Orlando is a city in Central Florida. It is the third-largest metro area in the state and the sixth-largest metro area in the southern US. It has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, primarily because of Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. No wonder it’s dubbed as the theme park capital of the world.
Tourists flock to Orlando mainly for the world-famous theme parks, but the state has a lot more to offer. Head to the great outdoors as the area offers various natural springs and trails that are ideal for hiking and biking. If you are fond of playing golf, Orlando has over 150 golf courses. It also has other options for outdoor activities that single travelers, couples, families, and groups of friends will love.
Orlando is one of the busiest cities in the US for conventions and conferences. It is home to the Orange County Convention Center, the country’s second-largest convention facility.
When it comes to education, the University of Central Florida, considered the second-largest university in the country, is located in Orlando. If you want to know more about the private education, scholarship offerings, and charter school systems in the city, you can inquire at the Florida Department of Education.
As for the weather, Orlando experiences a tropical climate, with temperatures reaching over 60 degrees. In general, it’s warm weather all year round, with no distinct seasons.
Planning to move to Orlando? One of the perks that you can get is the lack of state income tax, thanks in part to the hotels in the city as well as the state. Also, property taxes in Orlando is just about .97% – that’s under the national average.
Orlando has a lot of different residential spaces. If you’re planning to move to this state, you may want to consider these neighborhoods:
- Thornton Park – Young professionals who want to be near downtown can check out Thornton Park. It is home to different restaurants and high-end shops. It is also characterized by 1920s bungalows and brick-lined streets.
- Lake Eola Heights – This neighborhood is all about historic houses that are up for restoration. It is close to Lake Eola Park.
- College Park – This neighborhood also has historic homes and brick-lined streets. Don’t be fooled, though, about its name. It originated from its street names such as Harvard and Yale.
- Hunter’s Creek – Looking for a house in the suburbs? You may want to consider this community in Orange County.
- Oviedo – This suburb is located in Eastern Seminole County.
- Heathrow – This small suburb holds several festivals and events every year. It also has a school system that’s ideal for kids.
If you want to move to Orlando, one of the things that you should look into is the sinkhole situation in the area. Here are some of the things that you need to know:
Historical Sinkhole Situation in Orlando
Over the last several years, residents in Orlando had seen sinkholes of different sizes. Here are some of the sinkhole incidents in the past:
- June 2002 – Measuring 150 feet wide and around 60 feet deep, a sinkhole opened near Woodhill Apartments, swallowing pipelines, trees, as well as a portion of a sidewalk.
- August 2013 – A sinkhole that was 60 feet wide opened under a resort near Disney World. A three-story building collapsed while the other building slowly sank, forcing guests to evacuate.
- February 2014 – A sinkhole opened in a backyard in Pine Hills at Orange County, swallowing a bench swing set. The hole was eight feet wide and nine feet deep, and only three feet away from the home’s foundation.
- September 2017 – A 30-foot sinkhole opened at an apartment complex located at 746 Sherwood Terrace Drive.
- March 2018 –Â A sinkhole with a depth of 13 feet opened under a home in Pine Hills.
Sinkhole Research
If Orlando is on your shortlist of areas to move in, make sure to be aware of the sinkhole situation in the area. Take note that sinkholes appear more often in Florida than any other state in the country. The state is known to have porous ground that is likely to cause an occasional collapse, so sinkholes can appear from time to time.
Even though no one can predict when and where a sinkhole will open, knowing the sinkhole situation in the area will enable you to take the necessary steps to protect your family and property. Before moving to Orlando, do your research and ask residents of the city. If the area is prone to sinkholes, you can consider getting sinkhole insurance.
If you want to know more about the sinkholes in your area, check out sinkholemaps.com, an online resource of sinkhole information in many areas in Florida. You can search sinkhole-related incidents in your area for your peace of mind.
References:
https://www.cityyear.org/orlando/about-orlando/living-orlando
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/sinkhole-opens-in-orlando-30-people-evacuated
https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/12/us/florida-resort-sinkhole/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/giant-sinkholes/38/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-florida-sinkhole-20150819-story.html
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/sinkhole-swallows-portion-of-apopka-home/611525485
http://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2014/2/20/pine_hills_sinkhole
http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/local-news/sinkhole-opens-behind-florida-middle-school
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-villages-sinkholes-20180521-story.html
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-pine-hills-sinkhole-0312-story.html
http://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2018/05/19/sinkhole-opens-up-near-apopka-home