I left New York to raise kids in Orlando. Not everyone here is Disney-obsessed, and it's less expensive than you'd think.

• Mark Kaley moved to Orlando with his wife in 2004 to raise their family there.
• They moved into a bigger home, bought annual passes to Disney World, and enjoyed the warmer weather.
• Even once his children move out, he has no plan to leave Florida and prefers it over New York.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mark Kaley, a 49-year-old PR manager who's based in Orlando. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I was born and raised in New York City but always knew I'd eventually move to Florida. I spent a lot of time vacationing there as a kid and my wife and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon.