[AntonioR]

Originally Posted by IceMonkey

I've never understood that. Especially since some are coming all the way from South America or even Europe, and only visiting theme parks? I guess it takes a certain type of tourist.

A first time trip to Disney could take up the entire vacation and you haven’t seen everything Disney has to offer (and if you did in such a short time, it was literally seeing and not much riding, watching shows, etc.) To see and do most things offered by any of the major Disney parks would require at least 2 days each (taking into account the long lines for many rides.) That’s just Disney. Then there are the other parks which basically suffer from long lines too, especially the ones in Universal.

Plus, you can do all your vacation shopping and much of the dining in Disney Springs. Except for curiosity, there really is no need to leave Disney for anything except catching your flight back home. Disney is like a giant all-inclusive resort with the itty bitty difference that most things aren’t included in one price and just about everything in Disney is overpriced. lol

Furthermore, the number one thing that attracts people to Orlando in the first place is the mouse. In fact, Disney started the mass tourism in Orlando back in the 1970’s since before Disney “no one went there.” You mentioned Orlando and a big question mark followed by everybody listening. Now you mention Orlando and for many the very first thing to pop up is the mouse.

One time after landing in Orlando (I’ve been there many times but this only happened once), the welcome through the intercom was “welcome to the house of Mickey.” Not welcome to Orlando or welcome to Florida, no. It was all about the mouse. lol

[Army_Guy]

Lived in Orlando, live in St. Pete now. Didn't like Orlando very much, felt more like a big suburb than a city. No doubt there are plenty of entertainment options. If work wasn't an issue and I had to live in the Orlando metro area, I'd probably want to live in Clermont or Groveland. If money weren't an issue, I'd go for Lake Mary or Oviedo.

Originally Posted by CCS414

The biggest deterrent for me would be the brutal summer weather. I've heard the Orlando summers are comparable to the Phoenix summers in terms of how much they suck.

Not even close. To me, the dryness of Phoenix is awful. Makes my skin itchy.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by Army_Guy

Lived in Orlando, live in St. Pete now. Didn't like Orlando very much, felt more like a big suburb than a city. No doubt there are plenty of entertainment options. If work wasn't an issue and I had to live in the Orlando metro area, I'd probably want to live in Clermont or Groveland. If money weren't an issue, I'd go for Lake Mary or Oviedo.



Not even close. To me, the dryness of Phoenix is awful. Makes my skin itchy.

It's changed considerably. The core is much more developed and considerably more pedestrian-friendly. It turns into a "giant suburb" once you venture out, but doesn't feel that way in much of the actual city. I work downtown, and I love it. Were the office not downtown or nearby, I wouldn't want to live here. I take Sunrail to/from work, and just walk or use a scooter to everything. I use the car on weekends to get around the rest of the metro/state. Brightline to go down to South FL.
I think COVID helped give it a massive boost, as well as the Creative Village/UCF campus West of I4... And TOD between SoDo and Advent.

[firmbizzle]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

It's changed considerably. The core is much more developed and considerably more pedestrian-friendly. It turns into a "giant suburb" once you venture out, but doesn't feel that way in much of the actual city. I work downtown, and I love it. Were the office not downtown or nearby, I wouldn't want to live here. I take Sunrail to/from work, and just walk or use a scooter to everything. I use the car on weekends to get around the rest of the metro/state. Brightline to go down to South FL.
I think COVID helped give it a massive boost, as well as the Creative Village/UCF campus West of I4... And TOD between SoDo and Advent.

Seems like it got worse after Covid.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by firmbizzle

Seems like it got worse after Covid.

I disagree. I left here right at the onset of Covid, and just recently came back, and it's considerably busier and more active in the core neighborhoods. I think it benefited a lot from the office culture changes, considering much of downtown and surroundings is comprised of residential and commercial/retail, as opposed to heavy corporate presence seen in other cities. A lot more people outside, especially during daytime.

[bmw335xi]

Orlando has boomed since Covid because of all the people who moved here from California and New York/New Jersey because of their covid policies.

[IceMonkey]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Orlando has boomed since Covid because of all the people who moved here from California and New York/New Jersey because of their covid policies.

Many of them have moved back where they came from already. They didn't like Miami. It was too hot for them.

[firmbizzle]

Originally Posted by IceMonkey

Many of them have moved back where they came from already. They didn't like Miami. It was too hot for them.

The rents are starting to go down and there are less apartments in the cue. It's not all paradise in Florida.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by IceMonkey

Many of them have moved back where they came from already. They didn't like Miami. It was too hot for them.

The data doesn't show this. Florida has been continually the top 3 states people are moving to 2020-2021-2022-2023

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by IceMonkey

Many of them have moved back where they came from already. They didn't like Miami. It was too hot for them.

Correct. Many Californians in my area of Tampa have moved back; they miss California weather.