| Orange
County
Orlando
The city of Orlando
first grew up around the shores
of Lake Eola. Resident Jacob
Summerlin donated the land
and surrounding park to the
city in 1883.
Today, Orlando boasts quaint
downtown neighborhoods, many
rich in history, such as the
Cherokee district, Thornton
Park and Eola Heights. They
stand out by virtue of their
Victorian and colonial architecture
on shady, brick-lined streets.
And,
of course, Orlando is home
to Lake Eola, perhaps the
most photographed locale
in all of Central Florida.
It’s a picture-perfect
setting and a chief reason
Orlando has been dubbed “The
City Beautiful.”
Yet, perhaps the most enticing
part of Orlando is an area to
the southeast, near the intersection
of state roads 436 and 50. There,
Hispanic stores are prevalent,
catering to a largely Hispanic
base of residents, mostly from
Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Apopka
Located 15 miles northwest
of Orlando, Apopka is known
as the “Indoor Foliage
Capital of the World.” Apopka
was settled in the 1840s and
was named after the Timacuan
Indian word meaning Big Potato.
While foliage remains a boom
industry for Apopka, the city
also is a major poultry-farming
center, producing approximately
16 million eggs per year. Upscale
riverfront communities also
highlight Apopka. Just west
of Apopka is the agricultural
town of Zellwood, known for
the sweetest corn in Florida.
Maitland
The city of Maitland
was established in 1838, and
civilian settlement began in
1872. These days, Maitland
is an attractive bedroom community
to Orlando, boasting lakes,
natural beauty, well-established
communities and a burgeoning
business park.
Ocoee
Ocoee once was a land
filled with citrus trees and
quiet life, even not long ago.
It was a thriving citrus-producing
center. However, more than
two-dozen new, high-end communities
have altered the look of Ocoee,
which sits to the far west
of Orlando and is one of the
last locales of the metro area
to become populated. And, indeed,
there is much land for growth.
By landmass, Ocoee is one of
Orange County’s largest
cities. An example of recent
growth is the sprawling West
Oaks Mall.
Windermere
Surrounded by the Butler
Chain of Lakes, Windermere
has a charm and exclusivity
that is virtually unmatched
throughout the region. Located
12 miles southwest of Orlando
and blessed with picturesque
settings, Windermere is a developer’s
dream. It is close enough to
town to be attractive to corporate
executives and still secluded
enough to lure those who desire
extra privacy. As a result,
Windermere is among the region’s
most prized addresses.
Winter Garden
Winter
Garden is Ocoee’s
brethren in growth. Until recently,
Orlando’s encroachment
was only a projection into
the future. Well, now that
future has arrived. More than
15 subdivisions are open in
Winter Garden, which complement
the older, wood-frame homes.
The combination of old and
new has made Winter Garden
one of the fastest-growing
areas in Orange County.
Winter
Park
When
Winter Park was established,
advertising brochures touted
a pre-planned community for
the “cultured and wealthy.” That
was nearly 150 years ago. Yet,
Winter Park has, in fact, turned
out mostly as advertised. It
is among the best addresses
in the region, featuring million-dollar
homes. And around Winter Park
there is a sense of distinction,
a look and feel that is mindful
of old-world Europe.
Seminole County
Altamonte
Springs
Like Maitland and Winter
Park, Altamonte Springs today
is a favorite community for
people who work in Orange County.
Since the mid 1970s, extraordinary
growth has occurred. One result
has been busy roadways, which
area planners are now addressing.
Another result is a wealth
of recreational options.
Casselberry
Unlike most Seminole
County cities, Casselberry
has not encountered accelerated
development. Most of the development
has been residential, tucked
away from busy roadways, which
takes advantage of the city’s
18 lakes and numerous parks.
Lake
Mary
The city’s development
didn’t hit stride until
the late 1970s, but Lake Mary’s
recent growth has made up for
lost time. Rural in character
for many years, Lake Mary is
changing face a bit these days.
Many homes still sit on large
lots, but several high-profile
communities have brought great
attention to the city. In addition,
the boom of the Heathrow community,
including a thriving business
area, has set a strong pace
for growth well into the future.
Longwood
As
one of the region’s
oldest cities, Longwood is
rich in history. The town was
incorporated in 1875. In 2003,
Longwood holds true to its
roots through the preservation
of an historic district. Yet,
the city also is changing,
with the addition of numerous
communities located off State
Road 434.
Oviedo
Oviedo
is the fastest-growing city
the region. Oviedo has gained
an average of 550 new-home
starts per year over the past
seven years. And the growth
isn’t showing much signs
of slowing.
Sanford
Lake
Monroe is the focal point.
