The 20 Best Places to Live in Central Florida
When thinking of Central Florida, Orlando is the first place that comes to mind. However, this city has many neighborhoods and suburbs, and these differ significantly in terms of what they are like as a place to live.
Also, Orlando and the surrounding suburbs are not the only places to live if you want to live in a Central Florida location as there are plenty of other options.
To decide which is the best location to meet your needs and to give you the lifestyle you desire, it is important to compare the different locations and weigh up the pros and cons of each. To give you some guidance of the options, the following are the 20 best places to live in Central Florida.
20. Lake Weldona
Just making it into the 20 best places to live in Central Florida is Lake Weldona. Biz Journals says that this area is just south of downtown and that it is bordered by Briarcliff Drive, Mills Avenue, and Gore Street. The housing options in Lake Weldona are varied, and the rental costs and property prices are comparable to other neighborhoods in Central Florida.
19. Maitland
Maitland is a suburb in Orange County that is popular among affluent people. It is a picturesque suburb with parks, lakes, and historic properties. The community in this area is diverse, as it is a neighborhood that appeals to many different people. This is an area that is well-suited to people who enjoy an active social life as there are a vibrant nightlife and lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants.
18. Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando is a neighborhood that is divided into several subdistricts, says Where Traveler. For example, there is an Arts District with a creative community, a hipster community called Thornton Park, and Lake Eola which is predominantly a tourist area.
This diversity is what makes Downtown Orlando such a great place to live. Housing options include historic properties and modern buildings, and there is a wide range of leisure activities to enjoy. Downtown Orlando is also a great place for dining out.
17. Dr. Phillips
Named after citrus magnate Dr. Phillip Phillips, this is an area in unincorporated Orange County. This neighborhood as a population of fewer than 12 thousand people and the area has a suburban feel.
This is one of the most affordable areas to live in Central Florida, and the housing options are varied. There is a vibrant nightlife in this area, so it is suited to people who like to spend their evenings out and about rather than staying at home.
16. College Park
Niche describes College Park as a neighborhood in Orlando that has approximately 12 thousand residents. The area has a dense suburban feel with lots of bars, shops, restaurants, and parks.
There are plenty of family-oriented activities and the schools are ranked above average. The cost of living and house prices are reasonable, and there are some decent job openings in this area in a variety of industries.
15. Winter Park
Originally founded as a resort community in the late 19th-century, Winter Park is a suburban city in Orange County. It is the amenities and leisure facilities that attract so many people to this area.
On the mains street alone, there is a golf course country club, a liberal arts college, a cemetery, several museums, various art galleries, shops, a train station, a beach, a boat launch, and a park. The public schools in the area are highly rated, and there are plenty of employment opportunities. The downside of living in this area is the high cost of living.
14. Lake Como
Located just east of Greenwood Cemetery, Lake Como is a neighborhood in Orlando with a population of under four thousand residents. There are almost no negatives to living in this area, so it appeals to many different groups creating a diverse community.
Some of the best features of this area include highly-rated schools, a vibrant nightlife, lots of leisure activities, plentiful employment opportunities, good transport links, and a reasonable cost of living.
13. Lake Eola Heights
Lake Eola Heights is a neighborhood in eastern Orlando. It is predominantly known as a historic district, and this is because it boasts 487 historic buildings and many of the residential properties are also historic.
These range from period detached homes to historic buildings that have been converted into apartments. There is a wide range of architectural styles in the area, which makes it an aesthetically pleasing area to live.
The crime rates are low in this area, so it is considered a safe place to live. Other positive features of this neighborhood include excellent transport links, above average schools, fantastic nightlife, and lots of outdoor activities. There are more than two thousand people living in Lake Eola Heights.
12. Oviedo
Oviedo is a city in Seminole County that has a population of around 37 thousand residents. The city has undergone rapid development in recent years, which has seen the area transform from a rural area to a bustling and modern city.
There are both historic properties and new-builds available, so there is housing to suit all tastes and budgets in this city. Oviedo is home to the University of Central Florida and the Central Florida Research Park, both of which offer employment opportunities.
There are also employment opportunities in many other sectors. The schools in this area are excellent, and there are leisure activities to suit people of all ages.
An interesting fact about Oviedo is that there is a population of chickens that roam freely around the downtown area. Although the cost of buying a property is comparable to the average property price for Central Florida, renting a property is quite expensive in this area.
11. Thornton Park
A popular neighborhood in Downtown Orlando, Thornton Park is known for having some areas that reflect European style, and other areas that are described as boho-chic. Many of the roads are lined with large oak trees, and the most common style of property is classic bungalows.
