MoneyINC Logo
25+
Years of
Trust
13,000+
Articles
Written 
10M+
Annual 
Readers
300+
Global
Mentions

The 20 Best Places to Live in Orlando

Maitland

Orlando, Florida, is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States as the amazing climate and the multiple attractions attract people from all over the world. Not only is it a fantastic place to visit, but it is also a great place to live. However, like all major cities, there are some areas that are better than others. Some of the factors that people consider when deciding where to live include safety, education, housing, cost of living, employment, and leisure opportunities. Which of these is the most important depends on a person’s individual preferences, their stage of life, and their personal needs. Taking each of these factors into account, the following are the 20 best places to live in Orlando, Florida.

20. Black Hammock

The only downsides of living in Black Hammock are the lack of nightlife and the poor transport links. However, these are features that appeal to many people who want a quieter life in an area that is more rural than other areas in and around Orlando. On the plus side, it offers a fantastic family lifestyle, there are excellent schools, the crime rates are low, and there is a wide selection of leisure activities. It is also worth noting that the housing options are excellent and unemployment is low.

19. Celebration

Celebration is a master-planned community with a population of under eight thousand that is close to many of Orlando’s major attractions, such as Walt Disney World Resort. This means that tourism and hospitality provide many job opportunities in this area. Other advantages of living in this area include the vibrant nightlife, the diverse community, multiple job opportunities, and the range of outdoor activities.

18. Windermere

There is a sparse suburban feel to this tiny suburb of Orlando which has a small population of just over three thousand people. Windermere has both pros and cons, so it is better suited to some groups than others. Starting with the downsides of this neighborhood, it has a high cost of living, transport links are not that good, and there is very little nightlife. If these factors do not bother you, then there are many positives to this area. It is good for families, there are highly rated schools, there are plenty of job opportunities, and there is a good range of outdoor activities. It is also a diverse area with low crime rates.

17. Conway

If you want to live somewhere close to the amenities with lots of shopping and dining options, then McKinley recommends Conway. It has great transport links for accessing other parts of Orlando and the surrounding area, and the diverse housing options range from modern apartments to larger period properties. There are plenty of things for residents to enjoy in their leisure time thanks to the nearby trails and lakes.

16. Forest City

Forest City is a small suburb of Orlando in Seminole County with a population of just over 14 thousand. It attracts many young professionals as there are good commuter links into other areas of Orlando and many employment opportunities in different fields. Families can also enjoy a good lifestyle in this neighborhood because there are great schools, family-oriented activities, a diverse community, and low crime rates. This area has good housing options and the cost of living is reasonable.

15. Lake Butler

Both families and young professionals find Lake Butler an appealing place to live as it has excellent schools, activities to suit people of all ages, great job opportunities, low crime rates, and good transport links. This is a diverse community with a sparse suburban feel and just under 20 thousand residents. Due to the many appealing features of living in this area, it is a desirable suburb and this has driven up the cost of living.

14. Hunters Creek

Residents of Hunters Creek say that they love living in this neighborhood because it offers beautiful surroundings, various shopping areas, a range of amenities, good schools, and lots of leisure activities to suit all interests. This is a dense suburban area with a diverse community and there are plenty other plus points to living in this neighborhood. For example, the transport links are reasonable, it is very safe, there is low unemployment in the area, and it offers a good standard of living. The cost of living is the negative of Hunters Creek, although residents feel the extra cost is worth it to enjoy a great lifestyle.

13. Winter Springs

An area of Orlando that families like to live in is Winter Springs. According to Area Vibes, this is because it has exceptionally low crime rates which makes it a safe place to live, and also because of the excellent schools in the area. Another positive feature of this area is the wide range of amenities that add an element of convenience to life in this neighborhood

12. Fern Park

A suburb of Orlando located in Seminole County, Fern Park has a sparse suburban feel and under nine thousand residents. This area attracts young professionals because of the reasonable cost of living, the diversity of the area, the employment opportunities, the transport links, the vibrant nightlife, and the range of leisure activities. Families also enjoy living in this area because the schools are decent and there are many features that contribute to a good standard of living for families.

11. Alafaya

Alafaya is considered a safe place to live as the crime rates are very low in comparison to the averages for Orlando. This is one factor that makes it a great place for family life, although the good schools and nice outdoor spaces also contribute to the appeal of the area for this demographic. The area suits a wide range of people as there are activities to suit everyone, and this has led to the area growing a diverse community. It is a large suburb with a population close to 88 thousand, so it has a dense suburban feel

10. Wekiwa Springs

Wekiwa Springs is ranked as the 10th best place to live in Orlando by Niche. There are almost no negatives about living in this area, so it appeals to many different groups and there is a diverse community. There are many housing options at reasonable prices and the cost of living is about average compared to other areas in Orlando. There are multiple job opportunities in various industries, and transport links are good. There are leisure activities to suit all tastes in the area, from outdoor activities to enjoying the nightlife. It is also good for families as there are excellent schools in this neighborhood.

