GRAND TOUR

By Mick Lochridge

Six counties make up the heart of Central Florida — Orange, Lake, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia. While each county and its cities provide their residents with a specific ambience and character, all share the lifestyle qualities that have long attracted newcomers to Florida.

Here are short profiles of each county, along with highlights and items of interest from some of their cities.

ORANGE COUNTY (orangecountyfl.net)

The heart of the Central Florida region, Orange County has a lot going for its 1.3 million residents.  

From professional sports to arts and culture and family-friendly tourism, the county serves as the hub of business and residential growth for Metro Orlando, which is defined as Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

For relocators, Orange County, its 10 municipalities and smaller communities offer a wide range of options for places to live — either upon retirement or while working and raising a family.

The county encompasses the University of Central Florida — the second-largest university in the United States — as well as private Rollins College and Valencia College, formerly Valencia Community College. That means high school graduates and adult learners have a variety of conveniently located opportunities for higher education. 

Two major healthcare providers — Florida Hospital and Orlando Health — are based in Orange County, and operate facilities throughout Central Florida. 

There are a number of public parks for outdoor recreation, including Wekiwa Springs State Park near Apopka.

And, of course, visitors and residents alike flock to the long list of attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and more. The Atlanta Braves play their spring training games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex near Disney.

The communities within Orange County have their own identities and specific appeal.

APOPKA

The county’s second largest city after Orlando, Apopka’s population of nearly 50,000 has grown more than 18 percent since 2010. And that’s just within the expanding city limits.

It sits at the northwest corner of Orange County, where development continues to boom. Several major projects are contributing to that growth.

A new hospital — Florida Hospital Apopka — opened in the southern part of the city, replacing an old facility downtown. On the north side, residential and commercial development will follow the completion of the Wekiva Parkway, a toll road that will connect Apopka to Interstate 4 in Sanford to the east and Mount Dora to the west.

Apopka also has begun work on its City Center at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and State Road 436. Plans call for it to include residences as well as shopping and entertainment.

EATONVILLE

Founded in 1887, Eatonville was one of the first all-black municipalities in the United States. With a population of about 2,200, it was the girlhood home of noted writer Zora Neale Hurston, who included Eatonville in many of her books, including Their Eyes Were Watching God.

The Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts opened in the 1990s, and each year the town stages the Zora! Festival to honor her literary legacy.

MAITLAND

Bisected by both Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 17-92, the city of 17,500 is in northern Orange County, abutting the Seminole County line.

Its residents and visitors have an array of water recreation choices on lakes Maitland, Minnehaha and Sybelia, among others. As with other Central Florida cities, it hosts a station for SunRail, the region’s commuter rail service.

The annual Maitland Art Festival sets up on the banks of Lake Lily. The city also is home to the Maitland Art Center — a designated National Historic Landmark — the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, and the expanding Enzian Theater, an independent movie house.

ORLANDO

The Orange County seat is also a major city of nearly 280,000 residents. Its notable neighborhoods include College Park, MetroWest, Lake Nona and Baldwin Park.

The Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest in the country. Sports lovers have the Orlando Magic NBA team, the Orlando City and Orlando Pride soccer clubs, the Orlando Solar Bears NHL hockey team and Camping World Stadium, home to the annual college football Citrus Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl and Cure Bowl.

Lake Nona’s Medical City is a 650-acre health and life sciences park that includes the University of Central Florida’s Health Sciences Campus, the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Nemours Children’s Hospital, University of Florida Academic and Research Center and the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Performance venues include the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Amway Center and the Bob Carr Theater as well as the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and numerous smaller arts spaces.

WINTER GARDEN

The historic downtown district of Winter Garden, once a major citrus center, is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Located on the south side of Lake Apopka and short drive west of Orlando, it’s home to about 42,000 people.

The West Orange Trail, popular with bicyclists and hikers, runs through the downtown area, which is filled with shops and restaurants and hosts a Farmers Market on Saturdays.

The district includes the Garden Theatre, which first opened in 1935 and was the first movie house in Central Florida built for “talkies.” After undergoing restoration, it reopened in 2008. Today, the theater hosts more than 450 events annually — including plays, concerts and movies.

