I remember driving through the area many times in the 1970’s. It was all beautiful orange groves. We visited the groves and picked oranges, they were the most delicious fruit you ever tasted. All gone, chopped down. Asphalt, concrete, chemical grass replaced it all.

You hit the nail on the head with your very first point (Orlando native here lol). I love seeing the city grow, don’t get me wrong, but the jobs are not keeping up with the cost of living. People who are moving here are typically coming in with remote jobs with out of state pay which is moving a lot of the natives out. That hurts my heart so much. My grandmother who was born and raised in WP had no choice but to move out of her home and move to the west side of the city. That’s such an unsettling feeling.

When we were new to Orlando we almost moved into Winter Park-it’s a beautiful area with lots going on but I’m so glad we didn’t, it’s so busy and congested to get around there. We ended up settling in Longwood/Wekiva.

Great channel! I love your delivery and no filler/fluff style. I've been scoping out the Orlando area to possibly relocate to and your info is a huge help.

Somebody made a comment about the traffic lights. It’s so true!! the traffic lights are so long and not very efficient. So lights get stuck on red for a number minutes. Traffic has gotten crazier through the years and these lights don’t help. I read FL ranks as one of the worst in the US when it comes to traffic light efficiency.

Great video. Spot on. I live in Lake Nona as well. One other thing I would add is the lack of good mass transit.

Traffic is terrible in Orlando and Winter Park is very congested. But what is worse in Florida, health care. It is downright scary. Keep your doctor and dentist from where every you come from.

I was lucky to be able to transfer my job from Ohio to Florida. My career pays well so I can live here comfortably. I feel for those who have to look for work in this state.

Your videos are the best, I have subscribed to your channel, thank you for your great effort to inform others of the realities of Orlando, the Pros and the Cons...

Good job young man!! I agree on most of your points.

Great video - love the fact that you shared your truth about Orlando. One point I have to make - and I say this with all love - you talk very fast - I found it hard to catch everything you said. I guess maybe it's because I'm a little older - but it was a little difficult to understand you at time....but again....I say it with love. You did a great job.

thank you for such an honest video! this was well articulated!

It’s so funny we stayed for a month to escape January in Alaska and we noticed so many of the things you mentioned. The LENNAR Copy Paste special is real 😂. And you do actually have to poke around a little to find authentic food. We ended up eating at a lot of chains we don’t have in AK but I love finding those small family restaurants that have such good food. Honestly, even the food at Disney was really mid. The traffic is awful. Definitely not LA traffic but it was really frustrating to see how poorly the lights are timed. Driving home with a crying baby in the car and hitting like 15 red lights in a row was rough. We do love Orlando though and We really loved the Winter Park area and will likely stay there next winter

Great insight Will

I'm coming from Washington state. I want to move to Florida for various reasons. I have started researching the area and I this type of content is so very helpful. I appreciate your honestly. Those are good points. I need more sunshine in my life. I want to be closer to the theme park capitol and will probably be on of the ones coming with a remote job. So I don't mind the traffic. It can't be worse than Seattle Tacoma area here in Washington state. And pricing has gotten so expensive here. The home prices I see in Florida are looking pretty good.

This was a refreshing take. Great info.

The cookie-cutter looking homes you’re describing are prevalent in pretty much all metropolitan areas that have underwent massive construction in the last year 30 so years. It’s just not Orlando. Other than that, every other point you raised is spot on.

Glad I found your channel!

Try College Park and Winter Park off of Orange Ave. for artisan food. I visit Orlando a lot because I have family there as I grew up in Central Florida by UCF. I have a Dutch Colonial on an acre lot in NYS. Yet, a ranch with carport on a third lot is worth more in CF right now lolol. I am partial to the area you live in and old Winter Park. Oh and Winter Garden!

Yes! The architecture in O-town kills me :( I hate it - Thorton Park/Delaney/Audubon is pretty much where you'll get a vast variety and that's it. I also agree with you on cost - Orlando is pretty expensive especially when you think that we are a state that truly does not pay well.

my biggest gripe with Orlando is how car-centric and suburbanist the city is. Its like a living hell for anyone without a car. The only public transport option is the Lynx bus service that is incredibly unreliable. Walking anywhere is impossible unless you're downtown because everything is so far apart and you need to have a car to go anywhere. Its really sad to be honest.

