Home » Best Places » florida active adult retirement communities » Orlando

Orlando : Florida

What it's Like to Retire in Orlando

Orlando, Florida in the last 36 years went from being a regional town to one of Florida's largest cities. Now with a population of 231,000 (and 2 million in the Metro), it is not only a booming city and immensely popular vacation destination, but also a mecca for retirement communities. Walt Disney got it all started when his company purchased vast tracts of land in this former farming area and announced plans to construct Disney World in 1965. Epcot followed and now Orlando is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The area is also home to countless Central Florida retirement communities. Photo of Universal Studios courtesy of Wikipedia and Matthew Cockerill.

Watch this short Youtube video prepared by VisitUSA:

Here is the Topretirements Mini-Retirement Guide to Florida

Where to Retire in Orlando and Home Prices

The suburbs and area around Orlando are home to many communities, since Orlando is somewhat urban. There are historic neighborhoods such as Lake Cherokee and Lake Eola Heights (see photo above). Celebration FL is a Disney built community in the "new urbanism" style. Homes and condos are available at every end of the spectrum, from manufactured home communities to exclusive enclaves that are home to some of America's wealthiest celebrities.
The median selling price of a home in Orlando is way down vs. the giddy heights of 2006. The median selling price was $207,600 in the first quarter of 2016, according to the National Association of Realtors, a steady increase since the first quarter of 2015 with the median price at $186,000.

What is special about Orlando

University of Central Florida; the 2nd biggest in the state. Disney World, Epcot, MGM Studios ,and untold other tourist destinations. A vibrant economy that goes beyond tourism. Some historic districts. Great winter climate. Many cultural venues. Little Saigon section of town. Very diverse and international

What is not special about Orlando

High crime rates in the city. An urban experience that is crowded with tourists. Severe weather storms can happen

Who will like retirement in Orlando

Folks looking for warm weather and a big choice of communities

Local economy is driven by

Tourism, manufacturing, trade shows, and becoming very diverse. Orlando and Florida Tax information about retirement

Climate and Physical Environment

Located near the center of the state. The terrain is flat and low. Summers are quite hot and humid, winters are mild.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Orlando approved the construction of a major new performing arts center in 2007. The University of Central Florida provides many cultural events. Some of the many theatres in Orlando include the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando Repertory Theatre (Central Florida's only Professional Theatre for Young Audiences), Orlando Theatre Project, Mad Cow Theatre, and Theatre Downtown. There is a popular film festival and many theatre companies and movie theatres. Thanks to the tourist industry there are countless restaurants and museums, not to mention Disney World, Epcot, and more.

Crime

Crime in Orlando is high - just over half the national average.

Medical facilities

There are 3 hospitals in Orlando, including Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional

Transportation

Orlando International is one of the world's busiest airports with connections to just about anywhere. Amtrak has service to Orlando, along with some light rail service

Valuable Links

Orlando Wikipedia
Orlando City-Data
Orlando Chamber of Commerce
Retire in Orlando

What people are saying about Orlando
No Comments

To comment you must be a registered member of Topretirements.com

Login Here

Username:
Password:
Remember me on this computer.

Create Your Free Membership Account

Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots

Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!

Top Communities

Gulfstream Harbor

Live like you're on vacation every day at Gulfstream Harbor. Enjoy the tranquility of a wooded nature preserve right in your backyard. Discover a place where you can get involved, make new friends, stay in shape, and enjoy fun in the sun. Orlando is .....

Orlando Active Communities

Facts about ORLANDO

State: FL
Environment: Urban,Suburban,College Town,Cultural Center,
City Population: 100,001+
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 61 +
Avg July Temperature: 81+
Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: 2000-4000
Total Crime Index: 121+ (very high)
Cost of Living Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: No
Name of the Guide: boomer1

Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts

Vote on the Ratings for Orlando

Update Your Ratings

1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

Currently 3.60>/5
1
2
3
4
5

1. Rating: 3.6/5 ( 5 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

Currently 3.33>/5
1
2
3
4
5

2. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 6 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

Currently 2.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

3. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 6 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

Currently 4.25>/5
1
2
3
4
5

4. Rating: 4.3/5 ( 4 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

Currently 4.40>/5
1
2
3
4
5

5. Rating: 4.4/5 ( 5 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

Currently 4.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5

6. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

Currently 2.22>/5
1
2
3
4
5

7. Rating: 2.2/5 ( 9 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

Currently 4.25>/5
1
2
3
4
5

8. Rating: 4.3/5 ( 4 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

Currently 3.25>/5
1
2
3
4
5

9. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 4 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

Currently 2.25>/5
1
2
3
4
5

10. Rating: 2.3/5 ( 4 votes cast)

Find the best retirement communities, active adult communities, and places to retire