WINTER PARK

Perhaps the gem of Central Florida cities, Winter Park has a longstanding reputation as a jewel box of art and culture, elegant homes, fine dining and upscale living.

The city of more than 30,000 is home to two nationally acclaimed institutions of higher learning — Rollins College and Full Sail University.

Must-see museums include the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Housed at Rollins College, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park presents performances by the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra and hosts guest artists year round.

The Scenic Boat Tour takes passengers on a relaxing ride through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. Park Avenue offers shoppers and diners plenty of high-end choices. It runs alongside Central Park, site of the annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival.

LAKE COUNTY (lakecountyfl.gov)

Like much of the rest of Central Florida, Lake County has grown rapidly over the past several years. That’s not likely to slow anytime soon, as more homebuyers and developers extend their march north and west out of Orange County.

Lake County officials predict a 25 percent jump in population from the current 335,000 in the next 10 years. They cite two locations as major hot spots: Clermont, Groveland and Minneola in the south; and the area northeast of Mount Dora.

Named for the abundance of lakes within its borders, Lake County reaches south to Polk and Osceola counties, while the northeast section adjoins Volusia County. Florida’s Turnpike provides easy access south to Orlando and Interstate 4, and north to Interstate 75.

Nature lovers will find plenty of open spaces: the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, the Ocala National Forest and Lake Louisa and Lake Griffin state parks. Those are in addition to dozens of city and county parks.

With 14 municipalities and more than 20 smaller communities, Lake County offers myriad choices for relocators — whether it’s from another state or another part of Central Florida. New residents will find a bounty of cultural and recreational opportunities, along with new developments and historic downtowns.

Here is a sampling:

CLERMONT

The city’s current population of more than 33,000 is expected to climb to more than 54,000 in the next decade. Part of that growth is being driven by the Wellness Way Urban Service Area, a 16,000-acre mixed-use project south of the city.

It will include about 16,000 homes and 12 million square feet of non-residential development. Clermont also is home to the annual Pig on the Pond community festival, which features barbecue, live entertainment and carnival rides.

LEESBURG

Lake County’s oldest city, with a population of more than 21,000, lies along U.S. Highway 441 and is sandwiched between lakes Harris and Griffin.

It’s home to Lake-Sumter State College and the annual Leesburg Bike Fest, which attracts thousands of festivalgoers for music, entertainment — and motorcycles.

MOUNT DORA

This quaint municipality of nearly 14,000 may be the most famous city in Lake County because of national publicity.

For example, Southern Living magazine, in a story on “Small Towns We Love,” called it one of “five great little communities that are well worth a visit — or perhaps even a move.”

Mount Dora hosts several large festivals throughout the year, including the annual Mount Dora Arts Festival.

Growth is heading to the eastern edge of the city because of the Wekiva Parkway (State Road 429), which will connect it to Interstate 4 in Sanford and complete the beltway around metro Orlando by 2021.

TAVARES

The Lake County seat is home to about 16,000 residents, with another 10,000 expected to relocate there over the next 10 years.

The Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina is a seaplane airport and recreational boating marina located on the Lake Dora waterfront in Wooton Park. Visitors can take seaplane rides and learn to fly.

EUSTIS

Along with Tavares and Mount Dora, Eustis — which sits on the east side of Lake Eustis — makes the third point of the so-called Golden Triangle of cities in Lake County.

About 21,000 live in Eustis. Residents enjoy a walkway through Ferran Park on Lake Eustis as well as cultural amenities such as the highly regarded Bay Street Players community theater.

Signature events include the George Washington Birthday Festival and Parade, which is the second longest ongoing annual event held in honor of the first President of the United States.

OSCEOLA COUNTY (osceola.org)

Osceola County may be the ideal place for newcomers to Central Florida who want to live near “Old Florida” but still have access to the urban lifestyle of Orlando.

Covering more than 1,500 square miles (compared to Seminole County’s 300 square miles), Osceola stretches more than 60 miles from the Orange County line south to Okeechobee County.

In between are the county’s two cities, a handful of unincorporated communities and expanses of undeveloped land in the form of ranches, prairies, woods and marshes.

Most of the county’s 336,000 residents — up 25 percent since 2010 — live in the northwest sector, which borders Orange and Polk counties.