9. Gotha

Those who want to live close to amenities but in an area with a rural feel should consider Gotha. This tiny suburb has a population of fewer than two thousand residents, and it is a pretty area in which to live. The cost of living and house prices are reasonable, and the community is diverse. Families can enjoy a good lifestyle, thanks to the excellent schools and the range of activities for people of all ages. Despite the rural feel, the transport links are good, and this gives residents access to employment. The nightlife is not exciting in this neighborhood, but this is a factor that many residents consider a positive rather than a negative.

8. Altamonte Springs

A popular area among millennials, this area has a suburban feel and it is just 30 minutes from downtown. Approximately 20 percent of the residents are aged between 24 and 35. One of the reasons that it is so popular with this demographic is the socializing opportunities because of the bars, pubs, restaurants, and coffee shops. The below-average house prices attract first-time buyers, and the low rents appeal to those who are not ready to buy their own home. As there are some excellent schools in this area, it is a good option for people considering starting a family.

7. Oviedo

Oviedo scores an excellent livability score with Area Vibes. It is considered one of the safest areas to live in Orlando with a 59 percent lower crime rate than the average for the area. It also receives excellent ratings for the amenities in the area, the public schools, and the housing options. However, the cost of living is high in this area due to its desirability.

6. Doctor Phillips

A small suburb in Orange County with a population of under 23 thousand, many different groups of people are attracted to this neighborhood. It has a dense suburban feel with a diverse community, vibrant nightlife, bars, restaurants, shops, and health and fitness facilities. There are some good schools, great outdoor spaces, and plenty of job opportunities. The only pitfall to living in Doctor Phillips is the high cost of living, but people expect this when choosing to live in a desirable area.

5. Lake Mary

Located in Seminole County, Lake Mary is a suburb of Orlando with a population of around 16 thousand. It has a sparse suburban feel and a diverse community. Due to the highly-rated schools in the area, this neighborhood is popular with families. However, it is popular with various demographics as it offers a good lifestyle to residents. The housing options and cost of living are reasonable, as are the transport links. Leisure activities are also good, with plenty of outdoor spaces and a range of health and fitness facilities in the vicinity.

4. Heathrow

On the downside, Heathrow has a high cost of living. However, this is because it is a desirable area in which to live due to its many strong points. This is a suburb with a dense suburban feel and a population of just over six thousand residents. It offers a diverse community, low crime rates, good employment opportunities, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. The schools in the area are highly rated, and it is considered a good area to bring up a family.

3. Horizon West

There are very few bad things to say about this area as it ranks as highly in almost every factor that people consider when choosing where to live. It is a nice area for families with outstanding schools, lots of outdoor activities, great employment opportunities, and a diverse community. The housing options are diverse, the crime rates are low, and you can enjoy a great nightlife in this neighborhood. The area has a sparse suburban feel and a population of just over 25 thousand people.

2. Maitland

One of the best places for Millennials to live in Orlando is Maitland, says Unpakt. Sitting on the outskirts of the city, there is easy access to all the activities, attractions, and amenities in downtown Orlando that young people desire while having lower house prices that make this a more affordable option for those just getting on the property ladder. There is also access to nature and outdoor spaces that will suit those who want to get away from the urban buzz. There is an abundance of employment opportunities in this area, especially in the tourism and hospitality industries.

1. Winter Park

According to Niche, Winter Park is the best area to live in Orland. This suburb in Orange County has a population of around 30 thousand and has a mix of areas, some of which have an urban feel and others that feel more suburban. The downside to this diverse area is the cost of living, but this is because it has so many good points that make it a desirable place to live. It is popular with families because of the highly rated school, the family-oriented activities, the outdoor spaces, the health and fitness facilities, and the housing options. Young professionals also like this area because there are reasonable job opportunities, the transport links are good, and there is a vibrant nightlife.

Liz Flynn

Written by Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog.

Read more posts by Liz Flynn

Related Articles

Stay ahead of the curve with our most recent guides and articles on , freshly curated by our diligent editorial team for your immediate perusal.
As featured on:

Wealth Insight!
Subscribe to our Exclusive Newsletter

Dive into the world of wealth and extravagance with Money Inc! Discover stock tips, businesses, luxury items, and travel experiences curated for the affluent observer.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram