For some reason or another, a large majority of the people in these forums have token it upon themselves to discourage, taunt, and even attempt frighten people out of moving to Orlando. Why aren't you moving out then? Why aren't you on the new city of your dreams's board asking questions about moving there? I don't see the point in giving these over-opinionated almost rude posts to people simply looking for information from locals.
I am moving to Orlando for 3rd time, and I know exactly why. Of course, the weather, but there's more. First of all, the sunshine never wears off, and if you ever had an inkling you wouldn't get along with the heat-why would you even consider one of the most southern states? Obviously, we're not even going to discuss humidity either.
There's a vibe in Orlando and most of Florida that you just don't get up north. People are friendlier, life is more appreciated. Your car doesn't rust (unless you live on a beach:P)), and there's not a car commercial on TV every 3 sec (sorry I'm from Detroit). The economy of Orlando isn't dependent on 1 or 2 major industries and if you so choose you can make an excellent living working with your hands.
Your 10 hours drive from the southern most tip of the United States (Key West) and only 40 min from the major cruise ports. Everyone plays golf or knows someone who does. It's not uncommon to have a golf membership and a sailboat in your backyard and only make 50k a year. (Where I come from this is almost unheard of.)
Plants will grow in your yard that you have never seen before. At any given time there will be more lizards in your driveway than birds. (They're small, relax.) Also, your cat or dog is perfectly safe out of doors and will not be eaten by some wild animal or come down with funky flesh eating virus. Fire Ants can be a problem, but they are really annoying, nothing more.
Alligators do not approach people and must be ravenous to attempt to attack a small human or animal, deprived to attack an adult human. If you want to google something, count the number of gator attacks in Central Florida in the last 30 years and you will know that I speak the truth.
And speaking of gators, if you're a sports fan and would love to live in a town who has insanely passionate fans, you'll have no problem migrating your allegiance to the Gators or even the Solar Bears. (Yes, I did say Solar Bears. ) I'm sure you also knew many professional athletes train down here in the off season every year so there's also the fun chance of celebrity spotting.
Also, you can swim in pure, natural springs for the cost of a cup of coffee any day of the week you choose. (Rock Springs is my favorite)
Florida is wild. People's homes do on occasion completely disappear into perfectly round holes of swamp (sink holes), but these are far from unnoticed way before they occur and are hardly horror stories-instead the natural aquifier that Florida is and has been for million of years hard at work filtering the northern US's natural water system.
Ok, I'll make a simple list in lieu of my monologue here just to highlight some great things about Orlando/Central Florida, just to give some transplants some hope among the outcries of it's jaded residents:
1. Bubaloo's BBQ: The best BBQ in your life! One thing I can't get anywhere else.
2. Random Cuban Sandwich Stands: You wait FOREVER for one, but man, it's worth it. Any better, you better drive down to Miami.
3. NO SMOKING in restaurants/bars: I believe the law is if more than 70% of a bar's business is Food, then there's no smoking anywhere. Most places will advertise that they are for smokers. This might be a bad thing for some of you.:P
4. Rock/Blue/Weikiva Springs-when I was a teenager, I thought these things were the most beautiful things on earth.
5. No State Income Tax and No Deposit. (Again, being from Michigan-this is cool to me.)
6. Bonafide Salsa Clubs and real Latin influence: If you like everyone to look and talk like you do, dont' move to Central Florida. It may not seem obvious right away, but most of all Central/South Florida is heavily influenced and settled by Latin American and the Island. You can never really judge someone on the street by the way they look, as there are a myriad of cultures that reside here.
7.Water: Especially in Orlando, lots and lots of lakes for swimming, fishing, jet skiing and sailing. Sailing has always had a sort of "rich-guy" stigma to it from where I'm from-but not in Florida-tons of small family oriented clubs abound with tiny, small, and medium boats involved. Same goes with power boats-it won't be long before you find yourself wanting some sort of water vehicle.
8. Orlando Science Center: Beautiful facility with an actual planetarium(as in telescope), IMAX theatre, ect.
9. Downtown Winter Park: An outside cobblestoned upscale shopping area with great restaurants and a picturesque area for festivals. Also ties in to Rollins College,which is close by for events.
10. Rock-n-Roll Heaven. An Orlando landmark, a music store heavily dedicated to old and obscure vinyl records as well as regular releases, which before anyone starts groaning, also sports a huge club/house/techno DJ section in the back with every dance hit ever on vinyl. It's ridiculous. Pop Art is also a funky store across the street which is fun to stop in from time 2 time.
Keep in mind, I don't live there yet, I'm moving back in 6 weeks, and no, I am not in anyway attempting to sell you a house, refinance your home, nor do I work for any touring agency or some down "move to orlando" promotion. I'm just a regular person. :P
Just really sick of all the negativity I see on this board.
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A (Positive) Word to Orlando Newbies
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