With a strong local economy, gorgeous weather, a healthy lifestyle, and unique new housing choices, it’s not surprising that so many Millennials are moving to Orlando, FL. Orlando is the fourth-largest city in Florida and the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States. Like other major cities in the Sun Belt, Orlando grew rapidly starting from the 1960s, and today has a diverse population. Here are four of the top reasons why Orlando is one of the best places for Millennials to live.
Orlando has a lively vibe that young people love, with buzzy events, fun new hotspots, and places to meet up after work. Orlando is also home to myriad galleries, theatres, gardens, and historic homes. The area’s creative feel is fed by murals, art museums, and local events such as Winter Park’s Art Festival. There are always unique events happening at local museums, performing arts centers, music venues, and theatres all around town. From concerts to Broadway performances, the entertainment scene isn’t lacking.
The fun atmosphere is also driven by the endless variety of things to do. Being able to bike or walk to events throughout the city is another plus. Trails make it easy to explore the city and encourage a healthy active lifestyle, as do the innumerable recreational options. Paddleboarding? Outdoor yoga? Hiking? Team sports? YES to all of them! Whether it's Sunday brunch, the Farmers Market, or your favorite band, there’s always something to do. Orlando is artistic and open, a huge reason it's one of the best cities for Millennials looking for their next home.
The job opportunities in Orlando are a huge draw for young professionals. With major corporations such as Disney, Lockheed Martin, Verizon, and many others calling Orlando home, Millennials have unique opportunities for career growth here.
Based on a number of factors, including employment growth, monthly average starting salary, overall job opportunities, and other similar factors, Orlando is always near the top when it comes to job opportunities. As of January 2023, the Orlando area had added 75,300 new private sector jobs over a year, a 6.2 percent increase, while the unemployment rate decreased to 2.6 percent. The area’s labor force also grew; the Orlando metro area led the metro areas in job gains over the year in leisure and hospitality, increasing by 31,800 jobs.
Working from home in Orlando is also a possibility. What a great opportunity to enjoy the nice weather from your backyard. Speaking of which…
No doubt about it, one of Orlando’s biggest draws is sunny, mild weather all year-round. (It is in the heart of the Sunshine State, after all!) Central Florida has an average annual temperature of 72 degrees. Who can resist the idea of living in a place where winter & spring temperatures range between the 50s–70s with little in the way of rain? (It’s absolutely worth living through summer temps that can soar into the 90s, with tropical humidity.)
Orlando offers a great quality of life for so many types of people. Its booming biotech, aerospace, and health services sectors make it a great hub for young professionals and families looking for a thriving economy, quality education options, and year-round entertainment.
When it comes to education, the Orlando area has some of the state’s most highly-rated school systems. With multiple top-notch school districts, school-aged children are provided with some of the best education in the country. (It’s not unusual for prospective homebuyers to research schools beforehand and then select neighborhoods that feed into the schools they want their kids to attend.)
Orlando offers access to some of the best higher education institutions in the country. There are 40 public colleges and universities in Florida, so you can use your in-state tuition status to your advantage. Additionally, the University of Central Florida is located in Orlando and is the second-largest university in the United States. (It offers up to 230 degree programs.)
Another reason to live in Orlando is the no-state income tax for Florida residents. No income tax, no inheritance tax, and no estate tax. Since less money is coming out of your paycheck each month, you’ll be able to spend or save this extra cash in other ways. Maybe by buying a house…
Property taxes here are below the national average at .97%. With the housing market trending up 1.9% over the past year, now is the time to buy a home. While Orlando is not a cheap city, it’s more affordable than Florida cities such as Tampa and Miami. The housing market is still within reach of most buyers. The typical home value in Orlando increases yearly, making it an ideal city to build equity. The Orlando-area suburbs are also a great place to consider living. They offer a more relaxed environment and such easy access, you don’t feel too removed from the city.
Craft Homes has beautiful communities throughout the Orlando area. Laureate Park is a vibrant community in the heart of Lake Nona in Orlando. Lake Nona’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and healthy living aligns perfectly with our commitment to forward-thinking design and homes built for active lifestyles. We’re building four unique series of homes here, including townhomes and single-family homes.
Also located in Lake Nona, Summerdale Park offers larger single-family homes. Combined with all of the community amenities – the community parks, local garden, beach volleyball, a water park, an outdoor stage, shopping, and dining options – there will never be a dull moment in this up-and-coming neighborhood.
Weslyn Park in Sunbridge, located in St. Cloud, is a new community from the creators of Lake Nona. It will offer adventure and be connected to nature, with miles of nature trails and outdoor activities, plus proximity to shopping and dining in Central Florida. We are building four new series of homes here, including luxury maintenance-free townhomes and newly designed single-family homes.
We love Orlando and love sharing its wonders with like-minded people who appreciate its varied lifestyle. You'll never be bored here—there's too much to experience! For more information on homes for sale in Orlando, FL, contact Craft Homes at 407-605-6150 or schedule an appointment today.