Essentials
- City
- Orlando, Florida, United States
- Population
- 316,000 (City Proper), 2.7 Million (Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 250 Mbps download; fiber optics available via AT&T and Spectrum
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar ($). 1 USD is the base currency. ATMs widely available.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though many locals prefer filtered water due to a slight sulfur/chlorine taste.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. Prepaid eSIMs via Airalo or Mint Mobile (~$30/mo for 15GB).
- Banking for Expats
- Chase, Bank of America, and digital options like Wise or Revolut.
- Accommodation
- High-end corporate housing, suburban apartments, and vacation rentals near theme parks.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay) are accepted almost everywhere.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Landing (furnished apartments), and Blueground ($2,200 - $3,800/mo).
- Budget Accommodation
- Bposhtels Orlando (Hostel) near Florida Mall (~$40/night); budget motels like Red Roof Inn (~$85/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Lake Buena Vista (Disney area) or International Drive for attractions and walkability to dining.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Thornton Park or Lake Eola Heights in Downtown for a walkable, neighborhood feel with local cafes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Industrious Orlando (Downtown) - Approx. $45/day pass or $400/mo for hot desk.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Craft & Common (Downtown) - Excellent Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, and specialty coffee.
- Networking Events
- Orlando Tech Hub meetups and '1 Million Cups Orlando' weekly startup presentations.
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Orlando events or the 'Orlando Digital Nomads' group on Facebook.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft are dominant. A ride from MCO Airport to Downtown is ~$35.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Lime and Bird scooters available in Downtown; Hopr bike sharing system.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Cocoa Beach (Atlantic Coast) - 1 hour drive east via FL-528.
- Top Regional Airline
- Southwest Airlines (Major hub at MCO airport).
- Top International Airline
- Virgin Atlantic, Norse Atlantic, and Lufthansa offer direct European routes.
- Highway Access
- I-4 (East-West), SR-408 (East-West Toll), and Florida's Turnpike.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Lynx Central Station (Bus) and SunRail (Commuter Rail) Church Street Station.
- Public Transport Passes
- Lynx Bus 'PawPass' - $2.00 per ride or $50 for a 30-day pass.
- Regional Travel
- Brightline high-speed train connects Orlando to Miami in 3.5 hours (~$79-$149).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- AdventHealth Orlando (Top-ranked for cardiology and neurology).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Full Circle Yoga in Winter Park (~$22 per drop-in class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Planet Fitness ($15/mo) or the luxury Crunch Fitness on East Colonial (~$30/mo).
- Laundry Services
- Express Laundry on Curry Ford Road; Wash & Fold services around $1.50/lb.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and DoorDash are the most widely used.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gator Bites (Fried alligator tail) - try them at Gator's Dockside.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Dharma Southern Kitchen (Market on South) - Plant-based comfort food.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gideon's Bakehouse (East End Market or Disney Springs) - Famous half-pound cookies.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- ALDI for groceries; Orlando International Premium Outlets for clothing.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Same-day delivery available); Walmart.com.
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart and Whole Foods delivery via Amazon Prime.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Downtown Orlando (Orange Avenue corridor) and the Mills 50 District.
- Local Brewery
- Orlando Brewing (Certified organic) or Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Barn (Winter Park) or Eola Wine Company (Downtown).
- Street Food Stalls
- À La Cart - A permanent food truck park with a craft beer bar.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Z Asian (Vietnamese) in Mills 50; Mamak Asian Street Food.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lake Eola Park (The Swan Boats) and the ICON Park Observation Wheel.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
- Historical Sites
- Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Religious Sites
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.
- Annual Events
- Orlando Fringe Festival (May) and Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Autumn).
- Cultural Districts
- Mills 50 (Asian culture and street art) and Ivanhoe Village (Antiques/Design).
- Theater Venues
- Mad Cow Theatre and the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden.
- Local Markets
- Winter Park Farmers' Market (Saturdays) and Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola (Sundays).
- Music Scene
- The Social and Will’s Pub for indie/alternative live music.
- Street Art
- The 'Greetings from Orlando' mural and Various murals across the Mills 50 area.
- Cooking Classes
- Truffles & Trifles in College Park - Consistently ranked top tier in the US.
- Art Galleries
- CityArts (Downtown) - A collective of multiple galleries in a historic building.
- Historic Buildings
- The Rogers Building (1886) and the old Orange County Courthouse.
- Local Heritage
- Citrus heritage (Orange County namesake) and the legacy of NASA/Space exploration.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Wekiva Springs State Park - Kayaking and swimming in 72°F (22°C) natural springs.
- National Parks Nearby
- Everglades National Park (3.5 hours south); Ocala National Forest (1 hour north).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The West Orange Trail - 22 miles of paved trail through historic towns.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Wheel at ICON Park (400ft high) for views of the skyline and theme parks.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, FL (35 mins drive).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Magnolia Park at Lake Apopka (select designated camping areas).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- UPS Store, FedEx Office, and USPS (United States Postal Service).
- Tech Repair Services
- uBreakiFix (Multiple locations including Downtown and Millennia).
- Table Tennis Spots
- ClearOne Sports Centre (Indoor recreation facility).
- Language Classes
- UCF Global (University of Central Florida) offers intensive English programs.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Orange County Library System (Main Branch Downtown) - Excellent tech resources.
- Community Centers
- Beardall Senior Center and various YMCA Family Centers.
- Gaming Lounges
- Arcade Monsters (Lido Beach or Oviedo) - Pay one price, play all day.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Victory Casino Cruises (Canaveral) - Gambling in international waters.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $232,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $156,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $312,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $248,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Federal) + 5.5% (Florida State Corporate Income Tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for US residents; up to 30% for non-residents (subject to treaties).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for US citizens/Green Card holders; no State Income Tax in Florida.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal Level only; Florida has 0% State Income Tax).
- VAT
- None (Sales Tax in Orlando is 6.5%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex US tax rules (GILTI/Subpart F) apply to foreign corporations.
- Property Tax
- Yes, roughly 1.1% of the assessed property value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Documentary Stamp Tax (approx. 0.70% of the purchase price).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Very attractive due to 0% State Personal Income Tax in Florida.