No car? No problem.
Not everyone wants life to revolve around the car. We checked out how our local 'hoods ranked on WalkScore, which rates neighborhoods in terms of walkability and bikeability. Turns out, Orlando may be leaving behind its reputation as a car-centric place where you can't get anything done on foot or by bike. With access to Lynx, Lymmo and SunRail, and the addition of car-share services and bike shares, more Orlando residents are finding that they don't have to rely on their cars as much as they used to. Here are the top three neighborhoods, according to walkscore.com, where you don't have to have a car to get things done.
1. South Eola
Walk score: 90
Bike score: 75
With 113 restaurants, bars and coffee shops, most people living in South Eola have access to one within five minutes of home, and most errands can be accomplished on foot or by bicycle. The Publix located at Lake Eola means you don't need to trek to the 'burbs for groceries. Access to SunRail makes it possible to commute to Winter Park, south Orlando or other north/south destinations.
2. Central Business District
Walk score: 83
Bike score: 74
Most people have an average of 22 restaurants, bars and coffee shops within a five-minute walk from their front door, and the Lake Eola Publix is walkable or bikeable from much of downtown. Tons of entertainment options, including the Cobb Plaza movie theater, live music venues, a gym, an awesome library and access to SunRail make the Central Business District an easy place to live if you don't have access to a car at all.
3. Thornton Park
Walk score: 82
Bike score: 77
Even though Thornton Park doesn't have the same density of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other amenities as South Eola or the Central Business District, its location adjacent to both of those areas means it's still a solid option for those who'd rather walk than drive.
