5 Best Central Florida Cities to Live In
The Central Florida area is positively booming! A drive around town, and there is nothing but new construction popping up all over the place. If you are new to the area it can quickly become overwhelming when determining which city or town to choose from. While there is not a bad choice, we feel like the cities in this article are the 5 best Central Florida cities to call home.
Finding the perfect place to live can be stressful, from the east side to the west side and everything in between. With the right realtor to help you navigate the crazy road ahead and guide you through all of the details, the Erica Diaz Team is here to help! Here we have narrowed down our top 5 choices of cities in Central Florida to live.
1. Winter Garden
Just 14 miles west of downtown Orlando, Winter Garden truly is one of the perfect places to call home in the Central Florida area. Close to the city, Walt Disney World, and restaurants aplenty, Winter Garden is by far our number one place to call home. With so many homes, especially those close to Horizon West, offering up Magic Kingdom firework views, this side of town is magical.
As a whole, Winter Garden has excellent schools making it an ideal place for families. Both public and private schools in Winter Garden are great options for kids. The area does have some of Central Florida’s most desirable private schools. Click here to read our article all about Winter Garden private schools.
Historic Downtown District
Winter Garden also has a historic district known as downtown Winter Garden. This area is the hot spot in the city. With a landmark theatre, monthly event happenings, quaint shops, coffee, and food alike, downtown Winter Garden is a favorite among its residents.
On Saturdays, locals, enjoy the farmer’s market. This market has grown extensively over the years, from just a farm stand with a few vendors to rows of vendors, live music, fresh delicacies, homemade treats, and more. Click here to learn more about the Winter Garden Farmers Market. Another popular spot downtown is, Plant Street Market. Plant Street Market offers local vendors and fantastic food options, including a brewery, which is worth checking out, even if you don’t live in Winter Garden.
The city of Winter Garden is a fantastic place to live. We love the area so much; the Erica Diaz office is even in Winter Garden!
2. Windermere
The small town of Windermere is a charming place to live! With many communities hidden behind tall gates and lush landscapes, it is no wonder why celebrities and famous athletes alike call Windermere home. While Windermere is a bit less affordable than Winter Garden, many people flock to this area. With a charming city center, quaint Friday farmer’s market, and low crime, Windermere makes for a fantastic place to live.
Town Among the Lakes
Known as the town among the lakes, Windermere is perfect for those that love the lake life. With so many interconnecting chains of lakes, one can easily spend their days exploring the water. The downtown area has a lot of revitalization going on, including a total refurbishment of the Police Station; Windermere is holding firm as a top place to live in Central Florida. The family-friendly neighborhoods, highly rated schools, proximity to shopping and dining all make Windermere an excellent place to call home.
Windermere is also home to many superb private schools. Click here to see the town’s top private schools and discover what makes them so sought after.
3. Clermont
If a great price point is what you are after, Clermont is a great town to reside in. With its pristine lakes and picturesque hills, there are few places with such a landscape. Florida is, for the most part, flat after all. Listed as one of the best places to live in Lake County, Clermont has seen its residency soar in the last few years (discover the best new build communities here!). Experiencing exponential growth, the historic area itself is even under a significant revamp.
Clermont’s slogan is “Choice of Champions,” thanks to it being a training ground for elite athletes. To add to Clermont’s notoriety, the town itself is expanding its waterfront park, making it an entire district. This $22 million master plan will only further add to the draw that is Clermont. Improvements include infrastructure, streetscape, trails, and parks alike.
One of Florida’s Fastest-Growing Cities
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, it just made sense to add Clermont to our list of the 5 Best Central Florida Cities to Live In! With good schools (click here to check out the area\’s private schools), a ton of shopping and dining options all in a stone’s throw, it is no wonder the town is growing so fast.
For those that love to go boating, Clermont has an abundance of attractive options. With such a vast waterfront space and expanded boat dock, this city is perfect for those who love the outdoors. Lake Louisa is a beautiful state park, perfect for hiking, camping, or for those just wanting to spend time outside in nature. If you have not been to the charming town of Clermont, it is worth a peek as it is ever-changing with so many things to do.
4. Mount Dora
The small town of Mount Dora is a Central Florida gem! Mount Dora is the epitome of old Florida charm, especially with its moss-covered trees. It’s a fantastic place to call home with a historic inn, quaint restaurants on the water with fresh seafood, a seaplane that takes off from the dock, year-round festivals, and antique shops galore.
Home to over thirty different restaurants, there is a taste for everyone. You’ll never tire of endless options from cuisines such as Asian, Italian, German, Cuban, Jamaican, and more. Offering a relaxed atmosphere, even visiting just for the day, is excellent. One of the town’s most recent additions is the HandleBar! Stop in for a unique craft cocktail with family and friends.
Known for its small southern charm, walking through the town of Mount Dora feels like stepping back in time! As the number one ranked small town to retire in from USA Today, Mount Dora is worth checking out, and easily made it on our list of best Central Florida cities to live in.
Residents Love Mount Dora
Residents of this small town can enjoy Dora Lake with a kayak or boat. There are also many trails perfect for hiking and exploring nature. Kids can enjoy the pirate-themed playground at Gilbert Park, while families can check out Florida’s only freshwater lighthouse located at Grantham Point Park.
Mount Dora is home to a large artistic community. You’ll have a great time checking out exhibits on display at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, which hosts the yearly art festival in town. There is also the museum of modernism which is excellent for exciting and interesting exhibits. There is a reason we named Mount Dora as one of our top 5 Best Central Florida Cities to Live In. Just 40 minutes from downtown Orlando, Mount Dora offers serenity while still being close to the action. Theme parks and beaches are a reasonable distance as well. If you have not been to this adorable little town, you must add this to places to at least checkout; if not to move!
5. Ocoee
Offering close proximity to Winter Garden and Windermere, Ocoee is a very popular place to live. In recent years, the town of Ocoee has experienced a ton of new growth. With public schools listed above average here, Ocoee is home to families and young professionals alike. Less than 20 minutes down 408, you can be to downtown Orlando in practically no time.
A Little Revitalization
Schools in Ocoee range from public to private, to charter and Montessori. There is a school for any learning environment a parent would be interested in. With a small shopping district under refurbishment and a downtown master plan, Ocoee is also ready for the next chapter in its revitalization.
Erica Diaz Team – 5 Best Central Florida Cities to Live In
There are many places in Florida to call home, at the Erica Diaz Team, we narrowed down our top 5 places in Central Florida we think are the best. With top-rated schools, family-friendly events, and centralized location to many of the things that may interest you the most, we hope we have helped you in your search for a new city to call home.
If you are ready to make a move and start looking at houses, let the Erica Diaz Team help you today! We love assisting our clients in finding their dream home! From condos to large estates and everything in between, the Erica Diaz Team is ready to help you find your home in a highly desirable Central Florida city!
