Orlando Real Estate Blog - Orlando Lifestyle, Recreation, Theme Parks, & Events

Orlando Named the #1 Place to Retire: Why Southwest Orlando Stands Out

Why Was Orlando Named The #1 Place to Retire?

With Florida's tax advantages, year-round recreation, warm climate, world-class attractions, easy travel, and a wide range of communities, Southwest Orlando offers an ideal lifestyle that matters most to many retirees. So, it should be no surprise that Orlando was recently named the #1 place to retire in the U.S. by WalletHub. Let's take a closer look at what makes Orlando a top choice for retirees.

What Makes Southwest Orlando a Great Place to Retire?

Location and lifestyle are two of the top reasons people choose Southwest Orlando for their retirement home base. Its Central Florida location makes it easy to travel throughout Florida to the east and west coasts for beaches and cruise ports. Port…

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Horizon West Parks: A Local Guide to Outdoor Spaces & New Openings

An Inside Look at Horizon West Parks

With the growth of Winter Garden and Horizon West over the last several years, in addition to new construction communities, roadways, and businesses, new local parks have popped up. Horizon West Regional Park, which has been opening in phases since early 2026, and the newest, Watermark Park, which opened on August 31st, 2026. These parks give area residents more ways to get outdoors, explore, and connect with neighbors. Let's take a closer look at Horizon West's parks and see just one of the many reasons locals love calling Horizon West home.

Watermark Park: Horizon West's Newest Neighborhood Park

Watermark Park, located at the corner of Summerlake Groves St & Seidel Road, across from Panther Lake Elementary…

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Orlando Ranked #4 Most Pet-Friendly City: Southwest Orlando Guide

A Local Guide To Dog Parks, Pet-Friendly Dining, And Communities Across Southwest Orlando

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

Recently Orlando was named the #4 pet-friendly city in the U.S. by WalletHub. They compared 100 of the largest cities across 23 key metrics, including veterinary care costs, dog-friendly restaurants per capita, and dog parks per capita. Orlando stood out in the pet health & wellness category, as well as the number of veterinarians per capita, and dog-friendly restaurants per capita. 

Orlando’s latest pet-friendly ranking puts the spotlight on something locals already know: Southwest Orlando makes it easy to enjoy everyday life with a dog, from parks and trails to neighborhoods built…

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2026 Orlando Magical Dining Guide | Dates, Prices & Local Dining Areas

2026 Orlando's Magical Dining Guide

The Orlando food scene has exploded over the last several years, with tons of new restaurants popping up all over the metro area. A great way to explore many of the restaurants around the area is during Orlando's Magical Dining. Celebrating its 21st year, this event spans six weeks from August 14th to September 30th, and features more than 180 local restaurants, including 15 Michelin Guide eateries. Diners can take advantage of three-course dinner selections from $40 or $60 per person. There is no better way to try out a new spot or even a new area around Orlando. The Funk Collection has the full scoop on making the most of this year's event.

What is Orlando's Magical Dining?

• Orlando's Magical Dining Event…

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Mount Dora Day Trip from Southwest Orlando | Dining, Shopping & Parking

A Local's Guide to Mount Dora: Dining, Shopping, and Must-See Stops

Is Mount Dora, Florida, worth the trip? A resounding yes can be heard from the locals who know and love this area. This cozy lake town is located on the northwest edge of the Orlando metro area, with a vibrant downtown, and a great variety of shopping, dining, and things to do. 

It may be surprising to those considering Orlando for a move that there is so much more to downtown and being a tourism destination. The diverse neighboring cities and proximity to local destinations, including lake towns, trails, parks, and beaches, make Orlando a great hub for locals to call home. Let's explore this popular day trip destination and see what makes it so special.

How Far Is Mount Dora…

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Hills City Center Minneola: Crooked Can Brewery and Food Hall Guide

Crooked Can Brewery & New Minneola Food Hall at Hills City Center 

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

Hills City Center is a new mixed-use destination in Minneola, Florida, anchored by the Crooked Can Brewing Company and a food hall-style market featuring local restaurant vendors, outdoor gathering spaces, and community-focused amenities. For those familiar with the Plant Street Market, this new concept mirrors the Minneola space as one of downtown Winter Garden's most recognizable dining locations. The new Minneola location brings the concept to the west in a larger space of nearly 43,000 square feet, including a 2,000-square-foot taproom. So, for anyone searching for Crooked Can Minneola, new restaurants in…

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Where Locals Are Celebrating America 250 Around Orlando

Orlando Area Community 4th of July Guide

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

From Windermere and Winter Garden to Downtown Orlando, Ocoee, Celebration, and beyond, Central Florida knows how to celebrate the 4th. In fact, Orlando was recently ranked the #3 city to spend the Independence Day holiday by WalletHub. Hometown events and city celebrations make it easy for locals to get out and commemorate the day, and especially with this year marking the 250th anniversary.

The Funk Collection has you covered with a local's guide to the 2026 Fourth of July celebrations happening in your community across Central Florida. We've also included ways you to commemorate the 4th at local theme parks, including Magic Kingdom…

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Is Downtown Clermont Central Florida’s Next Great Main Street?

The Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Local Shops Bringing New Energy to Downtown Clermont

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

If you ask locals is downtown Clermont Central Florida's next great main street? A resounding yes! Five years ago, likely you would have heard a different answer. You may say that downtown Clermont was pretty sleepy. There were several vacant storefronts and not a lot of dining options. And while there have always been some gems that locals have loved for many years, things tended to be pretty quiet overall. But, over the last several years, downtown has seen a resurgence of life. With new dining options, markets, coffee shops, local shopping, book stores, and nightlife have popped up,…

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Orlando, Florida: Living and Playing in America’s #1 Affordable Staycation Destination

Why Was Orlando Ranked the Best U.S. City for a Staycation?

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

This is no surprise to locals of the Orlando area. There are so many reasons why people call Orlando home, and truth be told, it's pretty cool to live in one of the top vacation destinations in the world. So, when we read that Orlando has been named the #1 Best Cities for a Staycation, we nodded along in agreement. WalletHub's study analyzed more than 180 U.S. Cities, looking at over 40 indicators of real lifestyle factors, including recreation, food & entertainment, and rest & relaxation. Let's take a deeper dive into what locals already know: that living in Orlando means the vacation feeling doesn't have to wait for…

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Windermere: 7 Odd but True Facts Behind the Luxury Zip Code

What are Surprising Facts About Windermere, FL?

Blog Author: Renee Funk | Co-Founder, Speaker, Trainer

Windermere, Florida, has deep roots in Central Florida, with a quaint downtown and a setting among the lakes that feel almost untouched by time. Established decades before the area’s major growth, the town has maintained its small-town vibe while also collecting its share of odd but true facts.

1. The Infamous Dirt Roads of Windermere

Why does Windermere still have dirt roads downtown? Originally, when the town of Windermere was being built, paving downtown sand streets was not a priority. Funding fell short, so the town's sandy dirt roads became part of its charm. More than 100 years later, the sand roads are still part of Windermere’s…

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