Orlando has come a long way since its days as a cattle and citrus town. And despite what some may think, this city of 334,000 is more than just a home base for theme parks. Orlando became a true city in the 1960s when NASA built a complex at nearby Cape Canaveral. Walt Disney World came next, opening its gates in 1971 and giving birth to a tourism and hospitality scene that remains the city’s top industry.
But the city has continued to evolve. Today Orlando is the headquarters of large healthcare systems Orlando Health and AdventHealth as well as multiple advanced medical research facilities like the University of Central Florida (UCF) Lake Nona Cancer Center and the AdventHealth Nicholson Center, which trains more than 15,000 surgeons a year. It’s also a growing tech hub, with more Fortune 500 companies setting up locations and drawing employees from all over.
Part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area, the city sits in the center of Orange County, home to about 1.4 million people. Its growth has sprawled to the surrounding suburbs including Dr. Phillips , Altamonte Springs, Lake Nona and Winter Park, which draws residents who want access to Orlando amenities with less congestion.
Walt Disney World opened in 1971, sparking Orlando's tourism and hospitality scene.
Orlando serves as the headquarters for the major healthcare provider AdventHealth.
Orlando serves as the headquarters for major healthcare provider Orlando Health.
Part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro, the city lies in central Orange County.
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Central Florida real estate market stays hot
Orlando was a common relocation spot for out-of-state buyers before the COVID-19 pandemic, but that event supercharged the real estate market in Central Florida as new residents moved from pricier markets in the Northeast, the West Coast and South Florida. Homes in Orlando range from tiny bungalows for just under $100,000 to spacious estates for $8 million. The majority, however, are three- and four-bedroom midcentury-era and 2000s-era New Traditional homes sitting on landscaped lawns and sidewalk-lined streets. Buyers can find established homes in Baldwin Park , while College Park offers residences with a wide range of build dates.
The median price for single-family homes is $450,000. Once considered a bargain for real estate, Orlando has seen a change, says Christine Elias, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who has sold homes in Central Florida for more than a decade. “We’re not a cheap market to live in anymore, but we’re still desired,” she says. “There’s still not enough inventory.” Homebuilders are busy adding houses to the market, starting construction of more than 25,000 housing units in the metro area in 2023, the ninth-highest tally in the nation, per census data.
Townhouses and condos are also available throughout the city, including communities such as Park Central , MetroWest and South Semoran . Many condos can be found in tony high-rise complexes near shopping and dining. Townhouses are also often located near Orlando’s action, with modern exteriors and two-car garages. Orlando Regional Realtor Association data shows Orange County’s top-selling communities are suburbs outside Orlando’s boundaries: Winter Garden, Windermere and Apopka. “People are moving out of the urban core,” Elias says. “They want to see if they can get more for their money.”
This Spanish-style estate features a paver driveway and tiled roof in Holden Heights.
A stunning Victorian home features exquisite landscaping in Lake Cherokee.
Large contemporary style homes can be found throughout Park Central.
A variety of condos provide stunning views in South Eola.
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Year-round recreation in The City Beautiful
Nicknamed “The City Beautiful,” Orlando boasts nearly 150 public green spaces, varying from urban gardens to lakeside parks. According to the Trust for Public Land, 70% of Orlando residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. One of the most popular is Lake Eola Park, located in the South Eola neighborhood in the heart of the city. Locals gravitate to its large fountain and walk their dogs along the many trails. The city’s popular farmers market sets up at Lake Eola Park every Sunday and draws residents from across Central Florida.
A beach trip is rarely more than an hour away, as residents live within 60 miles of coastal communities like Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach. New Smyrna Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Central Florida and a frequent destination for day trips. Wekiva Springs State Park is about 17 miles from the city and offers swimming in natural springs that stay at 72 degrees year-round. Golfers can tee off at any of the dozens of courses located in the city.
Central Business District residents enjoy paddling swans on Orlando's Lake Eola.
Daytona Beach Shores visitors enjoy ocean splashes and sunbathing by the beach.
Local families love to spend an afternoon visiting the Orlando Farmers Market.
Wekiva Springs offers clear waters and abundant wildlife near Downtown Orlando.
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Orange County Public Schools earns high marks
Orlando is served by Orange County Public Schools, a district that receives a Niche grade of A-minus. With roughly 208,000 students, it’s the eighth-largest school district in the nation, with 131 elementary schools, 40 middle schools, 22 high schools, 10 K-8 schools and seven exceptional/alternative schools. Its most recent graduation rate is 95.5% among traditional high schools. Families seeking private schools for their kids can pick from more than 200 spread across the city.
On Orlando’s east side is the University of Central Florida (UCF), home to the nation’s second-largest undergraduate student body — nearly 60,000 students. Niche rates the public university an A. UCF hosts large programs for nursing, computer science and hospitality management. In addition to UCF, Valencia College and Orange Technical College provide two-year and four-year postsecondary education options in Orlando.
University residents are close to the beautiful University of Central Florida campus.
Glenridge Middle School is situated on Upper Park Road in Orlando, Florida.
Winter Park High School is the home of the Wildcats.
Dr. Phillips Elementary School is an "A" rated public school and home to the Flying Eagles.
