Maitland

Maitland is located in Orange County, Florida 6.5 miles north of Orlando.  In July 2007 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be at 14,192 residents.  Maitland now is thought of as a suburb of Orlando but it has a deep history of its own rooted back in the Seminole Wars as Fort Maitland.  Today the city thrives and has become more than just a great vacation spot it has become home to many affluent people.

The area first started out with part of the Seminole Indians living in the area and Fort Maitland was build in 1838 on Lake Maitland to have a military presence to keep the peace.  After the Second Seminole Indian War the fort was raised but the settlement remained.  This made Maitland one of the oldest Central Florida incorporated municipalities.  After the Civil War ended this area of Florida started heavily growing citrus and still grows lots of citrus to this day. 

Today Maitland is proud to have many homes over 100 years in age still standing showing the history of the area.  The Enzian Theater home to the Florida Film Festival gives the area something no other city in Central Florida has, a full time independent movie theater.   The area is also a prime vacation spot since it so close to theme parks and great climate, but many people are finding out how good life is here.  These people subsequently end up moving to Maitland  permanently even the makers of the world famous Madden and NCAA Football games are located in Maitland.

Maitland has much more to offer than just being close to attractions: they have many of their own throughout the year.  Some of the bigger ones include:

• Maitland Farmers Market – Every Sunday
• Super Football Party – First Sunday in February
• Spring Arts Festival – Third weekend in April
• Taste of Maitland – Third weekend in May
• Party in the Park – Third weekend in June
• Rotary Arts Festival – First weekend in October
• Season of Light – First weekend in December
• Reindeer Run – Second weekend in December

The festivals are lots of fun and most are set at Lily Park at Lily Lake giving the backdrop the amazing view of the lake and shore.  Throughout the year many movies are put on in the park as well.  

Besides the great festivals and events Maitland offers the opportunity for an education at a top caliper place close to home.  Two universities are in Maitland and many more are just a short drive away. The first two are the ones in Maitland:

• ITT Technical Institute
• University of Phoenix – Orlando Campus
• Rollins College
• Valencia Community College
• University of Central Florida
• Seminole Community College
• Stetson University
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Daytona Beach Community College

The educational options are vast but so are the choices that residents have when they want a day outside enjoying nature.  Maitland has stellar areas to go to and relax that picking which one may be the hardest part of the day.  No matter if you enjoy fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming, or activities on the ground like walking on a nature trail or grilling on the shore of a park the option is available to you.  The lakes and parks in Maitland include:

• Lake Lily
• Lake Maitland
• Lake Sybelia
• Lake Minnehaha
• Harvest Lake
• Park Lake
• Lake Catherine
• Lake Charity
• Lake Lucien
• Mud Lake
• Gem Lake
• Quinn Strong Park
• Maitland Community Park
• Lake Lily Park

When the time to relax is over and residents have to go back to jobs many commute to Orlando but choose to live in Maitland over other areas for a reason.  The city is very close to Orlando and the commute is easy but the way of life in Maitland is what keeps people living here.  The peaceful city atmosphere and pleasantness of the area with so many activities right at your door come together to make Maitland a great place to live.