the best beaches near Orlando. You’ll find an outline of some of our favorite’s below.

Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Orlando, approximately 59 miles to the east and great for spotting sea turtles.

New Smyrna Beach – perfect beach for those who love surfing with some of the best waves for surfers in the southeast.

Daytona Beach is a family-friendly destination along the east coast.

Plus, just a few steps away from the beach is the Daytona Lagoon water park, which offers waterslides, go-karts and laser tags for the whole family to enjoy.

Canaveral National Seashore, boasts more than 24 miles of pristine beaches, dunes and lagoons, as well as 200 species of birds and about 14 species of endangered or threatened animals.

Clearwater Beach offers sugary white sands, emerald waters, and wild dolphins – it’s the perfect family day out.

Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota is a bit further away but definitely worth the trip. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Florida and there are even full-time lifeguards as a bonus for families.

Transportation in Orlando

Since Orlando city is such a popular tourist destination, there’s no shortage of ways to get around. The central bus system in Orlando, LYNX, provides dependable and economical public transportation across the Greater Orlando Area, and one of the newest methods of transportation in Florida is SunRail, which is the first passenger rail system in Central Florida. However, as with much of the US, getting around by car is still the fastest and most convenient method of transportation.

Do keep in mind that aside from I-4 that cuts through the middle of Orlando, most of the expressways around town (which connect many of the suburbs and surrounding towns too) are toll roads. So be sure to factor this into your calculations if you are planning to purchase a home and commute because tolls can definitely add up.

Airports in / Near Orlando

Orlando International Airport (MCO) – This is the city’s primary airport, and it offers domestic and international flights from 37 airlines. There are two main terminals that are easy to navigate by downloading the airport’s official app.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) – The second international airport in Orlando is located a short drive north east of the city. SFB serves multiple airlines that offer flights to numerous cities in the U.S. as well as various cities around the world.

Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) – This airport is located in Melbourne, Florida, and is the airport of choice for those who are traveling to cities along the Atlantic coast. This is a small airport, but it operates four airlines, including Delta and American Airlines.

Hospitals in Orlando

Just like many other cities in Florida, there are multiple top-rated hospitals in the greater Orlando area.

Schools in Orlando

There are numerous highly rated schools in and around the city of Orlando.

The public schools are part of the Seminole County Public Schools district and the Orange County Public Schools, which are both considered above average educational districts. However, there are also a number of high performing private and charter schools in the greater Orlando area such as Windermere Prep.

Elementary Schools

High Schools

Middle Schools

Charter Schools

Combination Schools

Homes for Sale in Orlando

Popular Neighborhoods and Suburbs

The city of Orlando covers quite a large area with a number of popular suburban neighborhoods including: Doctor Phillips, Hunters Creek, College Park, Thornton Park, and the hot new planned developments of Lake Nona and Horizon West (just north and west of Disney area).

However, there are many towns that surround Orlando that are extremely popular for those relocating to the area. In fact, the Orlando Metro area spans quite a large section of central Florida and includes towns such as: Kissimmee, Celebration, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Ocoee, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Alamonte Springs, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Maitland, Sanford, Davenport and the Clermont / Minneola area.

Below you can explore all homes for sale in Orlando. Scroll through photos, click on any property for more details, or refine your search criteria and sign up for notifications when a new property hits the market!