Orlando is one of the most attractive places to relocate and buy real estate in Florida. This large city, located in the central part of the Florida peninsula, is ideal for living for several reasons, including:
- comfortable climate with fairly warm, snowless winters;
- beautiful nature with an abundance of picturesque lakes, rivers and forests;
- a multitude of theme parks, including the famous Disney World, covering an area of 100 square kilometres;
- conducive environment for conducting private business;
- more affordable prices for apartments and houses in comparison with other regions of Florida;
- highly ranked educational institutions;
- no income tax for individuals.
You’ll find a job in the city easily if you are a skilled worker. There are also special economic zones where you can set up a private business on favourable terms.
Content:
- How to move
- The main ways to move to Orlando
- What living in Orlando is like
- Orlando for real estate investors
- Selection and purchase of real estate in Orlando
How to move
The first step in moving to Orlando is obtaining a visa or green card at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You may apply in a third country, but it may be harder to obtain a visa.
Visa policy of the country
A green card is an American residence permit. The document allows you to:
- enter and leave the country without any restrictions;
- legally conduct business or be employed;
- enjoy social privileges (receive benefits, tuition discounts, etc.);
- receive an education;
- apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence in the country.
If you have your green card, you can apply for immigrant visas for your immediate relatives. The document can be obtained if you are a skilled worker, entrepreneur, investor or relative of a US resident or citizen. If you do not belong to the listed categories of citizens, you can win a green card in the annual lottery.
Before receiving a green card, you are issued with an immigrant visa. It requires you to come to the US and apply for a green card within 6 months.
To apply for an immigrant visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must undergo a medical examination by a specialist accredited by the US Consulate;
- You must have sufficient income, proven by a bank statement. The account must contain at least USD 5,000;
- If you are moving to join a family member, the latter can act as your sponsor. In this case, the sponsor provides proof of their financial solvency. Their income must be at least 125% of the Florida cost of living.
When submitting your documents, it’s important to provide a correctly completed visa application form and all the necessary paperwork. Many apply to specialised visa centres which provide services for filling out application forms and helping to collate the necessary documentation.
Non-immigrant visa
A non-immigrant visa is issued for tourism and other purposes not related to moving to the US. However, some of these visa types permit you to reside in the country. In some cases, investors and businesspeople can get an E-2 visa, which allows them to legally conduct business, get an education and live in the US. Some people come to Florida on a regular student visa and, after completing their studies, find a job, apply for an immigrant visa and then receive a residence permit.
Immigration for investors
The state of Florida offers quite a conducive environment for conducting business and many investors come here to set up their businesses and make good profits. There are 2 types of US investor visas:
- E-2 is a non-immigrant visa that allows you to conduct business in the US. This visa does not lead to a residence permit and then citizenship. The document is issued to those who invest in starting a business or buying a ready-made American company. The exact amount of the investments is not established by law, but usually, it’s more than USD 100,000. Here’s an important detail: this type of visa can only be obtained by citizens of those countries with a trade and navigation treaty with the US.
- EB-5 is an immigrant business visa available to investors worldwide. To obtain this visa, you must start a company or invest in the investment projects of the American regional centres. The amount of investment for Orlando must be at least USD 1.05 million.
The main ways to move to Orlando
You can move to live in Orlando in the following ways:
- winning a green card in the free lottery;
- joining family members who are US residents or citizens;
- entering into a work contract with an employer;
- marrying a US citizen;
- enrolling in a university or college;
- obtaining refugee status.
What living in Orlando is like
If you are planning a move to Orlando, be sure to consider the local climate. The summers are hot and long, while the winters are short and quite warm. The temperatures range from 11°C to 33°C throughout the year. There’s a rainy season when you have to deal with high humidity. The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October and November.
An important advantage of the city is its affordable real estate prices. Here, it’s quite possible to find a house worth between USD 200,000 and USD 250,000. You can take out a loan for your purchase and gradually pay off the amount.
Since Orlando is one of the most popular tourist regions in Florida, it’s easy to find a job in the service and hospitality industries here.
The city is perfect for living with children, as there are quite a few prestigious schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and theme parks, where you can enjoy time with the whole family.
Orlando is often chosen by retirees. There are special retirement communities, located in quiet neighbourhoods close to parks and lakes, ideal for peaceful senior living.
The city is home to 300 rivers, lakes and natural waterways. There are numerous reserves with rare species of animals. Moreover, Orlando will be an ideal place to live for those who are fond of playing golf. There are 24 golf courses within the city limits alone, plus another 34 golf courses 30 kilometres from downtown.
Orlando for real estate investors
Orlando is a great place to buy rental property. About 45% of all city residents rent housing. Also, the high demand for rental apartments and houses is driven by the numerous tourists visiting the famous theme parks all year round.
The city itself is rapidly developing. There are offices of large companies, medical and educational institutions and a large convention centre. All this contributes to the influx of the population, which in turn increases the demand and prices for housing.
By investing in local real estate, you can be sure that you are making a sound investment. Renting out a house or apartment will bring a stable income. Besides, if necessary, you can resell the property at a profit, as prices are gradually rising.
Selection and purchase of real estate in Orlando
Thinking about buying a house or apartment in Florida for living or investment? Then you can safely opt for residential real estate in Orlando. The city boasts not only picturesque nature and numerous theme parks but also a comfortable social infrastructure, a well-developed transport system and a suitable environment for family living. The real estate prices here are in order of magnitude lower than in the coastal cities of Florida, while the quality of life is high.
To view the properties for sale in this tourist city, go to the catalogue on our website. For your convenience, we compile listings from various developers and real estate agencies. This allows you to compare technical specifications, photos and prices of similar units to choose the most suitable option for purchase.
Prices in euros and dollars will help you better navigate the costs. Sorting by property type, number of bedrooms, location of a residential building and many other parameters will allow you to select interesting options easily and quickly for viewing and buying. If you have any questions about an apartment or villa in Florida, you can reach out to our specialist for assistance at any convenient time, who will help you pick a property that suits you in every way.