Orlando was recently named Florida's best city for familiesaccording to a WalletHub study that analyzed criteria such as education, leisure, safety and quality of life.

A new study released by financial website WalletHub has brought good news for those who dream of living in the United States with quality of life: Orlando voted best city in Florida to raise a family.

Although the cost of living is not the lowest in the US, the city stood out in key categories such as leisure, educational structure and safety, fundamental elements for families seeking stability and well-being.

Source: WalletHub

Family Fun

Orlando has excelled in this regard. The city is known worldwide for being home to the biggest theme parks on the planet, such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. But in addition to these famous tourist attractions, there are plenty of affordable options for families, such as public parks, bike paths, free cultural events and outdoor leisure areas. The combination of warm weather, leisure-oriented urban infrastructure and an agenda full of activities makes everyday life with children lighter and more fun.

This environment provides not only entertainment, but also opportunities to strengthen family bonds through shared experiences. Group physical activities, community festivals and cultural centers help to build a healthy and dynamic family routine. In addition to so many leisure options, Orlando's urban infrastructure contributes to it being recognized as a the best city in Florida for families with young children and teenagers. For those with children, living in a city with so many outdoor leisure options is a plus, especially in times when work-life balance is a priority.

It's no coincidence that Orlando is considered by many experts to be the Florida's best city for families who want to start again with security and quality of life.

Health and Safety

Quality of life is directly linked to a sense of security and access to public health. Orlando has moderate levels of crime, with significant improvements in certain areas thanks to investments in community policing and prevention programs. What's more, the local health system offers good coverage with affordable clinics and hospitals, including pediatric and specialized options to cater for the whole family.

Another important point is the quality of the environment. The study considered factors such as the purity of the air and water, as well as the availability of healthy food and local markets. In Orlando, there is a growing appreciation of sustainable practices, organic markets and programs to encourage balanced eating. These aspects guarantee not only physical well-being, but also greater peace of mind for parents who prioritize healthy environments for their children to grow up in.

Education and Childcare

For families with young or school-age children, the quality of education is one of the most important factors when choosing a city to live in. Orlando has a network of public and private schools with positive reviews, bilingual education programs and options for children with special needs. The city also offers accessible extracurricular programs such as sports, music, science and technology.

As far as childcare is concerned, the city has good options for nurseries and child development centers, although the costs can be high - a point that the study also took into account. However, local initiatives have sought to make these services more accessible to low- and middle-income families, which contributes to greater equality of educational opportunities from early childhood onwards.

Affordability

Despite being one of Florida's most attractive cities, the cost of living in Orlando is not the lowest in the US, especially in the housing and food sectors. Property values and rents have risen significantly in recent years, driven by high demand from new residents from other states and countries. This has a direct impact on affordability for families in transition or expansion.

On the other hand study also considered the labor market and the city's economic growth potential. Orlando has a dynamic service sector, with opportunities in tourism, technology, education and health. For families seeking long-term financial stability, the higher cost can be offset by the offer of jobs, competitive salaries and incentives for entrepreneurship.

Socio-economic factors

In addition to structural aspects, the WalletHub study analyzed social indicators that reflect the stability of families. These include the presence of two legal guardians in the home, divorce rates, poverty rate and access to community resources. Orlando showed good indicators in this category, especially due to its cultural diversity and support for immigrant families seeking to rebuild their lives in the USA.

Another highlight is the community support offered by religious centers, NGOs and local initiatives aimed at family well-being. These factors help to build an essential support network, especially for newly arrived families. The presence of strong Brazilian and Hispanic communities in the region also contributes to a faster and more welcoming adaptation, which can be decisive in the decision to move with children.

When a city combines safety, good schools, state-of-the-art hospitals and spaces for community living, it naturally becomes a strong candidate to be Florida's best city for families.

Orlando has earned its place in the study not just for its famous theme parks, but for the way it manages to balance fun with quality of life. The city offers a well-planned urban infrastructure, with family-friendly neighborhoods, good schools, accessible clinics, outdoor spaces and cultural options for all ages. Parks such as Lake Eolaresidential areas such as Winter Park and shopping centers such as The Loop offer complete experiences for locals, not just tourists.

In addition to big-name entertainment such as Disney and Universal, the city is also betting more and more on community programs and local events aimed at the population. There are agricultural fairs, yoga classes in the parks, food truck festivals, free cultural events and many affordable leisure options. This creates a favorable environment for children to grow up active and for families to enjoy quality time together, even away from the big tourist attractions.

For those looking for more peace and quiet, but who still want to be close to Orlando, nearby towns such as Ocala, Clermont, Winter Garden and Sanford are excellent alternatives. OcalaFor example, it is known for its ranches and green areas, offering a quieter lifestyle, with an emphasis on equestrian sports and more affordable housing. Already Clermont attracts many families for its hills, trails and small-town atmosphere with quick access to Orlando. These areas have grown a lot in terms of structure and still offer a more balanced cost of living.

Another advantage of living in central Florida is the ease with which you can get around. In less than 1.5 hours, you can reach the east coast (Daytona Beach) or the west coast (Tampa and St. Petersburg), allowing your family to enjoy different beaches, natural parks and even take weekend trips. This geographical versatility expands the possibilities for leisure and quality of life, making Orlando and its surroundings are a strategic choice for Brazilian families looking for a life with more stability, structure and well-being.

It's true that Orlando has a cost of living above the national average, especially when it comes to housing, food and services. However, this factor also serves as a natural filter, attracting people with greater financial planning, better professional qualifications and a more structured family profile. The result is a population with higher educational and cultural levelThis contributes to a more stable and secure social environment, ideal for those building a family life.

