Moving to a new city is always a grand adventure, requiring thorough preparation and research. Knowing about the local culture, history, climate, and the kinds of activities available will help you know if it is the right place for you.
If you are considering moving to Orlando, Florida, or if you have already decided to, you should take the time to find out some things about the city to prepare for life in the area.
Know the Lay of the Land
Orlando is a flat city in a geographic area that features lots of lakes, swamps and wetlands. That aren’t a lot of hiking opportunities, but you do have other outdoor activities like biking and boating available.
It’s also helpful to know some of the major roads in the area before moving. Interstate 4 connects Orlando to Daytona Beach in the east and Tampa in the west while also connecting you to all the amusement parks developed in the 1960s. There are plenty of public transportation options in addition to highways and tollways.
Prepare for the Weather
Orlando has a reasonably mild climate that is warm and humid most of the year. The low altitude and proximity to the ocean mean the temperature rarely gets below 50 degrees in the winter or above 92 degrees in the summer. That ocean proximity does lead to high humidity levels that hover between 60-70% throughout the year.
Orlando also gets a lot of thunderstorms and lightning. In fact, it is called the Lightning Capital of the United States. Orlando is also affected by Florida’s infamous hurricane seasons. Orlando is not a coastal area, but that doesn’t mean more severe storms don’t impact the city. They can bring flooding, tornadoes, and high winds, all of which can damage your home. You must be prepared with an emergency plan, a disaster supply kit, and knowledge of your area’s safety routes if you need to evacuate.
Familiarize Yourself With the Local Pests
People often don’t want to think about what kinds of pests they might have to deal with in their new home. However, it is worth thinking about so that you are prepared from the first day you move in to prevent the pests from moving in as well. The most common pests in Orlando are ants, cockroaches, fleas, termites, spiders, and rodents. Most are pretty easy to keep at bay; as long as you keep your house clean and regularly check for cracks or holes where they could get in, you should be fine.
However, there may be times when you find yourself overrun. During particularly rainy periods, desperate ants and spiders might find a way into your home to shelter in a dry spot. It is good to familiarize yourself with exterminator options in Orlando, FL, before you need them, so you know what your options are.
Get Ready For the Tourists
If you are deciding whether or not to move to Orlando, one thing you cannot ignore is the fact that Disney World is there. Along with Universal Orlando, Disney World attracts millions of visitors per year. Locals regularly contend with influxes of tourists, and the city recently launched a campaign to attract more.
It is good to learn the back roads early, so that you know them when tourist season hits and you need to avoid significant traffic jams. It is also wise to think about potential profit from the increased tourist activity, even if you don’t own a business. If you have a spare room or a pool house, you can offer that space for people to stay in town. Or, if you are near shuttle access, you might be able to offer parking space so that some won’t have as far to walk.
Find Your Bliss
Outside of theme parks, there is no shortage of things to do in Orlando. If you already have a hobby like swimming, rock climbing, bike riding, there is likely a facility that caters to that interest in the area, or a business that hosts a club of other people who enjoy your hobby.
Moving to a new city might also be a time to take up a new activity. There are tons of places in Orlando offering swamp tours, balloon rides, animal attractions, escape rooms, indoor skydiving, bumper cars, and so much more.
There are also excellent local food options to try in many different cuisine styles and plenty of bars that offer live music from local bands. No matter what you enjoy doing or want to try, you can find it somewhere in Orlando.
There Is a Place for You
Orlando is a unique city full of practically everything you could want. There is no doubt that if you are moving to Orlando, you’ll be able to find a spot that is perfect for you, along with some great new friends. Set yourself up for success by preparing for some of the common issues ahead of time.
