Citi Lakes Apartments Orlando: What Renters Should Know Before Signing
A renter's guide to Citi Lakes in Southwest Orlando: current rent by floor plan, the realistic monthly total including utilities, the no-weight-limit pet policy, amenities, and drive times to SeaWorld, Universal and Disney. Pricing checked September 29, 2026.
Citi Lakes sits on two lakes at 12024 Meadow Bend Loop in Southwest Orlando, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with waterfront balconies, a zero-entry resort pool with cabanas, and a dedicated spin studio. One-bedrooms start at $1,480 per month as of September 29, 2026. The community has no pet weight limit, which means German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and other large breeds are welcome at $20 per month pet rent. SeaWorld is about 9 minutes away. Universal Orlando is approximately 15 minutes. Walt Disney World is roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
How Much Does It Cost to Live at Citi Lakes in 2026?
Pricing below reflects homes available as of September 29, 2026. Availability moves weekly, so confirm current pricing with the leasing office.
One-bedroom apartments: $1,480 to $1,720 per month, 749 to 859 sq ft, across three floor plans
Two-bedroom apartments: $1,778 to $1,997 per month, 942 to 1,132 sq ft, across six floor plans
Three-bedroom apartments: $2,212 to $2,306 per month, 1,258 to 1,322 sq ft, across two floor plans
Pet costs: $450 non-refundable deposit per pet, $20/mo pet rent. No weight limit. Maximum 2 pets. No rodents, reptiles, or exotic animals.
Required fees: A $20 annual package locker charge is billed separately. Utilities are billed by usage and are not included in the rent figures above.
What a one-bedroom actually costs per month
Base rent: $1,480
Utilities: $100 to $175
Internet: $60 to $80
Renters insurance: $15 to $25
Realistic monthly total: approximately $1,655 to $1,760
Orlando's average one-bedroom rent was approximately $1,664 as of mid-2026. Citi Lakes' entry one-bedroom starts below that average while including a zero-entry resort pool, a dedicated spin studio, and lake frontage that most communities in this price band do not offer.
Explore floor plans and pricing at Citi Lakes
What Makes Citi Lakes Different From Other Orlando Apartments?
Two lakes with waterfront living. This is Citi Lakes' headline. Most Orlando apartments have a retention pond and call it a "water feature." Citi Lakes sits on its own lake off Central Florida Parkway. Select units have waterfront balconies and patios with direct lake views, and the lakeside gazebo provides a gathering space on the water. In flat-terrain Florida, genuine waterfront is a premium most communities cannot offer.
Zero-entry resort pool with private cabanas. Not a standard rectangular pool with a ladder. The pool has a gradual beach-style walk-in entry, private cabanas for shade, and dedicated lounge seating — the design you normally find at resort hotels, delivered at an apartment community.
Dedicated spin studio. A cycling-specific room separate from the main fitness center. Most Orlando apartment gyms have a few bikes in a corner. Citi Lakes has a room built for cycling, which for regular riders replaces a studio membership that commonly runs $150 or more per month.
No pet weight limit. Most Orlando apartment communities cap pet weight at 50 to 75 pounds. Citi Lakes does not impose a weight limit, so large-breed owners are welcome. The pet deposit is $450 non-refundable and monthly pet rent is $20, below the Orlando range of roughly $35 to $50.
Smoke-free property. The entire community is smoke-free — no secondhand smoke in hallways, on balconies, or in shared spaces.
What Amenities Does Citi Lakes Offer?
Waterfront
The community is built around its lake, with lake views from select units and a lakeside gazebo for waterfront gathering.
Pool and fitness
A zero-entry resort-style pool anchors the amenity deck, with private cabanas and shaded seating. Indoors there is a fully equipped fitness center with cardio equipment, plus the dedicated spin studio.
Social spaces
A resident clubhouse and a billiards room give residents places to gather away from their units.
Pet amenities
A fenced dog park with open grass and an on-site pet washing station support the no-weight-limit pet policy.
Inside the homes
Kitchens have granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and upgraded cabinetry. Homes feature wood-style flooring, 9-foot ceilings, in-home washer and dryer, and large closets. Select units add waterfront balconies or patios.
See all amenities at Citi Lakes
How Close Is Citi Lakes to Orlando's Theme Parks?
This is why most people live in Southwest Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando: About 9 minutes. For employees at SeaWorld and its affiliated parks, Citi Lakes is one of the closest residential options.
