Orlando — Quality of LifeOrlando — Quality of Life
We all seek a high quality of life, and there are a myriad of things that are needed to make it happen. Depending on a person's desires and needs, some are more important than others. What you'll find here is a general list of subjects that we feel are important to a high quality of life. If there's something that's important to you, and its not listed here, I'm certain it is covered in one of the other sections of Metro Orlando Lifestyle Informion - MOLI for short. We welcome your comments and suggestions, and hope this information is helpful to you.
The Quality of Life in Metro Orlando is admired and sought after. Affordable, quality housing, a great climate, good transportation and easy access to recreational and cultural activities are some of the reasons people from all over the world are making Metro Orlando home.
Consistently rated as one of the best cities in which to work and live by leading national business publications such as Fortune and Businessweek magazines, the residents of Metro Orlando enjoy one of the most affordable cost of living indexes in the entire country. Some of the other reasons are access to quality child care, superior educational resources, and top medical facilities.
REGIONAL POTENTIAL
A good example of the regions potential is Orlando International Airport. Situated on 15,000 acres, it is the second largest airport property in the nation allowing for expansion well into the turn of the century. Located 20 Minutes from downtown Orlando, the airport opened in 1981 expecting to handle 12 million passengers through 1995. Rapid growth in the area made this benchmark happen by 1986, almost a decade earlier than anticipated. OIA now handles more than 20.5 million travellers, making it the 16th busiest airport in the country, and 24th busiest in the world! OIA was also sited as the 2nd fastest growing airport in the United States as of January\June 1997 according to OIA statistics.
ORLANDO DEMOGRAPHICS
The demographics of the Metro area have changed considerably over the last decade due to the volume and diversity of growth. Metro Orlando is now a thriving and dynamic metropolis of more than 1.5 million people. As one of the country's most dynamic and diverse markets, Metro Orlando attracts a continuing flow of new businesses and residents. Statistics show a sample week in Metro Orlando produces:
- 462 new jobs ? 269 new businesses
- $321 million in retail sales
- 1,463 new adult residents
- 774,270 visitors
- 492,030 air travelers
- 308 residential buildings permits
- $456 million in buying income
ORLANDO POPULATION:
Population studies project that the figure will be 1.75 million people by 2005.
The medium age of Metro Orlando people is 34.5 years and 46% of the population are between the ages of 15 and 44. Metro Orlando has a large work force which continues to grow due to steady relocations to the area.
ORLANDO HISTORY
When the second Seminole war ended in 1842, American settlers began following soldiers into Central Florida. Originally named Jernigan after Aaron Jernigan who came from Georgia and settled here in 1843, the town grew slowly around an old Army post -- Fort Gatlin -- that had been abandoned in 1849. The town's name was permanently changed to Orlando in 1857. While different versions of the origin of the name are told, the official account is credited to Orlando Reeves, a U.S. soldier who was killed in 1835 by an Indian's arrow while on sentinel duty at what is now Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. By a vote of 22 men from the 85 residents, the two-square-mile (5.18-square-kilometer) city was officially incorporated on July 21, 1875. According to the book Flashback - The Story of Central Florida's Past, the undeveloped expanse of land east of the Orlando International Airport still resembles what the first Orlando settlers saw 150 years ago.
ORLANDO LOCATION
Located near the very heart of Florida, Metro Orlando embraces about 4,000 square miles.
Situated about 150 miles from the Georgia border north,
50 miles from the Atlantic Coast to the east,
75 miles from the Gulf Coast to the west, and
237 miles from Miami, and
370 miles from the Florida Keys at the very southern tip of the state.
Orlando - Arts and Culture
The number of cultural organizations and activities is impressive for a city the size of Orlando. The areas major art groups are sustained in part by United Arts of Central Florida, Inc., an umbrella corporation started in 1989. United Arts now serves as a model funding program for arts organizations nationwide. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, United Arts has raised more than $40 million, making it the most successful community-wide organization of its kind in the country.
Metro Orlando has dozens of cultural centres and organizations including the Civic Theatre of Central Florida, The Orlando Opera Company, The Southern Ballet Company, and The Bach Festival Society..
Orlando Museum of Art – OMA is committed to enriching the cultural life of Florida by providing excellence in the visual arts. OMA is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting notable works of art. Also presents exhibitions of local, regional, national and international importance. Located at: Orlando Loch Haven Park on North Mills Avenue in Orlando. Their website url is: www.omart.org
Orlando holds an annual Shakespeare Festival at Lake Eola Amphitheater in downtown Orlando.
The Orlando Science Centre, since its' massive expansion now has 42,000 square feet of permanent and interactive exhibits. It has a 310 seat CineDome featuring large format films, and planetarium shows. There is also a 250 seat, state-of-the-art, science demonstration theatre. The Science Centre is now the largest of its kind in the Southeast.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum in Winter Park is home to the largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world.
The Orlando Theatre Project, a professional theatre company has moved to Seminole Community College in Sanford. The college is home to a 175 seat theatre.
There is also an annual celebration of cultural activity called "Arts in April" which is held each spring.
Climate
Without a doubt, one of Metro Orlando's biggest attractions, beside Disney and Universal, is the climate. Mid-Florida's subtropical climate which means year-round mild weather, is a strong draw for both residents and tourists.
October - May ?Days - Low 70s F (22 C) to mid 80s F (27 C)
?Nights - Low 50s F (10 C) to mid 60s F (16 C)
June - September ?Days - Upper 80s F (27 C) to mid 90s F (32 C)
?Nights - Upper 60s F (16 C) to mid 70s F (22 C)
The mild temperatures and rainfall combine to keep Florida green all year. Winds are generally southerly at about 9 miles an hour. The average elevation of the region is 106 feet above sea level.
Transportation
Orlando International Airport
The airport is the 15th busiest in the nation and 22nd busiest in the world with more than 960 commercial operations per day. More than 44 scheduled airlines and 41 charters provide nonstop service to 78 U.S. destinations and 35 international cities as well as direct service to more than 100 cities worldwide. It is easily accessible and within 15 miles (24 kilometers) to major attractions, meeting facilities and downtown Orlando. Shuttle vans and buses, taxis, limousines and rental cars are readily available.
Train Service - Amtrak serves Orlando with four daily trains originating in New York and Miami with stops in downtown Orlando, Winter Park, Sanford and Kissimmee, as well as with a tri-weekly train originating from Los Angeles. Amtrak also offers its popular Auto Train that features bilevel Superliner sleepers, a diner and a lounge while transporting passengers and their vehicles. The Auto Train runs daily between Lorton, Va., and Sanford, Fla., leaving each town at 4:30 p.m. and arriving at the destination at 9 a.m. the next morning. The Florida Fun Train connects Orlando to South Florida and combines entertainment, transportation and fun for all ages.
Roadways - Major highway networks provide easy access for visitors to reach their destination and for traveling in and around the Greater Orlando area. Major highways include Interstate 4, the Florida Turnpike, Highway 528 (Bee Line Expressway), Highway 408 (East-West Expressway) and Highway 417 (Central Florida Greeneway).
About town - Besides taxi and limousine service to anywhere in the Greater Orlando area, the city's Lynx bus system provides economical public transportation around Orlando. Bus stops are marked with a "paw" print of a Lynx cat. The downtown Orlando Lymmo bus system provides free transit reaching from the Orlando Arena to city hall. The I-Ride trolleys serve popular International Drive with scheduled stops every 15 minutes. The 54 stops are designated with numbered "I-RIDE" location markers. The Greater Orlando CultureQuest offers a tour of the city, stopping at 17 different cultural attractions including Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. To return to the horse and buggy days, carriage rides can also be arranged through local vendors in downtown Orlando.
Time zone
Orlando is in the Eastern time zone.
Recreation
Lakes - More than 300 lakes, springs and rivers provide swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing in the warm Florida sun.
Orlando's Orange County Convention Center - Tee off on one of more than 125 area golf courses within a 45-minute drive of downtown Orlando. Several are world-acclaimed courses sculpted by renowned golf course architects such as Joe Lee, Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones as well as golf greats Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
Tennis in Orlando - Orlando serves up more than 800 tennis courts for visitors to raise a racquet. Many area tennis centers, resorts and hotels rent and sell equipment and can arrange lessons or matches for the beginner or more advanced player.
Sports in Orlando - In addition to the National Basketball Association's world-renowned team, the Orlando Magic, Orlando offers professional AA League baseball (Orlando Rays); baseball spring training (Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros); International Hockey League ice hockey (Orlando Solar Bears); roller hockey (Orlando Jackals); softball (Orlando Wahoos); arena football (Orlando Predators); and Walt Disney World's Indy Car Speedway.
Special events in Orlando
From rodeo performances and celebrity concerts to ethnic festivals and specialty shows, Orlando has year-round events to please every penchant and add more vacation variety.
