Relocating to Central Florida:Choosing a Location

Belle Isle is a beautiful community in Central

The great state of Florida, nicknamed The Sunshine State, is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of(…) Term details“>Florida

located in southeastern Orange County.  Here peaceful, lakefront living provides a peaceful  vacation from nearby metropolitan areas. Belle Isle was established in 1924 in an effort to protect Lake Conway and the surrounding chain of lakes. Belle Isle’s local government has worked for years, and still does, to preserve the beautiful environment that over 6,000 residents call home.

• The City of Belle Isle

Located in the southernmost portion of Seminole County in Central

The great state of Florida, nicknamed The Sunshine State, is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of(…) Term details“>Florida

, Casselberry is ten miles north of downtown Orlando and approximately 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport.  It is a city with a population of approximately 28,000 people and a total area of about 7.1 square miles. Offering a rich quality of life alongside excellent City services, tranquil residential surroundings, and a constantly growing business market, Casselberry is an exciting and thriving city in which to live, work and play.

• Casselberry

Clermont is a Lake County city approximately 22 miles west of Orlando with a population of of over 30,000 people.  The area is approximately 11.5 square miles of mostly rolling hills.  It has the amenities that make it an attractive location for families, new business, educational endeavors, office development, and health-fitness opportunities. Clermont is Open for Business and offers everything for growing families too.  Health, wellness, and fitness are all part of Clermont’s culture.

• Clermont

Deltona, FL, United States

Deltona is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and the most populous city in Volusia County. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Monroe along the St. Johns River in central Florida. 

The city, previously known as Deltona Lakes, was originally established as a planned residential community,^[7] and was master-planned and developed by the General Development Corporation and the Mackle Brothers. Since its opening in 1962, the community rapidly grew from a small subdivision to becoming one of largest cities in Central Florida by the end of the 20th century, largely in part by the Mackle Brothers’ worldwide marketing efforts showcasing small low maintenance homes offered at affordable prices. The city is mostly residential, and primarily serves as a commuter town for the nearby cities of Orlando and Daytona Beach, as well as its surrounding communities.

• ATTRACTIONS

  Being in Central Florida, Deltona is located right in the hub of some of the best entertainment Florida has to offer.

  If you want to travel to Orlando, less than an hours drive will get you to Disney, Universal Studios, the Safari Wilderness Ranch, Gatorland, Seaworld, and countless other museums, parks, restaurants, and shopping centers.

  Daytona Beach, only 28 miles away, is the Festival Capital of Florida. From legendary events like BikeWeek, Biketober Fest, and the Halifax Art Festival, to all of the historical sites like the DeLeon Springs State Park and Sugarmill Ruins, Daytona is chock full of culture and history. Daytona International Speedway is this city’s main attraction, bringing in fans from far and wide.

  There are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities both in and outside of Deltona. With shopping centers, outlets, and shopping malls in the surrounding areas you can shop to your heart’s content.
  •

  ARTS AND CULTURE

  The Deltona Regional Library has an amphitheater that hosts regular concerts throughout the year.

  The Veterans Memorial Park and Museum is a well-maintained little museum that has pieces from almost every war that America has been a part of. The display cases have small firearms, telescopes, swords, and other things that soldiers used through the many years.

  The Kennedy Space Center, the showcase for a NASA shuttle launch simulation, rockets, tours, IMAX films, & astronaut memorabilia is around 55 miles south east.
  •

  ECOTOURISM

  Deltona has 22 beautiful parks, 9 EcoParks with more in progress! Nature trails and three paved cycling trails.

  Lyonia Preserve is a nature lover’s paradise. Well known for it’s abundance of wildlife, especially one of Florida’s rarest and most colorful birds, the Florida Scrub Jay. Hikers can also trek the 2.1 mile circuit to the highest summit in Volusia county and observe a piece of Florida’s ancient scrub habitat along the way. The Lyonia Preserve also has an attached environmental learning center and library, featuring hands on displays, exhibition space, environmental classrooms, and a nature based gift shop.

  Green Springs Park is another natural gem that covers 36 acres and features one of Florida’s few green sulfur springs. The spring itself ranges in beautiful shades of greens, jades, and turquoise depending on the season. There are 4 short but well maintained trails to hike, scenic overlooks, a playground, and picnic pavilions.