Universal Orlando Resort: Approximately 15 minutes. Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay are reachable without highway driving from SW Orlando.
Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Disney's four theme parks, two water parks and Disney Springs make it the region's largest employer.
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets: About 9 minutes.
International Drive: At the end of the street, roughly 2 minutes. This is Orlando's most active visitor corridor outside the parks.
For theme park and hospitality workers, the Southwest Orlando location minimises commute time to all three major resort complexes from a single address.
What Is Southwest Orlando Like for Renters?
Employment hub: Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld and the International Drive hospitality corridor employ tens of thousands within a 15- to 25-minute radius.
Shopping: Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets is about 9 minutes away, with International Drive retail and The Florida Mall also within a short drive.
Groceries: Publix at Regency Village is roughly 4 minutes from the front door, with Walmart and ALDI nearby.
Outdoor recreation: Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, about 12 minutes away, has parks and trails. Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake offers fishing, camping, hiking and sports fields.
Commute: I-4 connects north to downtown Orlando. The BeachLine Expressway (SR 528) runs east toward Melbourne and the Space Coast.
Southwest Orlando is car-dependent. Renters who want to walk to daily errands will find this a trade-off against the commute advantage.
Who Is Citi Lakes Best For?
Theme park workers. SeaWorld about 9 minutes, Universal 15, Disney 20 to 25 — the shortest combined commute to all three from one address.
Large-dog owners. No weight limit, $20/mo pet rent, dog park and wash station on site. Confirm specific breed policy with the leasing office.
Waterfront seekers. Lake-view balconies and a lakeside gazebo on real water rather than a retention pond.
Fitness-focused renters. A dedicated spin studio and fitness center indoors, plus a zero-entry pool usable year-round in the Florida climate.
Renters comparing on total cost. An entry one-bedroom at $1,480 lands below the Orlando one-bedroom average while including amenities normally priced higher.
Citi Lakes may be a weaker fit for renters who need walkable urban access, those commuting to downtown Orlando daily in rush hour, and renters who specifically want brand-new construction.
Citi Lakes is an AIR Communities property, and this guide is published by the community. Pricing, availability, fees and amenities were checked against the community's own published listings on September 29, 2026 and change frequently. Confirm current terms with the leasing office before making a decision.
Frequently asked questions
How much is rent at Citi Lakes Orlando?
One-bedrooms range from $1,480 to $1,720 per month, two-bedrooms from $1,778 to $1,997, and three-bedrooms from $2,212 to $2,306, based on homes available as of September 29, 2026. Availability changes weekly, so confirm current pricing with the leasing office.
Is there a pet weight limit at Citi Lakes?
No. Citi Lakes does not impose a weight limit on pets. There is a $450 non-refundable deposit plus $20 per month pet rent per pet, with a maximum of 2 pets. Rodents, reptiles and exotic animals are not permitted.
Does Citi Lakes have lake views?
Yes. The community sits on its own lake off Central Florida Parkway. Select units have waterfront balconies or patios with lake views, and a lakeside gazebo provides additional access to the water.
What is a zero-entry pool?
A pool with a gradual, beach-style walk-in entry instead of ladders or steps. The Citi Lakes zero-entry pool includes private cabanas and shaded seating.
How far is Citi Lakes from SeaWorld?
About 9 minutes by car. Citi Lakes in Southwest Orlando is one of the closest residential communities to SeaWorld Orlando.
How far is Citi Lakes from Universal Orlando?
Approximately 15 minutes by car from Universal Orlando Resort, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay.
How far is Citi Lakes from Disney World?
Approximately 20 to 25 minutes by car from Walt Disney World Resort.
Does Citi Lakes have a gym?
Yes. There is a fully equipped fitness center with cardio equipment, plus a dedicated spin studio in a separate cycling room. Both are included in rent.
Does Citi Lakes have a dog park?
Yes. There is a fenced dog park with open grass and an on-site pet washing station. No weight limit applies to dogs.
Is Citi Lakes smoke-free?
Yes. The entire community is smoke-free, including all units, balconies and shared spaces.
Is Southwest Orlando a good area to rent?
It suits renters working in the theme park and hospitality sector, with Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and the International Drive corridor all within a 15 to 25 minute radius, and rents generally below downtown Orlando. It is car-dependent, so renters who want walkable daily errands should weigh that trade-off.