That puts them within a half-hour drive of Walt Disney World and other area attractions. It’s no surprise that Disney is the county’s second largest employer, just behind the county school system.

Away from the traffic congestion and tourist shops, there are several major state wildlife management areas, lakes and preserves. The area also serves as the headwaters of the Lake Okeechobee-Florida everglades ecosystem.

Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida’s the sixth largest lake at 19,000 acres, sits next to Kissimmee.

KISSIMMEE

The county seat is home to about 70,000 residents. Its proximity to the major theme parks encouraged numerous smaller attractions, such as Old Town and Fun Spot, to spring up near U.S. Highway 192, which runs through the heart of the city.

Paying tribute to the county’s cowboy roots, Kissimmee also hosts the annual Silver Spurs Rodeo. The city’s Waterfront Park on Lake Tohopekaliga features walking paths, playgrounds and a fishing pier.

ST. CLOUD

Located just a few miles east of Kissimmee and about an hour from the beaches in Melbourne, St. Cloud was founded in the early 1900s as a retirement community for Civil War Union veterans who paid $50 for five-acre lots.

Today more than 47,000 residents live there. It is located on the southern shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga, approximately 26 miles southeast of Orlando.

POLK COUNTY (polk-county.net)

Located along Interstate 4 midway between Orlando and Tampa, Polk County benefits from its proximity to both high-growth urban areas.

Home to about 670,000 people, it lies along the so-called “I-4 Corridor” that runs from the state’s west coast to the east coast.

Citrus, cattle, agriculture and the phosphate industry remain key players in the local economy. But tourist revenue has increased in recent years, thanks in part to attractions such as Legoland Florida and Bok Tower Gardens.

One of the fastest growing areas in Polk County is around the small city of Davenport. While the city’s population is less than 4,000, its location near the Osceola County line and several major thoroughfares has attracted a long list of builders and developers, such as AV Homes with its 55-plus Solivita development.

Other municipalities in the county, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, are south of Interstate 4 toward the center of the county.

LAKELAND

With a population of more than 106,000, Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County. It’s 35 miles from Tampa; 56 miles from Orlando.

It’s home to several institutions of higher learning, including Southeastern University, Florida Polytechnic University and Florida Southern College, which houses the largest on-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

The MLB Detroit Tigers hold spring training in Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN

A city of about 39,000, Winter Haven lies just east of Lakeland and boasts 50 lakes, 22 boat ramps, 14 public docks and 30 waterfront parks.

In 1936 Winter Haven welcomed Cypress Gardens, a botanical garden that was well known for its water-ski shows and Southern Belles. Today it’s the site of Legoland.

SEMINOLE COUNTY (seminolecountyfl.gov)

With a population of more than 455,000, Seminole County stands as one of the fastest growing counties in Florida — its population jumping 7.8 percent since 2010.

Seminole County’s seven municipalities boast a wide variety of recreational opportunities, such as parks, trails, wilderness areas, libraries, museums and local attractions.

The county sits between the major Central Florida theme parks and the Atlantic Coast. It’s an easy drive to visit Mickey Mouse or to get sand between your toes.

Named after the Seminole Indians, the county evolved over the years from a rural and agricultural area — Sanford long ago was known as the “Celery Capital of the World” — to a bedroom community for Orlando.

But today many residents live and play — and work — in Seminole. Each of the county’s seven cities has something special to offer.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS

A city of about 44,000 residents, Altamonte Springs straddles Interstate 4 and abuts Orange County to its south and west. An outdoor town center called “Uptown Altamonte” features retail and residential areas, and is home to an annual July 4 celebration called “Red, Hot & Boom.”

CASSELBERRY

The city of about 27,000 lies just to the east of Altamonte Springs. Water recreation is popular in Casselberry, which has more than 30 lakes and waterways, including lakes Howell, Kathryn and Concord as well as the Triplet Chain of Lakes.

The city’s main roadways are U.S. Highway 17-92 and Semoran Boulevard.

LAKE MARY

A few miles north along I-4, Lake Mary is home to about 16,000 residents. It’s also home to the county’s top private employer — the software company Convergys.

In addition, several other of the county’s top employers are located just next door in the Heathrow community. Those include Chase Bankcard Services and the American Automobile Association.

LONGWOOD

Sitting on the northern edges of Altamonte Springs and Casselberry, Longwood has a population of about 15,000.