Meeting Space in Orlando
Orlando is a world-class meeting destination with a variety of meeting facilities that accommodate small meetings to large citywide conventions and trade shows.
Orlando's Orange County Convention Center -- is ranked third in the United States in terms of exhibition space with more than 1.1 million square feet (99,000 square meters).
Tupperware Convention Center - 48,060 square feet (4,325 square meters).
Orlando Expo Center - 74,691 square feet (6,722 square meters). Also, more than 1.7 million square feet (153,000 square meters) of additional meeting space is available in the area's hotels and cultural settings such as the Orlando Museum of Art and Harry P. Leu Gardens.
Orlando Business Information
As one of the country's top markets, Metro Orlando is thriving, diversified and dynamic, and is also the Number One tourist destination. The region was recognized by Fortune magazine as a leader in America's emerging commerce centres, focusing particularly on the high technology, film and television production industries. Business Week cited the quality of life, and the development of laser technology, in their review of the area as one of the fastest growing high-tech regions in the country.
♦ Government A pro-business attitude, one that fosters partnerships.
♦ Commerce and Industry Growth is everywhere. It s here for expanding businesses as well as start-ups. A "Top 10 " best city for startups.
♦ Employment and Labour Employers can expect one of the state's largest, best-educated, and upwardly mobile, diverse work forces.
♦ Taxes and Finance No personal income tax and one of the lowest corporate taxes in the country.
♦ Office and Industrial Space More than 450 professional office buildings and over 60 business parks.
♦ New business resources A central location, world class airport and hub for moving people and products. Extensive list of resources for starting or doing business in Metro Orlando
♦ Maitland Center is a major office center corridor on the northern outskirts of Orlando right off of Interstate 4, I-4. It is comprised of 190 acres of land and 32 office buildings and growing. There are about 20 additional buildings in the planning stages for construction within the next two years. Most of it is class A office space.
Metro Orlando Sports & Recreation
If it's a sport or recreational activity, professional, amateur, participatory or spectator, someone is doing it somewhere in Central Florida. Another advantage of the climate is year-round outdoor activity. There is year round golf, tennis, baseball & softball, water sports, hunting & camping, bowling, running, bicycling, skating, fencing, archery and others.
The professional athletics offer baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis, racing, soccer and jai-alai.
Amateur athletics are offered through the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Valencia Community College, Seminole Community College and Lake Sumter Community College.
Outdoor Life in Metro Orlando
Parks Naturally: State Parks; Local Parks Land Sports: Golfing; Biking; Camping; Hiking; Walking
Water Sports : Boating; Canoeing; Fishing; Skiing Bird Watching
There are seven (7) state parks in the area. Amenities include cabin rentals, RV hookups, canoe rentals and campsites. Most have swimming, boating and fishing.Some have horseback riding and hiking trails. Phone numbers are listed for more information and directions.
Wekiva Springs State Park- Seminole County
Wekiva Springs Road
407.884.2008
Camping, boating, picknicking, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. Home to bears, gray foxes, bald eagles, owls and deer as well as alligators, turtles, otters, white ibis and egrets and many other birds.
Tosohatchee State Reserve - Orange County
Taylor Creek Road, Christmas
407.568.5893
Borders St. John's River in East Orange County. Hiking, biking, camping for the rugged, horseback riding and fishing. The Reserve has a rather unique landscape and is home to some endangered species.
Blue Springs State Park - Volusia County
Orange City ( Take I-4 east from Orlando to Orange City exit)
386.775.3663
The endangered Manatee uses this park as home during the winter months. Gives you a very rare opportunity to see them. Swimming, snorkeling (equipment for rent in the park), fishing, pickniking, hiking and camping.
Hoonton Island State Park - Volusia County
West of Deland, about 6 miles (Take I-4 east to Deland exit from Orlando)
904.736.5309
Acessible by Ferry service or other boat only.
Boating, fishing, hiking, camping and rental cabins. Rich in Indian history and many artifacts can be seen.
DeLeon State Park Volusia County
904.985.4212
Reataurant with grills. Make your own pancakes, restaurant supplies the pancake batter. Swimming, boating, canoeing, biking, hiking, nature trails. Volleyball court and playground.
Lake Louisa State Park - Lake County
863.394.3969
Swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, picknicking, horseback riding, camping and birdwatching. Home to osprey, bald eagles, blue heron, anhinga and ibis. Park has a white sand beach, shaded picnic area plus a bathhouse with showers. There is a public boat ramp.
