I'm about 35 minutes west of Orlando, about to move to West Orlando (Lake Buena Vista, to be exact). If it wasn't for 2nd Light Cocoa Beach being the nearest decent spot to go surfing when I have the time, I would never go there. Softer, whiter sand on many of the Gulf-coast beaches as well as further south on the Atlantic coast at the Palm Beach/Miami beaches. Clearer waters at the more southern beaches as well, better for snorkelling and scuba diving. And there is definately more in the way of a party/singles scene in South Florida, Tampa/Ybor, and O-town.