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Get to know Lake Nona

Lake Nona is a planned community inside of Orlando city limits, sitting mostly to the southeast of the Orlando International Airport. But when we say “planned,” we don’t mean merely that the mailboxes all match. Lake Nona was planned in every way to take advantage not only of the Florida sunshine but of the latest in technology and the best ideals of New Urbanism. There are several different neighborhoods within Lake Nona, from bright houses on gorgeously landscaped streets to sleek executive apartments to giant estate homes that sit on golf courses, lakes, and canals. Tucked in amongst all this green suburban expanse are small neighborhood centers that house health clubs and preschools, a few (often exceptional) restaurants, and wine bars, and professional offices. Lake Nona has attracted a large medical city that houses teaching hospitals, research centers, and medical offices. It’s convenient to beaches, parks (theme and otherwise), and — thanks to its airport neighbor — the entire world.

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Lake Nona History & Culture

Lake Nona, just two decades ago, was largely untouched agricultural land, and it was (like an orange) clearly ripe for the picking. A single development company seized that potential, and designed the community from the ground up, spending a lot of time considering just what its residents wanted. That has played out in things like a dedication to extremely broad broadband throughout (one reason that data-heavy businesses flourish here), technologically advanced homes, and a small-town feel that focuses on shared public spaces. The area is full of ways to be healthy, with fitness opportunities out every door in the form of endless biking and running trails; there’s even a bike-share program, though everyone seems to have their own. Lake Nona is just an hour from Cocoa Beach, close to the theme parks (but cleverly nowhere near their traffic), and all of Orlando can be reached via the uncrowded tollway that bisects the development. It’s easy to get anywhere from Lake Nona, but it’s also very easy to stay.

Lake Nona Dining & Shopping

Most of the restaurant action happens in Lake Nona Town Center, where the medical and business centers keep a steady stream of customers rolling through. Many chef-driven restaurants that have made their names in downtown Orlando or in Winter Park have opened in Lake Nona, and serve equally fabulous food in the more spacious surrounds that the suburbs offer. There are fast service restaurants as well, and dozens more of the chain or strip-mall variety to the east, just outside Lake Nona’s borders. Shopping is a bit limited at the moment, though Lake Nona Town Center Phase II promises to bring many boutique retailers to the area. There are many neighborhood markets for necessities, but it’s a very short trip to a variety of national retailers on Nona’s eastern border, where even more medical and educational communities are springing up.