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I think one of the factors that fuels this perception is the location of MCO (Orlando's airport) on the outskirts of the city which makes it possible for a tourist to commute from the airport directly to the tourist areas and totally bypass the city center of Orlando without ever even catching a glimpse of the downtown skyline.. It is rather sad and very frustrating for locals that are proud of their city..
While progress has been made, this speaks to the power of commercialism and tourism corporations, Orlando's local areas and offerings are often sadly overlooked by tourists due to this.. This is one of the reasons why the Mayor of Orlando now has a recorded welcome announcement that is played on the airport people mover that politely informs tourists that there is more to Orlando than theme parks and tourist attractions, I recall that he even makes mention of Orlando's performing arts center and local museums on the recorded announcement..
That is very sad. To Orlando's credit, the city was caught off guard to the success of the theme parks early on.
Interestingly enough, these are the last two cities I’ve lived in. Just moved to Charlotte earlier this month from living a couple years in Orlando. Both are great cities and shockingly similar. Charlotte and Orlando might as well be sister cities tbh. Only difference is Orlando has theme parks and beaches within an hour, although Charlotte has Carowinds, which I haven’t tried yet due to COVID. Both cities have incredible, beautiful, unique neighborhoods and suburbs, lively and walkable downtowns, and each metro is amazingly pristine and new. Traffic isn’t great in either city but nothing like other larger cities with legendary traffic.
All in all, I think it’s a toss-up. One thing I’ve noticed is Orlando has better food. There are food trucks everywhere and lots of variety of Latin and Caribbean cuisine I haven’t yet found in Charlotte. I’m loving Charlotte’s weather right now though. Having a low in the 60s is pretty cool during the summer. Not looking forward to 30s in the winter so we’ll see about that later this year. But anyway, both places are awesome cities. I’ll give the verrrryyy slight edge to Charlotte because it has more sports teams, is a little cheaper but pays a little more on average, and since idc much about beaches or Orlando’s theme parks.
Interestingly enough, these are the last two cities I’ve lived in. Just moved to Charlotte earlier this month from living a couple years in Orlando. Both are great cities and shockingly similar. Charlotte and Orlando might as well be sister cities tbh. Only difference is Orlando has theme parks and beaches within an hour, although Charlotte has Carowinds, which I haven’t tried yet due to COVID. Both cities have incredible, beautiful, unique neighborhoods and suburbs, lively and walkable downtowns, and each metro is amazingly pristine and new. Traffic isn’t great in either city but nothing like other larger cities with legendary traffic.
All in all, I think it’s a toss-up. One thing I’ve noticed is Orlando has better food. There are food trucks everywhere and lots of variety of Latin and Caribbean cuisine I haven’t yet found in Charlotte. I’m loving Charlotte’s weather right now though. Having a low in the 60s is pretty cool during the summer. Not looking forward to 30s in the winter so we’ll see about that later this year. But anyway, both places are awesome cities. I’ll give the verrrryyy slight edge to Charlotte because it has more sports teams, is a little cheaper but pays a little more on average, and since idc much about beaches or Orlando’s theme parks.
Interestingly enough, these are the last two cities I’ve lived in. Just moved to Charlotte earlier this month from living a couple years in Orlando. Both are great cities and shockingly similar. Charlotte and Orlando might as well be sister cities tbh. Only difference is Orlando has theme parks and beaches within an hour, although Charlotte has Carowinds, which I haven’t tried yet due to COVID. Both cities have incredible, beautiful, unique neighborhoods and suburbs, lively and walkable downtowns, and each metro is amazingly pristine and new. Traffic isn’t great in either city but nothing like other larger cities with legendary traffic.
All in all, I think it’s a toss-up. One thing I’ve noticed is Orlando has better food. There are food trucks everywhere and lots of variety of Latin and Caribbean cuisine I haven’t yet found in Charlotte. I’m loving Charlotte’s weather right now though. Having a low in the 60s is pretty cool during the summer. Not looking forward to 30s in the winter so we’ll see about that later this year. But anyway, both places are awesome cities. I’ll give the verrrryyy slight edge to Charlotte because it has more sports teams, is a little cheaper but pays a little more on average, and since idc much about beaches or Orlando’s theme parks.
You do realize that this is atypical for NC Weather this time of year (low-mid 80s average) but we'll take it. Btw, no theme park compares to Disney, not even close but Carowinds has some very good coasters.
Nah, winter isn't bad, at all. A few weeks in Jan/Feb can get tricky. I like your assessment of both and much like other sunbelt cities, they get maligned for being sprawly, etc. And like most other sunbelt cities, just urban "enough"...that's all I need and most other people, really.
I’m interested to hear this too. Really, both are VERY similar in all facets. Charlotte has that amazing LRT though. Orlando benefits from proximity to beaches, and year-round warmth.
It’s a tough one for me.
I’m interested to hear this too. Really, both are VERY similar in all facets. Charlotte has that amazing LRT though. Orlando benefits from proximity to beaches, and year-round warmth.
It’s a tough one for me.
Hey Arcenal,
I'm actually in Parrish( Tampa) right now visiting my parents. I'm going to Orlando Saturday to visit the actual city.
I'm actually in Parrish( Tampa) right now visiting my parents. I'm going to Orlando Saturday to visit the actual city.
How was your visit?
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