[Anders15]

We've been to florida for a total of 14 days in the last five years. It was a trip to DisneyWorld each time. However last time, for the first time, we spent two days outside of Disney at the Courtyard down the street from SeaWorld. This was our first time in the REAL city of Orlando. Everything was fine and it all seemed very nice! I know the time scale is not enough to get a good feel for the area but from what we saw we enjoyed it.

We are from Richmond VA and I decided to check out housing prices and to my surprise they re cheap!! You can get a 6 bedroom and 4 full baths for the same price a 2 bedroom 2 bath stars off for here! I came on here to check things out and it seems that at least the Orlando area has a significant crime rate?

It is hard to compare because citydata is so outdated at this point when it comes to records. There is someone being killed here at least twice a week or robbed. I read here that Orlando was listed as one of the top 10 cities for high murder rates but Richmond has beat Detroit and the entire state of New York on several occasions, we're no stranger to the number 1 spot either. I was wondering if anyone else is from this area that can give me a good idea of what I'm getting myself (and my family) into. We were interested in Seattle but the price of homes are like night and day. If anything it sounds like more of the same rather than it being worse. Are there any "good" parts of Florida that still is good and urban? So many threads on here and they all have so many conflicting replies it is so hard to tell ..

[DailyJournalist]

Staying next to Seaworld is not experiencing the "real" orlando.

[Granny Sue]

Thanks Daily, I had a chuckle on that one.

Anywhere near International Drive is still the public view of Orlando.

Orlando is a mixture of good and bad and is going through some major growing pains.

Once you quit trying to compare it to Chicago or NYC it's a nice city to live.

Be careful tho, while our real estate might be lower than where you are, our wages aren't.

Do your homework and I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

Staying next to Seaworld is not experiencing the "real" orlando.

Ditto! These might be the same people who think that if they arrive in Orlando without hotel/motel reservations, all the hotel/motels will be booked....can you say...OVER BUILT....kind of like westworld.....

If you want to see the real Orlando, go to the front desk of your hotel or motel and ask where the "bad neighborhood" is....they'll point you in the REAL direction....

[mia_magination]

Well I have lived here for 12 years now and we made the move without really checking into "real life" in Florida. Although it worked out well for us, we are now looking to move because things area changing and we are not interested in the direction it is going. You need to decide what is important to you and your family then start narrowing it down from there. Florida has some amazing areas in which to live but it also has some of the worse areas as well, and as far as the crime in Orlando...if anything the postings are too low. Orlando is one of the highest crime areas per capita in the country from what I read and from what I hear every other day on the news it doesn't suprise me.

If you have the time to research areas, a job to go to, money behind you and an open mind for the change of life compared to what you are probably used to, take time to visit and go beyond the attractions and see "real life Florida" to make your decision.

When I hear my relatives telling me about their 3 feet of snow while I'm at the beach watching my kids play in the waves...I thank God I live here. lol

As far as comparing Seatle to Florida...that is some Major difference in lifestyle...you may want to pinpoint which lifestyle appeals to you more before you make any definative decisions. Best of luck on your search!

[TANaples]

You know, the first year my husband moved down here he called us up in NY, when we were having a snowstorm, to tell us he was sitting on the beach. My daughter and I just looked at each other and laughed. We had just come in from shoveling snow. So what? Who cares? I have been here for a year and a half now and can count on one hand the number of times I have been to the beach, including in the winter. I don't do things just because I can. If I don't like something, I don't do it. I think so many people here THINK they are making people up north envious of their Florida lifestyle (sitting on the beach in January), but there are many, many people who would NOT trade places with you.

Why do some people feel the need to try to make others envious? Who are you trying to convince? I just don't get it.

[Rachael84]

Most of my friends love the snow. Most of their status messages on facebook were that they were really happy we were finally getting a snowstorm. Not everyone is envious of people in Florida. In fact, my one friend doesn't think NY gets enough snow and cold, so that's why she's moving to Colorado.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

Most of my friends love the snow. Most of their status messages on facebook were that they were really happy we were finally getting a snowstorm. Not everyone is envious of people in Florida. In fact, my one friend doesn't think NY gets enough snow and cold, so that's why she's moving to Colorado.

like the man who was being recruited by my husband's company. They offered him a salary of over $100,000 (more than he made there) and relocation expenses to Florida. He kept putting them off. Finally, he asked them if they would consider letting him telecommute from COLORADO. We found out they were avid skiers and didn't really want to move to Florida and have to give that up. The bosses even considered hiring him and letting him telecommute. He would just have to come to Florida every few months. The deal was nixed because too many other employees were furious at that. "You would let HIM telecomute and not us?" "We had to move here." "Why shouldn't HE?"

I guess some people like their winter lifestyles, even more than money.

For what it's worth, the company hired a consultant instead --- from PARIS! He TELECOMMUTES and comes to the USA 2 times a year, all expenses paid.

[Strel]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

We've been to florida for a total of 14 days in the last five years. It was a trip to DisneyWorld each time. However last time, for the first time, we spent two days outside of Disney at the Courtyard down the street from SeaWorld. This was our first time in the REAL city of Orlando. Everything was fine and it all seemed very nice! I know the time scale is not enough to get a good feel for the area but from what we saw we enjoyed it.

We are from Richmond VA and I decided to check out housing prices and to my surprise they re cheap!! You can get a 6 bedroom and 4 full baths for the same price a 2 bedroom 2 bath stars off for here! I came on here to check things out and it seems that at least the Orlando area has a significant crime rate?

It is hard to compare because citydata is so outdated at this point when it comes to records. There is someone being killed here at least twice a week or robbed. I read here that Orlando was listed as one of the top 10 cities for high murder rates but Richmond has beat Detroit and the entire state of New York on several occasions, we're no stranger to the number 1 spot either. I was wondering if anyone else is from this area that can give me a good idea of what I'm getting myself (and my family) into. We were interested in Seattle but the price of homes are like night and day. If anything it sounds like more of the same rather than it being worse. Are there any "good" parts of Florida that still is good and urban? So many threads on here and they all have so many conflicting replies it is so hard to tell ..

What the others said.


I went on a ride-along with an Orange County Deputy once. (Shudder)

[gypsystar]

Originally Posted by TANaples

You know, the first year my husband moved down here he called us up in NY, when we were having a snowstorm, to tell us he was sitting on the beach. My daughter and I just looked at each other and laughed. We had just come in from shoveling snow. So what? Who cares? I have been here for a year and a half now and can count on one hand the number of times I have been to the beach, including in the winter. I don't do things just because I can. If I don't like something, I don't do it. I think so many people here THINK they are making people up north envious of their Florida lifestyle (sitting on the beach in January), but there are many, many people who would NOT trade places with you.

Why do some people feel the need to try to make others envious? Who are you trying to convince? I just don't get it.

I don't feel the need to make my northern-based friends and family jealous at all. What would be the point in that? I just know that they HATE the cold weather and snow in the Midwest right now and would love to be down here. They tell me that everytime I talk to them - I'm not assuming anything. I know that there are a lot of people that would like to trade places with Floridians this time of year!