Orlando, Florida is much more than Mickey Mouse floating balloons and the world's most recognizable castle - it is home to thousands of residents and is currently experiencing enormous growth due to factors beyond Walt Disney World. The city has many attractions other than the theme parks and amusements. The Orlando area is undergoing a great deal of development and urban renewal that will benefit current residents and those who are soon to relocate there for years to come.

For the younger set as well as the professional, the downtown area holds a great deal of appeal. There are new and modern mixed use complexes like Thornton Park Central which lies amidst of brick lined streets in one of the city's most stylish districts, and there are many new housing areas going up all over the city. Many new jobs are coming to Orlando, and it is rapidly attracting all kinds of professionals and employable people.

The area also has an excellent education system, and is home to many universities, colleges, and other higher education centers. The health care system is also very good, and many of the area's hospitals are currently undergoing expansion and improvement.

For those who love the outdoors, the area around Orlando is a perfect outdoor getaway, with the city surrounded by many lakes and ponds--hundreds, as a matter of fact. As Orlando has expanded over the years, it has drawn in towns and cities into its suburban region, which makes the Orlando suburbs more unique than most places. With cities like Winter Park as a suburb, the whole area has become a unique and highly attractive place to live.

Orlando has been careful to maintain a good infrastructure system over the years, paying special attention to roadways and connections. This is very important to Orlando as a tourist-centered city, and helps draw in the thousands and thousands of tourists to amusement parks, nature activities, and the general entertainment scene in Orlando. This also contributes to Orlando's reputation for being one of the best places to live in the U.S.

Even without the amusement parks there is plenty to do in Orlando. Whether it's a museum, a night of professional sports, performing arts, galleries, or a festival, residents and tourists can always find an activity. If you get tired of the Orlando scene, Tampa-St. Petersburg is just a short drive away and offers its own eclectic mix of entertainment and activities.

In addition to the city, there are great areas outside for outdoor activities and family outings. Recreation outside Orlando ranges from boating on the many lakes and waterways to fishing, swimming, canoeing, and other water sports. You can also find wildlife refuges and hiking/backpacking through some of the most beautiful land in the United States. There is plenty for the hunter as well, with abundant deer, fox squirrels, and wild turkeys.

You would think that the cost of living would be high in such a desirable place that has a reputation for a great infrastructure and more. But the cost of living is actually lower than average for the nation, and is just about the last holdout for affordable property in Florida. So if you are looking for a beautiful city that has a great price tag, now is the time to come to Orlando--the accessibility won't last forever.

For more information on Orlando please visit Orlando Real Estate