When Ryan and I decided to move to Ocala for his new job, we were both excited about a new adventure and sad about leaving a city we love so much.
Ryan and I attended the University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, and following graduation moved downtown. I have lived in Orlando for eight years (totally didn’t realize it was that long until just now) and have fallen in love with all that the city has to offer.
As I’ve mentioned in my post about the non-theme park side of Orlando, the city is very large, with the theme parks at one end and UCF at the other end, about 40 minutes apart. Ryan and I have really enjoyed exploring all the different parts of Orlando while we’ve lived here.
I thought it might be fun to put together a “What I’ll Miss Most About Orlando” to post on the blog on MOVING DAY!
1. Friends. Though many of our college friends have since moved out of Orlando, some of our very best friends still live in the area. They will undoubtedly be what Ryan and I miss most when we move.
2. Blogging Network. It wasn’t until fairly recently that I felt like I really became immersed in the Orlando blogging scene, but I feel very fortunate to have the ability to meet up with Orlando-area bloggers a few times a month and discuss blogging with people who understand exactly where I’m coming from and also enjoy sharing ideas and exchanging advice. I hope to still attend these meet ups since I’ll only be an hour away!
Some past blogger meet up posts:
- Dinner at Season’s 52
- Blogger Boot Camp
- Meet Up at Crave
- Dinner at Matteo’s
- Lunch at Virgin Olive Market
- Interview with Florida Swim Network
- Central Florida Blogger Conference
3. Lake Eola. Our apartment is located less than a mile from gorgeous Lake Eola and walking around the lake with Ryan and Sadie is one of my favorite things to do in the city. There are always people out walking around and the fountain in the middle of the lake is the symbol of the city. Whenever I look out over Lake Eola, I feel comfort and happiness and I will miss all of the birds, wildlife and energy surrounding the lake.
4. Restaurants. Orlando has every kind of restaurant you could wish to find. We have the touristy joints, the mom and pop restaurants, fancy schmancy places and cheap eateries. Though Ryan and I have our personal favorites, I will miss the ability to never run out of new restaurants to try.
Some favorite restaurants:
- Hillstone (Previously Houston’s)
- Emeril’s Orlando
- Le Coq Au Vin
- Season’s 52
- Vines
- Luma
- 310 Park South
- The Dessert Lady
- Park Plaza Gardens
5. Downtown Orlando YMCA. Now that I’m moving, I feel comfortable enough sharing the gym Ryan and I go to nearly every morning. We both absolutely adore the YMCA. It has a personal, family feel and isn’t uptight. Both the staff and gym members are friendly and welcoming and it truly feels like a judge-free place.
The Y offers so many different classes, including my all-time favorite BodyPump, and also has a gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pool, special spinning room and more. It’s hands-down the best gym I’ve ever belonged to and I will miss is very much.
6. Activities. There is always something to do in Orlando. I’m not lying when I say I have literally never struggled for something to do in the eight years I’ve lived here. If you’re looking for some fun ideas for things to do in Orlando, please check out my Orlando Travel page.
7. Memories. I went to college, went on my first date with Ryan, met some of my very best friends, held three different full-time jobs, got engaged and moved into my first apartment with Ryan and began my new career as a full-time blogger and freelance writer all while living in Orlando. There are memories from my life around every corner in this city.
8. Variety. Orlando has something for everybody and I will miss the ability to go out to bars with friends one night and then go hiking with Ryan and Sadie the next day. The mix of outdoor activities with city life is a wonderful aspect of Orlando and it something I will miss very much.
9. Fleet Peeple’s Dog Park. This would be number one on Sadie’s list for sure! Fleet Peeple’s dog park is unlike any dog park I’ve ever seen. It has a lake, trails to explore and a large open area to play fetch. It’s every dog’s dream and Ryan and I have loved the ability to bring Sadie to such a picturesque, clean, large and fun dog park.
10. Whole Foods. Though I probably only visit Whole Foods once a month at the most because of the expensive nature of the foods, I love the ability to browse around a place where I know I’ll be able to find the obscure ingredients to some of the healthy recipes I wish to make and enjoy the atmosphere. The Whole Foods on Sand Lake Road also offered some super cheap cooking classes that Ryan and I have really enjoyed in the past that I will miss as well.
And that’s my list!
