Orlando, États-Unis Report of what it's like to live there - 03/26/26
Personal Experiences from Orlando, États-Unis
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
We have been expatriates since 2009. Our first experience was in Mexico City from 2009 to 2013, followed by three years in Chattanooga in Tennessee and one year in Frankfurt, Germany.
We are a globally-minded family and choosing an expatriation in Orlando was motivated by the career of my husband and the great opportunity to expose our kids to a more international environment after five years spent in the east of France.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
I am French born and raised. I lived in the east of France until my majority and then moved to Paris to study at Science Po, then did an exchange program in Vancouver in Canada and then became an expatriate when I met my husband.
France is 10 hours by plane from Orlando. We can reach via Paris or Frankfurt. It is a long journey with adjustment to a different time zone but the trip is not hard. It is just long and energy consuming.
3. What years did you live here?
We arrived in 2023 and still live in Orlando.
4. How long have you lived here?
It has been almost three years since we moved to Orlando with our three children, ages 4, 11 and 12 at the time.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
My husband works for a big company in the energy field.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We live in Winter Garden district on the west side of the city. The location is convenient and the zone is booming with new infrastructures and shops. It is very urbanized but there is some nature with parks, lakes or ponds and nice landscaping.
We first moved to a gated and high-end community called Keenes point; we rented a nice 4 bedroom house with a pool. Then we decided to buy a recently-built five bedroom house with a pool and a jaccuzzi, but no garden. The Orlando housing market is booming due to high demand. A lot of Americans choose to relocate here either from the west or east coast or even from Miami because the city is less crowded and costly than others and the taxation is advantageous. Not to mention, it is always sunny in the sunshine state of Florida.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
As a French native, this topic is important because food matters a lot for us. You can find almost everything, but cost differs. A croissant and a good baguette is two to three times more expensive and quality/taste can vary. I use the French app Yuka to see the details of ingredients.
I would say it costs more to buy good groceries in Orlando than in France. They do not have a lot of local markets, butchers, and locally grown products, so I often go for organic especially for eggs, dairy, and meat. It will always surprise me to see the size of the chips and soda section and also water costs more than soda here.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I miss good French charcuterie, chocolate, and bread. Sometimes relatives and friends bring us some.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Orlando is very diverse; there are lots of Brazilians, Asians, and Latinos. The French community is rather small. The restaurants that we like are in Windermere, Winter Garden or Winter Park. We also like restaurants at Disney, especially at Epcot which concentrates a sample of the world food.
We love Mexican food such as Agave Azul or Bandido, and for more American option you have Seasons 52, Sixty Vines, and the New York Beer project. Some Asian restaurants are good like Charm, Dragonfly or Morimoto. You can also enjoy a variety of restaurants at Disney Springs. One of my favorite place for breakfast is my French cafe in Windermere (no need to say why).
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Yes, you have to do pest control twice a year to avoid insects and infestation, but the main issue here is the hurricane season from August to November.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Yes, you have the national system, which is USPS or you can use a private carrier such as Fedex or UPS.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
You can hire a cleaning company and usually they come as a team of two or three to clean the house within a few hours. You usually pay around $250 for the service. Good cleaners are hard to find and I am a bit disappointed to pay that much for an average outcome.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Absolutely, I live in a very residential and safe district, but downtown Orlando and some others districts are not as safe. For biking, I am surrounded by trails and lots of people and students go to school riding their bikes. The best is the Orange Trail that connects Winter Garden to Clermont. For road bikes, I have been told Saint Cloud is a must.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
I love Orange Theory: it is a mix of cross fit, running, and rowing. It costs $100/month for two visits a week. There are also great pilates classes; they are a bit more pricier ($300). There is also pure barre which is a mix between fitness and yoga. The YMCA is a great option for families with great equipments, classes and facilities. My little one took swimming lessons there.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, you can pay almost exclusively with your card or Apple Pay. ATMs are safe and usually inside the bank so I recommend to use them.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Nearly all services are in English. There is no service in French but many in Spanish and Portuguese. All religions and churches are represented. I like to go to family church.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Speaking English makes things easier. Many people from Brazil or South America barely speak it, though, because everywhere you go you meet people speaking Portuguese or Spanish. It is very easy and affordable to find a tutor like 50/60 USD per hour. I recommend taking classes before moving here.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I do not think they will if they have access to a car. Public transportation does not exist or is very limited.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is everywhere. It costs but it is okay. A transfer to the airport from my house is $70.
