Some go to Orlando, Florida, to visit Disney World, and some go for a permanent vacation. Well, if you’re not familiar with the best Orlando areas, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re looking to call Orlando home, you’ve come to the right place. Our property managers and real estate professionals have lived in the Orlando, Florida, area for years.
As a full-service property management company in Orlando, Florida, we’ve mapped out 10 of the best Orlando areas, cities, and suburbs for you and your family to check out and possibly call home.
Is Orlando a Good Place to Live?
We believe Orlando is an excellent place to live and call home. Orlando, Florida, has endless activities, excellent schools, incredible job opportunities, and beautiful weather; it sounds like living in paradise, right?
According to VisitOrlando.com, nearly 60 million tourists visited the Orlando area to enjoy the fantastic Central Florida attractions. Of course, people come to the Orlando area for vacation; however, if you decide to move to Orlando, you’ll enjoy living on vacation.
Of course, the theme parks and attractions are world-class, but Orlando is much more. So let’s check out our top 10 areas for living.
Our Top 10 Orlando Areas to Call Home:
- Downtown Orlando
- Windermere
- Winter Park
- Winter Garden
- Baldwin Park
- Lake Nona
- Lake Mary
- Maitland
- Doctor Phillips
- Celebration
1. Downtown Orlando
When speaking of Orlando, Florida, we can’t possibly start this tour of the best places to live in Orlando without beginning at the epicenter we like to call Downtown Orlando.
Residing here is less about where you live and much more about how you live. Ask any resident currently living in Downtown Orlando they will tell you it is known for its energy, nightlife, entertainment, and numerous dining options. Let’s not forget the endless shopping.
Downtown Orlando has a mix of highrise condos, apartment buildings, and bungalow-style single-family homes scattered around this beautiful City. Our office is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, and we couldn’t ask for a better location to call home.
If you want to add a little spice to your life, look no further than Downtown Orlando.
Fun Facts about Downtown Orlando:
- Population: 321,427
- Average Home Value: $349,500
- Home of the Orlando Magic, Orlando City Soccer Club, and Orlando Solar Bears
- Popular Park: Lake Eola
2. Windermere, Florida
This next destination on the list of the best places to live in Orlando, we will travel 15 miles southwest of Downtown Orlando, and there you will find one of the friendliest smallest towns in all of Florida, Windermere, Florida.
Windermere, Florida, is home to just 4,000 residents, located on the Butler Chain of Lakes, famous for water skiing, boating, and fishing.
Many residents say, living in Windermere makes it easy to feel like you’re on vacation in the comfort of your own home. And when living in the sunshine state, can you ask for anything better than that? I think not.
Fun Facts about Windermere, Florida:
- Population: 4,000
- Average Home Value: $690,000
- Known for Luxury Lakefront Property
- One of the oldest communities in Orange County
3. Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park, a population of just under 30,000 people and less than 7 miles from Downtown Orlando, is the next City to check out. Winter Park offers residents the best of both worlds with an urban-suburban mix feel.
Many current residents also say it is a great place to start a family with outdoor leisure activities, parks, lakes, restaurants, coffee shops, and not to mention beautiful golf courses. But unfortunately, right now, the Winter Park housing market is very competitive. The average home value is roughly $460,000.
Being such a highly desired city to live in, finding the perfect home for you will take the right agent to get the job done.
Fun Facts about Winter Park, Florida:
- Population: 29,795
- Average Home Value: $460,000
- Known for Abundant Outdoors, Art & Museums
- Originally named Lakeview
4. Winter Garden, Florida
This next City is at the top of the best places to live in Orlando for families. Introducing
the family-friendly town of Winter Garden.
Only 14 miles west of Downtown Orlando, Winter Garden is home to almost 45,000 residents.
​​This family-friendly City offers a diversity of housing options from beautiful apartment complexes, luxury condos, gated communities, and countless brand-new lots that allow you to build your own custom home. However, as a professional Winter Garden property management company, we see residents seek this community for single-family homes.
Winter Garden is also home to many outdoor attractions. Many residents recommend riding your bike down the West Orange Trail, or if biking isn’t your thing grab your fishing pole and catch some monsters in Lake Apopka.
Fun Facts about Winter Garden, Florida:
- Population: 45,000
- Average Home Value: $558,923
- Downtown Winter Garden features the Plant Street Market
5. Baldwin Park, Florida
Now, If you are searching for something downtown but a little more sleek, spacious and new, this next stop is for you.
