Orlando

• Before being known by its current name, Orlando was called Jernigan after the first permanent settler in the area.
• But no one knows definitively where the name “Orlando” comes from.
• Orlando is home to more than 100 lakes. Its Lake Eola’s deepest point hits 80 ft, so it’s more like a giant sinkhole.
• The daily influx of tourists to Orlando is around the population of Atlanta!
• Gatorland, not Disney World, was the city’s first theme park. It’s still open to the public and features reptiles galore and a well-loved zipline.
• Though once the epicenter of orange farming, Orlando’s deep freeze in the early 1800s motivated farmers to start planting further south near Tampa.

Orlando is world-renowned for its Disney and Universal theme parks and resorts but there’s much more to the city than that. For one thing, visitors come to the area (and people move here) because of the weather. Sunshine almost all year round! The beaches are a definite plus, too. Orlando is also home to over 100 lakes, one of which – Lake Eola – is actually a giant sinkhole that measures 80-feet in depth in some places. Residents of the area say they’ve seen tremendous growth in the city over the past few years. New residential communities – many of which are ideal for renters – have popped up all over the city. And the food truck industry has exploded, which is great news if you’re a foodie.

Once you make the decision to move to Orlando, your next question should be: Which neighborhood is going to fit my needs best? Following are some of the most popular neighborhoods in Orlando.

Baldwin Park

The Baldwin Park neighborhood is known for being safe, family-friendly, and full of a great sense of community. There are plenty of parks in this neighborhood, great for taking your dog for a walk or having a family fun day on the weekends. Rental costs are higher than the national average but with the economy and job rate of the area, many young families and professionals are happy to invest in a home in this neighborhood.

Metro West

Nearly 37,800 call Metro West home. It’s one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Orlando and is a hotspot for young professionals. However, if you do have children, you’ll be happy to know that schools in the area receive excellent marks from parents. Urban amenities in the area are centrally located, so you can easily run all your errands in a single trip. If you’re a foodie, you won’t want to miss the monthly Battle of the Food Trucks.

Lake Nona

A little over 11,000 people live in Lake Nona, a trendy planned community with gated communities, sleek, modern homes and classy yet casual bungalows. The Nona Adventure Park is a must-visit for families with wakeboarding and a floating obstacle course. If you’re into tennis (or want to be), the USTA National Campus hosts tennis events throughout the year and also offers lessons. In the southern part of the neighborhood, you’ll find live music venues, green spaces, volleyball courts and numerous eateries, many of which are delectable and innovative food truck chefs.

Downtown Orlando

Most people move to Downtown Orlando for business opportunities (since it’s also known as the Central Business District) and the urban amenities. As a resident of this neighborhood, you’ll be surrounded by a mix of 19th-century buildings and sleek, modern business towers. Besides work opportunities, the Downtown area is also a cultural hub. For example, Dr. Phillips Center hosts operas and musical shows. If you’re into concerts and sports, you’ll probably be a regular fixture at the Amway Center which hosts Orlando Magic basketball games and big-name concerts. If you love being in the center of everything and like the hustle of city living, check out our Orlando city guide for apartments or condos to rent in Orlando.

South Semoran

Approximately 24,000 people live in this Orlando neighborhood. Residents here feel the area provides an urban-suburban mix.  The community is made up of a diverse mix of young professionals and families. Schools in the area have received higher-than-average ratings from parents in the neighborhood. Shopping and dining experiences are abundant in this area. You’ll also find several great cafés to enjoy your morning mocha.

Millenia

One of the top reasons people love living in this Orlando neighborhood is because it’s great for pet owners. The area has well-maintained sidewalks and lots of pet stations for doggy bags and disposal. The neighborhood is also close to I-4, which makes commuting to Downtown Orlando incredibly easy. Millenia is clean, safe and has plenty of parking. Residents also say that apartments in the area are nice, comfortable, clean and in good condition. If this sounds like your type of neighborhood, be sure to check our Orlando city guide to find an apartment within your budget.

Lake Underhill

With fewer than 3000 people living in the area, Lake Underhill has an urban-suburban feel to it with lots of restaurants, coffee shops, stores and green spaces. It’s one of the top neighborhoods in Orlando for young professionals. Residents say the schools are great, as are the amenities. They like that everything is close by, so you can easily run errands without having to drive to Downtown Orlando.

Kirkman South

One of the main reasons people like living in this neighborhood is because of the amenities. You’ll find an abundance of restaurants, cafés and shops. Another reason they like it is that it’s so close to numerous green spaces and natural features, such as Turkey Lake and Shadow Bay Park. Most residents say you need a car (or access to one) for most commutes. However, the neighborhood is close to public transit, which is helpful to many. If you need to do some grocery shopping, though, the neighborhood and its shopping district are easily walkable.

Park Central

Park Central is a pet-friendly community. A little over 6000 people live in the area, which has a dense urban feel to it. The commute to Downtown Orlando is less than 15 minutes (6.2 miles), though that time frame is dependent on traffic. The majority of residents are renters and the area is popular with young professionals.

Thornton Park

If you’re looking for a charming residential neighborhood, look no further than Thornton Park. You’ll find classic Florida bungalow homes throughout the area, with a few contemporary apartment and condo complexes as well. The neighborhood is shaded by old-growth oak trees draped in Spanish moss. You’ll find stylish restaurants, cafés with outdoor seating, organic juice bars, wine bars and clothing boutiques that sell beautiful boho-chic styles.  Washington Street is the heart of Thornton Park. The decorative fountain there gives the neighborhood a refined European elegance.

College Park

College Park is an affluent part of Orlando and is well-known for its beautiful (and abundant!) green spaces, lakes and 20th-century cottages. If you love spending time in the great outdoors, you’ll love spending some of your recreation time at the Dubsdread Golf Course (developed in the 1920s) and Lake Ivanhoe, where you can go wakeboarding and waterskiing.

Kirkman North

Approximately 21,250 people call Kirkman North home sweet home. The neighborhood has a dense urban feel to it and most residents rent their homes. The community is largely made of young families, with schools in the area earning excellent ratings. It’s also one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Orlando.

Lake Eola Heights

Nearly 2500 people live in the Lake Eola Heights community which is home to the Walt Disney Amphitheater where you can go to enjoy concerts and plays. The focal point of the neighborhood is Lake Eola Park, which has incredible walking, jogging and biking paths. If you want to enjoy a romantic moment with your significant other, make sure to take a ride on the lake’s iconic swan-shaped paddle boats. Are you a fan of historical architecture? Then, you will love the historic district with brick-paved streets and neoclassical churches, as well as cottages and farmhouses dating back to the 1800s.

Ventura

Over 17,300 people live in this Orlando neighborhood, which is a little over seven miles southeast of Downtown Orlando. This is another community with an urban-suburban feel to it. A little over half the residents’ rent, the cost of which is slightly higher than the national average. Residents also appreciate that the area is more affordable than the rest of Orlando, as well as the U.S. average cost of living. It’s approximately 15% cheaper to live in Ventura than in other parts of the country.