Northeast Orlando - Longwood, FL

As the largest city in northeastern Orlando, Winter Springs came into existence as a result of the lumber trade in the mid 1800s. Lumber companies moved timber from Lake Jesup north through the Arlington and St. John's Rivers, establishing a solid local economy. The three Seminole wars of the 1800s between white pioneers and Native Americans resulted in many lost lives. The first war was fought over the Seminoles harboring escaped slaves, but the last two wars were battles over land ownership.

The Museum of Seminole County History sits in Sanford, providing a link to the past through exhibits, maps, documents and photographs. Visitors to this museum will learn about the Native American influence in the area and how the area changed with the influx of the railroads. The Cornell Fine Arts Museum in Winter Park is a small facility that hosts fewer than a dozen exhibitions per year.

Once you've chosen an apartment in Longwood, start exploring the fantastic restaurants available in the area. Choices range from fast food, seafood, fine dining, and comfort food.

Polonia Restaurant specializes in old-world Polish dishes, including stuffed cabbage, pierogies and, of course, Polish sausage. The Polish Trio plate covers all the bases, with one stuffed cabbage roll, one kielbasa and two pierogies. Potato pancakes and red beet soup, otherwise known as borscht, are also popular items. Leave room for the chocolate babka or apple strudel for dessert.

Move a little closer to downtown Orlando and visit Prato in Winter Park for tasty pizza and pasta. Start your dinner off right with an appetizer of yellowfin tuna served with a passion fruit vinaigrette and horseradish. Although it sounds dangerous, the Widowmaker pizza comes topped with caciocavallo, hazelnut romesco, fennel sausage, and a farm egg. Pasta dishes come in either half or full orders. For something different, try the Laughing Bird shrimp ravioli or the Cocoa Nib pappardelle, made with wild boar ragu and creme fraiche with just a touch of cinnamon.

Stop in at Enzo's on the Lake for sumptuous Italian food in a wonderful lakeside setting. Book ahead to reserve a special spot for your birthday, or simply show up Tuesday through Saturday for a heady Mediterranean experience, complete with valet parking. Enzo's is known for its luxurious entrees and delicious desserts. Try the Filetto Formaggio, an opulently aged tenderloin dish finished with a splash of 12-year-old vintage balsamic vinegar. Explore the venue's antipasto bar to discover old favorites and new delicacies. Enzo's is renowned locally as a truly romantic restaurant, making it an ideal place to take your long-time sweetheart or to impress on a first date.

A few miles away in Oviedo, Rock & Brews is a sports bar with a rock-and-roll theme, delivering decent burgers and a patio location where you can bring your dog. Rock-and-roll memorabilia and large-screen TVs provide plenty of entertainment for a night out with friends. Although there are a few dance spots out of town, the best place to go remains the Independent Bar in downtown Orlando. The dance floor overflows with people getting their groove on to a different music era every night. The college crowd dominates the scene on Friday nights, but Saturdays usually cater to lovers of '80s music.

Lynx is the public transportation service that provides bus and light rail service to all of the greater Orlando area. Both bus and SunRail services are available to certain parts of northeastern Orlando. Contact one of several local taxi companies to schedule a pickup, but don't expect to be able to hail a cab from the street.

Both Uber and Lyft offer ride-sharing services in the area, although service can be spotty the further you get away from downtown Orlando. Public parking spaces provide plentiful and free parking throughout northeastern Orlando.

The entire Orlando area offers enough trails and bike lanes to safely move throughout neighborhoods. Northeastern Orlando encompasses a large geographic area, making walking an unsuitable mode of transportation.

Lake Jesup Park contributes the largest public recreational greenspace in the northeast Orlando area, providing camping, hiking, fishing and boating to the area's residents and visitors. This 6-acre park sits right on the water and connects with the Lake Jesup Wilderness Area, 490 acres of refuge for protected species. Both areas provide an excellent spot for relaxation and plenty of photo opportunities.

Red Bug Lake Park in Casselbury also has access to fishing, as well as a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts and an exercise path. Folks with dogs love to go to Fleet Peeples Park in Winter Park. The dogs have 23 acres to run free and play. There is also a lake with boat access and picnic facilities there.

The cost of living in northeastern Orlando runs about 5 percent above the national average. Housing prices create most of the discrepancy, coming in at 20 percent above other areas. Expect to pay about $880 for a one-bedroom apartment per month.

It costs $2 for a one-way trip to downtown Orlando on public transportation. Be prepared to spend $5 on a pint of beer at a local pub. Gasoline prices are just about the same as the national average.

For a wide variety of colorful tops, dresses, and other women's wear, visit Sophie and Trey, a popular boutique in Lake Mary. Offering essential outfits for a variety of occasions, Sophie and Trey clothes are for the modern woman who wants to stay trendy. Friendly salespeople help you pick out a complete outfit that includes the shoes, handbags, and other accessories.

Tuni's boutique in Winter Park provides a selection of stunning, unique outfits that are perfect for a special occasion. Whether it's a high school reunion or a date with that special someone, the stylists at Tuni's can help you find just the right outfit. Tuni's buyers stay on the cutting edge of fashion to compete with larger stores in major metropolitan areas.

Oviedo Mall provides a centralized location for northeastern Orlando shoppers to browse major retailers and small boutiques. Macy's, Sears, and Dillard's are the three main anchors at the mall, which features smaller specialty shops like Victoria's Secret, the Winey Wench, and Jos. A. Bank. A movie theater and food court makes this a terrific location for a fun day out.

Walmart, Winn-Dixie, and Publix are a few of the major grocers in the area, offering a complete line of fresh produce, meat, canned goods, and staples.