Ep. 073 - Orlando: Life Outside the Magic Kingdom
Living Like a Local: An Orlando Insider Shares What Life is Really Like in the City Beautiful
Orlando is known around the world primarily for its incredibly popular theme parks, with millions of people flocking there every year to visit Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and more. But what is daily life actually like for residents of the city outside of the bustling tourist zones?
Our local expert offers an authentic look at work, life, culture and insider tips for enjoying Orlando like a true local. Recently appearing as a guest on the popular Skiptown podcast, she shares what the Orlando job market is really like, favorite local hangout spots, her personal story of building a life there, and why she’s considering leaving it all behind for a slower pace of living.
Jobs and the Local Economy
While Orlando offers plenty of service industry jobs catering to tourists, the expert explains that positions outside of that realm don’t pay very well on average.
“The average salary is between $30,000, $32,000...I see a large portion of people who are working 40 plus hours a week, but they're only clearing $28,000, $29,000, maybe $32,000,” she notes.
That can make it tough to afford rapidly increasing rents and cost of living in the former bargain destination. She says financial survival often requires cobbling together multiple jobs plus side hustles. Some even resort to providing fraudulent documents to appear qualified for scarce affordable apartments.
Popular Areas and Activities
Beyond glitzy tourist zones, our expert shares local favorite spots like the laidback Thornton Park neighborhood and its lively monthly Art Walk/Wine Walk events. The charming park itself hosts a weekend farmers market with live music and vendors.
For families, Norton says Orlando offers abundant public parks and green spaces beyond high priced theme parks. One local favorite for kids is the Orlando Science Center, particularly on weekday afternoons when smaller crowds allow more interactive hands-on science exhibits.
Hidden Gem Restaurants
Tired of national chains that pepper tourist zones? Just off the main drag, we suggest checking out Mills Avenue’s thriving Little Saigon district, a haven of authentic Vietnamese restaurants and shops.
Another local favorite foodie zone, stylish East End Market houses an array of artisanal eateries, indie shops and a cooking school. And no visit would be complete without stopping by Gringos Locos for award winning fusion tacos with Korean, Vietnamese and Latin flavors.
Red Hot Housing Market 🌞
Consistently popular as both a retirement and family destination, Orlando saw homes routinely selling for $50,000 over asking price at the peak COVID relocation rush. Today’s guest says entire neighborhoods sprouted up seemingly overnight on former marshlands and woodlands.
Now investors and individuals flock there seeking more affordable housing prices than many major metros. But with rents rising nearly as fast as home values, low and middle income Orlando residents struggle to keep up with the boom times.
Beware of Rental Scams 🚨
Would be renters endlessly searching for affordable apartments often fall victim to savvy scammers. They troll sites like Facebook Marketplace posing as owners of units listed at tantalizingly low rates.
After demanding upfront “security deposits,” the faux landlords provide codes to access properties and even convince victims to sign realistic looking leases. But when move in day comes, the codes no longer work. Deposits have vanished along with the scammers.
She cautions apartment seekers to thoroughly research ownership info for any properties that seem too good to be true. Also refrain from providing any funds until after personally viewing the interior of units.
Time for a Change of Pace? 🚗
Despite enjoying Orlando’s sunny weather and abundance of entertainment options, our expert feels ready to move on after nearly 7 years there. Accustomed to faster paced big city living in L.A., she now seeks someplace smaller and slower to settle down and raise her three kids.
After an initial culture shock during a visit to family in Cincinnati, she says she gained an appreciation for Midwestern friendliness and even (sort of) four seasons. Now she dreams of a fresh start in a smaller town with a sense of community, where everyone doesn’t rush around breathlessly pursuing the next thing.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Orlando
For travelers aiming to experience authentic local culture, she suggests venturing out of the tourist bubble. Locals largely avoid crowded chain restaurants and bars crowded around theme parks. Instead, head to indie eateries off the main roads to eat where Orlando residents dine.
While world famous parks are a must do, also explore lesser known nature spots like Tampa’s Clearwater Beach or smaller gems dotted along the Space Coast. For a dose of local color, check events calendars for monthly neighborhood art walks featuring local artists, live bands and food vendors.
Finally, allow at least 4-5 days to take in major attractions while also wandering off the beaten path. Slow down and chat up some locals. They’re usually happy to reveal their own hidden gem destinations and top dining spots.
Living in the shadow of world famous theme parks, it’s easy to overlook the authentic local culture and community thriving in Orlando proper. By venturing beyond crowded tourist zones, visitors can experience the real heart of this eclectic, artsy Southern city and its diverse residents.
10 Fun Facts About Orlando, Not Including Theme Parks:
Orlando attracts thunderstorms more than any other U.S. city, with over 100 stormy days per year. Locals throw on ponchos and continue on with outdoor festivals and events.
Home to hundreds of lakes and waterways, the Orlando area has over 20,000 registered pleasure boats. Boating, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding are hugely popular pastimes.
Over 100 languages are spoken in the metro area, emblematic of Orlando’s cultural diversity. Spanish and Haitian Creole follow English as the most commonly spoken.
The world’s largest McDonalds amusement playland opened in Orlando in 1997. The two-story, 30,000 square foot indoor playground hosts hundreds of kids’ birthday parties annually.
Orlando’s Leu Gardens estate is home to largest Camellia collection in North America, with nearly 2,000 varieties over 50 acres of scenic grounds.
Harry P. Leu, founder of Leu Gardens, served as Florida’s first Citrus King in 1936 for popularizing consumption of orange juice globally.
The Orlando Wetlands Festival celebrates Central Florida’s 1,100 acre, man-made wetlands that naturally filter billions of gallons of water annually.
Over 300 food trucks serving global street food fare gather at The Food Truck Stop, founded by Venezuelan immigrants bringing the popular South American concept to Florida.
Orlando’s famed Lake Eola fountain puts on a sparkling hourly light show at night with color-changing LED bulbs choreographed to popular music.
Locals flock to Lake Eola on Sunday mornings for a giant farmer’s market with 140+ vendors selling fresh produce, artisan foods and handcrafted goods.
10 Facts About Orlando Real Estate, Income, Crime and Lifestyle:
Median annual household income trails Florida overall at just $55,000 yearly, contributing to nearly 18% poverty rate.
Over half of Orlando households qualify as rent burdened, paying 35% or above for housing.
Median home sale price leapt to record $355K in 2022, over $100K above 2020 prices. Locals struggle to keep up with booming values.
Public transit access is poor in suburban areas of metro Orlando, with minimal routes primarily serving tourism zones. Many low wage workers lack vehicles.
Only 5 US cities have more violent crimes per 100K residents than Orlando, which increased nearly 30% from 2020-2022.
Orlando area unemployment remains very low at 2.5%, but largely comprises lower paying tourism/services jobs averaging under $35K salary.
Over 29 million tourists flock to Orlando annually, primarily centered around theme parks. Crowds peak during summer and holidays.
Summers are hot and very humid, while winters average mild 60-70F degree temperatures during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common much of the year.
No state income tax and formerly low property taxes have attracted retirees and snowbirds, but rising expenses now send many toward cheaper havens like Mexico.
High occupancy tourist lodgings contribute to affordable nightly rates. Luxury resorts average around $250-400 nightly during peak seasons.