Reasons to Love Living in Central Florida

Last updated on December 17th, 2024

With its bustling entertainment, beautiful parks and lakes, vibrant downtown and temperate, year-round climate, it’s easy to love living in Orlando and its surrounding towns. Families, retirees, and young professionals alike will find there’s no shortage of lifestyle offerings to suit all personalities and interests. 

Toll Brothers offers a wide array of new home designs across Central Florida to meet these diverse needs, from townhomes and single-family homes for first-time homebuyers to large estate homes. All of these communities put our homebuyers in the center of everything Orlando has to offer.

Here are just a few reasons to love living in Central Florida:

 

World-Renowned Theme Parks and Entertainment

Often referred to as “the theme park capital of the world,” Orlando is home to several of the most iconic theme parks, entertainment complexes and performance art venues, all of which are visited daily by people from all around the globe and those living in Central Florida. 

 

Walt Disney World Resort

Four theme parks, two water parks, more than two dozen hotels and resorts, and the Disney Springs sprawling shopping, dining and entertainment center make up the beloved Walt Disney World Resort. Central Floridians enjoy the luxury and convenience of being a short drive from world-famous fireworks, attractions, shows, restaurants, and concerts at the House of Blues. 

Universal Orlando 

Hollywood films and nostalgic characters come to life at the Universal Orlando Resort and Islands of Adventure theme parks. The entertainment complex also includes the Volcano Bay water park, more than five hotels and resorts, and Universal CityWalk, which features a variety of shops, restaurants, concerts at Hard Rock Live, and more.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando is both a theme park and marine zoological park. Combined with its sister parks, Discovery Cove and Aquatica water park, it forms SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando, an entertainment complex that also includes hotels.

International Drive

Widely referred to as “I-Drive,” International Drive is an entertainment district that features an array of dinner shows, luxury movie theatres and bowling alleys, family attractions, events and exhibits at the Orange County Convention Center, classic carnival rides, and plenty of lively restaurants and popular retailers at Pointe Orlando.

 

Natural Beauty 

Orlando and its surrounding cities feature large lakes, both downtown and in the more rural, suburban parts of the region. Additionally, Cocoa Beach and New Smyrna Beach are just a short 45-minute drive away. From boating and waterskiing to fishing and other water sports, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. 

 

Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando

Located in the heart of Orlando and surrounded by shops, waterfront restaurants, apartments and nature, Lake Eola is home to live swans, the Lake Eola Farmer’s Market, Walt Disney Amphitheater, paddle boats, and stunning views of the city skyline. 

St. Johns River

Just over 30 minutes from Orlando, Sanford’s RiverWalk offers beautiful views of the St. Johns River where rental boats are available, enabling visitors to enjoy river tours, fishing, water sports, and more. Seminole County is also home to other popular destinations, including Lake Jesup and Lake Monroe.

Rock Springs Run and Wekiwa Springs State Park

Enjoy hiking, tubing, kayaking, horseback riding and more at Apopka’s Rock Springs Run, Wekiwa Springs, and nearby Wekiva River. Rock Springs Run reserve in Kelly Park boasts 17 miles of trails and is known for its Sand pine scrub and pine flatwoods, making it a refuge of natural beauty.

 

Shopping and Dining 

Central Florida features several active downtown areas that are frequented by residents and visitors alike for their diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment options. An array of waterfront restaurants and walkable, convenient city centers allow for a wealth of choices for both daytime and evening plans. 

 

Downtown Orlando

Home to several local boutiques, restaurants, nightlife, theatres and more, Downtown Orlando is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor dining and shopping with stunning views of the city or Lake Eola. The weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market is also a popular destination among locals living in Central Florida.

Historic Downtown Sanford

Discover a diverse array of acclaimed local restaurants – including the highly admired “pearl” of the city, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café – craft breweries, cocktail bars, galleries, and handcrafted goods throughout Historic Downtown Sanford, where rooftop dining and riverfront shopping offer the ideal backdrop.

Historic Winter Garden’s Plant Street Market

Most popular for its Crooked Can Brewery, which offers live entertainment and outdoor seating on the pet-friendly patio, the Plant Street Market is an indoor local community hub with 20 vendors featuring natural, organic food and handmade products. Open seven days a week, the market is a common meeting area for locals and visitors. Every Saturday, a massive farmer’s market takes place next to Plant Street Market, offering visitors more options for discovering local goods. 

 

Mall at Millenia 

For luxury designer brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci, look no further than Orlando’s Mall at Millenia, located just off of Interstate 4 at Conroy Road. The extraordinary indoor shopping experience is complete with 150 stores, an array of services, and eateries. 

 

Arts, Culture and Sports

Enjoy a variety of artsy enclaves, performance art and athletic venues, museums, and more that educate, entertain, and inspire. 

 

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 

As the premier performing arts center in Orlando, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has become a hub for the best international, national, and local artists, community outreach, and arts education. Located along two blocks in downtown Orlando, the acclaimed center houses a variety of performances, from ballet and Broadway to live comedy, festivals, kids’ shows, and more.

Orlando Museum of Art 

Reflecting the continued growth of Florida’s arts and culture community, the Orlando Museum of Art was founded in 1924 and serves to inspire creativity, passion, and intellectual curiosity within Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. The museum holds both national traveling installations and exhibits showcasing the work of Florida artists. 

Exploria Stadium (Orlando City SC) and Amway Center

Located in bustling downtown Orlando, Exploria Stadium is the official home of Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC, and its National Women’s Soccer League affiliate club, the Orlando Pride. Orlando City games are widely attended by soccer fans from Central Florida and beyond. Also in downtown Orlando, the Amway Center is home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and several live concerts featuring the top names in music.   

Theater West End (Sanford)

Located in historic downtown Sanford, Theater West End produces and presents professional, high quality theater in an intimate historic setting. Local actors, singers, comedians, dancers, and more perform a variety of shows ranging from award-winning productions to pieces written by regional artists.  

 

Toll Brothers offers many new home communities in the Orlando region conveniently located near these attractions and more, offering endless entertainment options for the whole family and plenty of reasons to love living in Central Florida.