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If you’re loading up a storage container and moving to Kissimmee, be prepared to be “whelmed.” This city doesn’t mince words: it wants you to “achieve a state of vacation nirvana in the place where thrill meets chill.” Kissimmee sets the perfect expectations for new residents. It’s just far enough from the Orlando vacation epicenter to live comfortably, yet close enough that you always have something to do.

Located just south of Orlando in Central Florida, Kissimmee is considered a part of the Orlando metropolitan area and is the county seat of Osceola County. Kissimmee is nicknamed “The Gateway to the Everglades” since it’s found on the northern edge of Florida’s magnificent tropical wetlands and on the banks of Lake Tohopekaliga, called Lake Toho by locals. Thrill meets chill, indeed!

If you’re moving to Kissimmee, chances are you know about Central Florida’s weather. Many move to Central Florida for the mild winters, which are dry and sunny. The summers are hot and humid, perfect for trips to the coast—which is just a little over an hour away—or enjoying Lake Toho at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. Expect a humid, temperate climate that hovers in the 70s and 80s for most of the year, with occasional spikes depending on the season.

Worried about hurricanes and tropical storms? Don’t be! Kissimmee is ranked as one of the safest places to live regarding inclement weather in Florida! The last tropical storm to do any damage to Kissimmee was Hurricane Charley in 2004, but even then, the damage was very minimal.

Kissimmee is just minutes from the greatest amusement park destinations in the country. Tourists come from all over the world to visit Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Sea World, Universal Studios, and more—but all these are a short drive from home for Kissimmee residents. There are countless entertainment districts associated with Orlando area theme parks and in the city itself.

Along with Orlando’s vibrant, world-class dining and nightlife scene, you’ll enjoy Kissimmee’s historic downtown. The charming town center is home to a wide range of locally-owned shops and restaurants to enjoy with a view of Lake Toho. Kissimmee is also home to several annual conventions, bringing people from the nearby Orlando area.

With its proximity to all Orlando has to offer, Kissimmee is the Gateway to the Everglades. Get to know this national treasure in your backyard! You can rent kayaks and canoes to explore wetlands in the area, with a chance to see manatees, alligators, and more of Florida’s unique and exciting wildlife in its natural habitat.

Take a guided eco-tour to learn more about the Florida Everglades. Visit the Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve, which covers 11,500 acres filled to experience 1,000 different species of plants and animals. Or, enjoy Kissimmee Lakefront Park downtown on the bank of Lake Toho.

Because of its proximity to Tampa, FL, Kissimmee harbors a fair number of Tampa sports team supporters. If you like football, be prepared to root for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—although there are a contingent of Jacksonville Jaguars fans in the area and some Miami Dolphins fans as well. For college football enthusiasts, the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and Miami Hurricanes are all worthy of your fandom!

If you’re more of a baseball fan, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are your nearest MLB team—however, the Marlins are popular across Florida too. Prefer basketball? Catch an Orlando Magic game not far from Kissimmee! If you prefer a team that’s had a little more success in recent years, the Miami Heat is supported all across the Sunshine State.

NASCAR is also big in Florida, and the Daytona Speedway is only about an hour and a half northwest of Kissimmee. The Orlando Pride (women’s soccer), Orlando Solar Bears ECHL (hockey), and Orlando City SC (MLS) are all local area teams. The city is also home to the annual NCCAA men’s soccer National Championship Tournament.

Considered part of the Orlando metropolitan area, which is home to more than 2.5 million people, the estimated population of Kissimmee itself is 69,833 people strong. However, that number is growing at about 2% each year as people discover what a great place to live it is! Kissimmee residents’ median age is around 34, which is quite young, and the estimated median household income is close to $40,000. If you’re buying a home in Kissimmee, the median property value is $162,600. Compared to nearby Orlando, many people see Kissimmee as a more affordable destination to lay down roots.

If you’re moving to Kissimmee with school-aged children, the first thing they may want to know about is Disney World, but the first thing you’ll want to know about is the schools. Kissimmee is served by the School District of Osceola County, which educates more than 72,000 diverse students and is the second highest-rated district in Central Florida. The community has 25 elementary schools, nine middle schools, ten high schools, seven multi-level schools, two adult education schools, and 25 charter schools. The district’s high school graduation rate is at an all-time high of 90%, above the state average.

Kissimmee has produced a few notable names, including professional athletes (namely football players). Most notable of Kissimmee’s athletes is sprinter Justin Gatlin, a five-time Olympic medalist, a 12-time World Championship medalist, and the most decorated 100m sprinter of all time. He lives and trains in Kissimmee. Outside of athletes, AJ McLean launched his singing career in Kissimmee, eventually joining the Grammy award-nominated Backstreet Boys. And in the world of pop culture, the ever-popular Tupperware company is based in Kissimmee as well.

Kissimmee is a place to settle down and raise a family. With plenty of local attractions to visit, an excellent climate, and proximity to the greater Orlando metro area, you get the best of everything living in Kissimmee! Load up your moving container and have it dropped at your new place. You will enjoy everything there is to love about this growing city in Central Florida. Welcome home!