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Central Florida, home to the region’s 7 Counties and one of the most visited locations annually is largely recognized through metro Orlando. Our area draws thousands of new residents from relocation and rates at the top of the list for visitors worldwide each year.

At the center of the area, Orlando, also know as The City Beautiful, lies approximately 150 miles from the Florida/Georgia border, to the north; 50 miles from the Atlantic Coast, to the east; 75 miles from the Gulf Coast, to the west; and 237 miles from Miami, to the south. Comprised of roughly 4,000 square miles, Orlando is the state’s largest metro area by land mass.

Four counties surround metro Orlando – Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake, with three other counties, Polk, Volusia and Brevard considered outlying but still within the boundaries of Central Florida. For purposes of the service area of the providers of this site, the counties of focus are included below.

The most heavily populated is Orange County and the region’s most commercial focal point. This county consists of 900 square miles and eight cities, Orlando, Apopka, East Orange County, Maitland, Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park.

Seminole County, north of Orlando, is much smaller at 300 square miles. While offering a small-town element, major thoroughfares such as the Central Florida Greeneway and Interstate provide easy access to downtown. Seminole County offers residents 6 cities from which to choose: Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Oviedo and Sanford, the political hub and Winter Springs.

Osceola County, lies to the southwest of Orange and Seminole with 1,400 square miles of land. Though historically considered a rural area, Osceola County has grown rapidly with new construction homes and shopping areas. The cities of Kissimmee and St.Cloud call Osceola County home.

Lake County, as the name implies, offers 1,200 acres of rolling hills and beautiful lakes. Also expanding, this county has seen a rapid burst of new construction in several areas. Lake County includes 14 municipalities; however, the more populated cities are Clermont, Eustis, Lady Lake, Leesburg and Mount Dora.

Central Florida has seen explosive growth in recent years with strong employment rates, increasing industry and a great climate, despite our years with hurricanes! July 2006 showed the area’s median home price at $248,000, up 3.2% from the previous year, a slowdown from the hefty 35% increase from 2004 to 2005. New construction homes experienced a shortage from demand and building materials between 2004 and 2005 but have now met that demand with what is thought to be a temporary oversupply. Many builders now offer a vast array of incentives in their attempt to move their inventory. The once puny inventory of resale homes (2,500 at its lowest point) has now spiraled to hover around 21,000 so like the builders, sellers of resale homes are also facing the current buyer’s market.

Residential Vacant land is at a premium when available and mostly found in East Orange County in an area known Wedgefield or north to more rural Apopka.

The Central Florida Condo Market has also exploded in recent years. Though many condominiums are actually conversions from former apartment complexes, luxury condos and condo hotels continue to grow, at the forefront of downtown and close to the major theme park attractions.

With so many diverse characteristics, Central Florida has attracted the baby boomer population, seeking to buy retirement properties and second homes. International visitors find Central Florida the perfect place for investing.

For additional information on Central Florida, please visit the following sites:

Seminole County Public Schools www.scps.k12.fl.us

Orange County Public Schools www.ocps.net

Lake County Public Schools www.lake.k12.fl.us

Osceola County Public Schools www.osceolak12.fl.us

University of Central Florida www.ucf.edu

Rollins College www.rollins.edu

Stetson University www.stetson.edu

Seminole Community College www.scc.fl.com

Valencia Community College www.valencia.cc.fl.us

Full Sail Real World Education www.fullsail.com

Florida Hospital www.flhosp.org

Orlando Regional Healthcare www.orhs.org