The DU Lounge
In reply to the discussion: Which city is better, Orlando or Miami? [View all]Tommy_Carcetti
(43,166 posts)I like Orlando proper, i.e. within the city limits. A lot of nice shady trees, lakes, etc. I had an aunt who lived there and I always had good memories of staying at her house and picking oranges off her tree in her backyard.
The Orlando metro area? That's a totally different story. The amalgamated mess south of the city--International Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Bronson Highway--has to be the ugliest place in Florida, hands down. Just acres and acres of touristy sprawl. You have no idea what damage Walt Disney did to the area when he chose it for his "dream." Probably the main reason why I cannot stand Walt Disney World. (Also, it's ridiculously overpriced, crazily overcrowded and the rides suck compared to other parks.) I hate that the first thing out of staters think of when they think of Florida is Disney.
Some other areas surrounding Orlando are nice, though. Wekiva Springs is beautiful, as are all the Florida springs. You actually get some nice hills out in Clermont, not something one immediately associates with Florida. And they have Lakeridge Winery out there which produces a great product. I love the Deland-Orange City area as well. You've got Blue Springs with its manatees and DeLeon Springs with its delicious pancake house where you can have all the fill of pancakes that you make yourself.
I actually am okay with Miami. It's something of its own little world, but I've got no qualms about it. It's pretty built up though, with little access to nature except the couple of roads that lead to the Everglades or the Keys. I like the international aspect of it. And it has a cool looking nighttime skyline.
My favorite large Florida city is actually Jacksonville. No joke, it's a seriously underrated city. Nice beaches, nice weather, nice zoo, nice airport. A little more conservative, unfortunately, although that seems to be changing as well.
Smaller Florida cities that are worthwhile? The aforementioned DeLand, plus St. Augustine and Gainesville come to mind.
I love my Florida home, warts and all. Yes, it's got its own little crazy reputation, but that makes it all the more endearing. Other than perhaps Hawaii, there's no other state I'd rather live in.