This profile is also reflected in the range of services on offer: schools with innovative methodologies, state-of-the-art clinics, specialized gyms, healthy restaurants and active community libraries. The natural demand caused by the cost of living stimulates quality of the experiences offeredThis creates a virtuous cycle that favors those seeking personal, professional and family growth. For families who value education, healthy social interaction and well-being, Orlando offers excellent value for money, even if the initial investment is higher.

From an asset point of view, the higher cost is also accompanied by a higher cost of ownership. consistent real estate appreciation. The city remains among the hottest markets in the USA, driven by strong domestic demand (families migrating from other states) and foreign demand (foreign investors, including many Brazilians). For those wishing to dollarizing assets or diversify investments outside Brazil, buying a property in Orlando is more than a purchase: it's a solid strategy for preserving and growing capital.

What's more, well-located properties in Orlando not only increase in value over time, they also offer passive income potential in dollarsThis means that the higher cost of living or investing in the city is often offset by financial returns and gains in quality of life. This means that the higher cost of living or investing in the city is often offset by financial returns and gains in quality of life. For families with an entrepreneurial mindset or long-term vision, Orlando remains a safe, smart and inspiring bet.

Real estate appreciation in a region that is constantly cited as a Florida's best city for families adds security to long-term investment.

For those looking for a fresh start in the United States, especially in Florida, Orlando stands out as a city full of opportunities. With an ever-expanding job market, access to quality education and planned communities such as Lake NonaThe region offers a a favorable environment for families and professionals who want to make a fresh start with quality of life and promising prospects.

Orlando has established itself as a center of economic growth, attracting technology, health and education companies. The development of areas such as Lake Nona drives the creation of jobs and business opportunities, making the city an attractive destination for those seeking stability and professional growth.

Education is another of the region's strong points. With high-performing public and private schools, as well as renowned higher education institutions, Orlando offers a wide range of educational options for all ages. Programs that integrate secondary and higher education allow students to advance academically at an accelerated rate, preparing them for the challenges of the job market.

Lake Nona, in particular, stands out as a planned community that integrates health, education and innovation. With institutions such as the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Valencia College, the region offers easy access to excellent educational programs. In addition, schools such as Lake Nona High School and Laureate Park Elementary are recognized for their high academic standards and modern infrastructure.

In the health area, Lake Nona is home to reference hospitals, such as UCF Lake Nona Hospital, which offers 24-hour care and a wide range of medical specialties. Another highlight is the Nemours Children's Hospital, which specializes in paediatric care and is renowned for its excellence in medical care and research. These institutions not only guarantee access to quality health services, but also boost the local economy and offer job opportunities in the medical field.

"Lake Nona is a vibrant community where there is a commitment to the success and wellbeing of all. The culture is one of innovation and collaboration." (Lake Nona is a vibrant community where there is a commitment to the success and wellbeing of all. The culture is one of innovation and collaboration.)
- Deborah GermanVice President of Health Affairs and Dean of UCF

These factors explain why Orlando is rightly regarded, the best city in Florida for Brazilian families in search of a new beginning.

Combining job opportunities, access to quality education and state-of-the-art health services, the city offers a welcoming and promising environment for families and professionals looking for growth and quality of life.

For more than a decade, Orlando has been one of Brazilians' favorite destinations in the United States, and not just for vacations. The city offers a welcoming environment for immigrants, with a climate similar to Brazil's, good cultural receptivity and an ever-expanding Brazilian community. Those arriving will find everything from bilingual schools and churches with services in Portuguese to restaurants, beauty salons, markets and Brazilian professionals in various fields, which makes the initial adaptation much easier.

Another factor that attracts so many Brazilians is the real chance to build assets and businesses. Many come as investors, buying properties to rent out on a seasonal or long-term basis, while others set up businesses in areas such as construction, cleaning, tourism, food and transportation. The city has a legal and tax structure that allows foreigners to open a business and buy property relatively easily, all with the advantage of dollarizing income and protecting capital.

What's more, Orlando offers an excellent quality of life for those with children. Safety, top-rated schools, residential areas with planned infrastructure and a huge variety of leisure activities make the city ideal for families looking for a fresh start with stability. And the best part: even with the higher cost of living, Orlando is still more affordable than cities like Miami, New York or Los Angeles, which makes it an excellent balance between cost and quality.

Finally, there is an important emotional aspect: in Orlando, Brazilians feel at home without missing out on the American dream. It's possible to build a new life with more opportunities, quality of life and security, but without giving up cultural elements that bring comfort, whether it's hearing Portuguese in the corridors of shopping malls or finding pão de queijo in the market. It's this unique combination of opportunity and belonging that makes Orlando the city of heart for so many Brazilian families.

These factors help explain why so many Brazilians choose Florida's best city for families as a definitive destination.

WalletHub's study only reinforces what thousands of families have already discovered in practice: Orlando is one of the best cities in Florida and the United States to build a new chapter in life. Its unique combination of leisure, urban structure, access to health, good schools and professional opportunities creates a fertile environment for those seeking stability and well-being, especially as a family.

Although the cost of living is a relevant factor, it goes hand in hand with quality, safety and property appreciation, elements that make the city not only a good place to live, but also to invest. Cities like Lake Nona, Winter Garden and Clermont further expand the possibilities for those who want to live well, with comfort and long-term growth prospects.

For Brazilians, Orlando represents much more than a tourist destination. It's a place where you can starting over with dignity, growing up safely and belonging to a welcoming communitywithout giving up their cultural identity. That's why so many choose this city as their final home, and so many others are planning to follow suit.

If you're also considering a move to Florida, The Florida Lounge can help you make this project a reality. Whether you want to invest, live, study or become an entrepreneur, you can count on us to take the first step with information, strategy and security.

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