  The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden, a 116-acre zoo and botanical garden, is located less than 10 miles away in Sanford, FL.
  •

  SPORTS AND RECREATION

  Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex is home to a football field, soccer fields, a stage, and a large playground. There’s also a concession stand open during games and special events. These premier soccer fields have become a training favorite of several international teams including the Bolton Wanderers FC (England) and Club Estudiantes de La Plata (Brazil) as well as Major League Soccer Club, the Philadelphia Union.

  Lake Butler Recreation Complex is run by the Deltona Parks and Recreation Department. This complex hosts a 15,350 sq.ft. cement street course skate park, a basketball court, playground, and pavilion.

  An active gymnasium, walking trails, ball fields, basketball courts and splash park make Wes Crile Park Deltona’s most popular facility.

  Related pages –

• Deltona Means Business
• Deltona Chamber of Commerce
• Deltona FL Wiki

Dr. Phillips,while technically not a city, has become such a populated location that has its own designation. It is located in the southwest portion of Orange County, between Interstate 4 and Apopka-Vineland Road.  This very desirable area was named after Dr.Phillip Phillips, a Central Term details“>Florida citrus magnate who was influential in developing several innovations in the packaging and processing of orange juice.  The Dr. Phillips area is also know as the Sand Lake area, and one of the most popular attractions is “Restaurant Row.”  The portion on Sand Lake Rd between I-4 and Apopka Vineland Rd has some of the most desirable restaurants attracting many tourists and locals alike.  Just minutes form all  the Orlando theme parks, and International Drive, the Dr. Phillips area has become THE destination to spot.

The city of Eustis was established in 1883, on the eastern shores of Lake Esutis, in the heart of Lake County.  Because of it’s location on the shores of Lake Eustis, and the arrival of railroads to Florida, Eustis was able to grow quickly and was incorporated as early as 1886.  The Citrus industry  became a big part of Eustis as it was easy to ship citrus to the North and South.  Eustis continues to thrive as vital part of the Central Florida landscape.

Today Eustis is a quaint, friendly hometown covering approximately 11.5 sq. miles.  It’s thriving downtown continues to draw small businesses, and tourists alike.  On the shores of Lake Eustis, It’s beautiful waterfront, and abundance of natural resources continue to provide opportunity for the active lifestyle.  Quality neighborhoods, easy accessibility, and and the beauty of the natural landscapes continue to make Eustis a desirable location for those looking to move to Central Florida.

• City of Eustis Website
• Tavares

Lake Mary promotes a sense of community where people can live, work and play in a safe and friendly environment.  That’s why Lake Mary is still one of the fastest growing areas in Central

The great state of Florida, nicknamed The Sunshine State, is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of(…) Term details“>Florida

. Located approximately 18 miles North of Orlando just off Interstate 4, the “City of Lakes” continues to be a choice location for businesses searching for the right place. Among other things Lake Mary is known for its well planned residential communities, excellent schools, prominent businesses including outstanding restaurants, and a variety of shopping experiences.

Lake Nona, FL, United States

Lake Nona Region is a trendy planned community made up of sleek family homes, bungalows, and leafy gated communities. The USTA National Campus, on the banks of Lake Nona, hosts major tennis events and offers lessons, while family-focused Nona Adventure Park has a floating obstacle course and wakeboarding.

Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing communities in America with more than 10 million square feet of world-class residential and commercial facilities. The 17-square-mile, master-designed community is being developed by Tavistock Development Company.

One of the great projects going on in Lake Nona is the Lake Nona Town Center

The Lake Nona Town Center will be the region’s defining retail experience with 6 million square feet of premium shopping, dining, and entertainment. Phase I included a four-story office building with ground-level restaurants, a 200-room, dual-branded Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn, and parking garage defined by iconic art installations. Phase II will see Town Center expand to a 100-acre, open-air social setting featuring a mix of local and national shops and eateries, featuring destinations such as Lake Nona Wave Hotel – a 17-story and more than 5,400 square feet of meeting and event space. Cinépolis Lake Nona – a nine-screen, 40,000-square-foot luxury cinema, with a bowling alley and event space is also being considered.