In this area, there are lots of clothing boutiques, wine bars, and stylish eateries. Those who live here can enjoy the busy nightlife and the rich social life on offer. There are under two thousand residents in this neighborhood, and it appeals most to young professionals.
However, families also find this a desirable area due to the range of leisure activities and excellent public schools.
10. Lake Davis/ Greenwood
Families consider Lake Davis/ Greenwood a desirable area in which to live. This is because of the highly-rated public schools in the area, and because there is a good range of family-oriented activities to enjoy.
However, families are not the only demographic who are attracted to this area. It also appeals to young professionals because of the varied employment opportunities, transport links, diverse community, lively nightlife, and health and fitness facilities.
Features that appeal to everyone are the low crime rates, affordable housing, and the below-average cost of living. This neighborhood in Orlando has a population of just over two thousand people.
9. Baldwin Park
Prior to 1993, Baldwin Park was home to a Naval Training Center. Since it closed, it has been converted into an urban neighborhood in east Orlando. Despite only existing as a residential area for under 30 years, it now has a population of over 16 thousand residents.
There are several appealing features to this area, including good housing, a diverse community, plenty of amenities, and things to do in the daytime and at night. The downside of choosing Baldwin Park to make your home is that the house prices are a little high compared to the average for Central Florida.
8. Audubon Park
Biz Journal says that Audubon Park is a neighborhood in east Orlando with a population of around four thousand people. The house prices and rental costs are comparable to other areas of Central Florida, and the housing options are diverse.
Those who live in Audubon Park have good access to transport links, amenities, leisure facilities, and job opportunities. Audubon Park has low crime rates, so it is considered a safe place to live.
7. Rowena Gardens
The highly-rated schools in Rowena Gardens mean that this area appeals to families. It is also one of the safest places to live in Central Florida as there are exceptionally low crime rates.
This is an excellent area to live because of the wide range of leisure activities to enjoy as there is something for people of all ages and interests in this area. It also has a lively nightlife and lots of restaurants, so it will suit those who enjoy being out and about during the evenings.
6. Coyton
A neighborhood of Orlando with a population of just over one thousand residents, Coyton is one of the cheapest places to live in Central Florida. The median house price is under $140 thousand, while the median rent is a little over $1,100. Despite only being a small community, this area has a vibrant nightlife and plenty of ways to enjoy your leisure time.
5. Horizon West
Located directly north of Walt Disney World Resort in southwest Orange County, Horizon West is a master-planned community. This area consists of five mixed-use villages and a town center that is surrounded by greenbelts.
The population of just under 20 thousand residents has access to varied housing options, although the median house price is a little over the average for Central Florida. One notable point about this area is that the community is diverse, which is something that many people find appealing.
4. Orwin Manor
Orwin Manor is home to Orwin Manor Park, so it is a nice place to live for people who enjoy spending time outdoors. However, it is predominantly an urban area that is west of Lake Sue in Orlando, and it has a population of around 2,500 people.
It is an area that will appeal to young professionals due to the vibrant nightlife, the opportunities for socializing, the job openings, and the transport links.
3. Uptown
Uptown is one of the best places to live for those who enjoy an urban lifestyle. This urban neighborhood in Orlando is home to around 1,400 people, and the house prices are low in this area
The neighborhood is known for having a diverse community and a vibrant nightlife. It is an excellent place to live for those who enjoy socializing, as there are many bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and leisure activities in this neighborhood. It particularly appeals to young professionals.
2.Park Lake/ Highland
A suburb of Orlando, Park Lake/ Highland is a small area with a population under two thousand residents. An appealing feature of this area is the house prices, as the median house price for this suburb is under two hundred thousand dollars.
It is an area that appeals to young professionals and families, so the average age of residents is under 35. There are good transport links, a vibrant nightlife, plenty of leisure activities, and lots of job opportunities in this neighborhood.
1. Rose Isle
According to Niche, the best place to live in Central Florida is Rose Isle. This is a small neighborhood in Orlando in Orange County, and it has a population of a little more than one thousand residents. It has a sparse urban feel, and it appeals to both retirees and families.
The crime rates are virtually non-existent, so it is one of the safest places to live in Central Florida. The area has above average schools and there are family-oriented activities to enjoy.
Other leisure options in the area include lively bars, health and fitness facilities, outdoor activities, restaurants, and coffee shops. This neighborhood has diverse housing options and the cost of living is low compared to the average for Central Florida.
You can also read:
- The 20 Best Places to Live in South Florida
- The 20 Safest Places to Live in Florida
- The 10 Most Expensive Places to Live in Florida
- The 20 Best Places to Live in Florida for Families
- The 20 Worst Places to Live in Florida