Lake Griffing State Park - Lake County
Leesburg, 2 miles north
352.360.6760
Canoeing, fishing, boating, picknicking, camping and playground. I am told that some of the biggest bass in the whole USA is to be found in these waters. See Osprey, Bald Eagles, anhinga and the ibis. Also alligators and otters.
Theme Parks & Attractions
Adventures in Florida
This exciting attraction is a day trip which explores some of the wild and natural areas of Florida. Discover the other Florida as you go through river cruises, canoe trips, airboat rides, nature trails, historic tours, Indian mounds, horseback riding, wildlife parks, and more! Transportation is comfortable, the food is good, and the guides are knowledgeable and friendly.
Contact: 1250 S.Hwy. 17-92, Suite 110,
Longwood, Florida 32750
Telephone: 407-331-0991
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens Theme Parks are famous for their unique combination of daring rides, exciting entertainment and animal habitats. Busch Gardens of Tampa is no exception, with thrill rides such as the Kumba roller coaster and the new Montu, the largest inverted roller coaster in the world. It also offers a children's play area, Land of the Dragons and live entertainment on ice. The new attraction "Edge of Africa," is open and offers you the total sensory experience of journeying on foot through the wild and native villages of Africa. The 15-acre area, the largest animal expansion in the park's history, tranSports/Recreation you to a distant world of encounters with hippopotamuses, giraffes, lions, baboons, crocodiles, and more.
Location: P.O. Box 9159 Tampa, FL 33674
Telephone: (813)987-5813
Disney
No introduction needed. seven -7 - unique attractions, all in the Orlando area: Blizzard Beach, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Pleasure Island, River Country & Discovery Island, Typhoon Lagoon and MGM Studios can all be found at Walt Disney World. Get a multi-day pass, save money and see them all.
Walt Disney World Resort P.O. Box 10,000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Telephone: 407-824-4321
Gatorland
More than 5,000 alligators and crocodiles in 3 shows. Get to see an alligator breeding marsh and cypress swamp. Hungry, there's are alligator specialties.
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Telephone: 407-855-5496 or (800)393-JAWS
Kennedy Space Centre Visitors Centre
Florida's Space Coast offers a bus tour of the Space Shuttle launch sites. There are exhibits and a movie on the 5.5 story high IMAX screen.
State Road 405, Kennedy Space Centre, FL
Telephone: 407-452-2121
United States Astronaut Hall of Fame and U.S. Space Camp, with displays, simulator rides, videotapes and gift shop. 9am - 7pm daily.
NASA Parkway (State Road 405), near entrance to Kennedy Space Centre, Titusville.
Telephone: 407-269-6100
Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Read Ripley's books? Now explore this museum's exhibits and galleries. Fascinating excursion .
8201 International Dr., Orlando
Telephone: 407-363-4418
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 9 am - 11 pm
Sea World
This is a wonderful experience. This marine-life park offers new attractions such as a live water adventure, killer whale breeding, a polar expedition, a research and observation facility, an Atlantean adventure and more. Just incredible sea life adventure. The new Dolphin Interaction Program (DIP), invites guests to experience a once-in-a-lifetime venture where they come face-to-face with bottlenose dolphins. The cost is $125 per participant or $95 for Sea World of Florida annual pass members. All interested participants must pre-register and be at least 13 years of age. For more information, call the Sea World of Florida education department at (407) 363-2380.
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
Telephone: 407-363-2200
Silver Springs - Nature's Showplace
Petting zoo, glass-bottom boats, animal shows, jeep safari, jungle cruise, antique and race car museum, Lost River Voyage and Branson South Theater with music shows Sundays - Fridays: 9am - 5:30 pm daily.
Located on S.R. 40 - 1 mile east of Ocala. Free ages 2 and under. for Telephone: (352) 236-2121 or (800) 234-7458
Universal Studios
More than 40 different rides from movies and shows plus new attractions for the kids! The Lost World attraction gives you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the props, costumes and dinosaurs from the film "The Lost World: Jurassic Park." Guests will enter into the movie via specially designed interactive encounters and surprises and come face-to-face with over a dozen dinosaurs.
1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando
Telephone: 407-363-8000
Weeki Wachee Springs
Mermaid shows in an underwater theatre, river cruise, petting zoo, tropical birds and birds of prey shows. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
U.S. Highway 19 at State Road 50. Free age 2 and under. Telephone: 1-800-678-9335.