Why Move to Orlando?
Why Move to Orlando?
Thinking about making Orlando home? Here’s the no-fluff version, with live links to official sources so you can verify everything without touching a real-estate portal.
1) Jobs & economy: durable and diversifying
Tourism is the headline, but not the whole story. Orlando continues to add jobs across hospitality, healthcare, and tech. For current labor trends, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Economy-at-a-Glance for Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford and recent wage tables in BLS’s regional release (average hourly wage data). On the tourism side, Visit Orlando’s Data & Trends page shows the scale—airport passengers, hotel demand, and visitor volume—driving the service economy.
2) Cost of living: competitive vs. other major metros
Instead of crowd-sourced “cost of living” blogs, use government price indexes. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis tracks local price levels via Regional Price Parities (RPP) and you can view Orlando’s series on the Federal Reserve’s site (FRED: RPP for Orlando MSA). Pair that with BLS wage data (link above) to get a grounded picture of purchasing power.
3) Education: from A-rated K-12 zones to a powerhouse university
Verify public-school boundaries with Orange County Public Schools’ official tools: Find My School and the Attendance Zone Maps. For higher-ed gravity, the University of Central Florida is one of the nation’s largest universities—see UCF Facts and the detailed Common Data Set 2024-25.
4) Healthcare: major systems + Medical City
Orlando’s healthcare network is anchored by systems like Orlando Health – ORMC and the VA’s Lake Nona campus (Orlando VA Medical Center). The Lake Nona area brings it together with an innovation cluster: UCF Lake Nona Hospital (College of Medicine) and Nemours Children’s (hospital overview), plus research and training facilities (Lake Nona Medical City profile).
5) Transportation & commute reality
I-4 is the main artery. The I-4 Ultimate project rebuilt 21 miles through the core, adding I-4 Express lanes; FHWA’s project brief summarizes the improvements (Federal Highway Administration). Translated: still busy at peak, but better resiliency and routing options.
6) Climate & outdoors
Expect warm, humid summers and mild winters. For official climate normals and records, use NOAA resources—NCEI’s U.S. Climate Normals and local NWS climate pages for Orlando and East-Central Florida (NWS Melbourne climate portal).
7) Neighborhoods snapshot (choose your flavor)
Lake Nona — innovation, wellness, new(er) construction
Lake Nona (southeast Orlando) is a master-planned district centered on health, research, and next-gen infrastructure (overview). Anchors include UCF Lake Nona Hospital and Nemours Children’s (links above). Great fit for professionals who want newer builds and amenity-rich living.
Winter Park — historic charm, brick streets, arts & culture
Winter Park is an independent city just north of downtown with museums, lakes, and a true Main-Street feel. Start with the City of Winter Park site and community events via the Chamber’s signature events calendar.
Dr. Phillips — schools, Restaurant Row, central convenience
Southwest Orlando with quick access to attractions and arterials. Verify school zoning with OCPS tools (Find My School), and use the City of Orlando’s My Neighborhood map and open data to explore amenities.
8) Housing market context (late-2025)
At the county level, you can view macro listing-price trendlines on the Federal Reserve’s site for Orange County (FRED series: Median Listing Price). Neighborhood-level pricing varies widely—waterfront, new construction, and school zones move the needle—so I provide custom comps from public records and MLS when we talk specifics.
Pros & cons of moving to Orlando
Pros
- Large, diverse job base with steady in-migration (see BLS).
- Competitive price levels relative to coastal peers (see BEA RPP via FRED).
- Major healthcare and education anchors (ORMC, VA Lake Nona, UCF).
- Year-round outdoor lifestyle; world-class attractions (see Visit Orlando).
Cons
- Traffic in peak corridors despite I-4 upgrades (FHWA brief).
- Hot, humid summers; storm season prep is a must (see NOAA).
- Insurance and HOA rules vary—verify at the property level.
FAQs
Is Orlando’s job market still growing?
Overall yes, with month-to-month fluctuations. Track it via BLS’s Economy-at-a-Glance (employment, unemployment, sector data).
How do I verify school zones?
Use OCPS’s official Find My School and Attendance Zone Maps. Boundaries change—check before writing offers.
How “affordable” is Orlando vs. other metros?
Compare local price levels with BEA’s Regional Price Parities, then look at wages with BLS’s OEWS wage tables.
Where can I see neighborhood maps and city info?
Start with the City of Orlando’s My Neighborhood and Neighborhood Maps; for Winter Park, see the official city site.
+1-321-321-2372 ted@orlandonest.com
Categories
Recent Posts
GET MORE INFORMATION