Baldwin Park is a well-developed community known for its quality, size, and style of homes. When searching for housing options, they have anything from apartments you can rent to townhouses, cottages, and beautiful single-family homes.
Baldwin Park has a variety of excellent restaurants, shops, and amenities. Most homes are within easy distance of stores, offices, and restaurants. Baldwin Park is also home to many outdoor attractions.
And here’s the best part, for all you dog lovers out there, Balwin Park has a 23-acre dog-friendly park for all the town’s furry friends to hang out.
Fun Facts about Baldwin Park, Florida:
- Population: 8,500
- Average Home Value: $524,000
- Known for being a tranquil, friendly community
- Amazing walking around Lake Baldwin
6. Lake Nona, Florida
Now, look no further than Lake Nona for those who aren’t much of an animal lover and would prefer living by some of the most excellent golf courses in the Orlando area.
Located only 25 minutes from Orlando and minutes from Orlando International Airport, this City is a delightful place for anyone who wants to be within minutes of literally everything.
Lake Nona is famous for its beautiful neighborhoods and entertainment scene. With lots of things to do, this fast-growing community has a wide variety of restaurant options, bars, outdoor activities, and great shopping.
When considering different housing options, Lake Nona offers a variety of single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and large estate homes.
Fun Facts about Lake Nona, Florida:
- Population: 12,641
- Average Home Value: $746,000
- Lake Nona focuses on sustainable, innovative, and healthy lifestyles
- Features community events each week and month
7. Lake Mary, Florida
Next up is another lake, but not actually; Lake Mary is the City that is next up on our tour of the best places to live in Orlando.
This community is known for its well-planned residential communities, excellent education, high-tech businesses, outstanding restaurants, and a variety of shopping options.
​​This beautiful City also offers a diversity of housing options from affordable, trendy apartments, luxury townhomes, and rental properties.
First known as Lake Mary in 1882, many assume the area was newly established. However, its slower-than-downtown pace gives visitors a genuine sense of community.
Fun Facts about Lake Mary, Florida:
- Population: 17,000
- Average Home Value: $480,000
- One of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida
- Features tons of parks, walking and biking trails
8. Maitland, Florida
Next up on your list of the best places to live in Orlando is the luxurious suburban City of Maitland. Just eight miles from downtown Orlando, you will find a quiet, family-friendly suburb with apartments, lake homes, condos, and single-family homes, all positioned for easy access to all of the great things Central Florida has to offer.
And here’s the best part, almost all of them are located in top educational districts, making it a wonderful place to plant your family.
Fun Facts about Maitland, Florida:
- Population: 19,022
- Average Home Value: $480,000
- Known for its art and history
9. Doctor Phillips, Florida
This next City was named one of the best places to live in all of Florida by Time’s Money Magazine and was the only City in the entire state to land on the list.
Doctor Phillips is home to 12,600 residents, who mostly own their own homes and enjoy the dense suburban feel.
Fun Facts about Doctor Phillips, Florida:
- Population: 12,600
- Average Home Value: $555,000
- Modern and known for shopping and restaurants
- Named after Doctor Phillips
- Close to Universal Orlando and Disney World
10. Celebration, Florida
This brings us to our very last City but the very best… a place where you get to hang out with Mickey Mouse all year!
Celebration is a community made for those who love Disney. Developed and designed by the Walt Disney Company, Celebration is right next door to all the famous theme parks.
The City is known for its walkability, neighborhood parks, convenient shopping, and traditional home designs.
Celebration, Florida offers a strong presence of homes, townhomes, and beautiful apartment complexes that take on a well-designed style featuring Colonial, Mediterranean, and Victorian influences, so the whole area comes together in unity.
Fun Facts about Celebration, Florida:
- Population: 12,000
- Average Home Value: $542,000
- Celebration is a master-planned community with endless dining, attractions, and shopping.
Property Management Summary
As you can see, Orlando and nearby Central Florida neighborhoods offer something for everyone. Each community has its unique character and charm.
So, where is the best place to live in Orlando for you?
There’s no perfect answer for that, as Orlando and its surrounding communities offer so much no matter where you go. It’s just a matter of deciding which fits your style!
Suppose you are looking for the perfect area in Orlando, Florida, and need additional help or advice from our professionals. In that case, we’d love to help you discover which Orlando neighborhood is for you.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at The Listing Real Estate Management, the trusted source for Orlando property management.
