Orlando Family Magazine’s annual list of the most desirable places to live, to work and to play in Central Florida.

Central Florida is a hub of amusement, bringing tourists from all over the globe. So, it’s no wonder that many people have chosen the area as their home. Aside from the 24/7 vacation vibes and backyard access to every niche of entertainment imaginable, the family-friendly atmosphere and idyllic weather make the region a preferred place to stay long-term.

Florida’s nature, culture, history and innovation captivate all ages and personalities—and residing here guarantees priority access to the constantly evolving developments and experiences. And while the Sunshine State itself is one-of-a-kind, the central region is an even more idiosyncratic destination with its tailored attractions and varied attributes. The Greater Orlando neighborhoods featured below maintain a community member focus, in that they are intricately designed for safety, engagement and opportunities.

ALAFAYA
Located conveniently close to the University of Central Florida, Alafaya’s Waterford Lakes neighborhood is considered one of the best places to live in Central Florida. Its family-friendly parks, walking paths and atmosphere make it a great location for kids and pets. Living in Alafaya allows residents to experience the best of both worlds with a major metropolitan area nearby and a tight-knit community feel at home.

APOPKA
Apopka is ideal for those who wish to immerse themselves in the beautiful environment for which Florida is known. Whether residents enjoy hiking, observing wildlife or kayaking, there are ample opportunities to explore favored activities and try new ones. Traverse through Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive to catch a sight of native birds, alligators and turtles, or take a journey through one of the many parks, lakes, gardens or trails.

BALDWIN PARK
As a former military base, Baldwin Park synthesizes history with modernization to create its distinctive culture. It is known for its walkability that extends to a vibrant downtown area and lakeside parks. The community’s development is crafted with the full range of its citizens’ demographics in mind, guaranteeing both residential and commercial bliss. Especially with summer right around the corner, this community-centric town is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals and similar events.

CELEBRATION
With its name as an indication, entertainment and excitement are pivotal attributes of Celebration. After all, its creation and design were both influenced and kick-started by the Walt Disney Company—distinguishable by its delightful aesthetic. This community is right around the corner from Orlando’s major parks and museums which represent an extensive variety. At the Celebration Town Center, residents can enjoy an array of shops and dining options, as well as seasonal events and a farmer’s market every Sunday.

CLERMONT
A sanctuary for fitness and sports enthusiasts, Clermont is nicknamed the “Choice of Champions,” as the National Training Center is the designated training ground of many professional athletes. It is also known for its rolling hills and Sugarloaf Mountain, which are an anomalous part of Florida’s characteristic geography. Clermont is also home to several citrus-themed attractions—the industry that developed the city into what it is today—including the Florida Citrus Tower and local citrus groves.

COLLEGE PARK
Professionals thrive in college park, with its abundant opportunities and culture. The neighborhood was once home to writer Jack Kerouac, which inspired The Jack Kerouac Writers in Residence Project of Orlando, Inc., located at his former residence. The nonprofit gives writers the opportunity to live in the house for three months to work on their projects, making College Park a literary destination. Fittingly, many of the locations here are named after famous U.S. universities.

DELANEY PARK
Delaney Park is a serene community that offers a nearby escape from the bustling downtown areas. Surrounded by greenery and picturesque outdoor spaces, the area is also known for its nostalgic charm as one of the oldest local neighborhoods. It is the optimal place to search for hidden gems on a leisurely stroll, but its proximity to acclaimed performing arts venues like the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Kia Center can transform any average day into an exceptional one.

PHILLIPS
Bordering Universal Orlando Resort, Dr. Phillips is brimming with sophistication. The upscale, metropolitan community is home to luxury shops, dining, spas and golf clubs. Restaurant Row is particularly popular among residents, allowing the opportunity to taste new gourmet fare every visit. These urban features are juxtaposed with Dr. Phillips’ beautiful lakes—which are perfect for water activities.

GOTHA
Characteristically a rural landscape centered upon horticulture, Gotha is a charming community with German culture and history. The Palm Cottage Gardens, or the historic Henry Nehrling Estate, is famous for being the first experimental botanical garden in the state, which led to the introduction of now-essential Floridian flora.

HORIZON WEST
Horizon West is divided into six “villages,” in which each community contains a centralized commercial space. The thoughtfully designed master plan also includes a larger community center for the entire area. Due to its extremely close proximity to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, residents can view its firework displays from the comfort of their homes. Although Horizon West has a largely metropolitan dynamic, it also contains plenty of natural areas and lakes for outdoor recreation. Coming up in July, Horizon West Happenings will host its Horizon West Kids Expo event, in which children and parents can connect with a range of youth professionals and opportunities.

