Orlando has become a Downtown Lover's dream.
With the Beautification of Orlando, the booming economy, and so many housing options, Downtown Orlando living is attracting people from all over. I recently sold my home in the more suburban East Orlando area and made the move.
I live on Lake Eola, and the first thing I do in the morning is to take my Bichon Frise, Fred, for a walk around the lake. I love having time to take a walk in the morning. That extra time is thanks to my short commute.
It takes me 5 minutes to get to work at ERA Grizzard's new downtown office. Not too bad and no highway traffic!
After work, I like to walk to one of the nearby restaurants to have dinner and complete my day by taking Fred on another walk around the lake. Fred loves living downtown!
Fred's not the only one who loves downtown. Here are some of the top reasons why people love Downtown Orlando living:
Lake Eola Park
Lake Eola park is by far my favorite part about living downtown. You can rent one of the iconic swan boats and explore the lake from a different perspective. There are restaurants by the lake that feature some awesome views. If you would like to dine overlooking the lake, I recommend Relax Grill at Lake Eola or Spice Modern Steakhouse.
If you have kids, the playground area is very popular.
Not to mention there is always an event happening. I enjoy the movie nights, art shows, and festivals.
The Orlando Farmer’s Market
The farmer’s market happens every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lake Eola Park .There you can buy plants, freshly prepared food, arts and crafts, beverages, fresh produce, and pet supplies.
Speaking of pets, you can bring Fido with you. My Fred loves to go!
The photo above is actually from Maitland's Farmer's Market. It's not too far from Downtown Orlando, and another great place to check out.
Restaurants & Bars
Sorry if the picture above made you hungry. Stop by Se7ven Bites in the Milk District and try their delicious mac'n'cheese breakfast biscuit. It's as tasty as it looks.
Fun Fact: The Milk District gets its name from the T.G.Lee Milk Dairy Plant in the area.
The Central Business District is one of the most vibrant parts of downtown and is full of restaurants, offices, and apartments. If you are in the area you should try Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant. The food is good and the atmosphere is even better.
Thornton Park district is famous for its historic homes and its great restaurants. Their most famous restaurant is probably Dexter’s of Thornton Park. It's a great mix between a restaurant and bar and a popular place to wind down after work.
If you enjoy Asian cuisine, pay a visit to the Mills District. Hawkers Asian Street Fare is a fun fusion restaurant. They have Asian tapas!
Walking and Biking
I loved living in East Orlando, but this is the reason why I moved to downtown.
If you don’t own a bicycle, you can easily rent one through the new city bike share program. I personally enjoy my walks around the city. It feels good for the mind and body.
It is also a great way to avoid the hassle and cost that parking can add to your life.
Orlando Culture
A lot my out-of-state and international friends are surprised when I talk to them about the cultural scene in Orlando. I am pretty sure they think the only thing to do here in Orlando is to visit the theme parks!
The Bob Carr Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, SAK Comedy Lab, and Mad Cow Theatre are just a few options of places you can go to in search of cultural events in Downtown Orlando. There’s always something going on. You can take in a Broadway Show, see a ballet, or enjoy the symphony.
The Amway Center & The Citrus Bowl
I haven’t been to an Orlando City game, at the Citrus Bowl. They always seem to be sold out! But watching Kaka play is on my to-do list - I am Brazilian after all!
At the Citrus Bowl you can watch football games, go to the Monster Jam, see your favorite concerts, and more.
The Amway Center is an arena most famous for being the home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and the popular Solar Bears hockey team. But the Amway Center also hosts many other types of events such as concerts, wrestling competitions, and family events.
I knew I would love moving to Downtown Orlando. I am a city girl a heart. There’s so much to do, you will only be bored if you want to be.
Download the list of homes for sale in Orlando, and make your move to downtown!
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:
- Relocating to Orlando? 6 Crazy Easy Steps to Choosing Your Home
- 3 Reasons to Buy a Home in East Orlando
- Why Winter Garden, FL is far from your typical Orlando suburb [Video]
If you are considering moving to Orlando and have any questions about my experience living in Downtown Orlando or East Orlando, leave me a comment below. I would love to answer all your questions!
