Helpful Relocation Resources for Orlando, FL Newcomers
Relocating to Orlando, FL? Whether you're still finalizing your move date or you've already handed over the keys, this guide brings together the resources, costs, and local knowledge that actually matter when moving to Orlando. From moving costs and the best moving companies, to a first 30-day checklist and local utility setup, here's everything you need to settle into Orlando with confidence.
Planning Your Move to Orlando
đź’°How Much Does It Cost to Move to Orlando?
On average, it costs between $200 and $9,500 to move to Orlando, depending on your moving distance and other factors. For a personalized estimate based on your specific move, use our Orlando moving cost calculator.
đźš› Best Moving Companies in Orlando
Still need to hire movers for your Orlando move? We've researched and compiled local and long-distance moving companies to help with your transition. Compare options and request a free quote today.
📦 Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Orlando
From Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups to Office Depot and Extra Space Storage locations, Orlando has plenty of options for finding affordable packing supplies before your move.
Orlando Self Storage & Moving Day Logistics
Between lease gaps, home closings, and staging needs, self storage can be a practical solution during your Orlando move. With over 60 Extra Space Storage facilities across the Orlando metro, finding flexible, affordable storage near your new home is easy.
Self Storage in Orlando
Extra Space Storage in Orlando has facilities throughout the metro area—from downtown and Dr. Phillips to Lake Nona, University Boulevard, and beyond. Orlando storage units are available month-to-month, and offer amenities like climate control, drive-up access, and extended gate hours. Find a location near you!
Nearby Storage Facilities
Near Wedgewood Groves: 4020 Curry Ford Rd, Ste A
Near College Park: 1420 N Orange Blossom Trail
Near Milk District: 408 N Primrose Dr
Near Lake Holden: 2312 S Division Ave
Near Pine Hills: 6205 W Colonial Dr
Choosing the Right Storage Unit in Orlando
Florida's heat and humidity make storage unit selection an important decision so as to help protect the stored belongings. Here are four key factors to consider:
Climate Control: Climate-controlled units maintain a consistent 55–80°F year-round, protecting furniture, electronics, documents, and clothing from Orlando's frequent 90°+ temperatures and moisture damage. Strongly recommended for most residential storage in Central Florida. → Climate-Controlled Storage Guide
Unit Size: 5×5 (small closet/boxes); 5×10 (studio apartment); 10×10 (1-bedroom); 10×20 (2–3 bedroom home); 10×30 (large home or vehicle). → Interactive Storage Unit Size Guide
Access & Security: Extended or 24-hour gate access, electronic entry, on-site management, and video surveillance are standard at Extra Space Storage facilities across Orlando. → Find Orlando Facilities with 24/7 or Extended Access
Lease Flexibility: Month-to-month leases are ideal for when moving timelines shift. You can upgrade or downsize your unit as your needs change.
How to Use Storage In Between Homes
Whether you're waiting on a closing date, bridging a lease gap, or staging your home for sale, short-term storage can smooth the transition.
Explore Orlando: Neighborhoods, Cost of Living, & What to Expect
Orlando's metro spans several distinct communities—from urban neighborhoods with walkable downtowns to family-friendly suburbs with highly regarded school districts. From commute times to cost of living, each area offers something different. Use these guides to decide which part of Orlando is the right fit before your move.
đź“Š Cost of Living in Orlando
Orlando's cost of living is 4.5% below the national average—with the biggest savings in housing and healthcare. Overall, Orlando offers meaningful affordability compared to other major Florida cities, like Miami.
⚖️ Pros & Cons of Orlando
A strong job market, no state income tax, and year-round sunshine are real advantages—but traffic, humidity, and Florida's insurance landscape are tradeoffs worth understanding before you commit.
đź“– Things to Know About Orlando
From the SunPass toll system and Central Florida's hurricane season preparedness to the city's LGBTQ community and growing tech sector, these are the things that don't always show up in a quick search—but matter when you're actually putting down roots.
Best Neighborhoods in Orlando
Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Orlando
Orlando offers several safe and affordable neighborhoods ideal for relocation including Audubon Park, Baldwin Park, College Park, and more.
Best Neighborhoods in Orlando for Singles & Young Professionals
Orlando is a great city for young professionals relocating for work. Top neighborhoods include the Central Business District, Baldwin Park, and more.
Best Neighborhoods in Orlando for Families
Orlando is an excellent choice for families and some of the best neighborhoods for putting down roots include Celebration, College Park, Oviedo, ad more.
Your First 30 Days in Orlando: Quick-Start Checklist
Moving to a new city means a long list of administrative tasks—utilities, licenses, school enrollment, and more. This checklist breaks those tasks down week by week so nothing slips through the cracks.
Local Resources for New Orlando, FL Residents
This section covers the must-do setup tasks for new Orlando residents—from getting your Florida driver's license and registering your vehicle to finding a primary care provider and understanding the state's insurance requirements.
