Orlando, Florida is a bustling city with a diverse range of neighborhoods that offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly suburb or a trendy downtown area, Orlando has a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle and preferences.
There are several great reasons why you should consider living in the Orlando area. You can enjoy the many attractions in the Orlando area, including Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, the Kennedy Space Center, or the Orlando Science Center, and much more. You can easily hop on a bus and be there in less than an hour. You will have access to all of the wonderful things that Central Florida has to offer. Orlando is an excellent place to live and call home with endless activities, excellent schools, incredible job opportunities, and of course, beautiful weather.
The Orlando area has several great neighborhoods. In fact, these neighborhoods are the best places to live. You can find plenty of parks, shopping centers, and other amenities in these neighborhoods.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the best neighborhoods in Orlando, and how a realtor can help you find your dream home. Here is a list with the 10 best neighborhoods in Orlando, Florida, so you can see where you want to live.
1. Downtown Orlando
Downtown Orlando has a lot to offer, with out-of-this-world dining, unique nightlife and entertainment and shopping. Residing here is less about where you live and much more about how you live. Downtown Orlando has a mix of high-rise condos, apartment buildings, and bungalow-style single-family homes scattered around this beautiful City.
The Central Business District is home to a mix of businesses and a selection of high-rise apartments and condominiums. This district is rich in culture with its selection of theaters, galleries, and museums. This dense landscape into smaller districts for you get a real feel for each distinct part of the downtown area of Orlando.
The City District has a long legacy as downtown’s entertainment district. It has been a vibrant place for entertainment since the beginning days of Church Street Station. This area has an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, arts, and live entertainment.
Creative Village is one of the newest districts in Downtown Orlando. This is an area of Orlando where the sectors of education, technology, and digital media collide. In this village, you’ll find a mixture of creative studios, restaurants, and office spaces.
With Lake Eola Park as its beautiful centerpiece, Lake Eola Heights is one of the oldest districts. It’s one of the most architecturally diverse residential neighborhoods in the downtown area.
On the eastern side of Lake Eola Park is the trendy Thornton Park Main Street District. This friendly district has a selection of restaurants that range from casual to upscale. It’s walkable to a handful of welcoming neighborhood bars. The styles of the homes include bungalows, brownstones, and condos.
As the name suggests, South Eola is just south of Lake Eola Park. The neighborhood has a blend of traditional homes, high-rise apartments, and condos. It is surrounded by walkable dining, shopping, and entertainment. It’s home of downtown’s only dog park at Constitution Green. The neighborhood various year-round events.
Southeast of the Central Business District is the Lake Cherokee Historic District. Its historic homes and converted business structures date back to the 1870s. The best part about this charming district is the serene lakes that wrap around it.
Just north of downtown, College Park is a historic neighborhood known for its charming bungalows and walkable streets. With its proximity to local shops and restaurants, as well as downtown Orlando, College Park is a popular choice for those who value convenience and community.
The North Quarter District sits on the northern edge of downtown and stretches to the Ivanhoe Village Main street district. It’s equally adjacent to the urban side and village side of downtown. It is also conveniently located nearby the I-4 on-ramps. This district has a mixture of restaurants, office towers, small businesses, and apartments. There are also some single-family homes used for both residences and small businesses.
The Parramore Heritage Neighborhood is west of the Central Business District. Established in 1880, it is rich in African American history. Although parts have been gentrified, it’s African American roots remain intact.
Whether you want to live an energetic, urban lifestyle or prefer a quieter area of downtown by a lake, both options are available to you. There are many beautiful apartment complexes and condos all throughout downtown.
2. Windermere, Florida
15 miles southwest of Downtown Orlando is Windermere, where you will find one of the friendliest smallest towns in all of Florida. Located west of Orlando, Windermere is a charming town known for its stunning lakes and luxury homes. With its excellent schools and family-friendly amenities, Windermere is a popular choice for families and those seeking a quiet, suburban lifestyle.
Windermere, Florida, a small, vibrant city in Orange County, Florida. It’s one of the best and popular suburbs of Orlando, especially for wealthy people, and is home to just 4,000 residents. It’s located on the Butler Chain of Lakes, which are famous for water skiing, boating, and fishing. Windermere is known for its luxurious lakefront homes, famous residents, and a quiet, charming atmosphere..
It offers a lovely blend of big-city excitement with small-town quality of life. Depending on the traffic, Walt Disney World is approximately 20 minutes away from the City of Windermere. Downtown Orlando is about 12 miles away.
3. Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park, a population of just under 30,000 people and less than 7 miles from Downtown Orlando, is an arts and culture-filled city with beautiful golf courses. Winter Park also is a nature lover’s destination with more than 70 parks, all home to various events, festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Winter Park offers residents the best of both worlds with an urban-suburban mix feel.
Located just north of Orlando, Winter Park is a charming city with tree-lined streets, boutique shops, and excellent dining options. With its historic homes and stunning parks, Winter Park is a popular choice for families and retirees.
Being such a highly desired city to live in, the Winter Park housing market is very competitive with an average home value roughly around $460,000. There is so much within the Winter Park city limits but also, all the famous Orlando attractions are just minutes away.