Just a few blocks from the
lake is a historic downtown
of quaint shops. Out a bit
farther from the lake a residential
renaissance is taking place,
as area professionals are finding
the appeal of Sanford too good
to pass up.
Winter
Springs
In
1959, the city had only 300
residents. However, a boom
that began in the 1990s is
continuing, making Winter Springs
a city to watch throughout
this decade. While Oviedo is
the county’s fastest-growing
city, Winter Springs isn’t
far behind. In the past two
decades, population has increased
800 percent, and more of the
same is forecast.
Osceola County
Kissimmee
Kissimmee
once was the “Cow
Capital of the South.” Now,
it’s the “Gateway
to the Worlds.” And,
with the change, Kissimmee
is thriving. The population
has multiplied while the employment
base shifted from agriculture
and cattle ranching to service,
retail and tourism. It still
is a “capital”—but
for tourism. Here, people come
to play and many wind up staying.
Two large communities, in particular,
have been magnets for new residents:
Buenaventura Lakes and Poinciana.
Notably, there is a distinct
Hispanic flavor among residents
in both communities, where
homebuilders have marketed
heavily in Latin America and
the Northeast.
St. Cloud
St.
Cloud was once an Indian campground
on the banks of East Lake Tohopekaliga.
Sugar cane farmers settled
it in the 1800s. Despite surrounding
change, those roots are evident
today. Many of St. Cloud’s
residents are part of southern
Osceola’s farming and
cattle families. Indeed, if
you’re looking for the “Old
South” or “country” in
metro Orlando, try here first.
At the same time, things are
slowly shifting even in St.
Cloud, as new residents begin
to write their own history.
Getting Settled
Where to call for help about
establishing your household?
Use the following numbers for
the county in which you live.
Orange
County
General Information:
(407) 836-5500
Automobile
Registration: (407) 623-1103
Electric
Service:
Progress Energy: (407)
629-1010
Orlando Utilities Commission:
(407) 423-9018
Telephone
Service:
BellSouth: (407) 780-2355
Voter Registration:
(407) 836-2070
Seminole
County
General Information:
(407) 665-0411
Automobile
Registration: (407) 665-1000
Electric
Service:
Florida Power & Light:
(800) 226-3545
Florida Public
Utilities Co.: (407) 937-4427
Sanlando
Utilities: (407) 869-1919
Telephone
Service:
Sprint/United Telephone of Florida:
(407) 339-1811
Voter Registration:
(407) 665-7700
Osceola
County
General Information:
(407) 343-2200
Automobile
Registration: (407) 343-4000
Electric
Service:
Kissimmee Utility Authority:
(407) 933-7777
Orlando Utilities
Commission: (407) 423-9018
Telephone
Service:
Sprint/United Telephone
of Florida: (407) 339-1811
Voter Registration:
(407) 343-3900
Hispanic Bodegas
Bodegas
Abound
Look around.
There are more than 25 bodegas
in metro Orlando. With Orlando’s Hispanic
population steadily growing,
so has the presence of these
quaint neighborhood stores. Even
the big traditional supermarkets,
such as Publix, Winn-Dixie, SaveRite,
Kash ‘N Karry and Albertson’s,
are catering to Hispanics. And,
all of the competition is great
news for shoppers. Here is a
listing of many of the area’s
bodegas:
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS
La
Placita Market: (407) 788-8814
APOPKA
Compare
Supermarket: (407) 886-5384
La Tienda Mexicana
Store: (407) 886-6138
Mi Mexico:
(407) 884-7062
Tortilleria La
Mexicana: (407) 884-0049
Xochitl
Grocery Store: (407) 880-6776
KISSIMMEE
La
Placita Latina: (407) 846-1277
Plaza
Gigante: (407) 518-9840
Tomato
Express: (407) 931-0772
Tropical
Market: (407) 943-7556
LONGWOOD
La Borinqueña
Groceries: (407) 834-3995
ORLANDO
El Grande
Supermarket & Deli:
(407) 925-8590
La Criolla Grocery:
(407) 275-5580
La Marketa Supermarket:
(407) 859-4059
La Mexicana: (407)
888-3531
La Primera Grocery:
(407) 658-9136
Medina’s
Grocery & Restaurant:
(407) 894-9294
Plaza Gigante (Colonial):
(407) 277-7688
Plaza Gigante (Orange
Blossom Trail): (407) 851-2386
Supermercado
Brasileiro (I-Drive): (407) 351-1550
Tortilleria
La Mexicana: (407) 888-3531
SANFORD
Contreras
Bakery and Grocery: (407) 324-9196
WINTER
GARDEN
La Perla Deli: (407)
905-0440
Panaderia Mexicana/El Tadeo:
(407) 654-7333
WINTER PARK
Black
Bean Deli: (407) 628-0294
El Mundo:
(407) 673-7720
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