5 Insiders’ Secrets for Moving to Orlando Like a Local

Mild year-round temperatures, new housing, historic neighborhoods, and a vibrant downtown are just a few reasons people from all walks of life invest in property and move to Florida’s fourth-largest city. But just like any metropolitan region, Orlando can be overwhelming for newcomers — and it can take some time before you feel like a local. To help hasten the process of making Orlando feel like home, we’ve put together this list of essential resources. From finding events near you to staying up to date on local news, here are five websites to help you learn the ins and outs of The City Beautiful.

1. Orlando Weekly

Photo by Jeff Kerns/Flickr Turn to Orlando Weekly (OW) to discover everything your new city has to offer. OW maintains a comprehensive calendar of events and publishes the Best of Orlando series to highlight the city’s most popular venues — as determined by locals themselves. Throughout the year, OW puts together several special issues and helpful guides, such as “BITE: The ultimate guide to Orlando’s food scene” and “A sampling of Orlando dance clubs.”

2. Orlando Sentinel Classifieds

When it comes to buying, selling, or trading, the classified section of the Orlando Sentinel is an outstanding resource. The Sentinel is Orlando’s primary newspaper, which means whether you want to adopt a pet, find a job, or search for used home furnishings, this all-inclusive classified won’t let you down.

3. University of Central Florida

Photo by Bill Ferrante/Flickr Moving to Orlando provides plenty of perks, including access to a wealth of events at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The nation’s second-largest university offers residents everything from dancing lessons and triathlon training to seminars on starting a business and basic bookkeeping. UCF also boasts numerous art and cultural programs, career tutorials, and a variety of workshops. Maglie Minnesota Timberwolves You can easily filter the search results to find only those activities that you interest you most, from art exhibits to service and volunteer opportunities.

4. WTKS-FM 104.1

Photo by idsmkiin/Flickr Orlando may have been known as the birthplace of popular boy bands in the late ’90s — the “O” in O-Town stands for “Orlando,” and both the Backstreet Boys and N’Sync got their start here — but the city and its music scene have grown up. Tune in to 104.1 and kick-start your day with Monsters, one of Orlando’s favorite talk radio shows. Then listen to classic rock all day long while you stay in the loop about news, weather, traffic alerts, and more. The quintessential Orlando radio station also sponsors a slew of exciting concerts and events.

5. Orange County Library System

Recognized for its cutting-edge services, the Orange County Library System, which has branches throughout Orlando, offers classes and courses for every interest. Live music, writers groups, and an array of podcasts and online tutorials add to the award-winning library’s appeal. Filter by location, date range, or keyword to find the perfect Orlando event for you. Use these sites to get to know Orlando and you’ll feel like a local in short order.