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The 4th-most populated city in Florida, Orlando is also one of the country’s most famous. In fact, it’s the most-visited destination in the United States, with over 75 million people visiting in a recent year! Most of those visitors come to visit Disney World and the other theme parks Orlando has to offer. However, if you’re moving to Orlando, you’ll be surprised to know that there’s much more to do, see, and explore here! If you’d like to spoil that surprise and find out more right now, this Orlando Moving Guide is a great place to start, brought to you by NSA storage.
What Makes Orlando a Great Place to Live?
Orlando is a fun, exciting place to visit, thanks to all the theme parks and the great weather. When it comes to living in Orlando, however, the city offers much more than roller coasters and water parks.
Take a look at what you’ll enjoy when you live here:
- Over 1000 freshwater springs where you can go tubing, swimming, kayaking, diving, and more. At Blue Springs State Park the manatees visit every winter!
- Over 7,700 lakes, most of them freshwater, where boating, jet skiing, and bass fishing are popular. Lake Okeechobee is the 2nd largest freshwater lake that’s entirely in the U.S.
- Several national forests, major parks, and preserves. They’re perfect for horseback riding, ATV-ing, hiking, camping, and wildlife photography. Ocala National Forest is the largest in the state.
- Hundreds of miles of long, flat trails that are perfect for hiking and biking. The Van Fleet State Trail is one of the longest straight trails in the country.
- Acres and acres of quiet, beautiful, breathable space to explore, enjoy, and unwind.
When you also consider the city’s strong economy, excellent weather, world-class entertainment choices and low taxes, Orlando is hard to beat.
Orlando’s Economy is Very Strong and Stable
If you’re going to be searching for a job when you arrive in Orlando, rest assured, there are plenty of them. In 2024, for example, Orlando was the fastest-growing major U.S. region for job growth in the country! That year, an average of 103 jobs per day were added to the city.
Here’s some useful info about Orlando’s strong economy:
- The unemployment rate in Orlando is significantly lower than the national average.
- The city has a tech industry with a value of about $13.4 billion.
- Central Florida Research Park is located on the east side of the city, one of the largest research parks in the U.S.
- Major industry sectors include education, health, construction, manufacturing and, thanks to all the theme parks, leisure and hospitality.
- The average commute in Orlando is lower than the national average at about 26 minutes one way.
- SunRail, Orlando’s commuter rail line, offers 17 stops to make your commute easier.
There’s More to Enjoy than Just Theme Parks in Orlando
Far from Mickey, Donald, and the rest of the gang you’ll discover over 100 parks and 21 community centers. They offer a wide range of athletics, playgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and social events. Museums and festivals are plentiful, too, as well as live music and shows.
Here’s a look at the many other entertaining attractions in Orlando that aren’t theme park related:
- Orlando Museum of Art– This well-established museum features rotating contemporary exhibitions, African art, and regional artists. They also hold year-round events and education programs.
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts– Broadway tours, ballet, national touring acts and concerts are all held here, Downtown Orlando’s premier performing arts venue.
- Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival– One of the longest-running fringe festivals in the country. It’s also unique in that artists are chosen by lottery, not curation, so it’s often raw, creative, and bold.
- Wall Street Plaza– This historic block in downtown Orlando is popular thanks to its famous block parties and holiday celebrations.
- Florida Music Festival– A multi-day showcase of emerging bands, solo artists, and alternative musical genres.
- Ivanhoe Village– This arts-forward district is beloved in Orlando for its antique shops, craft breweries, independent restaurants, and skyline lake views.
- Anime Festival Orlando (AFO)– One of Florida’s longest-running anime conventions, offering cosplay contests, voice actors, panels, gaming rooms, and artist alleys.
- Orlando Film Festival– The city’s annual independent film festival draws filmmakers from around the world.
Orlando is a Relatively Affordable Florida City
Orlando, while not one of the cheapest American cities, is more affordable than many. The overall cost of living here is slightly higher than the national average at about 111. That number is also also offset by the city’s large job market.
Below are some facts and figures to give you an idea of how much it costs to live in Orlando.
- Housing costs, the biggest expense, are around 37% higher than the national average.
- The median home price in Orlando is around $368,000.
- Groceries, transportation, utilities and healthcare are all below the national average.
As for the taxes in Orlando, you’ll be glad to know that Florida’s tax structure provides a big financial benefit. First, there’s no state tax, which is a huge plus. Second, the sales tax in Orlando (Orange County) is 6.5%, which is lower than many large U.S. cities.
Lastly, property taxes in Orlando are moderate. That’s due, in part, to Florida’s Homestead Exemption which can lower the taxable value of your primary residence by upwards of $50,000. Even with higher housing prices, these tax benefits can make a meaningful reduction in the true cost of living in Orlando.
Wildlife Thrives in Orlando
For many folks, seeing wildlife up close and personal is a gratifying, exciting experience. For many, though, actually seeing wildlife in and around their city is difficult. In Orlando, you don’t need to go looking for wildlife because it’s always there. Wildlife is always present in this part of Florida, something that’s important to know if you plan on living there.
Here’s a quick list of some of the most common creatures you’ll see in Florida on a regular basis:
- Manatees
- Bald Eagles
- Otters
- Armadillos
- Bobcats
- White-tailed deer
- Sandhill cranes
- Ospreys
It’s also very important that, when living in Orlando, you keep one thing in mind: alligators can be found in almost every body of freshwater. From lakes and streams to stormwater ponds, retention basins, rivers, creeks, springs, and even golf courses. In other words, if you’re around fresh water of any kind in Orlando, be aware that alligators are likely close by and always be cautious.
Orlando’s Weather and Climate
There’s one last reason moving to Orlando, Florida might be a great choice, and it’s this: the wonderful weather. Because of its humid, subtropical climate, you can enjoy the outdoors year-round in Orlando. That’s one of the main reasons why Walt Disney chose the city for Disney World’s location!
Take a look at these weather-related facts about Orlando:
- Average summer highs are in the low to mid-90s°F.
- The city sees about 235 days of sunshine per year.
- Snow in Orlando is almost nonexistent, although they do get the occasional frost.
- Hurricane season, which lasts from June through November, rarely does any real damage due to Orlando’s inland location.
- In winter, daytime temperatures typically hover in the low 70s°F, with overnight lows rarely dropping below the mid-40s°F.
- Orlando’s “rainy season” comes in summer thanks to storms that pass through the city quite quickly.
Let NSA Storage Help You Make Your Move to Orlando
Moving to Orlando can be a hassle, it’s true. If you’re having problems and need to store your belongings in Orlando, NSA Storage can help. Our clean, secure Orlando self-storage units are found all over the city, ready to store your valuables.
You can reserve storage units in Orlando online in just a few minutes, and they will be ready when you arrive. Plus, we also store boats, cars, jet skis, and many other watercraft.
Reserve online, give us a call, or visit your local NSA Storage and get help from one of our experienced, helpful reps! Until then, best of luck moving to one of the Sunshine State’s most unique and exciting cities, Orlando!