Longwood is a suburban city north of Orlando, in Seminole County with a population of over 14,000 people.  It is the home of The Senator, the biggest and oldest pond cypress tree in the world, and a very popular tourist spot.  Unfortunately, it was burned down in 2012.  Established in 1878, Longwood has enjoyed continual population growth, and in 2014 the City received recognition as one of the 4 safest places to raise a family in Florida.  Longwood’s charm lies in the eclectic mix of modern homes and historical homes, new neighborhoods and old majestic neighborhoods rich with local historic tales.  Top rated schools, beautiful lakes, and the accessibility to malls, shops, local restaurants, and all major roads continues to make Longwood a desirable location for those moving to Central Florida.  Most recently Longwood was named  as one of the top 10 best places to live in Florida.

• Longwood
• A brief History of Longwood
• Seminole County

Maitland, one of the oldest incorporated municipalities in Central

The great state of Florida, nicknamed The Sunshine State, is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of(…) Term details” class=”glossaryLink cmtt_Florida” style=”box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 1px dashed #999999 !important; border-left: 0px; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; background: #ffffff; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #28201f !important; text-decoration: none !important; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;”>Florida

, is a suburban city in Orange County.  Maitland’s “historical corridor” consists of old residences still standing in the Lake Lily-Lake Catherine area and extending through the central portion of the city.  Maitland has a long history of strong residential identity, supported by the beauty of the area and the diverse economy in the region.

• Maitland
• Winter Park Neighborhoods
• Kraft Azalea Gardens (Kraft Azalea Park)
• Park Avenue & Central Park

Mount Dora, founded in 1880, is a charming city that still retains it’s small town character with it’s many historic buildings and stately oak-tree lined streets.  Mount Dora was named after Lake Dora, which was given that name by land surveyors who experienced the kindness of Dora Ann Drawdy.  The town’s location was on a plateau 184 feet above sea level, hence the name Mount Dora.  Through the years of boom and bust, Mount Dora has been able to grow and progress, while still keeping it’s history and small town charm.  This picturesque city is now home to more than 13,000 people, and is best known for it’s variety of specialty shops and antique boutiques, as well it’s year round events.  A rated schools, well maintained parks, local shops and restaurants, a long with the cultural atmosphere make Mount Dora the perfect place for those looking to move to Central

The great state of Florida, nicknamed The Sunshine State, is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of(…) Term details“>Florida

.

• Mount Dora Official Website
• Lake County

Leesburg, in Lake County, was settled in 1857 but incorporated in 1875, and is known as “The Lakefront City”.  In 1938 the city began work on the Venetian Gardens waterside park, on the shores of Lake Harris, hence “The Lakefront City”.  Today Venetian Gardens is a picturesque park that attracts locals and tourists alike.  This quaint and charming city has been able to expand and grow while still managing to maintain it’s small town feel.  Once an important center for watermelon production, today Leesburg is a full service municipality serving a population of over 21,000.  Leesburg’s beautiful lakes, parks and recreational areas continue to attract business and people looking to move to Central

The great state of Florida, nicknamed The Sunshine State, is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of(…) Term details“>Florida

.

Ocoee is a charming city in Orange County with a serious commitment to to the environment, quality of life, historical landmarks, and has a rich diversity.  Ocoee was established in 1925 and currently has a population of over 40,000, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Orange County.  Just west of Downtown

The City of Orlando is the center of the Orlando Metropolitan area and the county seat of Orange County.  Located in Central Florida, Orlando(…) Term details“>Orlando

, Ocoee boasts quite a few historical and notable landmarks.

The City of Orlando is the center of the Orlando Metropolitan area and the county seat of Orange County.  Located in Central Florida, Orlando also known as “The City Beautiful” was the most visited city in 2009 and 2014.  With a population of over 2.2 Million, Orlando is the 26th largest metropolitan area in the United States and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Florida.  Orlando is also known as “The Theme Park Capital of the World”, with Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and many other theme parks, and in 2014 its tourist attractions and events drew more than 62 million visitors.

• Official Website for the City of Orlando
• Mead Botanical Garden

The Town of Oakland was established in 1887 and is one of the oldest municipalities in Orange County.  Located in west Orange County between John’s Lake and Lake Apopka, Oakland has a diverse history of railroads and agriculture.  It is a diverse, thriving small community known for a laid-back lifestyle and majestic oak trees.  Oakland is the home of the Oakland Nature Preserve which was created to restore and preserve the area adjacent to Lake Apopka and educate future generations on the history of the area and the 130 acres of wetlands

Located just South of Lake Jessup, Oviedo was incorporated as a City in 1925.  Settled by mostly Swedish immigrants, on March 13th 1879, the Lake Jessup Community was officially named Oviedo.  The city has long history of growing citrus and celery, which were then sold in Sanford and Orlando.  The downtown area of Oviedo still display many of the buildings constructed between the and of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, with some listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The near by Oviedo mall, with all it’s shops and restaurants, is a catalyst for growth in this beautiful town.  In 2009 Oviedo was voted one of CNN Money Magazine’s 100 Best Places to Live.  Family Circle’s August 2011 issue also listed Oviedo as one of the Top 10 Towns for Families, and in 2013 Oviedo was voted Best Places to Raise Kids in Florida by Businessweek.