I had not really considered the first point but when you put it in terms of average income, then I can see the point. For me, the biggest gripes aren't necessarily unique to the Orlando area but they do seem to be very common here: 1. Property size. It's hard to find something with a decent size lot. Most places are the legal minimum between houses - I feel awkward looking out a side window. When looking for a new place, I'm going to look for some land. I have a golden retriever and I'd like a yard for him to run around in but I also want a screened in pool. 2. HOA and Condo boards. These things are all over the place and they have way too much power. I like the idea of an HOA, especially when they are well run not too restrictive - but humans are going to human and eventually even the best HOAs get some power hungry control freak in charge and ruin it for everyone. State laws make it such that you can basically lose your house because you left the trash can out or some other minor infraction. 3. Insurance costs - many auto and home insurance companies have left or are leaving the state - which means those remaining are free to raise rates. Both my auto and home insurance doubled last year. 4. Weather. This isn't the best state for the outdoors type during summer, especially if you are a late riser. If you golf, you need to get up at the crack of dawn and finish before lunch. On the flip side, Winter is the best month ever. 5. Tourists are a double edged sword. They are the life-blood of our economy (also an issue) but they are also the source of many frustrations since many arrive here with their brains on vacation mode too. I've had to flash my lights at some Brit that forgot which country he was in since he was driving towards me in my lane around midnight. 6. Traffic. But not your typical commuter traffic - we have that too (but not nearly as bad as Atlanta) - I'm talking about oddball tourist traffic - like Hwy 192 flooded at midnight since the parks just let out. Or how the Turnpike takes an extra 2 hours to get from West Palm Beach to Orlando on a Sunday afternoon - no accidents - just congestion. The same with I-75 in Ocala is nearly always stop-and-go for similar reasons. 7. Inadequate public transit - even Disney World's shuttle system is more comprehensive than the city of Orlando. SunRail is nice but offers very limited utility since it doesn't connect to MCO or the entertainment districts, nor run on the weekends.

As someone who lived in Orlando for a year and a half, the best way I can describe it overall is "soulless". It's a vast, poorly connected, car-dependent ocean of cookie cutter housing developments and big box stores with very little personality. There's no semblance of urban density or walkability anywhere outside of downtown, and even downtown is pretty bad. Getting around is an absolute pain; your only option is to take a car and it takes 2-3x longer than it should. There's not much culture to speak of, and that's epitomized by the fact that locals' go-to destinations for a night out are Disney and Universal's manufactured chain-filled shopping and dining hubs. If you want a legit "city" with any sort of character or urban environment you'll need to live elsewhere because Orlando outside of the theme parks is basically one very large, very bland suburban wasteland, as harsh as that sounds.

Florida has always been known as a retirement state, people come here to retire not to make a living, there's no industry here all service jobs that pay low wages especially Orlando, even with a skill your not going to make the same as you did in NY, Cal, etc especially in Florida and Orlando area. When the pandemic started people are moving here from those regions to get away from high cost of living especially the state taxes and restrictions there. People are paying cash for homes from those regions getting 2 or 3 times as much for there homes there and driving the prices up for homes here and now a shortage of homes and being built to keep up with the demand, which is driving the prices up on homes and rents here but dont expect the same wages for employment here.

You gave me all the reasons why one should move to Orlando

Lived there 1 year 2008. Nightmare to try to survive financially!

With the boom comes business….Orlando should keep its resources and pay the scale…You don’t need young people leaving for better pay…better pay helps the community in upkeep and retail and restaurants…

Planning on moving to Orlando with the family this year, so this video def helps. Currently in NY, and we've grown tired of the crime and how poorly run this city has been the past 4 or so years. Part of the reason why we're moving to FL is because of politics in general. I've been to Orlando a bunch with friends, and even the busiest parts of said city is much, MUCH quieter than the places I've lived in NYC

This guy does a great job reviewing the Dynamics of his city.

Most definitely appreciate the honesty in this video. I do plan on buying a house in Orlando soon and do need a a realtor so I would definitely keep you in mind. Thanks for sharing this video I did like and subscribe and I will be checking out more of your videos soon. 💪🏾💯

Will, thanks for the video. My wife and I are considering a number of places in Fl (moving from the Savannah area of Ga.). and this helps a lot. On another topic, what is the mic. you are using?

I live in Oregon and will be moving north of Orlando. I can attest that the prices in Florida are cheaper than here.

I’m definitely looking.

Live with roommates to be able to live comfortably in Orlando.

Hey friend, I would love for you to do CELEBRATION PROS VS. CONS.

