Johns Lake - Orlando, FL Area Guide

The Southwest area of Orlando was first settled in 1840 after settlers claimed the land from the Native Americans during the Second Seminole War. Then, in 1875 the Gilded Era took over as Orlando emerged as the central location for citrus farming. Unfortunately, farmers soon discovered that the area could experience below-freezing temperatures in the winter, making it difficult to continue farming the fragile fruit. Most of the citrus farmers relocated to southern Florida where temperatures remained warm throughout the winter.

In 1965 the area of Southwest Orlando truly began to boom when Walt Disney decided to build Walt Disney World. Since its first construction, the area has grown to encompass 40 square miles, the same size as the city of San Francisco. The continuous expansions have allowed tourism to remain the number one industry in the area.

As a popular location for families and tourists, Southwest Orlando holds numerous dining options ranging from casual to high-end. A popular destination for both tourists and locals includes the endless restaurants at Downtown Disney. Enjoy live music and Southern soul food at House of Blues, or hop on board the steamboat at Paddlefish, a seafood restaurant.

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant features live genuine Irish bands, Irish dancing and scrumptious food. Enjoy a dish by the famous Wolfgang Puck at his multiple restaurants for different budgets, or take the kids to the Rainforest Cafe or T-REX Cafe, where animatronic jungles encompass the dining room, complete with lightning and thunderstorms. While Downtown Disney affords free parking, the walk can be a bit excessive, and there may be long waits at the restaurants.

A local favorite for high-end dining remains Seasons 52, with an ever-changing menu of seasonal dishes, each at less than 500 calories. Another popular local establishment, Chatham's Place Restaurant gives diners a truly special feel; the chef picks many of the herbs and vegetables for his dishes from his own organic garden. Many families enjoy a visit to Chatham's for special occasions, because the prices can take a toll on the wallet. Since Southwest Orlando focuses mainly on residential subdivisions, residents need to travel to nearby downtown Orlando to truly experience wild nightlife. Other options include a visit to the bars at Downtown Disney or nearby International Drive. If the Florida heat proves too much, guests can visit ICEBAR Orlando where the temperature settles below freezing. With provided parkas, visitors can enjoy drinks while snuggled up in a fur blanket on a couch made of ice. Another option includes enjoying a night of comedy at the Orlando Improv Comedy Club.

For residents, driving remains the most popular way to travel throughout the neighborhood of Southwest. Bicycles prove an option throughout residential areas, but are not advised due to excessive traffic and busy roadways on main roads.

Uber has become a reliable option for many residents and tourists, providing competitive fares throughout the neighborhood. Standard taxis also remain available by calling one of the local companies. Public parking remains widely available and free, even at Downtown Disney. Many local restaurants also have complimentary valet parking.

The major highway of Interstate-4 lies just to the east of Southwest, and provides easy access to further parts of Orlando while also extending west to Tampa and east to Daytona Beach. The public bus system, known as the Lynx, also provides transportation in the neighborhood for fares of $2 per ride or a monthly pass. While no station exists in Southwest, residents can take the SunRail train from downtown Orlando into nearby Sanford and DeBary.

While most parks in Southwest refer to theme parks, Dr. Phillips Community Park houses a children's playground and splash area. The perfect picnic location lies at West Beach Park, located on Lake Sheen, and includes volleyball courts, restrooms, picnic tables and two playgrounds. These kid-friendly parks allow free visits. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times.

Annual events rely mainly on those of Walt Disney World and take place nearly every month. The largest events include the Walt Disney World Marathon, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in October, and the Festival of the Seasons every December. Disney has never been known for doing anything low-key, so each event surely includes live music, entertainment, character appearances and fireworks.

The cost of living in Southwest Orlando remains about on par with the national average. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence averages around $1,050. With the exception of dining at theme parks, where prices can be inflated, the cost of beer at a local pub stays around $5. Gas prices actually remain lower than the national average by a few cents per gallon. The public bus system allows patrons a fare on any route for $2.

The Orlando Premium Outlets remain the go-to shopping area for Southwest. With stores selling discounted apparel from Armani, Lacoste and Tori Burch, visitors flock to the shops to snag a deal.

In Downtown Disney, a specialty surf shop takes the top spot for beach apparel. Curl by Sammy Duvall, the famed water skiier, stocks the shelves with an array of women's and men's clothing, and accessories centered around the surf and watersports culture. Multiple boutiques within Downtown Disney make unique gifts not limited to Disney memorabilia, although visitors find plenty of that at World of Disney, a seemingly endless store with multiple rooms of Disney gifts and toys. Something Silver, Magic Ink Artisans and Eye Catcher each market unique gifts and home decor. Athletes enjoy Fit2Run, an athletic store where patrons can enjoy a complimentary video-taped gait analysis in order to select the perfect pair of running shoes.

The main grocery store to service the area remains Publix, like most of Florida. Due to its exceptional customer service and made-to-order deli sandwiches, locals constantly pick Publix as their number-one grocery chain. Another option, Whole Foods, also has a location in Southwest Orlando and remains a popular choice for fresh organic food. Visit nearby Lake Eola to shop the farmer's market held every Sunday.