A new line now connects Orlando to Miami. It is the bright line, but it is expensive.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
We drive a Jeep and a Tesla leased here in the U.S. Cars are affordable here and gas cheaper that in Europe...for the moment...
Phone & Internet:
1. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I kept my French phone with a basic plan. I recommend T-Mobile or AT&T here, as usually your plan includes a phone.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, there are but we do not know of them. I don't know about quarantine, but I believe they are very demanding to accept a pet into the US.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
It is a mix. Some are no longer expatriates, as they live here for more than a decade. Some are teachers, real estate agent or even created their company like in the property management field, or teaching or bakery.
Many expat moms are not employed but cover a lot of work: being a cook, a driver, a nurse, a tutor, a cheerleader, a psychologist, a coach...
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
I also do a lot of volunteering with the school or for local charities like Harvest food bank, Miles Charities, Lasagnas Love, French American chamber of commerce...
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
It is casual. Some places like offices or fancy restaurant are more formal.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
My main concern is the food and water quality. We installed a filter under our sink. Also, cleaning the AC system once a year is important to avoid breathing the dust; we don't open the windows as much.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is good, but expensive. It is fundamental to have insurance and still usually you still have a copay.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
I would say average air quality.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Yes, pollen allergy.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Not really, but life in America can be hard and isolated. People are very nice on the surface, but it is harder to make real friends. I am really sociable but I still have difficulties to find my place and my people.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It is tropical humid. Fall and winter are the best; the rest of the year is too hot and you have to train and live indoors.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is no international school per se. We chose a private one doing the IB track but level of foreign languages is deceiving and IB classes do not start until 11th grade. Some public school are good, too, and include a dual language program (usually in Spanish). The real problem is for middle schools, as the level is lower in Florida than in France. I like that some schools integrate a gifted program as of lower school to boost kids.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
They have like in France a person helping specail needs kids during their week in the classroom. A friend is working as an helper for an autistic kid at Windermere Highschool and they have also special schools to help them.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, but education is not free until pre-kindergarten when the child is 4. My son went to Ladybird and the experience was okay.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Tons, and that is the positive aspect. School finishes early so kids can train in the afternoon outside of school; they can also join a team in their school.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
I don't feel Orlando has an expatriate vibe. People don't interact because they are from another country, but because of their interest. Some communities are more important and tight. Given the fact that the French community is small there are some interactions but not a lot.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
I met a lot of people through school; sport or the French-American chamber of commerce. There is also the Alliance Francaise.
I recommend choosing activities/passions that you enjoy to meet people. Church is also a way. I did not meet people through my community.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Orlando is a city with many positiv assets but meeting people or building a network is not one of them. Even with kids it is hard to meet people. We now have a small group and it is enough. If your are new with few connections, you have to join a club, a meet up group or volunteer somewhere.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
No, people are friendly, but once again very independent and driven.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I guess?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
I love the springs and boating on the lakes . Also parks like Universal or Disney are a plus.
Closest beaches are only one hour away.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
My hidden gems:
Southern Hills Farm
Kelly springs
Orange trail with Oakland nature preserve
Windermere preserve
Winter Garden market on Saturdays
Orlando museum of art
Ballet, opera and musical from Broadway at the Dr Philipp Center
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Lots of outlets with great brands like Nike, Levis, Lululemon...
or Disney articles.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is sunny and easy going. Some call it Borlando, but you can find things to do and some cool people to tag along... it is just a matter of looking for it.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had known sooner that education would be poor and foreign langages not pushed, because I have lost a lot of time finding solutions outside of school. Also, paying for a private school does not ensure a great outcome. Most of the time you have to find the information, resources and solutions on your own.
I would have like to know that being a foreigner in a city full of foreigners would not give me a special status or help and that the French community is very small. Also, I did not expect driving so much all the time for everything.
I learned an important life lesson : you never know how much you love your country and people until you are no longer with them. It is important and wonderful to embrace adventure and new experiences but also fundamental not to loose a sense of self and identity while living in what feels like another planet.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
A little yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
heart.
4. But don't forget your:
wallet.
5. Do you have any other comments?
I always believe that expatriation like travels is a way to discover who you are: find yourself somewhere else. I also now also know it is key not to forget who we are, where we come from, what we want to transmit to our kids in terms of ethics, education, cultural references...I know being and speaking French is important to me as an individual and a mother. So I need to connect more myself to my heritage and my kids.
