One of the first things you’ll notice about Orlando is the immense beauty of the area. This makes the city’s nickname and motto, “The City Beautiful”, the perfect fit for this stunning and fast-growing part of Central Florida.
Orlando is the perfect mix of urban living and suburban lifestyles, giving you variety in plenty of ways and ensuring that there’s no shortage of things you can do. If you live in Fort Lauderdale and want to move to Orlando, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the subtle, but big, differences in the two cities.
There’s a lot to love about The City Beautiful, but before you move there you should be informed on what to expect and just how Orlando differs from Fort Lauderdale. In this short but comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the key things to know before moving from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando.
Get ready to learn about the city that is home to some of the world’s most beloved theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens.
There’s a Difference in the Weather
Fort Lauderdale and Orlando are a few hours’ drive away from one another, but there’s a noticeable difference in the weather. Orlando is still humid, but Florida residents may find themselves shivering a bit more during the winter if they forego a jacket or long sleeves.
Orlando tends to have cooler winters than their southern sister city and the weather also tends to get a bit drier. This means that temperatures can drop and you may start to feel winter weather sooner than you would in Fort Lauderdale. Be prepared to reach the low 50s and sometimes even the 30s!
Hire trusted moving companies in Orlando for your next move.
Growing Employment Opportunities
Orlando has plenty of opportunities for anyone looking for a job with a great company. The industry with the biggest hiring boom is the service industry, but there’s even more to look forward to if you’re seeking employment.
Many jobs are related to hospitality, and you could get the chance to work at beautiful Orlando hotels and acclaimed theme parks like Universal Studios or Walt Disney World. Many available positions are entry-level, but wages rise once a management or higher level position becomes available.
Not interested in hospitality? Plenty of other industries are hiring, from healthcare to construction. Orlando is home to numerous highly ranked hospitals, construction companies, and Fortune 500 companies.
Some of the companies you’ll see around the Orlando area include names like:
- Amazon
- AAA
- JetBlue
- NBC Universal
- Oracle Corporation
An Excellent School System
Education is another aspect of Orlando you’ll love, as the area has one of the top-ranked school systems in Florida. The Seminole County Public School System is the finest of the city’s public school districts, but the Orange County Public School System is just as excellent.
There are over 250 public schools throughout the two districts, and you can look around to find the perfect school for your children. Keep an eye on potential neighborhoods, as these will help determine what school options are best for children when it’s time to start school. There are also private schools available depending on your preferences.
In terms of higher education, Orlando boasts several universities to attend. It may come as a surprise to you, but the University of Central Florida comes in second as the largest university in the country in terms of student population, with over 70,000 students and more than 200 degree programs to choose from.
Valencia College is another option, along with other state colleges, that give students the opportunity to get a great education. The college offers both 2 and 4-year degree programs and provides dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, giving them the chance to earn college credits before they graduate high school.
There’s even more good news for college students – residency qualifies you for in-state tuition, making college cost even less. Scholarship opportunities are also widely available, and more information can be found by looking into resources provided by schools and the Florida Department of Education.
Great for Sports Fans
Love sports? There’s no better place than Orlando for any and everything sports related. Whether you’re passionate about college basketball or if you love watching professional teams go head to head, your neighbors and fellow residents of the city will join you in cheering on your favorite team any day of the week.
You can catch the local hockey team, the Orlando Solar Bears, playing at the Amway Stadium or see your favorite players on the Orlando Magic basketball team. Major League Soccer, football, and any other sport you enjoy is readily available; there’s never a time when you’ll experience a shortage of exciting games to enjoy.
There’s Traffic
If you’re new to the Orlando area, you may be shocked at just how much traffic can pile up on I-4 at any given time of the day. To make matters worse, the highway is under construction and there are some closures to be expected as you travel. The construction will make it much easier to travel throughout Orlando, but until then you can find solace in the city’s public transportation.
Orlando residents won’t have any issue getting to and from their destinations, as the LYNX bus system runs throughout the city. If you want to avoid the roads altogether, the SunRail is another popular option to get where you’re going – a commuter train that runs on diesel and electrical power.
And don’t forget to factor in your commute times when you’re choosing the location of your new home! You may find the perfect home but realize that it’s an hour away from your current job or prospective job opportunities!
Orlando, FL - Your Dream Destination
This city is famous for its warm climate, theme parks, and attractions, and wondrous scenery, so it’s not surprising that thousands of people move to Orlando each year. Once you’ve settled in, it’ll be easy to see why Orlando has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Get ready to move to your dream destination!
