Quick Facts
- County
- Orange County
- Entity type
- Neighborhood in Central Orlando
- Major roads
- Mills Avenue, SR 50, Highland Avenue, Park Lake Street
- Housing types
- Historic single-family, bungalows, some infill
- Lake access
- Lake Highland and Park Lake
- Golf
- Courses nearby in the metro area
- New construction
- Scattered infill
Quick Overview
Park Lake / Highland is a central Orlando neighborhood centered on Lake Highland and Park Lake, just east of downtown and north of Colonial Drive. It combines historic bungalows and foursquares with tree-lined streets, lake views, and a short walk or ride to the Mills 50 dining corridor and the downtown core. For buyers who want a classic urban Orlando neighborhood with water and walkability, Park Lake / Highland deserves a close look alongside Colonialtown and Audubon Park.
Location and Commute
The neighborhood sits roughly 2 miles east and north of downtown Orlando, with Mills Avenue, SR 50 (Colonial Drive), and Highland Avenue as its main edges. Lake Highland and Park Lake anchor the interior, and the neighborhood borders Colonialtown, Mills 50, and Audubon Park. Commutes are central: downtown Orlando is typically 5 to 15 minutes, Orlando International Airport 20 to 30 minutes, and the Disney area 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. SR 408 is accessible to the south. See the Orlando guide for how the central neighborhoods compare.
Schools
The neighborhood is served by Orange County Public Schools with address-based assignments that can change. Verify current zoning through the OCPS school locator for any address. Lake Highland Preparatory School, a private school on Lake Highland, sits within the neighborhood and is a separate admissions process for families who consider it.
Lifestyle and Amenities
Life here blends lakefront calm with urban convenience. Mills 50's restaurants, markets, and nightlife are minutes away, the East End Market and Audubon Park are close to the east, and downtown is a short drive or bike. The lakes themselves are community anchors: walking loops, paddling on Park Lake, and green space between the houses.
The neighborhood has an active, owner-heavy character with porches and gardens, and events rotate through the nearby districts throughout the year. Colonial Drive traffic and downtown event crowds are the main external noise, while the interior streets stay quiet. For walkers and cyclists, the neighborhood is one of the better central Orlando addresses.
Real Estate and Housing
Housing is mostly early-1900s bungalows, foursquares, and modest historic homes, with scattered infill townhomes and newer builds on remaining lots. Many homes have been updated, so condition, additions, and permit history vary widely. Lakefront and lake-view lots on Lake Highland and Park Lake command the highest prices, and lots are compact throughout. Older electrical, plumbing, and roofing are common considerations, and some low areas near the lakes sit in flood or drainage zones, so FEMA checks and storm-history questions are important. Rental activity exists on some blocks, which shapes individual street character.
Practical Notes for Buyers
Park Lake / Highland is a neighborhood where the lake and the street are the amenities, so visit at the wrong time before you decide: a Saturday in Florida summer to see the parks full and parking tight, and a weekday evening to feel the Colonial Drive traffic and downtown spillover. Confirm the FEMA zone and ask about storm history on the specific block, because the low streets near the lakes and creeks can hold water in heavy rain. Older homes dominate, so order structural, roof, electrical, and plumbing inspections and budget for modernization even on updated houses, and scope the sewer or septic situation, which varies by block. Parking is mostly on-street and driveway, so count your actual spaces. Mills 50 and the East End Market are the daily anchors for dining and groceries, and downtown is a short ride, which makes the neighborhood genuinely walkable-adjacent even though it is car-based for most errands. For families, OCPS assigns by address and boundaries shift over time, so verify the current feeder with the school locator. The rental mix varies street to street, so walk your block at night and introduce yourself to a neighbor before making an offer; the right block here is a scheduling win, and the wrong one changes the experience entirely.
Do the neighborhood recon on the specific block before you make an offer in Park Lake / Highland: a Saturday afternoon to see the parks full, a Friday night to feel the Colonial Drive and downtown spillover, and a rainy day to check the low spots near the lakes and creeks, since drainage varies street to street and flooding history is the neighborhood's least advertised detail. Confirm the parking reality for your household, verify the utility setup and sewer connection for the address, and budget for systems work on any older home, with the panel, pipes, and roof as the priority inspection items. If you plan to renovate, check whether the property sits in a historic overlay that affects exterior changes, and confirm the city's permitting timeline for the scale of work you intend. The walkable access to Mills 50, the East End Market, and downtown is the neighborhood's superpower, so weigh your car dependency honestly against it. For families, verify the OCPS assignment for the exact address, since the central Orlando boundaries have shifted over time, and note the walk or ride to the assigned school. If you are comparing against Colonialtown or Audubon Park, the lakes make the difference here.
Things to Consider Before Moving to Park Lake / Highland
Park Lake / Highland's location is the value; its logistics need attention:
Lakefront flood zones
Homes near Lake Highland and Park Lake may sit in flood or high-water zones. Check FEMA maps and storm history.
Older systems
Most homes predate 1950. Budget for roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC modernization.
Traffic and parking
Colonial Drive and downtown events bring traffic; on-street parking is typical. Confirm your parking plan.
Rental mix
Some blocks include investor rentals. Walk the street and talk to neighbors to gauge the character.
Nearby Communities to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Park Lake / Highland in Orlando?
The neighborhood sits in central Orlando around Lake Highland and Park Lake, roughly 2 miles east and north of downtown, between Mills Avenue, SR 50, and Highland Avenue.
Is Park Lake / Highland a historic neighborhood?
It contains a strong stock of early-1900s bungalows and foursquares, though the area is not protected by a single city-wide historic district overlay.
What types of homes are in Park Lake / Highland?
Historic bungalows and foursquares dominate, with scattered infill townhomes and newer builds.
What schools serve Park Lake / Highland?
Orange County Public Schools serves the area with address-based assignments. Verify current zoning through the OCPS school locator.
Last updated: October 22, 2026. Published by Moving to Orlando Guide with Tyler Gibson.
