Moving here
Moving to Orlando, Florida: A Relocation Guide
Orlando ranked No. 2 among U.S. cities for PODS long-distance move-in inquiries from May to August 2026 (PODS, October 2026), and its median sale price was $414,726 in August 2026 (Redfin). Kris Persaud helps people moving from other states and from Canada buy in Orlando and nearby towns such as Clermont and Winter Garden.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711
The numbers
Who Is Moving to Orlando
PODS, the moving and storage company, looked at long-distance moving inquiries from May through August 2026. Florida took the top three move-in spots: Sarasota first, Orlando second and Tampa Bay third (PODS Moving Trends Pulse Check, October 6, 2026).
The same report lists the markets with the strongest move-out interest. Los Angeles, Boston and Washington, D.C. lead, and Long Island, the Hudson Valley and Central Jersey are also in the top 10. Inquiries are not completed moves, but they show where people are looking.
- PODS move-in rank
- No. 2Orlando, inquiries May to Aug 2026 (PODS, Oct 2026)
- Median sale price
- $414,726Orlando, August 2026, down 1.2% year over year (Redfin)
- Median days to sell
- 52Orlando, August 2026 (Redfin)
Kris's own clients reflect this. His Zillow reviews include buyers from Ontario, Toronto and Norway, a buyer who relocated from New York, sellers who had already moved to New York and Texas, and a buyer who closed from New Jersey.
First steps
Your Florida Moving Checklist
The official deadlines first, then the things people forget. Check each agency's site before you act, because rules change.
- Driver license within 30 days. Florida's motor vehicle agency (FLHSMV) says a new resident must get a Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. You apply in person.
- Vehicle title and registration within 10 days. FLHSMV says to title and register your vehicles within 10 days of establishing residency, after buying insurance from an agent licensed in Florida. A law officer, a licensed Florida dealer or a tax collector employee must physically check the vehicle's VIN.
- Know what makes you a resident. FLHSMV counts things like starting a job here, enrolling children in public school, registering to vote, filing for homestead or living here more than six months in a row.
- Homestead exemption by March 1. If you own the home and make it your permanent residence by January 1, you can apply to your county property appraiser by March 1 of that tax year (Florida Department of Revenue, PT-113). It can lower the taxable value by up to $50,000.
- Plan for hurricane season, June 1 to November 30 (NOAA National Hurricane Center). Know your evacuation zone and keep a supply kit.
- Ask about flood insurance before closing. FEMA's FloodSmart site says most homeowners policies do not cover flood, and a new flood policy usually starts 30 days after purchase unless it is bought with a new mortgage.
- Set up utilities, mail forwarding and school enrollment once you have a closing date.
Where to look
Towns Around Orlando
Kris describes places and facts. You decide what fits your life.
Clermont
Lake County, west of Orlando, known for its hills and chain of lakes. Kris's office is here, and it is the town that comes up most in his reviews.
Clermont homesWinter Garden
Orange County, between Clermont and Orlando. Kris has sold homes here for clients, according to his reviews.
Winter Garden homesApopka
Orange County, northwest of Orlando. A 2026 seller in Apopka is among Kris's most recent reviews.
Apopka homesKissimmee
Osceola County, south of Orlando. His reviews include a Toronto buyer who bought here without visiting first.
Kissimmee homesOrlando
Orange County, the center of the metro area. Kris has helped buyers and sellers in the city since the early 2010s.
Buying with KrisWeighing two towns? Read Clermont vs Winter Garden or living in Clermont.
Before you decide
The Honest Downsides
- Traffic. SR-50 and US-27 around Clermont get busy at rush hour as the area grows. Drive your commute at the time you would actually make it.
- Growth. New neighborhoods keep going up west of Orlando. That means new homes to choose from, and also construction and change near where you buy.
- Housing costs. Orlando's median sale price was $414,726 in August 2026 (Redfin). See the cost of living page for rents, taxes and utilities.
- Insurance. Florida had the highest average homeowners premium of any state, $2,677 a year, against $1,569 nationally (NAIC data for 2022, published by the Insurance Information Institute). Get quotes before you make an offer.
- Storms. Hurricane season runs six months each year, and flood cover is separate from a standard homeowners policy.
From a distance
Buying Before You Move
Several of Kris's Zillow reviewers bought from far away. A 2015 Toronto buyer purchased in Kissimmee without a site visit. A 2012 out-of-town buyer in Clermont says showings were set up before the trip. A 2016 review describes a 2008 move from New York in which Kris picked the buyer up in Orlando for closing and helped set up utilities afterward.
A man of his word.Zillow reviewer · Refinance help, 8 years after purchase · Zillow · 2016
Questions
Relocation questions
Where are people moving to Orlando from?
PODS does not list origins for each city, but its May to August 2026 report names Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, D.C., Long Island, Chicago, the Hudson Valley and Central Jersey among the markets with the strongest move-out interest.
What does a home cost in Orlando?
The median sale price was $414,726 in August 2026, down 1.2% from a year earlier, and homes took a median 52 days to sell (Redfin).
How soon do I need a Florida driver license?
Within 30 days of establishing residency, and vehicle title and registration within 10 days, according to FLHSMV.
Can Kris help before I arrive?
His Zillow reviews include buyers from Canada and Norway, and one Toronto buyer bought without a site visit.
Which town should I pick?
That depends on your commute, budget and what you want nearby. The town pages and the Clermont vs Winter Garden comparison lay out the facts, and you decide.
Keep reading
Related pages
Plan your move with Kris
Tell Kris where you are moving from and when. He can start the search by phone while you are still packing.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711