🏛 Government & Administrative Setup in Orlando
Getting your official Florida paperwork sorted in the first two weeks will prevent headaches down the road. New Orlando residents need to handle driver's license and vehicle registration (required within 30 days of establishing Florida residency), voter registration, utility connections, and pet registration if applicable.
Driver's License | Florida new residents must obtain a FL driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency. You'll need proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of FL residential address. Visit any FL DHSMV office. → FL DHSMV (flhsmv.gov) |
Vehicle Registration | Vehicle registration must also be completed within 30 days. Bring your out-of-state title, proof of FL auto insurance, and odometer disclosure. Registration is handled through the Orange County Tax Collector's office. → Orange County Tax Collector |
Voter Registration | Florida residents can register online, by mail, or in person. The deadline to register for an election is 29 days before Election Day. → Register to Vote in Florida |
Utilities Setup | Electricity in Orlando is served by Duke Energy Florida or Orlando Utilities Commission depending on your address. Water and sewer service is provided by Orange County Utilities or the City of Orlando. For internet, major providers include Spectrum, AT&T, and Brightspeed. |
Pet Registration | Orange County requires dog and cat owners to license their pets annually. You'll need proof of current rabies vaccination. → Orange County Animal Services |
🏫 School & Family Resources in Orlando
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is the primary public school district serving Orlando—the fourth-largest district in Florida. If you're moving to the northern or eastern suburbs, portions of Seminole County are served by Seminole County Public Schools, consistently one of Florida's highest-rated districts.
K–12 Public Schools | Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) serves the City of Orlando and most of Orange County. Use the OCPS school zone finder to identify your assigned schools by address, and write down their corresponding documentation requirements. → OCPS Zone Finder (ocps.net) |
School Enrollment | To enroll, bring proof of address (lease or utility bill), birth certificate, and up-to-date immunization records. Magnet program applications typically open in October for the following school year—check OCPS deadlines if you're interested. |
Charter & Private | Florida's Step Up For Students program provides income-based scholarships for K–12 private school tuition. → Step Up For Students |
Higher Education | Major universities in the Orlando area include the University of Central Florida (UCF), Valencia College, Rollins College (Winter Park), AdventHealth University, and Full Sail University. Florida residency for in-state tuition is established after 12 months of domicile in the state. |
Child Care | The Early Learning Coalition of Central Florida administers state-subsidized child care assistance for qualifying families. → Early Learning Coalition of Central Florida |
🏥 Healthcare in Orlando
Orlando is home to several large, nationally recognized health systems with broad networks across the metro. As a new resident, your first priority will be finding an in-network primary care provider (PCP) and locating nearby urgent care options before you actually need them.
Major Health Systems | Orlando Health and AdventHealth are the two largest health systems in Central Florida, each operating multiple hospitals and outpatient facilities across the metro. UCF Health provides additional primary and specialty care through its academic medical network. |
Finding a PCP | Use your insurance company's provider finder to locate in-network primary care physicians near your new address. Major insurers with strong Florida networks include Florida Blue, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. |
Urgent Care | Both Orlando Health and AdventHealth operate urgent care networks with walk-in availability across the metro. CareSpot Urgent Care has multiple locations throughout Orange County with extended hours. |
Mental Health | NAMI Greater Orlando provides local education, advocacy, and peer support resources. For immediate crisis support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or the Florida-specific crisis line at 1-800-662-7715. |
Pharmacy | Walgreens, CVS, and Publix Pharmacy have extensive footprints across the Orlando metro. Publix Pharmacy offers a list of select generic medications at no charge with a valid prescription. |
đźš— Transportation in Orlando
Most Orlando residents rely on personal vehicles for daily commuting—I-4 is the primary artery through the city, and the metro is spread across a large area with limited walkability outside of downtown. Understanding the toll road system early will save you money and frustration.
Toll Pass Setup | SunPass is Florida's statewide toll transponder system. Transponders can be purchased at retailers including Publix, Walmart, and CVS, or ordered online. Without a transponder, Toll-by-Plate billing applies at a higher rate. → SunPass |
Key Toll Roads | New Orlando residents will commonly encounter: I-4 Express Lanes, Florida Turnpike (north-south through Orange County), FL-408 East-West Expressway, SR-417 Central Florida GreeneWay, and SR-429 Daniel Webster Western Beltway. |
Public Transit | LYNX operates 68 bus routes throughout Orlando and neighboring counties. LYMMO provides a free circulator service in Downtown Orlando via the Orange, Lime, and Grapefruit lines. SunRail is a commuter rail line with 17 stations connecting DeLand to Poinciana. Brightline offers private intercity rail service connecting Orlando to Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. → LYNX Bus System | SunRail |
Airport Access | Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary airport serving the region. Rideshare pickup is located on Level 1 of the main terminal. Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) serves private and charter aviation. |
Major Roadways | Key highways for navigating the Orlando metro: I-4 (primary east-west corridor), Florida Turnpike (north-south), US-192 (connects to Kissimmee and Disney area), US-441 (Orange Blossom Trail, north-south through the city), and Colonial Drive (east-west thoroughfare through central Orlando). |
đź’° Financial & Legal Setup in Orlando
Florida has several state-specific financial and insurance considerations that new residents—especially those moving from high-tax states—should address early. The most time-sensitive is the Homestead Exemption, which has a hard March 1 deadline.
