Why So Many South Florida Families Are Exploring Lake Nona
Something interesting has been happening lately.....More and more families from Boca Raton, Parkland, and West Palm Beach are taking weekend trips to Orlando.
Not for Disney. To come see what Lake Nona is all about!
And almost every time I bring someone here for the first time, I hear the same thing:
"Wait… I didn’t realize this area was like this."
Lake Nona has quietly become one of the most talked-about communities in Florida; especially for families relocating within the state.
Here’s why.
A Major Hub for Doctors and Healthcare Professionals
One of the biggest reasons people relocate to Lake Nona is Medical City.
This isn’t just a hospital campus; it’s a 650-acre medical and research hub designed to bring healthcare, technology, and research together.
It includes:
• Nemours Children’s Hospital • Orlando VA Medical Center • UCF College of Medicine • UCF Lake Nona Hospital • UF College of Pharmacy
And it’s still expanding.
A brand-new AdventHealth hospital is currently being built in Lake Nona, expected to open with 80 beds and the ability to expand to more than 300 beds.
Medical City is projected to generate up to 30,000 jobs over time, which continues attracting physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals from all over the country.
For many doctors considering relocation, it’s an incredible opportunity to live near where they work in a community designed around innovation and healthcare.
A Community Built for Families
Lake Nona wasn’t just designed as a job center.
It was built to be a family-first community.
Today, roughly 22,000+ residents live in Lake Nona, and the population keeps growing as new neighborhoods are developed.
What you notice immediately when you visit is how active it feels.
You’ll see:
• kids riding bikes after school • families walking trails in the evenings • sports practices happening in neighborhood parks • playgrounds that are actually full
The area is filled with outdoor spaces, including miles of walking trails and community parks.
It’s also home to the USTA National Campus, one of the largest tennis facilities in the country.
Many neighborhoods include:
• resort-style pools • playgrounds • soccer fields • walking and biking trails • dog parks
For families with kids in sports, it’s a very active lifestyle.
Let’s Talk About Housing
This is where many South Florida buyers get really curious.
South Florida has some of the most beautiful communities in the country — but luxury prices have climbed significantly in recent years.
For example:
In Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton, one of the most exclusive waterfront communities in Florida, luxury homes often have median listing prices around $11 million, with many properties selling between $7M and $12M+.
Another well-known luxury community in Boca Raton, St. Andrews Country Club, has homes with median prices around $3.7 million.
Over in Parkland, known for large family homes and gated communities, the average home value is now around $1 million, with many luxury homes ranging from $1M to $2M+.
Now compare that with Lake Nona.
The median home price in Lake Nona is roughly in the mid-$600K range, and many homes are newer construction within master-planned communities.
Luxury homes in neighborhoods like:
• Laureate Park • Isles of Lake Nona • Eagle Creek and Lake Nona Golf and Country Club
often range from $900K to $1.8M+, depending on size and upgrades.
For many South Florida buyers, this is when they pause and say:
Newer homes, modern layouts, and community amenities are a big reason families start exploring the area.
One of the Fastest Growing Regions in the Country
Central Florida continues to grow rapidly.
The Orlando metro area has been one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, bringing new jobs, schools, restaurants, and infrastructure.
Lake Nona is one of the communities seeing the most development.
And Yes… It Still Feels Like Florida
One of the things people love about Lake Nona is that it still feels relaxed and outdoorsy.
The community has:
• outdoor concerts • restaurants and cafés • lakes and nature trails • golf courses nearby • family-friendly community events
You’re about:
• 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport • 40–50 minutes from the beach • close to everything Orlando has to offer
Every Move Is Personal
South Florida will always be one of the most beautiful places to live.
But for some families especially those relocating for healthcare, technology, or research jobs ; communities like Lake Nona and Winter Park have become worth exploring.
As both an Interior Designer and Realtor here in Lake Nona, I love helping families evaluate homes not just from a real estate perspective — but also from a design and lifestyle perspective.
Because the right home isn’t just about price.
It’s about how your life will feel living there.