HUNTER’S CREEK
As a family-friendly and community-minded area, Hunter’s Creek maintains a special focus on amenities and engagement. Although it is centrally located to all of the major theme parks, its border ends alongside Gatorland—which is a fitting emblem of the native wildlife and its animal-friendly attributes.

LAKE NONA
For a location in which something exciting happens every day, Lake Nona is the ideal place to experience arts and culture, high-speed innovation, regular events and out-of-the-box attractions. This community has a lot of everything: entertainment districts, green spaces and premiere dining. However, Lake Nona’s approach to transportation is what truly makes it stand out. With its mobility network, Move Nona, Lake Nona draws inspiration from the nearby airport and space station to redefine urban transportation with autonomous and electric vehicles.

MAITLAND
Matiland is replete with history and culture, and is designed to both preserve and grow. It has its own Art & History Museums-Maitland center, which includes Maitland Art Center, Maitland History Museum, Waterhouse Residence Museum and the Telephone Museum. Artist residencies, education and other opportunities to get involved are plentiful. With an active focus on art and history, Maitland’s evolution is inspired by the past. Such preservation efforts include historical properties known as “Maitland’s Cultural Corridor,” and the Florida Audubon Society’s local foundation and its ongoing protection of birds.

METROWEST
As evidenced by its name, MetroWest is a metropolitan area with busy, vibrant shopping and dining areas with Universal Orlando Resort as its southern neighbor. Valencia College is also located within the area, which creates a college town ambiance. Additionally, Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake is one of the top-rated fishing lakes in the state, with other features such as a pool, a playground, pavilions, trails and more.

MINNEOLA
Once a citrus-farming community, Minneola is known today for its abundant business opportunities and incentives. Primarily consisting of residents who value education and reside in some of the highest income households in Lake County, Minneola is also considered to be very safe, with a crime rate approximately 40% less than the national average, according to the metric-based website, AreaVibes. Plus, the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook is a natural space in a league of its own—especially considering the irregularity of mountains in Central Florida.

MONTVERDE / BELLA COLLINA
This luxury community exudes sophistication, with Tuscan design influences and a peaceful, country atmosphere. Bella Collina resembles a resort, and community members enjoy a resort lifestyle, with a highly rated clubhouse, spa, salon and private wine cellar. Visitors feel as though they have been transported to Italy, which is why it is often a wedding destination.

OAKLAND
Oakland has an extensive agricultural and railroad industry history, in which it served as a hub for the local economy. Today, it instead offers a quaint, small-town feel. Although the area is reminiscent of a vintage community, its engagement is far from antiquated—with regular events and opportunities for community involvement. There are also several natural areas to bike, hike, look at native wildlife and more.

OCOEE
Ocoee just marked its centennial birthday on May 9, and has a multitude of events planned this year to celebrate the occasion. This summer, residents and visitors alike can enjoy the city’s monthly community market, 4th of July Celebration, Family Recreation Day and Family Movie Night. Summer’s end doesn’t conclude the fun, though, as there are ongoing events for which to look forward—like the 2025 Ocoee Music Festival in November.

WINDERMERE
Also approaching its 100th anniversary, Windermere places a strong emphasis on park management and recreation programs. Residents can shop at regularly occurring farmers markets and food truck nights, visit the area’s pristine lakes, pick blueberries, drink at the local brewing company and experience less congested traffic to nearby areas. Premier neighborhoods include Keene’s Point and Isleworth—which has its own golf course.

WINTER GARDEN
A thriving downtown area alongside Lake Apopka, Winter Garden is central to museums, live performance venues, shopping centers, historical attractions, festivals and more. This is the ideal residence for those who want to be immersed in color, music and exhilaration. Soon, the city will kick off its “Red, White & Blue Americana Events 2025,” which take place from Memorial Day to Independence Day.

WINTER PARK
Winter Park is an upscale community with natural influences—and parks and gardens are the primary location for town happenings. The downtown area maintains a natural appearance, with traditional architecture, an abundance of trees, and multiple museums and exhibits to explore. The city also is the host of classes, activities, meet-ups and other events almost every day.

By the Numbers

*information gathered from Zillow’s online real estate marketplace
**information from the U.S. Census Bureau and Niche.com