Not to mention Poinciana! A single entry and exit for the entire town, during rush hour it's a nightmare!

Ive live in NYC 25 years... ive not yet lived in orlando but its traffic is not worse than NYC... NYC is number 1 where lots of traffics r concerned...

Noticed there’s a lot of self employment here in Orlando. We transferred from Canada.

lived in florida 10 years.....left....still miss it sometime....PROS: weather, Churches, beaches, coasts, big cities (Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville) then a few miles down the road nice and rural...Long drives with car to cruise, good restaurants-lots to choose from, great wildlife - gators, manatees, panthers, etc..cool to see, Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc...Daytona 500, car shows, Sports teams, Football, College and Pro Football, Spring Training, Nightlife, no snow, .............CONS: Lower wages, lack of quality healthcare and doctors, southern inefficiency, bad attitudes from southerners and Floridians, Puerto Rican gangs, emphasis on Spanish language and culture, Expensive housing, Hurricanes, insects, bugs, small lizards running around, a feeling of "NO CULTURE", Lots of wealthy, elderly people, and snowbirds that are arrogant, no change of seasons, that state just gets on your nerves after awhile...

Florida does need to up its minimum wage or do something about it.

you are a very articulate young man I expect to see you on tv one day

I was in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida in late April 2006 and I was shocked how flat the city is compared to my hometown San Francisco, CA. There are so many lakes around Orlando and counties surrounding Central Florida. I would only go there for vacations, but I have to be aware of any unexpected hurricanes where I can lose my house. Street parking is much better than San Francisco, especially in the residential areas, which is a great thing if you own multiple cars.

Interesting!

Most of these complaints apply to any city. Don't agree with the food or weather comment. People from all over US come to florida for the weather. There is a reason. Orlando has plenty of mom and pop ethnic restaurants. Indian, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, Seafood, Philippines, Turkish, Haitian, Jamaican, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and most Asian varieties. Find where the cultures live and there is a hole in the wall restaurant run by a family. Orlando is going through growing pains. The secret is out and people want to live here. I agree the rent is high but that's anywhere people want to live. Highways are expanding ,low income housing being built all over, and generally recession proof jobs in Disney and the Tech/Space market. Oh, I love the nice roads but people will complain about the toll roads. Orlando is toll road king.

I had similar experiences

In the 2006 I went to Orlando at E Central Park and I wants to go back. Some information

I’ll be honest with you. I’m from Illinois and I want to move to Florida but I’m at a crossroads with it. I’ve lived in Clearwater for a year and I liked it but to me that part of Florida seems disconnected from the arts and entertainment industry which is what I’m pursuing. Film acting to be specific. Also I want to raise a family and Orlando seems closer to Chicago because of the crime. The eastern coast seems more of a retirement area and party towns. So what do you think the best area is for raising a family,schools,film industry,and rental properties?

Hard to get around without a car. No train system whats up with that?

Best thing about Orlando for me was moving out

The Canadian couple had 500k in EQUITY…. WOW…… then bought a well above average home in Florida with that equity… that’s a come up if I ever heard one .. good for them ❤️ I just wanna know how that Canadian home 🏡 generated so much equity…. That’s crazy .

Still a major step up compared to Massachusetts. Been here for 5 years now and the healthcare is not worth it in Mass when you spend 2800 a month to live in a shack. And trying to get q house there? Forget it. 400k for something barely decent. Unless you go to New bedford and Lowell which are massively ghetto with a steep crime rate.

Yup

I lived in Orlando all of the 90's and I can't believe they still don't have light rail. Traffic is awful and everything south of downtown is pretty much a death trap if your on I-4. I loved Thornton Park but now the cost of living is ridiculous and the job market is poor. Fantastic weather though never even really watched the weather on the news and loved shorts and flip flops most of the year. Oh and yaw have that nut job of a governor that you voted for yeah there's that. Moved back to OKC for family reasons but thinking of Dallas just cause of the massive job market there. Home and car insurance in Orlando is a mess too.

Expensive is relative. Im moving up from Miami and rent in a rough neighborhood is no less than $1500 and a studio efficiency can run you $900-$1200.

In the early 90s when I came here the hurricanes, humidity, traffic, craziness, bugs, tornados, constant sprawl, perpetual construction, crowding etc could almost be justified in that it was cheap to live here......that is no longer the case.

