LIFESTYLE

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, 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.