Many of our friends have asked us for more details about our move to Florida. Why are we moving and where? Here I’ll give you some of the details…
Why Florida?
- Family – Both our daughters have already moved to Florida. One is working at Disney World while doing online college through GCU and the other is at SEU in Lakeland, Florida. Rather than be empty nesters in Minnesota we will move along with them to keep the family close together.
- Work Opportunities – Personal and business taxes are lower in Florida encouraging growth in many areas including tech, health, and sports. We are expanding LuminFire by opening a office in Florida. We plan to gain clients and employees.
- Live My Dream – I’ve always wanted to retire in Florida. Since I don’t plan to retire for at least 10 years and we have flexibility to work from anywhere, we are moving now to enjoy life to it’s fullest today.
- Weather – I’ve endured 58 cold Minnesota winters. Heat doesn’t bother me. I will enjoy Florida year round.
Why Orlando?
We have chosen the Orlando area in central Florida for many reasons.
- Friends and Family – It’s likely we might see our friends and family more often in Florida than we even do in Minnesota because so many people vacation there and it is easy to get to with over 190 direct flight connections.
- Natural Disasters – Every area of the country has its issues: tornados, earthquakes, etc. Florida has hurricanes. Orlando is inland and the area where many people from the Florida coasts go to for refuge during a hurricane. Since it is far from the ocean there isn’t worry about storm swells.
Ken Pozek is a real estate agent originally from Michigan who produces a lot of great videos about the area. He outlines 15 Reasons Why he loves Orlando for his family…
- A lot of new development and growing community…tech, health, schools, houses
- Small main street USA downtown areas
- MCO Airport – 150 cities direct and Brightline to Miami
- Arts scene – Theaters and concerts
- So many people visit Orlando. – 50 million people/year. Quality time with friends
- Leu Gardens – Beautiful park
- Speakeasies – Local places to meet
- Food halls – Small business and community
- Theme parks – Shows, rides, restaurants, celebrations
- One of largest international business destinations
- Lakes – State parks, boating, biking
- Sports – Magic basketball, soccer Lions/Pride, football UCF Knights/Bucceneers, NHL hockey
- Diverse real estate – New, rural farmhouse, etc.
- Resorts and luxury hotels for staycations
- Growing pains…no perfect city…traffic, expensive but great energy
Horizon West and Winter Garden
We have been drawn to the northwest side of Orlando to an area called Horizon West. There is a lot of exciting new housing and businesses being built there. We have chosen the area of Winter Garden for many reasons:
- Family friendly – Residential and not touristy
- Downtown Winter Garden is a historic shopping area that feels similar to Stillwater, Minnesota with a regular Farmer’s Market.
- Winter Garden Village shopping area with a Target, Best Buy, Lowe’s and many other essential shops.
- Close to Disney – With an annual pass we can enjoy the theme parks at our leisure.
- West Orange Trail – Biking
- Nearby schools, churches, and restaurants.
- The nearby City of Clermont has rolling hills in lake country with some similarities to Minnesota. They even have lakes named: Minnehaha, Winona, Hiawatha, and Mineola.
- New developments and projects in the area include the Olympus Training Center and Orlando Surf Park.
Our Family Locations
We are building a home in a new community called Avalon Ridge with about 40 other homes. Our home is planned to be completed in December 2024. The address is 3015 Avalon Ridge Lane Winter Garden FL 34787
Our daughter lives in the Storey Grove/Waterleigh area west of Disney World with several roommates in a home only about 15 minutes directly south. It is a very convenient residential area where everything is new. It’s not far from Flamingo Crossings where people in the Disney College Program live.
Our vacation home rental Lelani Beach Club in Davenport, Florida at Windsor Island resort is only about 30 minutes away directly south.
Our other daughter will be about a 50 minute drive away during the school year at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.
I hope that helps. Reach out if you have any questions. We’ve spent a lot of time in the area and can likely give you some perspective.