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COL, Orlando is much cheaper than greater Miami for housing
It is not “much cheaper” than Greater Miami. That gap has narrowed significantly, and outside of Miami proper, it’s quite close, with homes in Orlando being more expensive that in West Palm Beach, and comparable to Fort Lauderdale.
The main draw to Orlando vs Miami is lifestyle, plain and simple. Orlando is a mid-sized metro with some big city amenities. Miami is a big metro with a much more hectic/rapid pace. It’s Basically Richmond vs DC.
Let’s just my 5 half brothers, other half sister and 20 nephews and nieces, and cousins all live between Orlando and Southern Florida. I’m Haitian American so please don’t ever ask me how familiar I am with central and southern Florida again. LOL!
But to answer your question I’m in the state easily 2-3 time’s a year since you know us Haitians are very family orientated.
Minor detail, I know, but no one familiar with the area would call it “southern Florida.”
Orlando is more suitable for raising families. For kids, you can take them for a day outing at one of the many theme parks in Orlando. South Florida is more for young professionals into partying. If my support system wasn't in Houston, Orlando would definitely be on my go-to list for residence. I could get a place on International Drive and be walking distance to restaurants, nightlife, shopping, all that. I say this as someone who has family in Orlando & Miami on my mom & dad's side, and I've been to both cities many times in years past. When I graduated with my MBA, I went to Orlando and Miami for a week each to celebrate.
The main draw to Orlando vs Miami is lifestyle, plain and simple. Orlando is a mid-sized metro with some big city amenities. Miami is a big metro with a much more hectic/rapid pace. It’s Basically Richmond vs DC.
If you are going to compare Orlando to Richmond, I sure hope that one particular profile/account here on C-D doesn't read this.
Orlando is a mid-sized metro with some big city amenities. Miami is a big metro with a much more hectic/rapid pace. It’s Basically Richmond vs DC.
Bad comparison seeing as though DC and Miami are peers and Orlando and Richmond are not. DC vs Baltimore, Atlanta vs Charlotte, Philly vs Pittsburgh, Seattle vs Portland, etc are more apt comparisons.
Well prior to 2012sh people moved to Orlando for COL. I remember we sold our home in Massachusetts for $460k and bought a larger, more beautiful house in a nicer area for $150,000. In a gated community. HOAs were $95 on a golf course. With a pool and with A+ schools.
If you think about it:
We were spending
-$975 on Mortgage, HOA, Home Insurance and Property Taxes (Which were $1,800 a year) per month.
-$500 for All expenses with the home per month (Electricity, Water, Pool Maitenance, Orkin, etc).
However, when we sold it in the Mid 2010s it was ~400k range. It was good investment for sure, but I cant see going back to Orlando and paying that amount of money for how low jobs pay, especially when there are better metropolitan areas out there.
Bad comparison seeing as though DC and Miami are peers and Orlando and Richmond are not. DC vs Baltimore, Atlanta vs Charlotte, Philly vs Pittsburgh, Seattle vs Portland, etc are more apt comparisons.
It is interesting the challenges Orlando faces. Theme parks and tourism are a big chunk of Orlando's economy. The bars downtown are not safe and transportation is not efficient for low income workers.
It is interesting the challenges Orlando faces. Theme parks and tourism are a big chunk of Orlando's economy. The bars downtown are not safe and transportation is not efficient for low income workers.
Tourism is a major part of ALL of Florida’s economy, maybe even more so in South Florida than in Central Florida. Take the theme park goggles off, and realize that there is a lot more going on here than just parks. I haven’t been to a theme park in “Orlando” in years. Most people living here don’t give much of a rats ass about them. Although it’s nice to have that kind of stuff nearby, in case one wants to visit without having to travel. Ironically, I’ve been to theme parks in Tampa several times and have had annual passes for years.
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