| Category | Best Area |
|---|---|
| Families/Schools | Lake Nona, Winter Park |
| Professionals | Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona |
| Students | East Orlando (UCF area) |
| Grocery/Temples Access | Hunter’s Creek, Southchase |
Lake Nona
Modern, family-oriented, new developments
Close to good schools and medical facilities
Growing South Asian community
Dr. Phillips
Upscale, very diverse, near attractions
Lots of Indian restaurants nearby
East Orlando / UCF Area
University crowd, lots of young professionals and students
Indian stores and temples within short drives
Winter Park
Charming, older neighborhoods
Good schools, family-friendly, slightly upscale
Hunter’s Creek / Southchase
Affordable, suburban, lots of Indian and Desi families
Convenient access to grocery stores and temples
SunRail:
Good for north-south travel between suburbs and Downtown Orlando.
Trains are clean but limited hours (more for commuters).
LYNX Bus System:
Extensive coverage but can be slow compared to driving.
Not super reliable if you are used to big-city public transport.
Brightline Train (Orlando–Miami):
High-speed, premium option — NOT local transport but good for trips to South Florida.
Summary:
You definitely want a car if you're living in Orlando, especially for suburban Desi areas like Lake Nona and Hunter's Creek.
Orlando’s public schools are managed by Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). Here are top schools where Desi families often prefer living nearby:
| School | Rating | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Nona High School | A | Top-rated academics, AP programs, 97% graduation rate |
| Winter Park High School | A | Strong academics, sports, arts programs |
| Dr. Phillips High School | B+ to A- | Known for performing arts magnet, good diversity |
| Timber Creek High School (East Orlando) | A | Strong academics, big Indian student presence |
➔ There are also excellent private schools (like Lake Highland Prep and Trinity Prep) if you're looking for even higher-end options.
Patel Brothers (Near South Orange Blossom Trail)
Biggest and most famous — huge selection of fresh produce, snacks, frozen foods.
Apna Bazaar (South Orlando)
Great for fresh vegetables, daily essentials, and Indian sweets.
Indian Bazaar (University Blvd, near UCF)
Small but good for specialty spices and ready-to-eat meals.
Bombay Bazaar (South Orlando)
Groceries + halal meat available.
Spiceland Indian Grocery (Lake Mary, north of Orlando)
Convenient for those living near Lake Mary or Sanford area.
➔ Many also shop at Costco (several locations) for bulk Desi basics like basmati rice, ghee, lentils!
Hindu Society of Central Florida (Casselberry) — Big temple, very active in festivals
South Orlando Hindu Temple (SOHT) — Smaller, close to Hunter’s Creek
Sanatan Mandir (Lake Mary) — Popular in the north suburbs
Islamic Society of Central Florida — Several mosques across the region
Gurdwara Sahib of Orlando — Sikh temple in Oviedo
➔ Many cultural events: Diwali, Holi, Navratri Garbas, Eid fairs, Bollywood concerts, etc. Regularly happening!
These apartments are clean, safe, family-friendly, and close to Indian groceries, temples, and good schools:
Lake Nona Water Mark Apartments
Modern, luxury-style, close to top schools. Very family-friendly.
Northlake Park Apartments
Good community vibe, parks nearby, pet-friendly.
Sanctuary at Eagle Creek Apartments
Gated community, newer buildings, near Lake Nona Medical City.
The Addison at Universal Boulevard
Upscale, close to Universal and Indian dining spots.
The Courtney at Universal Boulevard
Popular among working professionals; high-end amenities.
The Marquee Orlando
Ideal for UCF students and young Desi professionals.
The Pointe at Central
Student-focused but families stay too; affordable.
Camden Hunter’s Creek Apartments
Safe, gated, close to Apna Bazaar and Patel Brothers.
Cortland Hunter’s Creek
Very popular with Desi families; lots of Indian neighbors, great amenities.
Bainbridge Winter Park Apartments
Luxury style, near good schools and downtown Winter Park.
The Ivy Residences at Health Village
Newer complex, convenient access to downtown and suburban areas.
Major Desi organizations in Orlando:
Gujarati Samaj of Greater Orlando
➔ Big Garba nights, Diwali, New Year’s, Holi events
Maitri - Indian American Association
➔ Bengali, Marathi, North Indian events
HSCF (Hindu Society Cultural Events)
➔ Grand Navratri Garba, Shivratri, Krishna Janmashtami
IAF (Indian American Federation)
➔ Independence Day and Republic Day parades
SICA (South Indian Cultural Association)
➔ Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam programs, Pongal festivals
| Question | Tip |
|---|---|
| Need best schools? | Lake Nona, Winter Park |
| Want easy grocery + temple access? | Hunter’s Creek, South Orlando |
| Want vibrant Desi events? | Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona |
| Prefer quiet suburban life? | Lake Mary, Oviedo |
➔ Facebook Groups:
Orlando Indian Community
Desis in Orlando
Orlando Indian Moms Group (great for school/kid tips)
Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers.
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