With its first settlers arriving in the 1870s, Longwood is proud of its heritage; its Historic District covers about 190 acres with nearly 40 structures. Located near the intersection of State Road 434 and County Road 427, the district includes the Longwood Hotel, the Inside-Outside House and the Bradlee-McIntyre House.

Longwood also is home to the Sanford Orlando Kennel Club that features greyhound racing.

OVIEDO

Located in eastern Seminole County, Oviedo’s population has exploded since the 1970s. Much of that growth can be attributed to its proximity to the University of Central Florida and its research park, which is just down the road in Orange County.

Oviedo’s population today nearly reaches 40,000. Its town center, called “Oviedo on the Park,” features townhomes, apartments, restaurants and retail areas. Its focal point is Center Lake Park, which encompasses a man-made lake, playground and amphitheater.

SANFORD

Hugging the southern shore of Lake Monroe, Sanford has a population of more than 58,000.

Among locations of interest in the Seminole County seat are Seminole State College, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Visitors and residents alike enjoy the city’s historic downtown and lakefront walking trail.

WINTER SPRINGS

Sandwiched between Casselberry and Lake Jesup, Winter Springs, like many Central Florida cities, got its start with agriculture.

Settlers ferried their products across Lake Jesup to Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River. The city originally was called North Orlando, with about 600 residents.

Today it’s home to about 36,000. One of its signature events is the annual Scottish Highland Games.

VOLUSIA COUNTY (volusia.org)

This county likely checks most of the boxes on a relocation checklist: Good schools, outdoor recreation, miles of clean beaches, historic communities and new homes.

There’s even a town famous for its large number of psychics and mediums. But it doesn’t take a fortune-teller to see growth in Volusia County’s future.

The Forbes 2017 List of Fastest Growing Cities in the country ranked the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Flagler County to the north, at No. 4.

Volusia’s population of about 530,000 is divided into east and west Volusia. The St. Johns River flows north along the western side, which includes the inland cities of DeLand and Deltona. The Atlantic Ocean borders the county to the east, which encompasses the oceanfront cities of Daytona Beach and Port Orange.

Interstates 4 and 95 offer easy routes to Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami.

In addition to water sports along the beach and Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns River and lakes George, Monroe and Harney provide opportunities for boating, fishing and other water recreation.

The SunRail commuter train makes its northernmost stop in DeBary.

There are several choices for higher education: Daytona State College, the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Keiser College, Stetson University and Nova Southeastern University.

Among the county’s 16 municipalities, DeLand and Deltona to the west and Daytona Beach and Port Orange in the east are the largest metropolitan areas.

DELAND

Located between Interstate 4 and the St. Johns River, DeLand is home to about 32,000 people.

Founded in 1876, the Volusia county seat boasts a downtown historic district with an impressive roster of 19th-century buildings. Nationally recognized Stetson University was founded in DeLand in 1883. Today it has an enrollment of more than 4,000.

Skydive DeLand, a nationally known skydiving facility, is based in DeLand.

DELTONA

The most populated city in Volusia County with more than 90,000 residents, Deltona sits alongside Interstate 4 just to the north of Lake Monroe.

Originally called Deltona Lakes, it started in 1962 as a planned residential community. It has remained mostly residential, serving as a bedroom community for Orlando and Daytona Beach.

For the city’s younger residents, there’s the Lake Butler Recreation Complex, which includes a skate park, a playground and basketball courts.

DAYTONA BEACH

It has long billed itself as “The World’s Most Famous Beach.” While that contention may draw arguments from some, Daytona Beach does have plenty going for it and its 67,000 residents.

There are 23 miles of beaches, with the Daytona Pier and Boardwalk. The city is also home to the Daytona Beach International Airport, NASCAR, the Daytona International Speedway and the LPGA.

As for higher education, Daytona Beach boasts Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

PORT ORANGE

Just a few miles south of Daytona Beach sits Port Orange, with a population of 61,105.

The city got its start after the Civil War, when Dr. John Milton Hawks, an abolitionist and United States Army surgeon, brought 500 freed slaves to the area.

The history of their community, once known as Freemanville, is preserved by the Mount Moriah Baptist Church, which was built in 1911, on Orange Avenue.