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Only one destination on the planet combines a tropical climate and relaxed lifestyle with the world’s most popular tourist attractions. Orlando stands in a class of its own as a desirable place to live as well as visit, brimming over with amenities that guarantee an unrivaled quality of life.

Ideally situated in Central Florida, the area known as Metro Orlando encompasses the nearby counties of Orange, Seminole, and Osceola. It also takes in the cities and small communities that lie in the western part of Volusia County. The geographical diversity and the sheer variety of settings that make up this dynamic region combine to offer quality lifestyle options that seem virtually unlimited.

Newcomers will discover quaint rural towns, upscale residential enclaves, loft-style luxury condominiums in the heart of the city, or beautiful neighborhoods where ancient oaks shade meticulous landscaping. In spite of the fact that Metro Orlando has been one of the nation’s fastest growing regions for several decades, the cost of living has remained surprisingly low.

Economy & Transportation

The tourism and hospitality industries are still the driving forces behind the Metro Orlando economy, but other industries and sectors have also experienced phenomenal growth in recent decades. The region is now ranked among the top ten in the nation for business. This thriving region has welcomed corporate headquarters, regional trade and distribution centers, research institutes, high-tech leaders, service companies, and high-profile major manufacturers. Half of the world’s cellular phones rely on chips that are manufactured in Orlando. Among the corporate giants that maintain a presence are the American Automobile Association, Lockheed Martin, Cirent Semiconductor, Tupperware, and the Oracle Corporation.

One of the fastest growing international airports in the world combines with a strong network of interstates and highways to ensure transportation efficiencies. Amtrak passenger rail and Greyhound Bus Lines provide service to key destinations across the nation. Mass transit for commuters is offered by the award-winning Lynx system, providing more than 40 bus routes. Plans for Lynx light rail are underway.

Services

A progressive educational environment fosters achievement in the classroom and thrives on innovative partnerships with the local business community. The University of Central Florida educates students in a broad range of programs including the first doctoral program in computer science in Florida. The Institute of Simulation and Training at the University of Central Florida has attracted more than 150 businesses that are interested in the exceptional talent of its graduating engineers. Public and private schools excel in offering special programs and extracurricular activities that underline the dedication to foster creative expression and the development of individual talent. Traditional learning environments blend with nationally recognized ventures to offer a wide range of educational choices. For example, the curriculum for students in the master-planned community of Celebration was designed by professors from some of the nation’s most prestigious universities.

From professionals in private practice that represent every major specialty to nationally acclaimed healthcare centers, the Central Florida region is home to superb healthcare services. State-of-the-art facilities in Metro Orlando encompass such leading healthcare providers as Orlando Regional Healthcare System, boasting one of the top trauma centers in the Southeast. Florida Hospital, which is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, is Florida’s largest private non-profit hospital system and includes the Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute.

Lifestyle

The idyllic setting that has cemented Metro Orlando’s position as the world’s top vacation destination has also attracted a flood of newcomers. This rapidly growing area is equally appealing to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, growing families, professionals, and retirees. Thousands of lakes combine with rivers, access to Atlantic Ocean beaches, forests, pinelands, wetlands, marshes, and rich farmland for one of the nation’s most diverse environments.

Central Florida has preserved countless lakes, rivers, and wilderness areas in their pristine, unspoiled state. Riding academies and stables offer trails and lessons, many of the golf courses are nationally ranked, fish-laden lakes attract avid anglers, and rolling rivers like the Econlockhatchee or the Wekiva are ideal for canoe trips.

Cutting-edge indoor facilities include the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando and the RDV Sportsplex in Maitland, the training home of the famous Orlando Magic NBA basketball team. The Sportsplex offers first-rate amenities from ice rinks to basketball courts, tennis courts, and fitness equipment. Professional and collegiate sports events keep fans cheering in spectacular arenas.

Tourism has driven quality commercial expansion throughout the area, creating a mecca of restaurants, shopping malls, and entertainment centers. Bargain hunters can spend the afternoon in quaint districts off the beaten path, or meander through the stores and specialty shops in regional malls. Restaurants from casual to elegant serve the finest cuisine, many with outdoor patios that take full advantage of Florida’s blue skies and cooling breezes. Throughout the four seasons, Orlando plays host to festivals and celebrations. Casselberry is known for its Oktoberfest and Scottish Highland Games. The Florida Film Festival rolls into Enzian Theater each year, attracting such cinematic legends as Oliver Stone and Paul Newman. Among the many other cultural treasures are the Bach Festival Society, the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, Southern Ballet Theatre, Orlando Philharmonic, and the popular Orlando Opera Company. Events that feature top artists constantly fill the calendar, with majestic venues catering to audiences in the tens of thousands.

Museums are first-rate and abundant. Some present fine art displays, while others preserve the legacy of the past or explore the possibilities of the future. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is a jewel in the crown of the Central Florida art community, claiming the world’s most impressive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass. The Orlando Science Center encourages exploration with hands-on exhibits that fascinate all ages.

Although new residents are impressed with the diversity of attractive housing available in Central Florida, the prices tend to elicit the widest smiles of all. “More value for the money” is the real-estate rule in this mecca of fairway and lakefront homes. From ranches and small farms to elegant condominiums and magnificent estates, Central Florida has a home that caters to every budget and lifestyle. Rippling out from the City of Orlando are a number of welcoming communities, from secluded enclaves that excel in recreational amenities to highly developed municipalities.

Without a doubt, Metro Orlando is an enviable address that seems to grow richer and more appealing with each year. No one who lived in this area during the “B.D.” (Before Disney) era could have imagined the total transformation and the sweeping changes that would take place throughout Central Florida in the later decades of the 20th century.

Today, the most visited theme parks in the world are all clustered in Orlando, where they are complemented by an increasing number of world-class family attractions and amenities. Beautiful new construction, an active cultural community, lush local parks, nationally recognized golf courses, and leading institutions of higher education are only a few of the advantages. Like the climate that graces this all-season paradise, every aspect of life seems to be “just right.”