Orlando, Florida

What's the cost of living in Orlando, FL?

The cost of housing in Orlando is slightly higher than the national median sale price, and everyday expenses such as food and health care are generally on par with those of other similarly sized metro areas. Part of the appeal of living in Orlando is that Florida has no state income tax because those dollars are largely offset by lodging taxes covered by the state's more than 110 million annual visitors.

What's the best way to get around Orlando, FL?

Largely due to its size, Orlando is a place that requires a car to get around. Although there are plenty of places to walk, including lakefront paths and wooded trails, Orlando is too spread out to be walkable. It's not really bikeable either, although there are rental bikes downtown.

Orlando has a regional bus transit system called Lynx and a commuter rail system called SunRail. When SunRail's first phase opened in 2014, its 31 miles connected Volusia County to Orange County. Ongoing expansions will increase its distance to 61 miles and extend south into Osceola County.

Getting in and out via air travel is another advantage of life in Orlando. Orlando International Airport accommodates the lion's share of air traffic in Florida. With more than 43 million passengers a year, it is the second-busiest airport in Florida after Miami International Airport.

Who lives in Orlando, FL?

The Orlando metro area – which includes the nearby communities of Kissimmee and Sanford – houses upwards of 2 million residents. And while Florida has a reputation for being a retirement hot spot, more than two-thirds of Orlando's residents are of working age.

One sign of the region's tolerance and progressive outlook is its acceptance of the LGBT community. Events such as Gay Days at Disney World have nudged Orlando's progressive path.

Meanwhile, Orlando can be devoutly religious or casually spiritual. A noted local attraction is a Bible-based theme park that is not too far from a supersized Baptist church.

Orlando is also culturally diverse. The metro area is home to residents originally from countries across the world. Some are long-term residents, while others take advantage of the warm winters.