Orlando really has been a wonderful location for us throughout the past eight years and I will miss it very, very much.
Question of the Morning
- If you moved away from where you currently live, what would you miss most?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
please don’t leave… 🙁
i know… i’m sad! 🙁 at least ocala is only an hour away!
i know, i’m being dramatic. but i think it’s allowed 😛
i’m looking forward to seeing what kind of julie-esque spin you put on ocala. i still think you, ryan and sadie-kins will be the elements that change ocala from “…it’s ocala” to “YAY OCALA” hahaha
best of luck for your moving day. i just moved last month from orlando to sanford…and i never want to move again. <3
aw the LAKE! i love that lake!! that will be surely be something to miss! the good thing is you will make new friends in your new home! a new beginning to something wonderful 🙂
farewell! ocala is not too far away! come visit often! call me up to go eat haha
Aww, Orlando looks like such a great place to live, but I’m sure Ocala will have a bunch of new things for you to discover too. If I left where I am now, I’d probably miss my friends most.
At least you’re only 1 hour away!
When I left Atlanta I missed the Whole Foods, the malls, Peidmont Park, the social scene, the restaurants, etc, but I’ve come to love my life in the suburbs of Charlotte and love that the city is only 30 minutes away if I need a fix. Plus, missing out on city traffic is a plus, too 🙂
I would miss my family, (I would say my friends but they are all moving away from me and I’ll prob be the last man standing), the familiarity of the towns I’ve driven around my whole life, the weather that I know and hate (but at least I know what to expect).
I don’t believe your moving. I think these posts are a hoax. 🙁
i knowww. 🙁 i’ll be back often to see you! 🙂 tell natasha to leave me some room on the couch!
Good luck with your move! An hour isn’t so bad but I totally would understand being bummed to leave. If I moved now I’d miss the beach! I don’t think I could ever part from it.
I’d miss being so close to my family buuuut I’d love to move away for a few years now, before I have kids, then move back to settle down.
Best of luck to you and Ryan as you move to this new chapter of your lives. Now you will make some more memories in your new home : )
I also go to the Downtown Y.. it’s seriously become a second home! I love how not matter what class you take, your body still feels sore.
Aw, girl I will send you some happy thoughts today! …As if the physical act of moving isn’t hard enough, the emotional side is even harder… 🙁
May your new start be a happy one and an hour isn’t so far away. 🙂
i agree! it is definitely emotional! especially when you’re leaving a place you genuinely like a lot!
Good luck with the move! 🙂 I’m sure everything will go well for you! Now you can look forward to all of the new memories you will make as a married couple in your new home 🙂
Orlando seems like a GREAT place to live! But I’m sure you will find that Ocala has new & different things to offer!
I live in a suburb of NYC in Connecticut, and there REALLY is not much to do here. It is ideal for families raising their children because the public schools are excellent, the town is safe&quiet, but honestly, I will really only miss the memories made here with high school friends. I am looking forward to moving because this town really does not have much to offer for someone in their 20’s.
this post just made me sad! i hope when you are moved and settled into ocala that you will do a post on what you love about your new city. adventures are always fun! i live in philadelphia, and even though i love it, reading your list made me realize i dont take advantage of all it has to offer nearly enough (or else it just doesnt offer what orlando does…). good luck on your move!!
I wish you and Ryan the best of luck in your new home! My grandpa lives in Ocala! I would definitely miss my family the most! My bf moves to Florida next month and I have a feeling that I will be moving south when I’m done with grad school to join him.
Good luck with your move! If I moved from my hometown, I’d most miss my family/relatives, nature and memories.
Awwww, it seems like you are leaving so much behind. Never fear though, I’m sure you will find plenty of new and exciting places in Ocala. 🙂
I would miss a lot! Memories for sure.. it is the first place that we own. It was where I started my first job. There are a TJs and a WF within 2 miles of me. So many places within walking distance. Great places to run. So much.
But – you will find so many new things to love about your new home. And make more memories for sure!
I love this post Julie! If you think about it, these are all such positive memories, which means there are only more positive ones to come in your new town! If I moved away from Minneapolis, I think I would misssssss: Minnesota Nice. People here are so dang nice and jolly. When I travel to other places, I realize this to the max! I would also miss the local seen. MPLS is all about sustainability and promoting your neighbor. I love this!
