13 Best Places to Live in Orlando in 2023

By  //  January 7, 2023

If you’re looking to call Orlando your new home but have yet to decide on the neighborhood, you’re in the right place. Moving to Orlando will bring your inner spontaneous, always ready-for-adventure self.

There are many reasons why The Sunshine State became the third most populous, beating even New York. World-class amusement parks, fantastic beaches, and phenomenal job opportunities are only a fraction of what attracts New Yorkers daily. 

You might’ve decided to move to Florida to live your childhood dream and have daily access to Disney world or for its great weather and education. No matter what the reason is, you’re in the right place. Your wallet will be grateful, especially if you are moving from NYC, since the cost of living is noticeably lower than in New York.

Now what’s left is choosing the right neighborhood. No need to panic; we’re coming to the rescue. We prepared lists of the best areas to live in, the safest neighborhoods, and the best suburbs for those with a family. All in hopes of helping you find the perfect place to call your new home, depending on your needs. 

7 Best suburbs in Orlando 

1. Windermere

This is a sought-after neighborhood because it offers many excellent schools, beautiful homes, and friendly neighbors. If you seek something more peaceful than Downtown Orlando, this is the place for you. This neighborhood has a real estate out-f-this-world,  with many activities you can enjoy like fishing, kayaking, working out, running, and boating. The perfect place to escape the noisy, busy life of the urbanized suburbs. It is the ideal mix of natural surroundings and historic buildings with fantastic sporting facilities like tennis courts, football fields, and elite golf courses. Many celebrities enjoy the quiet, slow-paced lifestyle this community brings. The median home price in Windermere in 2022 is about $770,000. 

2. Audubon Park 

This is the perfect neighborhood for you if you’re looking for a small-town feel in a big city. It offers a small-town vibe with its mom-and-pop shops, green spaces, and friendly neighbors. Audubon Park is filled with lush parks, making it ideal for outdoorsy types. This Orlando’s hidden gem is just 10 minutes from Downtown and near Winter Park. Its bohemian feel contributes to the park’s overall atmosphere with the most beautiful natural attractions like Harry P. Leu Gardens and East End Market’s locally produced food and merchandise. Audubon Park Garden District hosts One MICHELIN Star Kadence, a mind-blowing- sushi-tasting experience.

3. Winter Park

This is an excellent place for those who want to get away from the busy city life without having to drive too far. It has plenty of restaurants, bars, and parks that can keep you entertained all day. The residents are laid-back, so it’s a good spot for families with kids. Here, you are surrounded by culture with four contemporary art museums, local history, and sculpture in the area, alongside, theatrical productions, lounges, and orchestra concerts. With more than 70 parks, their events, festivals, and celebrations, Winter Park offers an incredible number of activities you can enjoy every year. Not to mention everything is so close, and you won’t have to spend hours planning and going on a road trip or a tour of Central Florida. 

4. College Park

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to Downtown Orlando, this is the place for you. It is a great neighborhood with friendly people and safe streets. Many restaurants and shops are nearby so you can travel only a little for entertainment. On top of being just 10 minutes from Downtown, many say that this area offers access to Orlando’s world-class cultural and entertainment experiences with a community where you know everyone and everyone knows you. College Park also hosts various exciting events, like April’s dancing on the drive and Edgewater drive. JazzFest is also a big hit, and December’s Holiday on the Drive parade.

5. Kissimmee

This is a place where people come together, enjoy their time, and even get some adrenaline. Sea World Parks, Walt Disney World Resort, Legoland, and Universal Orlando Resort attract thousands of tourists. You can even take a trip to visit Wild Florida and become friends with a sloth, try the zip-line in Gatorland, or go on a hot-air balloon ride, and try the airboat. Wow, talk about endless first-date ideas. This dreamy oasis is family-oriented, and with so many exciting activities, it is not just a place for tourists. Still, with affordable cost of living, dining options that fit every budget, and diverse neighborhoods, Kissimmee is the perfect place to work and live in. 

6. Baldwin Park

With its proximity to Downtown, this neighborhood has everything kids and adults could wish for. First Fridays, food markets, community events, and exciting activities are only a few reasons why families move here. Baldwin Park is a place for those looking for a more modern vibe with the new urbanism lifestyle. Baldwin Park is rich in bike lanes, tree-lined sidewalks, relaxing parks throughout, and Lake Baldwin Park. Being extremely walkable, it also makes an excellent place for families and offers many outdoor activities.

7. Sanford

Orlando Sanford International Airport is only minutes away, so it’s perfect for those who need to go on business trips and fly frequently. Stanford has been reestablished over the years and now attracts those seeking the modern-vintage feel. Being close to both Orlando’s theme parks and the beachfront at Daytona, it’s become a fun area to explore with its vibrant restaurants, shopping, breweries, and activities. Everybody enjoys the sunshine, lakefront water activities, and easy-to-access boat ramps with their families and friends at the shores of Lake Monroe in this Historic Waterfront Gateway City. But that’s not all; at Orlando, you can also experience canoeing and horseback riding at the BIG Econ State Forest.

3 Best areas to live in Orlando for families

1. Oviedo

Oviedo has been #43 on Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” for 2020. And with its community culture, events, and education, it’s no surprise. It is ideal for families, offering that slower pace and a quiet lifestyle in the modern city. Between Orlando’s Lake Jessup and the University of Central Florida’s campus, Oviedo is perfect for raising kids because of its excellent schools and safe neighborhoods. According to Niche, in 2022, Oviedo has an A+ in diversity, an A in public schools, and an A+ in good for families. 

2. Maitland

The luxurious suburban city of Maitland is like made for families. It is close to Downtown and has a new City Center with trendy restaurants and retail. This neighborhood honors history, and you can find historical monuments and old houses that still have their original facades. It has the best educational centers in the area and many activities kids enjoy, as well as film festivals and various school activities and sports leagues students can join and compete in. 

3. Winter Garden

This area is made for you and your family. This calm, and easy-paced area, offers many opportunities to build a family. Winter garden streets are filled with friendly smiles, supportive neighbors, and the old amenities of Florida. This calm neighborhood is wealthy with beautiful nature, providing many outdoor activities like running, fishing, and riding a bike. It has impressive schools and is ranked among the safest neighborhoods in Orlando.

3 Safest neighborhoods in Orlando

1. Celebration

If you’d like to be neighbors with Mickey Mouse, you’ve found your community. Developed by the Walt Disney Company, it is vintage-themed and has that unity feel Celebration residents form. It has outdoor concerts and festivals, unique shops, fabulous dining restaurants, and walking paths. A world-class hospital, a golf course, and tennis courts are located here and complement areas such as Downtown Celebration, Shoppes at Celebration Place, and Water Tower Shoppes. And it is safer than 87% of Florida cities. Celebration’s median price for December 2022 was around $622,000.

2. Lake Mary 

This neighborhood is a popular place to raise a family. Alongside Mitsubishi and Siemens, this area hosts golf courses, walking trails, festivals, the Central Florida Zoo, a variety of parks, and Hammock Preserve. A place where you’ll never get bored and never have to worry about your safety. Residents enjoy farmer’s markets, running trails, car shows, races, outdoor activities, and several themed events every year.

3. Clermont

The Choice of Champions is the United States Triathlon National Training Center home. Some bigger lakes of Central Florida are found here and offer locals who love to fish to take a trip to Lake Louisa and John’s Lake for fishing. Besides that, people usually have picnics in Waterfront Park or go swimming, hiking, exploring, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, or kayaking.