4. Winter Garden, Florida
Winter Garden is a family-friendly town located 14 miles west of Downtown Orlando, and is known for its old Florida style and charm, home to almost 45,000 residents. The historic downtown is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a favorite destination, with shops and restaurants
5. Baldwin Park, Florida
Baldwin Park is a well-developed community downtown with a little sleek, spacious and new atmosphere. It’s a well-developed community known for its quality, size, and style of homes. When searching for housing options, they have anything from apartments to rent, townhouses, cottages, and also beautiful single-family homes.
Located just east of downtown, Baldwin Park is a planned community that combines traditional neighborhood charm with modern amenities. With its tree-lined streets, community events, and access to the Cady Way Trail, Baldwin Park is a popular choice for families and young professionals alike.
Baldwin Park has a variety of excellent restaurants, shops, and amenities. Most homes are within easy distance of stores, offices, and restaurants. Baldwin Park is also home to many outdoor attractions including a 23-acre dog-friendly park for all the town’s furry friends to hang out.
6. Lake Nona, Florida
Lake Nona offers some of the most excellent golf courses in the Orlando area. Located only 25 minutes from Orlando and minutes from Orlando International Airport, this City is a delightful place for anyone who wants to be within minutes of literally everything.
Located southeast of downtown, Lake Nona is a master-planned community that has become one of Orlando’s most popular neighborhoods in recent years. With its state-of-the-art medical facilities, A-rated schools, and high-end shopping and dining options, Lake Nona is an ideal choice for those seeking a luxurious lifestyle.
Lake Nona is famous for its beautiful neighborhoods and entertainment scene. With lots of things to do, this fast-growing community has a wide variety of restaurant options, bars, outdoor activities, and great shopping. Lake Nona offers a variety of single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and large estate homes.
7. Lake Mary, Florida
Lake Mary is a community where people can live, work and play in a safe and friendly environment, known for its well-planned residential communities, excellent education, high-tech businesses, outstanding restaurants, and a variety of shopping options. The crime rate in Lake Mary is one of the lowest in Florida. The Parks and Recreation facilities are beautifully maintained and offer something for everyone. It’s a slower pace than downtown giving visitors a genuine sense of community.
8. Maitland, Florida
Maitland is a charming town where you will find a quiet, family-friendly suburb with a numerous selection of parks to enjoy. The “historical corridor” has some of the most beautiful century-old homes, especially in the Lake Lily-Lake Catherine area, also extending into the central area of the city. There are apartments, lake homes, condos, and single-family homes, located in top educational districts, making it a wonderful place to plant your family with easy access to all of the great things Central Florida has to offer.
Maitland is also home to the Howell Branch Nature Preserve, a lovely 52-acre nature preserve. It’s a great place for a peaceful hiking experience where deer and different species of birds can be found.
9. Doctor Phillips, Florida
Dr. Phillips is a community within the city of Orlando, was founded by Dr. Philip Phillips, one of Orlando’s first millionaires. Located southwest of downtown, Dr. Phillips is a suburban neighborhood known for its high-end restaurants, excellent schools, and proximity to major attractions like Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. With its spacious homes and community amenities, Dr. Phillips is an ideal choice for families and those seeking a more laid-back lifestyle.
Just 10 minutes from Disney World and 15 minutes from downtown Orlando, today’s Dr. Phillips includes upscale neighborhoods along the Butler Chain of Lakes. Bay Hill Country Club and Orange Tree Country Club. I should note that Doctor Phillips was named as one of the best places to live in all of Florida by Time’s Money Magazine and was the only City in the entire state to land on it’s list. Doctor Phillips is home to 12,600 residents, who mostly own their own homes and enjoy the dense suburban feel.
10. Lake Buena Vista
Located just outside of Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista is a resort community that offers easy access to the theme parks and excellent dining and shopping options. With its luxurious hotels and vacation homes, Lake Buena Vista is an ideal choice for those seeking a second home or vacation property.
11. Hunters Creek
Located south of downtown, Hunters Creek is a master-planned community known for its excellent schools and family-friendly amenities. With its parks, walking trails, and community events, Hunters Creek is a great choice for families who want to live in a safe and welcoming environment.
12. Celebration, Florida
Celebration is a community made for those who love Disney. Developed and designed by the Walt Disney Company, is located right next door to all the famous theme parks. The City is known for its walkability, neighborhood parks, convenient shopping, and traditional home designs.
Celebration offers a bold presence of homes, townhomes, and beautiful apartment complexes that take on a well-designed style featuring Colonial, Mediterranean, and Victorian influences, bringing the whole area together in unity.
No matter which Orlando neighborhood you choose, working with a realtor can help make the home buying process easier and more rewarding. A real estate agent can help you narrow down your search, find homes that fit your budget and preferences, and negotiate with the seller on your behalf. With their expertise and knowledge of the local real estate market, a realtor can help you find your dream home in one of Orlando’s best neighborhoods.
Orlando neighborhoods offer something for everyone. Each community has its unique character and charm. As you can see, there are so many great neighborhoods to live in Orlando, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options. The best thing about working with an Orlando realtor is that I have experience with the Orlando area market. I can provide you with my knowledge and tips on how to make the most of your home search. I’d love to help you discover which Orlando neighborhood is for you.