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A booming dining and restaurant scene beyond Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando may be the global headquarters of Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, but the city's food scene extends beyond chain restaurants. Foodies will find four Michelin-starred restaurants, along with eateries serving authentic cuisines from Cuban to Vietnamese. When it comes to nightlife, downtown is popular for its packed bars that stay open late, while suburbs such as Winter Park feature more intimate spaces for cocktails and bites.
International Drive is not only a major city thoroughfare, but also a shopping, dining and entertainment destination on the city’s south side. Locals dine out at the hottest new restaurant or spend an evening at ICON Park, a popular theme park not associated with Walt Disney World or Universal. ICON Park offers even more dining options, boutiques and The Wheel, a 40-story-high Ferris wheel inside the Universal community.
The Orange County Convention Center is located near I-Drive and is host to the third-largest comic book convention in the country, MegaCon. Locals also take advantage of their proximity to the Walt Disney World and Universal theme parks; Florida residents receive discounts on annual passes at Universal and other discounts and perks at the Disney parks. The Mall at Millenia, The Florida Mall and Orlando International Premium Outlets are concentrated on the city’s southwest side and offer even more shopping. Cultural highlights include the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center. Musicals, ballets and orchestras take the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center, a 330,000-square-foot performing arts center.
The city’s professional sports teams include the Orlando Magic of the NBA, Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer and the Orlando Price of the National Women’s Soccer League. The Magic play in the 20,000-seat Kia Center, while the two soccer teams play at Inter&Co Stadium, capable of holding 25,000 fans. Both venues are in downtown Orlando. In addition to dozens of regular-season games each year, sports fans can turn out for college football bowl games played at Inter&Co Stadium as well as Camping World Stadium. The latter has hosted the NFL’s Pro Bowl five times since 2017.
The Orlando Magic play at the 20,000-seat Kia Center.
Icon Park features a 40-story Ferris wheel offering stunning views of Orlando.
Bites and Bubbles offers Orlando residents an authentic, upscale dining experience.
The Orange County Convention Center is near International Drive in Orlando, Florida.
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Residents attend jazz festivals in Baldwin Park and shop for produce at the Lake Eola Farmers Market
Some of the city’s biggest festivities happen during the fall. The Immerse arts festival in October brings neon murals, teams of dancers and flying acrobats to over 10 blocks of Downtown Orlando. A few blocks away, the Come Out With Pride parade marches around Lake Eola Park every October. Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando, the city’s annual electronic-music dance festival, follows in November inside the Lorna Doone community.
Many of the region’s biggest events take place at the area’s theme parks. Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights invites guests to brave haunted houses themed after films such as “The Exorcist” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Meanwhile, Disney guests sample cuisine from six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, held summer through fall.
The annual Come Out with Pride Parade marches around Lake Eola every October.
Join art lovers as they gather to celebrate creativity at the Mural Festival in Orlando.
Watch artists create art in front of your eyes at the OFA Art Show.
In South Eola, the large crowd prepares to Walk to End Alzheimer's.
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A look at weather and crime in Orlando
Orlando has a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures remaining steadily above 70 degrees throughout the year. Summer temperatures can reach the 90s, and afternoon storms are common but often short-lived. The city’s location inland may protect it from most hurricanes, though large storms can cause flooding. In 2024, Hurricane Milton left many parts of the city flooded and in 2002, Hurricane Ian wreaked $206 million worth of destruction across Orange County, with homes enduring $46 million of that damage. Federally designated flood zones dot Orlando’s landscape, so buyers often research flood risks and flood insurance options during their home search.
Like any large city, some areas experience more crime than others. Some of the neighborhoods where crime is high are Parramore , Holden Heights , Carver Shores, Mercy Drive and Rosemont . The city’s Children and Families Division started a community violence initiative in late 2023 that has yielded promising results in these neighborhoods: a 37% drop in shootings and a 9% drop in homicides. The Orlando Police Department reported that across the city, crime was down in 2024 compared to 2023. Shootings were down 40%, burglaries, armed robberies and homicides were down 15%. The city’s official website offers in-depth, monthly crime stats for each neighborhood and district in the city.
Orlando locals use planes, trains and automobiles to get around
Most residents get around by car in Orlando, and one of the most used highways in and out of the city is Interstate 4. While the average commute is around 26 minutes, on par with the national average, I-4 can slow down often, especially during rush hour or after events at Inter&Co Stadium or the Kia Center. However, there are several express lanes meant to help with the congestion, and savvy commuters often get a Sunpass for these tolls. The Sunpass also comes in handy when driving on Florida’s Turnpike, a toll road that spans 312 miles across 11 counties.
While public transportation isn’t widely utilized, Orlando offers several options for getting around. SunRail is a commuter train that spans 49 miles across Greater Orlando, with four stops in the city and 16 stations across the entire route. Additionally, LYNX operates more than 70 bus routes throughout the area, and Brightline offers high-speed rail service from Orlando to Miami.
Planes fly to more than 150 destinations from Orlando International Airport, located on the city’s southeast side. It was the eighth-busiest airport in the nation in 2022, connecting to airports as far away as Iceland and Dubai. About 50 miles east of Orlando is Port Canaveral, which handled more passengers than any cruise port in the world in 2022.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
