Welcome to Your New Home in Florida
Orlando is a vibrant city known for its theme parks and sunny weather. Home to the second-largest convention center in the U.S., Orlando’s economy relies heavily on tourism, conventions and tradeshows. The manufacturing, technology and citrus industries also help the “City Beautiful” thrive. One of the most visited places in the world, Orlando is a multicultural city with a diverse population and a rich blend of cultures. It’s also home to many water parks and amusement parks, including Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld and the most visited theme park in the world: Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. With 233 days of sunshine every year, residents and visitors alike have plenty of time to enjoy the lush green spaces, vibrant culinary scene, thriving nightlife and all that Orlando has to offer.
We Can Help You Get Settled in Orlando
Moving can be a daunting task, even if it’s just around the corner. We’re here to help. Penske has many
convenient truck rental locations in Greater Orlando. To get you started, the Penske Orlando Team offers these simple moving and driving tips for the do-it-yourself mover:
Tips for Driving in Orlando
- Expect delays on International Drive, one of Orlando’s busiest streets
- You may turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop unless a sign posted at the intersection indicates “no right on red”
- Rush hour in Orlando falls during four different times: 7:30–9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.–12 p.m., 3–4 p.m., and 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- Florida is known for sudden and heavy rainfall, so use caution when driving in wet conditions and immediately turn on your headlights and windshield wipers
- Call your metropolitan Orlando Penske location to learn which routes prohibit trucks
10 Things To Know When You Move to Orlando
Did you know that to fund the demolition of its old city hall, the city of Orlando allowed Producer Joel Silver to blow up the building for the opening scene of Lethal Weapon 3? But with only one chance to get it right, the explosion had to be perfectly timed. Add to that the fact that the new city hall was already built a mere four feet behind the old one, and you realize there was little to no room for error. Did you also know that since opening day in 1971, an astounding 1.65 million pairs of sunglasses have ended up in Walt Disney World’s lost and found department? On average, over 200 pairs are turned into lost and found every day. And did you know that the world’s largest McDonald’s, also known as Epic McD, a three-story, 19,000-square-foot restaurant, is in Orlando? It provides access to games, rides, a 22-foot-tall play area, a 4D theater, pasta and the discontinued McPizza.
- The history of Orlando. Also known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” Orlando was originally named Jernigan after Aaron Jernigan, the first permanent settler in the area. In 1857, the town was renamed to Orlando. However, there is no official documentation on how the new name was chosen. Some believe it was named after a character of the same name from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It” while others say the moniker is in honor of Orlando Reeves, an army sentry killed during the Seminole Wars.
- This central Florida city has a subtropical climate with warm and humid summers, mild winters and abundant sunshine throughout the year. When’s the best time to visit Florida? The shoulder seasons of spring and fall provide pleasant weather and smaller crowds. Originally the main hub of the state’s citrus industry, Orlando suffered what became known as the Great Freeze during the winter of 1894-95, which destroyed citrus crops and devastated farms. After this, farmers began moving their citrus crops south.
- In this sunny city, a two-bedroom apartment will cost you around $2,100 per month, and you’ll find the median home price near $400,000. In general, though, housing expenses in Orlando are slightly higher than the national average, while utility prices are slightly lower.
- In Orlando, you’ll have plenty of public transportation options. To start, SunRail is the commuter rail service offering double-decker passenger cars and inexpensive fares in central Florida, with four stations in Orlando. LYNX, the local bus service, provides transportation throughout Orlando and neighboring counties, accommodating an average of 90,000 passenger trips every day. You also have access to the LYMMO Downtown Circulator, a free bus rapid transit circulator that runs seven days a week throughout downtown Orlando. With its own dedicated lane, the LYMMO quickly takes you between major downtown destinations. Need more alone time? Try a dockless bike or scooter rental. Available throughout the city, you can locate, unlock and pay for a device easily through your phone.
- Orlando is a diverse city filled with a vibrant mix of customs, traditions and food. It’s home to a variety of small towns, residential areas and popular urban areas like Lake Nona, one of the fastest-growing communities in the country and perfect for those who are wellness-oriented and interested in great food, amazing public art, and innovation. For an upscale New England feel, try Winter Park, home to acclaimed eateries, museums and shopping. Within the Greater Orlando area, the Orlando Main Street Districts program is helping to revitalize and update neighborhood commercial districts like The Milk District, Mills 50 and the Parramore District. These 12 Main Street Districts provide a variety of living experiences while inspiring community engagement and boosting local businesses.
- Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, Orlando offers hiking, biking, water sports, wildlife encounters and more. It’s home to more than 100 lakes and 100 parks, including the very popular Lake Eola. At its deepest point, the lake, which is actually a giant sinkhole, reaches depths of 80 feet. The lake sits on 23 acres of park, offers swans and swan boat rentals and is surrounded by a nearly one-mile walking path. If wildlife is more your thing, visit the Orlando Wetlands to see over 30 species of wildlife currently listed on the Threatened and Endangered Wildlife list, or take an airboat ride in the Everglades.
- If you’re into sports, Florida is the place for you. Currently, the state is home to two NHL teams, two NBA teams, two major league baseball teams, three NFL teams, and two major league soccer teams. Whether you choose to cheer on the Orlando Magic, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Panthers or someone else, you’ll always have a hometown team to root for.
- Most people are familiar with one of Orlando’s biggest claims to fame — Walt Disney World. The complete Disney complex covers 47 square miles and boasts an average visitor count of about 58 million people each year. However, Orlando’s first theme park opened nearly 22 years before Disney’s opening day. Gatorland began operations in 1949 with a 15-foot crocodile as its main attraction. Today, the theme park covers 110 acres of swamps, marshes and wildlife, allowing visitors to view and even get close to alligators, crocodiles, wildcats and more. Also known as the Alligator Capital of the World, Gatorland is currently home to over 2,000 American alligators.
- Among Orlando’s most popular foods is Florida rock shrimp. Found off the east coast of Central Florida, these crustaceans have a flavor that many describe as like lobster. Additional well-known dishes include Key Lime Pie, Grouper Sandwich, Gator Tail, and Stone Crab Claws. When looking for something a bit more international, many Orlandoans turn to Cuban food, inspired by the city’s large Cuban American community.
- Not sure what to do with your day? Orlando has plenty of options. Less than an hour away, the world-famous Cape Canaveral launch site offers visitors the ability to watch rocket launches regularly. Or there’s the Orlando Eye, also known as The Wheel at ICON Park, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel offering beautiful views of the Orlando skyline. Perhaps the annual Central Florida Fair is more your speed. Taking place for nearly two weeks each March, this event has something for everyone, including rides, games and delicious fair food.
We Offer Complete Service When Moving to Orlando
Whether you’re moving to a palm-tree-lined street in historic Baldwin Park, an apartment in downtown Orlando, or a mid-century home in the Audubon Park Garden District, the Penske Greater Orlando Team is always ready to help.
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