Metro Orlando...a vibrant, growing destination for executives, families and retirees who want to live amidst a virtual mecca of opportunities and community amenities. From sports, to culture to commercial, health care and entertainment...it's all here! Click here to find out about upcoming events.

Home sales continue to rise and new communities are popping up all over. Following suit, the Greater Orlando area ranks as one of the fastest growing employment markets in the United States, as well as one of the most rapidly expanding high technology centers. And then, of course, there's tourism. Click here to visit the chamber of commerce.

Tinker Field

All these factors, combined with the fact that there is no personal income tax in the State of Florida, makes the area both very attractive and very solid in terms of the future growth of its economic base.

Consistently ranked as one of the best areas in which to live and work by leading business publications, Metro Orlando also offers one of the most moderate cost-of-living indexes in the country, access to quality child care, high caliber education and outstanding medical care, as well as a host of cultural and recreations opportunities. Click here to visit the Orlando Sentinel.

A sprawling metropolis, the Greater Orlando area encompasses four counties and every imaginable setting, from bustling downtown to quiet, rural farmlands. It offers everything from condo living to gated, custom communities and even rolling acreage in the outlying areas. Whatever your taste and needs, it's here for you!

The broadly-defined metropolitan area is comprised of Orange, Lake, Osceola and Seminole counties, each with their own flavor and attractive aspects. With Orlando at its hub, Orange County is at the heart of the Central Florida area. Many smaller suburban communities, such as Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Winter Park and Apopka, are destination locations for many relocating families as well. Orange County obviously got its name from the large number of citrus groves with once dominated the landscape in earlier years, prior to freezes in the 1980s that put many citrus growers out of business. The University of Central Florida, once a small commuter college, is now a huge university with a widely diversified curriculum. In downtown Orlando, you'll find lots of business and culture. There's the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, as well as the Orange County History Center. Not to be overlooked is Lake Eola with its lovely park and outdoor entertainment center. Downtown is also home to the T. D. Waterhouse Center, home of the Orlando Magic… Orlando's own NBA team which joined the league in 1988. Orange County is also the home of many of the area's premier attractions, such as Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios. Of the smaller communities, Windermere is known best for its pristine Butler Chain of Lakes. Winter Garden recently underwent a downtown Main Street renovation which brought back brick streets, a clock tower and many unique features reminiscent of the early days of this 100-year-old city. Ocoee is a small town on a fast growth track with a new hospital, mall, library and golf course added over the past 15 years. New communities are springing up all over Ocoee, including several which are gated or feature waterfront and/or recreational areas. Apopka is more rural and is best known for its foliage nurseries. Click here to find out more local information.

Lake County is to the West of Orange County and its name speaks volumes about its landscape. In addition to the many lakes, this area is much more rolling and hilly than Orange County. With Leesburg as its County Seat, Lake County is home to numerous challenging golf courses, several over-55 communities and a host of luxury vacation communities near Disney. In the Southern part of the county, the City of Clermont has become an extension of the Metropolitan Orlando area and is on a very fast growth track.

Osceola County is to the South of Orange County and right in the back door of Disney World. In fact, it is home to Disney's prototype town of Celebration, a neo-classical community in design with a town center, schools, and lots of parks and recreational areas. This concept is now being copied all over the Central Florida area. The primary communities in Osceola County are Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Poinciana. While it has a history of agriculture and cattle farming, Osceola County has springboarded to the forefront of growth because of its proximity to Disney World. It also allows for more vacation rental zoning that does Orange County which has made it a popular location for investors and part-time residents to own a vacation home which they can rent out while they are not using it personally.

Seminole County is to the North of Orange County and looks altogether different. Home to the Wekiva River Basin, the area boasts several rivers and springs and is more densely wooded. Longwood, Altamonte Springs and Lake Mary are the three primary communities of Seminole County, with Lake Mary being the newest of these to take shape. Its high-tech oriented business center has made it a haven for gated communities and executives and their families. If you are relocating to the Metropolitan Orlando area and just can't give up that "Northern look" then Seminole County may be for you.

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REAL ESTATE TRIVIA Q  What five basic components of a "smart home" can be controlled by technology? A  Lighting and window treatments, security and access control, data communication, environmental/energy management, and audio/video entertainment can all be operated by a "smart home". More Real Estate Trivia

Libby Tomyn
CENTURY21 Professional Group Orlando Real Estate
558 Woodson Avenue
Ocoee, FL 34761
321-293-2160
800-445-6747 Ext. 2160
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Email: orlandolibby@NUMBER1EXPERT.com

Libby understands how truly stressful buying and selling real estate can be. For most, it's not simply a business transaction, but involves major life changes and decisions, as well as a myriad of emotions. Her success comes from translating a client's particular needs into a customized game plan. Her results are measured by her unusually high percentage of repeat and referral customers. "Patience and perserverance are attributes she possesses", says one past client!

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