After living in Buena Park, Orange County, California for 15 years, it has been almost 2 years since I moved to Orlando, Florida.

At first, it was not easy to leave the neighborhood I had grown fond of, but I guess people adapt.

Living here has definitely given me a sense of leisure.

The leisure that comes from living in Florida can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, but one thing is for sure: Florida feels like a completely different world compared to California.

The first thing I noticed was the cost of living.

I was able to find a larger rental in Orlando for $1,900, compared to a $2,700 two-bedroom apartment I rented in Orange County. Gas prices are also much cheaper; while it was $4.60 per gallon in California, it's about $2.90 in Orlando, so I save quite a bit on gas.

The cost of dining out is also noticeably different. A hamburger combo in OC would cost over $15 with tax, but in Orlando, it's about $10. Plus, Florida has no state income tax, so I definitely have more left from my paycheck. It feels like I have over 10% more disposable income after taxes, haha.

On the downside, transportation can be an issue; in Orlando, you can't do anything without a car...

There are buses here, but the intervals are over 40 minutes, and the routes are limited. If you frequently use Uber, transportation costs can actually be more expensive than in California. However, I think this situation would be different for those who have a car, so I'll pass on that.

In the summer, the humidity is high, and you get soaked just from walking a little. When it rains, there's thunder and lightning, and suddenly a downpour starts... At first, it was fascinating, but after about a month, it becomes tiring. It rains so much... I haven't experienced a hurricane yet.

However, winter is quite pleasant. Mornings are cool, and the afternoons are warm and sunny, perfect for golfing. There's no need to turn on the air conditioning, and I don't have to worry about heating bills; it's just like vacation weather. My electricity bill is definitely lower than when I lived in OC, going from over $200 to about $120 in Orlando.

Housing prices are also significantly different; a $1.2 million home in OC is quite ordinary, while the same size in Orlando is about $500,000, so the difference is huge. The land is spacious, and property taxes are below 1%, so the burden is lighter... Because of the lower housing costs, the atmosphere among people here feels different.

Orange County is always competitive, and everyone's life is busy; it was common to see parents rushing around according to their kids' school or academy schedules. There were always talks about how much someone bought their house for and how much it appreciated... But in Orlando, it's much more relaxed, and there's hardly any interference between people.

There are a few Korean markets, but they're not as diverse as in LA or OC, and while there are some Korean restaurants, there aren't many. The choices for hair salons and hospitals are also limited. Still, because of that, I've been eating home-cooked meals more often than dining out, and my spending has decreased.

Job opportunities are scarce in IT or media, but there are many in tourism and service industries.

In conclusion, Orlando may not be glamorous, but it seems to provide a real sense of leisure, which I appreciate.

It was unfamiliar at first, but now that leisure has become part of my daily life.

Thank you for reading my rambling thoughts.