As of the Census of 2000, There were 8,556 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 9.99% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.10% were non-families. 10.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The median income for a household in the city was $77,489, and the median income for a family was $80,923.

Tavares, also known as “America’s Seaplane City,” is located in Lake County and is surrounded by lakes.  The largest of the lakes is Lake Harris, but it is also surrounded by Lake Eustis and Lake Dora, just to name a few.  Founded in 1880, Tavares is a charming lake front town located in Central Florida, a short drive from Orlando, Disney and other major Florida attractions.  Tavares has long been the center of government in Lake County.  It is rapidly growing and gaining recognition as the areas “Entertainment District.”  The City’s involvement and sponsorship to bring World Class Fishing, Water and Music events to the area, along with the numerous improvements to the waterfront areas along the Harris Chain of Lakes, and the region’s newest Seaplane Base, has made Tavares a much desirable city to live, work and play.

• Tavares Official Website
• Lake County

The largest city in Seminole County, Sanford is a port city on the shores of Lake Monroe and is known as the “Historic Waterfront Gateway City”.  It was once the seat of Orange County in the It is also the home of Seminole State College of Florida and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.  Sanford, with it’s extensive transportation network and distinctive history and historic downtown, is a vibrant city where people go to live, work, and play.

• Sanford
• Oviedo

The City of Umatilla, also known as “Nature’s Hometown,” is located in Northern Lake County and is the outdoor lovers’ paradise.  Umatilla offers an abundance of outdoor activities for it’s residents and tourists alike.  From boating to fishing, to camping and hiking.  Umatilla was founded in 1856 and was named after a town in Oregon; Umatilla is an Indian name meaning “laughing waters.”  Today Umatila is a charming, thriving town with an eclectic mix of new and old.  The downtown Umatilla area boasts local shops, restaurants and doctors, and even a honey co-op.

The town of Windermere was founded on May 5, 1915, when 110 acres of land situated between James Avenue , Lamar Avenue, Main Street, and 5th Street were auctioned off and incorporated under the council-manager form of government.  Surrounded by some of the most beautiful lakes in the Orlando area and some of the best schools in the area, Windermere is where many want to live.

Winter Garden is a Florida destination – only without pretense. Stroll down Plant Street in the Historic Downtown District of Winter Garden and witness the resurgence of a vibrant community.  Recently ranked as one of the fastest growing suburbs by Forbes.com, Winter Garden is much more than just another Florida community. It is a place for growing families, businesses and adventures.

• Winter Garden

Rollins College in Winter Park is the first recognized college in Florida and was founded in 1885.  It was founded by New England(…) Term details“>Rollins College

,

Full Sail University in Winter Park started 30 years ago with as a place where those who love entertainment could learn how to take their(…) Term details“>Full Sail University

, and

The Morse Museum of American Art was founded in 1942 by Jeanette Genius McKean, and named after her grandfather Charles Hosmer Morse, a Chicago(…) Term details“>the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

.  The Morse Museum of America Art houses the world’s largest collection of Tiffany glass. The City of Winter Park features open park space, residential neighborhoods, golf courses, a street-side shopping district and amazing restaurants along Park Avenue.

Winter Park was incorporated as a city in 1885. It quickly became a popular vacation destination for wealthy northerners to escape the frigid winters, hence the name Winter Park. Founded as a luxury getaway, Winter Park continued to maintain its high-end reputation ever since. Now Winter Park is one of Central Florida’s most expensive neighborhoods, with continual redevelopment and reinvestment.

The most desirable neighborhoods in Winter Park surround the chain of lakes.

Winter Springs is a city Northeast of Orlando, in Seminole County, with a population of approximately 34,000.  The City offers  excellent quality of life, and was recently chosen as one of the “Best Places to Live” by CNN Money Magazine and the Orlando Sentinel.

• Winter Springs