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i didn't realize energy prices increased more than food prices ... that said my move to Orlando was in part motivated by trying to reduce my energy foot print ... my main "energy" use in NJ was home heating ... which is basically totally eliminated in Orlando ... but the problem is older Florida homes ( like the one i'm under contract for ) are basically uninsulated so i won't really be saving any energy ... if you want low energy bills in Florida you need a home built after 2009 or better yet 2015 ... that's roughly when they started mandating energy efficient building practices ... the problem is those homes tend to be small and packed like sardines because in recent years zoning got tighter and lots narrower ... of course if you can increase your budget you can still get a decent size new construction home but it will be about $100,000 more than a 15 year old home of the same size ... new construction homes do not discount prices much - instead they offer mortgage rate buydowns - but that is only useful if you're planning to take out a long mortgage ... if you're buying cash an older home is likely going to be a better value IMO ... but regardless there is a home for everybody in Orlando. you can get new construction with 3.99% APR or you can negotiate a deal on a resale home. new construction seems to appeal more to younger people because of the mortgage rate buydowns while resale home communities tend to be older folks. i wanted to live among younger people but as i said the same size home in new construction would be $100,000 higher price ( but much lower APR )