Awh you make me want to move to Orlando because it sounds like such a great place to live! You’ll find new and exciting things in Ocala probably though! You just have to do some searching 🙂
Aww, I hope your move goes well and you find fun new things in Ocala!
If I moved out of where I live now, DC, I would miss absolutely nothing! Dear Lord, get me out of here…1 more year.
This post makes me sad. I’ve had to move a lot for my job and it never gets easier; however, it is so exciting that a new adventure is just around the corner (or in your case, an hour away)
If I left where I live I would miss the “memories” the most. I got my first anchor job here, joined my first dance class and met a lot of amazing girls, got engaged here, bought my first home here and am getting married here in October. I would like to move closer to my family (they’re about 13 hours away right now) so I will likely have to say goodbye to the city at some point…for now, I’ll cherish what I have.
Good luck with the move today Julie!!!
This post is just what I needed today! My husband is being transferred to FL (we are in NC now) and Orlando is one of the top cities we are thinking about living in, thanks for sharing all the great things about it along with other posts about other things to do!
Good luck on the move!!!!!
I am from New Orleans and live in Houston now. I miss New Orleans and everything about it all the time! But what makes me happy is that I’m only a car or plane ride away! 🙂
I would miss the restaurants so much! Tampa has a really great selection!
I would also miss the familiar faces from my day to day activities. I’m sure that since you are moving to a smaller town, you will gain that sense of family quickly! As much as moving is daunting, it is also such a fun step in a new direction!
I moved from south FL to NYC last year, and by far the thing I miss most is my family and friends! At first, the hardest thing was being away from the comfort of knowing your surroundings and the people there. But it passed and now I love it in my new city!
Good luck with the move!!
It is tough moving away from such a special place, but think of all the great memories you’ll make in your new city! If I moved away from where we are now, I would mostly just miss my family since they all live pretty close to us.
Haha honestly, I’ve only lived in Wapakoneta for 7 months now… and there’s not a lot that I would miss! 😛 Except the fact that the local YMCA is extremely close to my house. And the people are very friendly (small town charm, and all that).
But I lived in Florida for almost 10 years and I miss it so much! I miss being so close to the beach when I lived in Sarasota. And I miss my friends and my mom. Believe me, I sympathize with you! But the cool thing is, Ocala is not far at all from Orlando. It will be so easy for you to go back and visit!! 🙂
*I* will miss your pictures of walks around the lake. They were so beautiful !! (I may have to move to Florida some day…)
Best of luck with the move and best wishes in Ocala! I’m sure it will bring new happiness, new memories, new stories and those friends, memories etc that you loved so much in Orlando, if they are meant to be, will be in your life forever.
Definitely my family! The only thing keeping me where I am…for now 🙂
I moved from Erie PA just last month after living there 8 years too. I miss Presque Isle state park so much. It’s a beautiful Peninsula on Lake Erie. I loved running there. I also miss friends and the downtown area. I’m 5 hours away now, but I’m excited to explore my new area.
Good luck on your move!
I live where I grew up at the moment so when I move the only things I’ll miss are the access to the beach and the running community. I’m lucky that I found a large group of friendly runners here that are encouraging and welcoming.
When I moved back here from Miami I missed sooo many things. I definitely still miss the beaches, the city, being able to walk to everything, all the things to do, the shopping, the food, and my grad school friends!
Good luck!
Remember change is good, as is getting out of your comfort zone. Plus, at least you are moving with your best friend. 🙂
When I moved I missed the walkability of my old town. Here you have to drive everywhere. It definitely took some getting used to, but it happened and now I love it here too.
I just moved this past weekend and I have to drive by my old exit when commuting to work. I actually kind of teared up when I drove right by it so I totally understand how you feel. When my boyfriend and I were making our last trip from our old apartment, I got misty eyed. My guy consoled me with something that actually is very true…that apartment is just four walls where we lived but we are still together and our memories are still with us. So just remember that in your new town will be new endeavors and new things that you will fall in love with but more important than the things you have or don’t have in your new town, you still have your little family and their love =)
Sorry I think I just got way too deep for a blog comment! Best of luck with your move!!!
such a great point!
