Is Orlando southern in culture? (Seminole, Taft: school, live in, shop)

[ComSense]

Hey guys,

I was told that Orlando is very southern in culture, and that at least half of Orlando residents were born in the state of FL. This is all news to me. I was born in FL and I hardly know anyone in Orlando born in FL.

But maybe I live in a bubble in East Orlando? Maybe the rest of Orlando is laid back and southern in culture, and perhaps folks from all over the southeast have moved to Orlando in recent years making Orlando southern, and I'm just unaware?

[AMC Man Dan King O' Keno]

Maybe In Taft or Bithelo(sp?)

[GLS2010]

east orlando is definitely northern culture. but if you go east of the waterford area into christmas. or go up to zellwood eusitis deland mt dora etc you will find a lot of southern culture. There are even people with southern culture scattered throughout east orlando, that i see shopping at the town center and a lot at school.

[ComSense]

Originally Posted by GLS2010

east orlando is definitely northern culture. but if you go east of the waterford area into christmas. or go up to zellwood eusitis deland mt dora etc you will find a lot of southern culture. There are even people with southern culture scattered throughout east orlando, that i see shopping at the town center and a lot at school.

That's not really Orlando though. I am speaking about Orlando in particular.

[TehB33nz]

I think you could say that parts of 'Central Florida' are southern, but Orlando itself, I would say definitley not. There are qutie a few areas within a short drive from Orlando I think could be consider southern.

[Granny Sue]

Generaly speaking Orlando is not southern. Not over flowing with natives either...you have to go north to get to the south.

[Wilshire81182]

Originally Posted by TehB33nz

I think you could say that parts of 'Central Florida' are southern, but Orlando itself, I would say definitley not. There are qutie a few areas within a short drive from Orlando I think could be consider southern.

I agree. I think the city is filled with people who have relocated from the Midwest and Northeast for school or the climate, or people who have relocated from other countries for opportunity or retirement. Most people I encounter in Orlando are very urban or suburban in nature and behave like people from other parts of the country... Outside of Orlando, especially to the North, is a whole different story.

[Crane's Rooster]

Orange County is not Southern, South Seminole is not Southern and Kisssimmee is not Southern. However, go outside these areas and I think a strong Southern Culture is still present. Places like Lake County, Volusia County, Brevard County, Polk County and particularly places like Marion County. I think what the OP heard is more "Central Florida" than Orlando. Outside of it's Urban core Central Florida is fairly Southern.

[Pete C]

I agree with the other posts. Orlando proper and nearby areas...definitely not. Outside of that? Yes, for sure. It doesn't take long to get to 'the south' if you head outside of Orlando in any direction, and northern Florida is totally southern. I see nothing that would make visitors think that either.

[ComSense]

Originally Posted by Granny Sue

Generaly speaking Orlando is not southern. Not over flowing with natives either...you have to go north to get to the south.

You're exactly right.