State Income Tax | Florida has no state income tax, which is a meaningful financial benefit for residents relocating from states like New York, New Jersey, California, or Illinois. You may need to update your W-4 withholding with your employer to reflect your new state. |
Homestead Exemption | Florida homeowners can apply for a Homestead Exemption of up to $50,000 on their primary residence's assessed value, reducing annual property taxes. Apply through the Orange County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year following your home purchase. → Orange County Property Appraiser |
Homeowners Insurance | Standard homeowners policies in Florida typically do not include wind or flood coverage—these are sold as separate policies. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November. Check FEMA Flood Maps to assess your specific property's risk. |
Vehicle Insurance | Florida requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). Note that Florida does not require bodily injury liability coverage as a standard minimum, though it is strongly recommended. |
Address Updates | Key parties to notify after your move: IRS (Form 8822), Social Security Administration, Florida DMV, voter registration, financial institutions, health and life insurance providers, and your employer's payroll department. |
🚨 Orlando Emergency Preparedness & Safety
Orlando is generally well-insulated from the worst of Florida's hurricane impacts due to its inland location, but tropical storms, localized flooding, and occasional tornadoes are real seasonal considerations. Getting set up with the county's emergency alert system early is a simple, high-value task.
Emergency | 911 |
City/County Non-Emergency | Orlando Police Department Non-Emergency: (321) 235-5300 |
Poison Control | 1-800-222-1222 (National Poison Control Center) |
Crisis Line | 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text) | Florida: 1-800-662-7715 |
Emergency Alerts | AlertOrange is Orange County's emergency notification system. → Sign Up for AlertOrange |
Natural Disaster Info | Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30, peaking in August and September. While Orlando's inland location reduces storm surge risk, high winds and flooding are possible. → Orange County Emergency Management |
FEMA Flood Map | Relevant for homeowners, renters in flood-prone areas, and anyone evaluating flood insurance, check your specific address for flood zone designation. → FEMA Flood Map |
đź’Ľ Employment Resources in Orlando
Orlando's economy has diversified significantly beyond its tourism roots. While hospitality and theme parks remain major employers, the metro has growing concentrations in aviation and aerospace, healthcare, financial services, technology, and simulation and defense.
Major Industries | The major industries in Orlando, FL include tourism, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and entertainment. |
Top Employers | Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando Health, Lockheed Martin, Oracle Corporation |
Job Search Tools | LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor—filter by Orlando, FL for the widest reach. The Orlando Business Journal also publishes regional job market data and hiring trends. |
State Job Portal | FloridaJobs.org is the Florida Department of Commerce's portal for state-managed job listings, workforce development programs, and career training resources. |
Unemployment Benefits | If newly unemployed after relocating, visit Florida Reemployment Assistance. Note that relocation alone may affect eligibility — review the state's qualifying separation criteria. |
Professional Networking | The Orlando Economic Partnership is the region's primary economic development organization and a resource for professional connections. |
Staffing & Temp Agencies | Robert Half, Adecco, and Staffmark have notable presences in the Orlando metro and are useful for new residents seeking immediate contract or temp-to-hire roles. |
Orlando Community Resources & Amenities
Getting plugged in locally after a move takes some intention. These resources will help you find your community in Orlando.
Public Library: The Orange County Library System operates 16 branches throughout the county. Signing up for a free library card provides access to physical collections, digital lending (via Libby and Kanopy), and local programs. Apply in person at any branch with proof of Orange County address.
Parks & Recreation: The City of Orlando Parks Department and Orange County Parks both operate extensive parks networks. City parks include Lake Eola Park, Loch Haven Park, and Barber Park. County parks include Bill Frederick Park, Turkey Lake Park, and Moss Park for outdoor recreation.
Neighborhood Associations & Civic Resources: The City of Orlando's Neighborhood Relations division connects residents with registered neighborhood associations throughout the city.
Local Media: Orlando Sentinel is the primary daily newspaper. WESH 2, WFTV Channel 9, and WKMG News 6 are the major local TV news outlets. The Orlando Weekly magazine covers arts, culture, and local affairs.
Quinn Johnson
Quinn Johnson is a moving expert and author for Extra Space Storage. He's moved over 15 times, including internationally, and helped countless others between their own homes. He's happy to lift some boxes for a friend as long as he's paid in pizza. As a writer and content creator for Extra Space Storage since 2019, Quinn shares helpful moving tips and info to alleviate the common stresses of moving.
