Your Guide to the Perfect Orlando Neighborhood for Student Renters
There is never a dull moment in Orlando, Florida. Along with top-tier universities, technical schools, and local colleges, there are world-class entertainment venues, the ocean within driving distance, and lots of sunshine. Whether you choose to relax at a trendy coffee shop in the downtown area, enjoy a meal at a distinctive restaurant, or ride a wave at one of the many waterparks, there is always an adventure just around the corner. No wonder thousands of students head to The City Beautiful each year to attend college.
If you choose Orlando as your destination for school, there are student apartments and some exciting neighborhoods to live in near campus.
University of Central Florida (UCF)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is one of the largest in the country and is located in the heart of Orlando. Its palm-lined campus welcomes tens of thousands of students and Knights fans each year. The university sits near some of Orlando’s best attractions, including the vibrant downtown area, which is one of my personal favorite places to spend an evening. Students can live in any number of neighborhoods around the campus.
Oviedo
Oviedo, a satellite town in the city's northeast section, offers a mix of suburban life and Orlando apartment living near the University of Central Florida. This area is perfect for nature lovers, too. It is known for its outdoor recreational spaces, parks, and nature trails. You can kayak at Little Big Econ State Forest or hike the Cross Seminole Trail when not in classes. That connection to nature makes Oviedo a favored choice for students commuting to the UCF campus.
Avalon Park
On the southeast side of Orlando, Avalon Park is a small-town neighborhood with a family-oriented appeal. Its tree-lined streets, Victorian houses, and cozy cafes make this area of the city a practical choice for students living alone or with a family. Residents also have access to lakes, recreational facilities, and major highways.
Waterford Lakes
If you are a UCF student looking for something with a little more vibe, then Waterford Lakes fits the bill. Found east of Orlando, this neighborhood has a reputation for excellent shopping, fine dining, and entertainment venues. It is home to the sprawling Waterford Lakes Town Center. Plenty of Waterford Lakes apartments near the University of Central Florida combine suburban living with vibrant and state-of-the-art fun for an exciting student life.
Winter Park
Just a short drive east of the UCF campus is the resort community of Winter Park. This small neighborhood offers a mix of historic charm and trendy hotspots. There are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities and outdoor spaces, such as Lake Baldwin Park and the Mead Botanical Garden. Winter Park is central to multiple college campuses in Orlando and is less than 10 miles from UCF.
Rollins College
Rollins College is a liberal arts school in Winter Park, FL, in the northern part of Orlando. It is a private school famous for its small class sizes and personal attention. Rollins is also Florida’s oldest private college, having opened its doors in 1885. If you are considering going to Rollins College for the next four years, there are student apartments near there that are worth considering.
Winter Park
Winter Park is the hub for Rollins College students. Boutique shops, cafés with Wi-Fi, and gourmet restaurants surround its vibrant arts scene. The Morse Museum of American Art houses the world's largest Tiffany glass collection. Winter Park is also known for its green spaces, including Central Park, Mead Botanical Garden, and Lake Virginia.
Maitland
You’ll find Maitland just to the northwest of Rollins College. Maitland, like Winter Park, is a city inside the city of Orlando and one of the oldest. It offers a little bit of something for everyone. Maitland has a thriving business hub and a notable cultural scene. It is known as the home of the Enzian Theatre, which hosts the Florida Film Festival every year. There is a mix of student apartments in town, along with historic houses and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Baldwin Park
Just four miles southeast of Rollins College is the prestigious neighborhood of Baldwin Park. This area was once home to sailors at the Naval Training Center and their families. Today, it is what urban designers call a “mixed-use” neighborhood. It offers a mix of business spaces and residential areas with homes and apartments. Baldwin Park is also a sustainable community with plenty of bike-friendly roads and scenic walking trails. There is even a dog-friendly beach in the area.
Downtown Orlando
Living in the Downtown region of Orlando is always a favored choice because it puts you in the very heart of the city. Downtown Orlando pulses with energy, It offers modern apartments and lofts, coffee shops, and eclectic cafés. You can walk to almost anything, from a lake to an NBA game. You’ll be close to the Orlando Science Museum, SunRail, and Lynx public transit systems. SunRail offers high-speed trains to other areas of the state, such as Miami, if you are looking for a weekend away from it all.
Valencia College—Osceola Campus
Located in Kissimmee, FL, just to the south of Orlando, the Osceola Campus of Valencia College is just one of many in the area. This is an affordable alternative to the more expensive universities and colleges in the area. Valencia has a reputation for offering small classes, state-of-the-art technology, and a strong student support network, along with flexible schedules and easy transfers to more prominent universities such as UCF. It also allows you to live in some of the more economic areas around Orlando.
Kissimmee
At the top of that list is the hometown of the Osceola campus—Kissimmee, pronounced kih-SIM-me. Kissimmee is a gateway committee for the Walt Disney World theme parks. That makes it a practical place for cast members working at those parks to call home, as well as students of Valencia College. The town is also known for its historic downtown area, with Lake Tohopekaliga running through the middle of it. This area is full of rich heritage, affordable housing options, and convenient access to major roadways in Orlando, like I-4, Hwy 192, and the Florida Turnpike.
MetroWest
Like Kissimmee, MetroWest sits close to the Walt Disney World resorts and parks. In that capacity, it serves as a nucleus for cast members, students, and tourists alike. This is a master-planned community for convenient, self-contained living. MetroWest puts students close to not just the Osceola campus but also the Valencia West Campus. So, you’ll find plenty of affordable student apartments in this area, along with employment opportunities and fun things to do.