I LOVE moving. I’ve moved every 2-3 years ever since I was born and always look forward to exploring new places and finding new fun things. I’ve never been disappointed. Now that I have a career (which is not the military, which is what my parents did and why we moved so much), I’ve lived in my current location for 4 years now (plus I went to high school here, so I’m familiar with it). If I moved I would miss:
– the walking trails and lakes
– teaching golf classes
– the new friends I’ve made since moving back here
– my new Team In Training group
– the amazing restaurants
– the convenience of everything (Target, REI, grocery stores, bookstores, malls, etc. all very close by)
However, there are so many things a new place has to offer, so keep your hopes up!
oh, that’s an easy one.
– virginia beach has SO much AWESOME seafood!
– there are malls super close to me
– let’s be honest, there’s everything right near me.
– barhopping on bikes is so fun
– well, duh… the beach.
My friends and family for sure 🙂
Just think of all the new adventures and memories you will make now! Best of luck!
I have lived in NY all my life, but after highschool, I moved to Los Angeles for two years to attend college. The transition was huge, and I found myself missing the daily small things… making toast in the toaster oven, turning on the tv in my old kitchen, calling my friends to meet up… however, I made such wonderful new traditions for myself in LA. Now that I am back in NY, I miss the LA scene — you’re going to make memories wherever you go!
Oh wow, I didn’t realize that Orlando was such a diverse town! It looks amazing…not to put salt in your wound or anything haha
I live in NYC right now and am planning on moving at the end of the summer. While there are many things I will NOT miss, I will very much miss being able to walk everywhere, all of the delicious vegan restaurants, and my silly college crew!
I wrote a post just like this since i Just moved from St. Louis to Dallas. I miss being 15 minutes from everything, Trader Joes, Crazy Bowls and Wraps, living in the same city as my family, Cardinals Games, and my friends!!
Honestly this post just makes me want to move to Florida! Really though, you may be moving a little ways away from Orlando, and it’s always hard moving, but at least you’re still within an hour-ish of all those things you love! Plus you just never know what Ocala has that Orlando doesn’t : )
Oh I can understand why you would never want to leave that lake or all the variety with things to do and restaurants. At least you can always take day trips! 🙂
I would definitely miss my family, friends, and memories.
It’s funny how we take places for granted until we have to leave them, isn’t it? Right now I feel like I’d LOVE to leave where I’m at but I’m sure I would miss never needing a car, access to everything, great historical places around…
The good news is, looking at this will make you excited for all the new experiences and things you’ll have in your next place!
This post makes me love Orlando even more 🙂
I’m sad that you’re leaving, I love following your adventures here — it gives me good ideas of where to go and things to do! At least I know you will still be active in the CFL Blogger community.
My entire family and my husband’s family live within a 2-hour radius of Orlando and I think if we ever moved that would be the hardest part. Besides built-in babysitting, they are just so essential to our lives. Leaving my friends would suck too – but I know that just means I have the opportunity to make new ones!
Good luck with your move 🙂
Uhm..I live in Jacksonville. So nothing? HA! I think I’d miss the water life the most. But other than that I think I’d be happy somewhere else.
You will find things to love in Ocala! 🙂 Hope things go smoothly for y’all today!
Err, well I’m moving back home from London 3 weeks from today, so I’ll be writing a post much like this one soon! In fact, just yesterday I wrote a post (for today) about some of the things that I’m looking FORWARD to when I move home. 🙂
But as far as leaving London — I’m going to miss not driving, walking everywhere, the friends that I’ve made, the culture and the history, and a million other things. But I’m still definitely ready to move home.
I hope moving day is going smoothly for you!
At the end of this year, I have pipe dreams to leave the place I’ve lived for the past (will be) 7 years. I imagine it’ll be tough, I feel like I’ve totally grown up here (college, first jobs, first time living with my beau, etc) but this will be a great next step in your life!!
Have a safe move, stay optimistic and happy, and enjoy your last few hours in the city you love!
I moved from Fort Worth to Lake Jackson, Texas six months ago and I miss FW so much. LJ is an hour outside Houston so it’s essentially a day trip because of traffic and the size of Houston. I love the small town feel though and the way it feels like a town from the 50s with kids playing in the street all the time and also its one of the safest places to live in Texas, hardly any crime at all. It will take a little to adjust and to get used to not having your usual eats.
I moved from one side of Jersey City in NJ to the other and I was so sad. I loved my old neighborhood, but it’s fun to explore new spots too!