Living in Orlando: A Comprehensive Guide to the City Beautiful

Posted by admin on January 14, 2025

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Living in Orlando: A Comprehensive Guide to the City Beautiful

Located in Central Florida, Orlando is the fourth largest city in the state. With more than 75 million visitors in 2025 flocking to the dozen amusement parks in the area, it can feel like a place to visit but never settle down. On the contrary, the confluence of culture and entertainment has created a one-of-a-kind environment in The City Beautiful (as Orlando is called) that isn’t present anywhere else. Easy access to the world’s best theme parks, diverse dining options, beautiful beaches, and amazing shopping means Orlando locals always have something to keep them entertained. No matter what pace of life you’re looking for, or what environment you’re planning to settle down in, Orlando has everything you could want in a hometown.

Orlando Area Communities

Winter Park

North of Orlando proper, Winter Park offers all the benefits of a suburban community with easy access to the nightlife and entertainment of Downtown.

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Winter Garden

Another popular spot is Winter Garden, west of Orlando, with several well-performing schools and a strong business community.

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Minneola

This smaller, affluent area to the east of Orlando has a suburban feel perfect for those looking for close-knit communities. A majority of residents commute to work within Orlando city limits.

St. Cloud

On the shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga to the south of Orlando sits St. Cloud, with a thriving health care industry and communities perfect for growing families.

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Maitland

A popular attraction for boaters, Maitland is one of the oldest communities in Central Florida and features regular community events.

Kissimmee

Within the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area, Kissimmee is the Principal City. This diverse city is perfect for young professionals.

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Clermont

Home to the Florida Citrus Tower, Clermont is a residential city home to around 30,000 residents. Its tourism focus offers a lively environment without being in the heart of Orlando.

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Celebration

Developed by The Walt Disney Company, this master-planned community is less than 10 miles from The Magic Kingdom.

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Doctor Phillips

This affluent area provides a suburban feel with walkable accessibility to urban amenities.

Top Orlando School Districts

Seminole County Public Schools

Students Served: 67,915
School Breakdown: 50 elementary, 23 middle, 16 high schools
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics

Orange County Public Schools

Students Served: 204,837
School Breakdown: 174 elementary, 85 middle, 56 high schools
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in most demographics

Colusia County Public Schools

Students Served: 62,977
Test Proficiency: Below state averages

Osceola County School District

Students Served: 65,982
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in some demographics

Lake County Schools

Students Served: 43,174
Test Proficiency: Below state averages

Top Employers in Orlando

Walt Disney World Resort: Employs over 70,000 cast members.
Orange County Public Schools: The 9th largest school district in the U.S.
AdventHealth: A nonprofit healthcare system with 80,000+ caregivers.
Walmart Inc.: A retail staple for tourists and locals alike.

Orlando Area Museums

SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology: Features 500 real animal skeletons.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art: Showcases Louis Comfort Tiffany’s works.
Orlando Science Center: Interactive exhibits on AI, dinosaurs, and more.
Madame Tussauds Orlando: Wax museum with celebrity figures.

Great Parks in the Orlando Area

Discovery Cove: All-inclusive resort with snorkeling and animal encounters.
Lake Eola Park: Downtown greenspace with paddle boats and live performances.
Harry P. Leu Gardens: 50-acre botanical oasis with workshops.

Orlando Sports Teams

Orlando City Soccer Club: MLS team drawing large crowds.
Orlando Magic: NBA team with a loyal fanbase.
Orlando Anarchy: Back-to-back WFA Tier III National Conference Champions.