So, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $69,268, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 312K, Orlando is a mid-size city. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this?
38 upvotes
17 Replies
Asher Miller
yeah no that's not right
40 upvotes
Zoe Turner
Bought a house here in 2017 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Mia H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Emmett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Claire Davis
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Henry Alvarez
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Emmett Sanders
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Jose C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Oliver Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 46, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Sunset and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
29 upvotes
Santiago Lewis
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Maverick Kim
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
24 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Levi Price
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Ruby
This.
15 upvotes
Kayden
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Fairview area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Theodore Morgan
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
zoe_dude
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
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