Top 5 Neighborhoods in the Orlando Area

When people think of Orlando, many just think of Walt Disney World. Since the theme park opened in 1971, it has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world. Today, it’s one of the city’s top employers.

But there’s much more to Orlando, a city of almost 300,000 residents, and if you’re considering moving here, you should understand its many other attributes beyond being an entertainment hub.

Though it has a downtown, the city is mostly suburban with an abundance of lakes and parks throughout the area. At $235,000, Orlando’s median home price is higher than the national average, but it’s lower than many other areas in Florida. Also, with options that run the gamut from condos to sizable single-family homes shaded by palm trees, homebuyers have many choices at varying price levels.

Homebuyers can choose from a number of diverse communities in Orlando, as well as in suburbs that are considered part of the metro area. Here are some of the area’s top neighborhoods.

College Park

Located north of downtown, this neighborhood has streets named after institutions of higher education, such as Princeton, Harvard, and Yale. With an array of hip specialty stores and restaurants, along with close proximity to Loch Haven Park, this area is very young professional-friendly, but you’ll find older long-time residents enjoying its amenities as well.

Like much of Orlando, College Park has a suburban feel, but it also has a highly walkable downtown area on Edgewater Drive. It’s home to many cultural and recreational attractions, such as the Orlando Science Center and Albert Park. It’s also where you’ll find beatnik writer Jack Kerouac’s former home, a house that now provides aspiring writers with free residency for three months as they work on their books.

The housing in College Park is diverse, with small bungalows mixed with more upscale housing choices, though prices tend to be higher than in other neighborhoods.

Baldwin Park

Located east of downtown, Baldwin Park was once home to a U.S. Navy training center, which was closed in 1998. Under the military's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, which closed 20% of the nation's military bases in the 1990s, Pentagon officials worked with local planners to redevelop the site after it was vacated.

Today, it’s home to a master planned, mixed-use community that features 50 miles of walking paths, Lake Baldwin, and several parks, among other recreational opportunities. With the abundance of outdoor activities, and highly rated schools, the neighborhood is attractive to families looking for a high quality of life.

New Broad Street serves as the neighborhood’s main street and features a range of restaurants, coffee shops, and other attractions within walking distance. You’ll find many large, competitively priced homes throughout this neighborhood. With a median sale price in the high $400s, this neighborhood is one of the more expensive ones in Orlando.

Thornton Park

It seems that every city has its hipster enclave—the place where young professionals gather to enjoy trendy bars, shops, and coffee shops. In Orlando, that neighborhood is Thornton Park.

This upscale downtown area is one block away from Lake Eola Park and centered on Lake Lawsona along Thornton Avenue. The community dates back to the early 20th century when developers like James Thornton were a big part of the city’s expansion. He was reported to have lived on James Street, which was named after him in 1913, along with Thornton Avenue and Thornton Lane. In recent times, it has developed into an upscale walkable area with housing that ranges from historic bungalows and new brownstones to condos and single-family homes.

The area features a blend of locally owned boutiques, like Zou Zou, and coffee shops, like Benjamin French Bakery and Café. Residents can enjoy many events, such as those organized by The Thornton Park Neighborhood Association, including the Annual Yard Sale, Easter Egg Hunt, and The Taste of Thornton Park, which is an annual food and wine event featuring area merchants. On the second Thursday of the month, the neighborhood hosts the Thornton Second Thursday Wine and Art Walk.

Celebration

Designed by the Walt Disney Company to be an all-American town from the 1930s, Celebration is located in Kissimmee, not far from Disney World (where many residents work).

Though some people have criticized its design for being “too perfect” (it almost feels like a Hollywood movie set), others enjoy its considerable attributes. For example, Disney commissioned many well-known architects to build the town’s post office, theater, town hall, and other landmarks, and the Town Center features many restaurants and shops that are within walking or biking distance.

The homes are grouped together in villages and include single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses aimed at catering to a range of lifestyles. Throughout the year, Celebration holds many events—such as an exotic car show, the Great American Pie festival, and an Oktoberfest party—aimed at fostering the Disney-like sense of community and joy found at its amusement parks. Fall and Christmas events feature artificial falling leaves and snow during the Now Snowing Event.

Winter Park

Although it's technically a suburb, Winter Park is just outside Orlando and considered part of the metro area. Founded by northern businessmen as a winter destination (hence the name), Winter Park is considered Orlando’s “old money” suburb.

Park Avenue, an area filled with more than 140 dining options, specialty shops, and cafes on the tree-lined street is at the center of Winter Park. Adding to its charm, cobblestone streets can be found throughout the town. Winter Park is home to the area’s most elegant homes and, while the downtown area is pricey, homebuyers can find more affordable homes in the outer areas.

Rollins College, with its Spanish Colonial architecture, is considered the town’s cultural center, but other offerings include the Charles Hosmer Museum Morse of American Art and Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Annual events include the Sidewalk Arts Festival and the Cows ‘n’ Cabs food festival, although residents flock to the Winter Park Farmers Market on W. New England Avenue every Saturday morning.