Central Florida is not just theme parks. People who move here discover a region with genuine diversity in lifestyle — from rural horse country to urban downtown living, lakefront estates to walkable neighborhoods with local coffee shops and farmers markets.
The Climate Factor
You get roughly 233 sunny days per year in Orlando. Winters are mild — highs in the 60s and 70s from December through February. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms from June through September. Most residents adapt quickly, and the tradeoff is never scraping ice off a windshield or shoveling a driveway.
The lifestyle is outdoors year-round. Weekend plans involve the springs, the coast (both coasts are about an hour away), or the chain of lakes that dot the region. Kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and fishing are everyday activities, not vacation activities.
Cost of Living
Florida has no state income tax, which is a major financial advantage for anyone relocating from states like New York, California, New Jersey, or Illinois. Property taxes in Orange County run approximately 1% to 1.2% of assessed value, which is moderate by national standards.
Housing costs have risen significantly since 2020, but Central Florida remains more affordable than South Florida, most of the Northeast, and virtually all of California. The median home price in the Orlando metro hovers around $380,000-$410,000 depending on the month.
Community and Culture
Orlando has grown into a legitimate cultural city. The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, the Orlando Museum of Art, local breweries and restaurants in neighborhoods like Mills 50 and Thornton Park, and a growing tech and healthcare sector give the region an identity well beyond tourism.
For families, the public school system in Orange County includes several high-performing schools and magnet programs. Private school options are abundant. Higher education access includes UCF (one of the largest universities in the country), Rollins College, Valencia College, and Full Sail University.
Sloan Properties helps homebuyers find the right neighborhood to match their lifestyle in Central Florida. Explore your options at sloanproperties.com/buyers or call (407) 961-7720.