Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Ryan
Florida has a reputation as the state where people go to retire — and for good reason. The Sunshine State has plenty to offer even if you’re not looking to retire just yet: sunshine, warm weather, a vibrant culture, and plenty of economic opportunities for people of working age.
Orlando, in particular, has a lot to offer, and that doesn’t just mean Universal Studios or the sprawling Walt Disney World resort (although those are two great reasons to consider moving to Orlando Florida on their own). There are a handful of benefits to living in Orlando that you may not know about… but you’re about to.
6 Reasons You’ll Love Moving to Orlando Florida
You’ll Pay Fewer Taxes
One of the biggest perks of living in Orlando? No personal income tax, estate tax, or inheritance tax. Floridians enjoy a more tax-free environment than most states, which is good news for young people and retirees. Fewer taxes means more money in your pocket to save up — or to spend on some of the amazing experiences and entertainment the state has to offer. To say nothing of the time you’ll save not filling out tax forms.
So how does Florida get by without a state income tax? A few ways. First, there’s a 5.5% tax on the income of any corporation doing business in the state, even if that corporation isn’t based in Florida. So if you’re a business owner — or plan to be once you move to Orlando Florida — that’s something to keep in mind.
The biggest source of revenue for Florida is its 6% sales tax, which applies to most products purchased in the state. Some municipalities have additional tax on top of that, adding up to an additional 1.5%. That’s something to keep in mind when figuring out your finances.
Fewer Hurricanes
Extreme weather events are on the rise everywhere, and Florida has a certain reputation for frequently bearing the brunt of tropical storms, hurricanes, and other extreme weather. While it’s a valid concern if you’re considering moving to the Sunshine State, there is some good news. According to statistics from The Zebra’s Ross Martin, much of Florida pays only 5% more than the national average for Florida home insurance — about $118 per month. While prices can be much higher depending on the city, it’s still possible to get a good deal by shopping around and comparing quotes.
A Wide Array of Entertainment Choices
Moving to Orlando Florida means you’ll never be short of entertainment choices. We’ve already mentioned the world-renowned Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, which could provide you with years of entertainment just by themselves. There’s a reason Orlando is called the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” Therefore moving to Orlando Florida means your home is minutes away to the best attractions, festivals, museums, and galleries, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene. There are some renowned and world-class restaurants, such as the Yak & Yeti, the 50s Prime Time Cafe, and the Cafe Tu Tu Tango. And if all that gets to be too much, you can always visit one of the many beaches that are usually just a short one-hour drive away. You could even hire someone to plan a beach event for you, such as the Luxury Pop Up Picnic Company, which specializes in just that.
But let’s also take a moment to talk about just how much entertainment is packed into the state’s two most famous resorts: Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando. Disney World covers a whopping 43 square miles — that’s twice the size of Manhattan — and has an average annual attendance of about 58 million visitors. That comes out to about 57,000 people a day just for the Magic Kingdom alone. There are 36 resorts, 26 hotels, and almost 800 campsites. And that’s not counting the rides, which number a staggering 173. In short, it would be a long time before you run out of things to do in Disney World.
While Universal Orlando is not quite as expansive, it still has a lot to offer: 14 rides in Universal Studios Florida itself and 19 rides in Islands of Adventure, such as the Jurassic Park River Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And if you’re really dedicated to making the most of your time in Orlando, Universal Resort is only eight miles from Walt Disney World.
A (Literal) Wealth of Job Opportunities
But there’s obviously more to living in Orlando than just leisure activities. If you want to put down roots in Central Florida, you’ll be happy to know that moving to Orlando Florida means you can live in a growing business and tech startup hub. The city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, as both job seekers and entrepreneurs are finding plenty of opportunities across a diverse array of fields. The aforementioned lack of tax burden also doesn’t hurt. The growth in Orlando is so good that 26 Orlando companies rank among Inc. Magazine’s top 250 fastest-growing businesses.
Here’s how rich the opportunities in Orlando are right now: in 2022, Orlando clocked in at #2 in the country for job growth, and Florida ranked as the #2 best state for business, according to Chief Executive Magazine. It was also CBRE’s #4 pick for best development opportunities. Right now, Orlando is practically a paradise for entrepreneurs.
Orlando is also home to companies like Travel & Leisure, Tupperware, Siemens, Mitsubishi Power, AAA, and more.
No Snow…. Ever
Do you love hitting the slopes and enjoying chilly, snowy weather? Well, if so, don’t move to Orlando. One of the perks (for some at least) of moving to Orlando Florida is it doesn’t have any snow to speak of — or, at least it hasn’t in a very long time. The last time Orlando received any significant snowfall was in January of 1977. The city has very mild winters, so you’ll never have to worry about buying snow tires or bringing winter survival gear when you take that road trip. The only time you’ll have to worry about the weather is in the height of summer — which is when all those parks, pools, and beaches are most likely to come in handy.
The major reason Florida never sees snow? Because the average low in January is around fifty degrees and the average high is in the 70s. The winter months in Florida could easily be mistaken for spring. The only drawback is the summer temperatures, which start hitting the 90s around May and don’t cool off again until October. So if you like bundling up in the winter next to a cozy fireplace… you might not want to live in Orlando.
A Paradise for Nature Lovers
Another great reason to reside in Florida — Moving to Orlando Florida in particular — is the abundance of natural beauty. If you’re a nature enthusiast, Orlando may well be synonymous with paradise. The city has over one hundred parks and lakes, meaning a dose of natural beauty is never very far away. This means plenty of opportunities for hiking, having a picnic, or just sitting back and soaking up the sunshine. The Tibet-Butler Reserve, Lake Rianhard, Moss Park, the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, and SeaBase are just a few of the places you can go to take advantage of Orlando’s copious nature attractions.
In many ways, moving to Orlando Florida sums up the Florida experience — abundant sunshine, economic prosperity, a wealth of entertainment choices to keep you interested, and an absence of state income tax. Whether you’re looking for a place to retire or to start a new life, Orlando could be the city you’ve been looking for.
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Meet Kourtney, a fashion and beauty enthusiast who tells stories through style. To her, clothing is a language, and every accessory adds punctuation to her narrative. Kourtney explores vintage fashion markets on weekends, blending classic with contemporary to create a signature style that reflects her vibrant personality. Beyond aesthetics, she's a passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, celebrating diversity to ensure everyone feels seen and embraced.