Shout out to ADP and Deloitte

Yea Pinehills

Don't forget about the homeless very very few need help I know I was one of them and thank God I got myself outta there just saying take if from someone that has been down there just take caution and stay safe out there

the entertainment is more expensive in orlando while the entertainment in the suburbs of florida are cheaper

good info....you said you're from Orlando, but do you have this same info on the Tampa areas?

I wish I made 28k a year!! Not even a fourth of that!! And I live here

Wow

Its way better then my country puero rico

Bruh. Y'all traffic ⛔🚦 is ridiculous man. I'm here on vacation for few days. Jumped on the highway to Coloniel drive from Irlo Bronson street.. Took me 2 Days to get back. Smh

Hey, where in orlando do people hang out . I mean like in cafes (not bars and get drunk nutty crazy). Which areas in Orlando. Talking like people in their 30s and 40s ? Or people dont hangout ? It just seems so desloated in downtown orlando, or winter park ? Like when one goes to Atlanta, Ga or nicer areas in DC or areas say in Boston... and ofcourse NYC... I guess where are the people at in Orlando .... ? Just cars, cars, cars. I was in Tampa, and downtown Tampa was pretty much dead ...again where the people at?

Ya don't come here!! I been here my whole life too!! And Tampa

That construction has been going on since the 80's ,,...

#6: Spanish- You can't deny that nowadays you will have to know some spanish to survive in Southern and Central Florida.

Disney!!?? Oh please

Living in downtown Orlando is overrated (and overpriced). Fun to visit not live. I moved out to the lake county area-no regerts. Although people are moving out there too...

Is this city trying to attract other industries at all? Just curious.

Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime!

Bro you have to tell the people you can read at novel at a red light because they so long WTF😩😩😩🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

At most you loose 20 minutes on i4 on a bad day. That's nothing like Brooklyn where a bad day could mean adding 60 or 90 minutes. Orlando is still paradise compared to the North imo

Warning a lot of homeless people in Orlando Florida

went to orlando in vacation for a week..everyone drives like crazed fools , people are rude and in a hurry , i wont be back i nearly beat the shit out of some guy for honking his horn at me at a red light, and yes everything is outragous, 4 pizzas $120 gtfoh, nahh keep it, sea world $6 for a bottle of water yuck

I'm praying to escape this Orange county hell!! But I can't

Can you comment on diversity of the city and any neighborhoods with minority owned businesses?

Toll roads everywhere, not for me.

1300 is nothing compared to 2500 - 4000 for a single BR in SF & NY... that was a terrible comparison. But, nice video... only part I had to laugh at.

Lol.

Kinda?? Sad??!!

Ya but when you go, it's overcrowded expensive and ridiculous. People are selfish to the core and won't even give up there seats for hours at a restaurant!!??

CRIME I HEAR IS BAD

Orlando is so overrated it’s crazy lol

Price are dropping

Nah, I rather live in china than orlando

Orlando isn’t a city, its a hotel park. I remember Orlando well before the boom when it was literally a small town off of I-4. It was and continues to be ruled by tourism. There is no city, there is nothing there other than the tourism. There is no city of Orlando, just some hotels. The hotel is the city. Know that and you will know if that place is good for you or not. Orlando is a mecca for low wage food service and hospitality jobs. If you have no education or skills its a great place. Lots of opportunities with zero prospects for advancment. Orlando became ghettoised in the early 90s when "gangsta rap” came on the scene. The trash from Atlanta and Miami “discovered” Orlando as virgin territory to let loose. Sadly it never recovered and Orlando proper became a place that you might want to avoid. Bronson Hwy 192 used to be awesome in the 70’s and 80’s but it too spiraled and became an avenue for the homeless. The hotels there are now occupied by the homeless. WHich to me is unbelievable given how amazing the hwy 192 scene use to be. Orlando lost its charm and innocense. I don’t recognise the place any more. Its so cold and uncaring, the tourism scene turned ugly and so did the people. In the 70’s and 80’s Disney went out of its way to hire attractive people. There was a standard. That standard resonated across Orlando. Now there are no standards, thus we have the current Orlando and all of the horrors that come with it.

Does Orlando have beautiful latinas?

Homeless people are exploding due to the cost.

What a delicious man.

John young Is the worst!

Dude, California is in need of people to live there, great affordable housing and super safe and clean with no homeless people, same thing on New York, cheap, safe and clean. No wonder you have so many subscribers...you're off by a mile...

I prefer Hallandale beach Florida beautiful city good beaches and restaurants and growing businesses and communities, and good night life.☀️🫡

Yup