No longer just a place for snowbirds, cartoon mice, and every chain restaurant you can name, Orlando is experiencing a come-up, with well-planned neighborhoods rife with local markets, innovative restaurants, and funky bars. You might think living landlocked in Florida is for chumps, but the area has tons of lakes, and its central location makes it a short jaunt to the Atlantic or the Gulf. Not sure which area is best for you? Read on to find out which of these best neighborhoods in Orlando will be the perfect fit.
Winter Park
The best neighborhood in Orlando for posh boutique shopping
Originally created for well-to-do snowbirds, the upscale neighborhood of Winter Park is full of cobblestone streets, well-manicured lawns, and beautiful estates. Just north of Orlando, the tony area screams “old money,” complete with a Park Avenue straight out of Monopoly. This pristine, tree-lined street is packed with posh boutiques, bistros, cafes, fine dining options, and specialty shops.
The area’s museums also kick the culture factor up a notch. Stroll the beautiful grounds of Rollins College while you’re in the area. And don’t miss the farmers market, held every Saturday morning at the city’s restored train depot.
College Park
The best neighborhood in Orlando for a small-town feel
The streets in College Park are named after famed institutions of higher learning — Princeton, Harvard, Yale, etc. Close to downtown Orlando and main roads, College Park maintains a small-town feel, despite Orlando’s growing population. Oversized oaks and bougainvillea dot the bungalow-lined streets, home to retirees and young professionals alike. Surrounded by lakes (most notably Lake Ivanhoe and Lake Adair) and parks, this highly walkable area is great for family fun and community involvement.
Plus, there’s hip specialty stores, dining, and nightlife on “The Drive,” aka Edgewater Drive, the neighborhood’s main street. Oh, and Jack Kerouac used to call College Park home (for a year in the ’50s, anyway). These days, aspiring writers can spend a few months in residency channeling the “On the Road” author in the beatnik’s former house. This area is also popular because of its close proximity to Orlando’s cultural corridor, Loch Haven Park.
Loch Haven Park
The best neighborhood in Orlando for arts and culture
Who says Florida doesn’t have any culture? Loch Haven Park is full of cultural attractions, namely the Orlando Museum of Art (known as one of the best museums in the South), the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the Orlando Repertory Theatre, the Orlando Science Center, and Mennello Museum of American Art. And they don’t call it a park for nothin’.
This cultural alcove is full of tranquil green space. Take in a sherbet-hued sunset over nearby Lake Formosa. Loch Haven Park is also home to one of Orlando’s funkiest shopping areas, The Antique District, where you can shop for … guess what? Antiques. There’s also the annual Antiques Show and Sale, among the many other festivals, including the Festival of Trees, Orlando International Fringe Festival, PlayFest, Pet Fair, and Veg Fest.
Park Lake Highland
The best neighborhood in Orlando for cultural cuisine
Can you keep a secret? Park Lake Highland, just northeast of Downtown Orlando, is a bomb spot to be, sporting city skyline views and lakefront homes. And it’s a safe place to be, as it is home to the foo foo private school, Lake Highland Preparatory School. It’s also pretty walkable — jog or cycle through the nearby Urban Trail, which winds by several lakes and Loch Haven Park.
It’s also close to the stretch of Mills, known as the Mills 50 District, which is full of indie shops, bars, and restaurants. The Mills 50 District is home to Orlando’s most diverse collection of restaurants as well as the city’s largest Vietnamese population, which means good, authentic Vietnamese cuisine at places like Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Park Lake Highland is also conveniently nestled next to the up-and-coming Ivanhoe Village.
Ivanhoe Village
The best neighborhood in Orlando for vintage shopping
Until very recently, this area was known as “Antique Row,” but you can’t get a come up with a name like that. Ivanhoe Village is still full of vintage shopping, but it’s also known for its galleries, beautiful green spaces, and breathtaking lake views. The lake isn’t just for looking at, though — you can go stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, or water skiing before hitting the neighborhood’s shops, restaurants, and bars. Don’t miss: The First Friday Art Walk.
Baldwin Park
The best neighborhood in Orlando for families
Looking for a safe, friendly, upper-middle-class place to raise a family? Look no further than Baldwin Park. Once home to an Army Air Corps and Air Force base, and later the Orlando Naval Training Center, Baldwin Park has been completely renovated and is now the quintessential American neighborhood that thousands call home.
With its perfectly manicured lawns and safe streets, it’s the Mayberry of Orlando. Not to mention the 200 acres of parks and 50 miles of walking paths and trails. Jog along Lake Baldwin, anyone? Head to the foodie haven that is The Village Center on New Broad Street (the community’s epicenter) for anything from Mexican to sushi.
Thornton Park
The best neighborhood in Orlando for art
Just a few blocks from the heart of downtown is the lively neighborhood of Thornton Park. The cobblestone streets are lined with Craftsman-style bungalows, new brownstones, and sidewalk shops. Young professionals enjoy a relaxed life of upscale urbanism, all within walking distance of hip hangouts, eateries with live music, and downtown’s largest collective of art galleries, CityArts Factory.
Did we mention it’s only one city block from the area’s ultimate landmark, Lake Eola Park? Talk about a peaceful retreat in the city. Shop local produce, crafts, and more at the Sunday farmers market, and don’t miss Thornton’s Second Thursday Wine and Art Walk.
Milk District
The best neighborhood in Orlando for outdoor entertainment
This edgy little neighborhood East of Thornton Park is named for T.G. Lee Dairy, a dairy company headquartered in Orlando. The area is a vintage lover’s paradise, with its small WWII-era homes, eclectic shops, and funky bars. The Milk District is for you if you enjoy food trucks, street parties, and outdoor entertainment.
Audubon Park
The best neighborhood in Orlando for outdoor enthusiasts
If anyone has ever described you as “granola,” you’ll want to move to Audubon Park, Orlando’s first Eco District with a focus on sustainability. The locals refer to this hipster haunt north of downtown as “the Garden District” because Audubon Park isn’t just green in the residents’ way of life, it’s green with lush native plants.
Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical oasis, is nestled in this neighborhood. But the biggest draw by far (besides, ya know, saving the planet and stuff) has to be the East End Market, a converted church that now serves as a culinary hub, where you’ll find bakers, butchers, brewers, and coffee roasters selling their goods next to local farmers offering fresh local produce.
Lake Como
The best neighborhood in Orlando for quiet enjoyment
Lake Como is the best neighborhood for a relaxing retreat. Despite being right in the middle of Orlando, Lake Como is quiet and surrounded by welcoming plazas, footbridges, and beautiful flowers. This makes Lake Como the perfect place to live when you want to be close to all the action Orlando has to offer but far enough away to unwind after work. The Lake Como neighborhood is small, with just a little over 2,400 residents. Spend an afternoon hiking at the Welaka State Forest or go fishing at Leonard’s Landing.
You’ll also find an abundance of parks to enjoy in Lake Como, including Lake Como Park and Lake Lancaster Park. The city is currently made up mostly of young professionals and families with small children. You’ll find an abundance of quaint coffee shops, fresh markets, and locally owned businesses in Lake Como.
Some top-rated restaurants sure to become your favorite include Pomona Park Pizza and Spanky’s Pizza & Subs. Top coffee shops to check out in Lake Como include Japango and Champs Cafe. Most people in Lake Como rely on their own vehicles, but there are some public bus stops in the city that can help you get around Orlando.
So, there you have it. You don’t have to be a tourist to go to Orlando. You can pack your bags and just stay there, basking in the Florida sun, forever. Find your Orlando apartment and make this sunny city your home.
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