Hunter’s Creek
Similar to MetroWest, Hunter’s Creek is a master-planned community. It sits slightly northwest of the Osceola campus. Hunter’s Creek is a family-friendly neighborhood with top-rated schools and scenic parks. It hosts The Loop shopping center, which provides access to major stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Life in this community also gives you access to major roadways in Florida, such as SR-417 and the Florida Turnpike. They will take into Orlando or just about anywhere else in the state.
Lake Buena Vista
Many of the neighborhoods situated near Valencia’s Osceola Campus are also close to Walt Disney World. Lake Buena Vista, however, is home to all five of the theme parks and resorts. It is also where you will find Silver Springs, Disney’s shopping and restaurant venue, and the corporate headquarters for WDW. Lake Buena Vista sits in a prime location for Valencia students. You have easy access to both the Osceola and West Campuses.
AdventHealth University (Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences)
AdventHealth University (AHU), once called Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, is a private school focusing on healthcare careers. This state-of-the-art university provides students working towards degrees in nursing, biomedical sciences, radiology, and other health-related fields with a clinical setting for learning at one of the top-rated medical centers in the state. AHU is located near the downtown area of Orlando, giving students living opportunities in several places.
Downtown Orlando
The most obvious choice for students attending AHU is to live in the downtown area of Orlando. Downtown Orlando is a dynamic region for professionals, students, and artists. It features modern living spaces with incredible views of the many lakes in the area, such as Lake Eola. Living downtown puts you in the center of almost everything that makes Orlando The City Beautiful. You’ll be within walking distance of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Camping World Stadium, and Amway Stadium. There are endless clubs and restaurants in the area, along with art galleries and museums.
College Park
College Park sits just to the south of Downtown Orlando, so it offers the same vibrancy and access to Orlando landmarks but tacks on a bit of small-town charm. Student apartments in College Park put you just minutes away from school but also close to several of Orlando’s beautiful lakes and the social scene of downtown.
Audobon Park
To the northeast of downtown, you’ll find the Audobon Park neighborhood. Audubon Park apartments near AdventHealth University put you in the heart of a booming local business center. For example, the Audubon Park Garden District offers award-winning shopping and dining venues, some of the best in Central Florida. When not in class, you can spend time at vintage shops, drinking craft beer, listening to local music, and getting produce from one of the local urban farmettes.
Baldwin Park
The prestigious neighborhood of Baldwin Park is in the southeast section of Orlando, about 15 minutes from AHU. Baldwin Park is known for its walkable streets and scenic views. This is the right spot for nature lovers as well as students. There are miles of walking and biking trails, including the infamous Lake Baldwin Loop, a 2.5-mile path that connects to the city’s trail system. There is also a thriving social and arts community in Baldwin Park. It is the perfect mix of small-town charm, green spaces, and urban energy.
Rosemont
If you are looking for more affordable student apartments close to AHU, Rosemont is a practical option. It sits in the city's northeast section, about five miles from the school. Like other neighborhoods in this area, Rosemont has plenty of nature to enjoy. It hosts several lakes, including Lake Orlando, and has an abundance of walking trails. You can also enjoy the Rosemont Community Center, which offers residents fitness programs and sports courts.
Seminole State College of Florida—Oviedo campus
Seminole State College of Florida is a cost-effective learning option with a state-of-the-art campus and a strong focus on STEM education. It features smart classrooms, science and computer labs, smaller classes, and personalized education. The credits transfer easily to a larger university like UCF, which is just down the street.
Oviedo
Students who want to get out of Orlando can turn to the charming town of Oviedo, just to the northeast of the city. It offers a family-friendly community with lots of nature trails, local shops, and farmer’s markets. The historic downtown area of Oviedo includes a vibrant culture that is a mix of social and nature. Students living in Oviedo enjoy the Econ River Wilderness Area, the Cross Seminole Trail, and Oviedo on the Park, which has plenty of boating, fishing, and water sports.
Winter Park
To the north of campus is the small satellite Winter Park. It is known as an upscale community with lots of charm. There is a rich history here, too. Winter Park was originally a retreat for wealthy families from the North looking to escape the cold. Today, it is home to fine dining restaurants, museums, a thriving art community, and many students. It has a college-town feel, making it a popular choice for young people attending one of the many schools in Orlando, including Seminole State College of Florida and Rollins College.
Chuluota
Just to the east of the campus is the rural community of Chuluota. It is the right choice for someone who wants to get away from city life. It is still close enough to Orlando to give you access to urban amenities if you want them. This area has lots of winding roads and a laid-back lifestyle. There is still plenty to do in Chuluota, though, as long as you are a nature lover. There is hiking, fishing, and bird watching for you to enjoy.
Casselberry
To the northeast of the campus is the suburban community of Casselberry. It offers the same laid-back feel as Chuluota but with easier access to Orlando. Casselberry is near major roadways like U.S. 17-19 and State Road 436, both of which will take you to the city or the school. Like most of the neighborhoods in Orlando, Casselberry offers lots of nature to enjoy, along with kayaking and fishing at one of the dozens of lakes in the area.
Regardless of what school you choose to attend, Orlando, FL, offers student living opportunities for everyone. From affordable to luxury to rural, Orlando provides a mix of options for students.
