Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Orlando, FL

Looking a new place to call home in Florida’s City Beautiful but without breaking the bank? While this is one of the most desirable places to live in — seriously, who would say no to sunny weather year-round? — there are still some affordable neighborhoods with apartments for rent in Orlando. Here are our five best picks!

Signal Hill

With a population of about 3,300, Signal Hill is a small, family-friendly neighborhood in Orlando located in the northwest corner of the city. Most people living in Signal Hill are renters enjoying the area’s urban-suburban feel as well as lower rents compared to many other Orlando neighborhoods. When looking for rental properties in Signal Hill, the options range from studios to three- and four-bedroom apartments, and even single-family homes for rent. Most of the apartments for rent in Signal Hill were built between the early 1970s and late 1990s, but those looking for more modern rentals can also find some rental properties built after 2000. While Signal Hill is not very walkable and most errands require a car, there are four bus stops connecting the neighborhood with other areas of Orlando.

West Colonial

Not far from Orlando’s core is the neighborhood of West Colonial, a once industrial-heavy area that has visibly transformed in the past decades. West Colonial has an urban-suburban vibe, and many people who call this place home are renters who benefit from one of the lowest costs of living in the entire Orlando area. It is home to the Camping World Stadium, which opened in 1936 as Orlando Stadium and was known for a long time as the Citrus Bowl — movie buffs surely recognized it in sports comedy The Waterboy, starring Adam Sandler. West Colonial is not very walkable and renters here rely on their cars to run most errands, but the neighborhood does offer some public transit options.

Rosemont

Rosemont is an affordable neighborhood in Orlando that encircles Lake Orlando, the area’s focal point. A small part of the neighborhood extends to the northeastern part of the city, going beyond Orange Blossom Trail all the way to Edgewater Drive. Rosemont is home to more than 9,000 people, and about 80% of its residents are renters who enjoy living in an area that’s quiet, safe and affordable. What’s more, Rosemont is set to become even more residential as the former Lake Orlando Golf Club (which was closed in 2014) will be transformed into a vibrant community with apartments for rent, shops and entertainment venues, as well as a theater and a museum.

Timberleaf

Situated halfway between Lake Hiawasee and Lake Mann, Timberleaf is a small community where the vast majority of its inhabitants (more than 80%) rent their homes. If you check the neighborhood’s location on the map, you’ll see it’s a perfect rectangle with most apartments for rent in Timberleaf nestled in the western half. Timberleaf is a great place for renters raising children, as it has several playgrounds, parks and daycare centers, as well as a community center. You’ll most likely need a car to run most errands in this area. Plus, if you drive an electric car, there’s an EV charging station located at 5151 Raleigh St. near Orange County Library System’s Washington Park Branch.

Bryn Mawr

Bordered by Lake Porter, Bryn Mawr stretches all the way to Lake Margaret Drive, Dixie Belle Drive and South Conway Road. It’s a friendly little neighborhood that’s popular with both renters and homeowners. The rental options here vary from studios to three- and four-bedroom apartments, with several single-family homes for rent as well. Most of the properties for rent in Bryn Mawr were built between early 1970s and late 1990s, but you can find more recent apartments as well.