Being down in Orlando, Florida, where we filmed the movie, I learned how to bass fish. Jerry Reed, who plays the villain in the movie, taught me how to bass fish.
-Henry Winkler
That’s not an exaggeration. It's home to Disney World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Legoland Florida and a whole lot more. This may make it feel like a magical experience for only those with small children, but the arts and culture scene, nightlife, and a ton of great restaurants and bars make it worth it for everyone.
Here's the pov of a local about living here:
I’m in my 30s and love it here. Live downtown in a house we rent with a yard and, in non-covid times, go to Disney about once a week with my partner (we head over after work, normally). There are also many parks. If you have a hobby, it will be easier making friends. In normal times, there are meet ups at the parks, meet ups based on different hobbies (we have done kayaking and hiking meet ups) and tons others. I feel like there is so much to do here and living downtown means I can walk to most of my favorite spaces. Easy drives to beaches is a plus too.
For more reviews of Orlando from locals check out: The Buzz
Orlando gets hot. Really hot. And with that heat comes humidity. It can be unpleasant and weigh you down. The payoff is a lot of sunshine, and morning storms that tend to burn off quickly. Residents have found ways to handle it, so where there's a will there’s a way but it’s safe to say that those who do not like warmer climates would not like this city.
Counsel from a local on living with the humidity:
It's the humidity that kills you here. I found that loose fitting clothing so you can get a nice bag of air around you helps with keep cool. Tight fitting clothing can sometimes soak up the air moisture and then make you feet sticky. On top of that get natural made fabrics that will breathe rather than polyester or plastic clothing.
Or do what I do most of the day, and stay inside with the AC on!
Much of Orlando is of course theme parks and suburban sprawl to support the explosion in families that moved here. If you’re looking for nightlife and to be close to a commercial district be sure to choose wisely. There are areas with culture/shopping and good restaurants but outside of a few neighborhoods most of Orlando is suburban and quiet. Orlando does have an active outdoor culture, the weather, while scorching hot in summer, is very pleasant 9 months a year which means whatever you like to do outside of snow sports, you can do all year round here.
If you're interested in checking out the happenings in Orlando here is the calendar of events: https://www.visitorlando.com/events
Not shocking tourism is the center of the economy in Orlando. At the high end of the tourism industry there are good paying professional jobs but the majority are low-paying service jobs, which means much of Orlando is lower-cost and rental driven to accommodate the wage levels.
Outside of tourism there is a large industrial and tech sector economy. Digital media, and software design are particularly strong in Orlando and there are also major international companies in aerospace and defense industries. Overall the economy is strong and plenty of people move here for the inexpensive housing and job opportunities.
If you don't like Sun don't move here. If you do, you will get your fill. If you hate Disney, don't move here, but if you like at least the idea of theme parks, then there's no better place on the planet.
Downtown is the hotspot for older Gen Z and younger Millennials. It’s where college students and professionals live so they can walk to class or to work. It also is home to some of the newest most interesting restaurant choices, plenty of bars and nightclubs so after work and on weekends you can get out for the night. Plenty of highrise apartment and condo choices at good prices for a big city make it affordable to boot!
If you want some action but want to be a bit removed from Downtown then look at South Eola. Just south of the business district it surrounds much of Lake Eola, so you get lots of water recreation, but it’s also filled with a cool mix of homes, high-rise apartments/condos and has tons of walkable dining, drinking, cafe-ing and shopping options.
Within the Colonialtown area sits the Milk District. A historic neighborhood filled with beautiful mid-century bungalows and lakefront botanic gardens. It’s also home to tons of bars, eclectic restaurants, boutique shopping and cafes that are owned by and/or cater to the LGBTG+ community in Orlando. https://www.outcoast.com/most-lgbt-friendly-neighborhoods-in-orlando
Baldwin Park is a good place for families to start their search if you like the idea of a neighborhood that feels like a part of the city but has the benefits of a suburb. It has its own town center with tons of shops, eats and drinks, all walkable from the apartments and homes in the neighborhood. It also has great homes, schools and 50 miles of walking, biking and hiking paths in the actual Baldwin Park. Mix in the live music, fresh produce and crafts at the Orlando Farmers Market, and you get a sense of the community vibe of the place.
Hard to beat Florida for retirees and Orlando is no exception. South Eola is a great neighborhood to consider: lots of dining, shopping and entertainment in the most walkable neighborhood in all of Orlando. Not only are the houses great choices for retirees and empty-nesters but it has two of Orlando’s retirement communities: Baptist Terrace and the Orlando Lutheran Towers, for those who favor more structured environments.
