Moving from LA to Orlando (Winter Garden: rent, crime, appliances)

[LABlue]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and am contemplating a move to Orlando. I lived in Orlando in 1999/2000 for about a year doing an internship. Then moved back to Europe to finish school. I know live in Los Angeles. I've only been in LA for a couple of months but I don't like it here. Traffic is horrible most of the day, people are very much on their own so it's hard to socialize, rents are crazy and groceries just way too expensive. For most groceries I pay way more than what I paid in Europe. (For the record I am a legal permanent resident).

What I remember from Orlando is that people were easy to get along with, groceries were very nicely priced and rents were not too bad. Rent wise I think not much has changed from talking to various property managers. They did go up but compared to LA it is cheap. I still have friends in Orlando and they all tell me to go for it, my friends here in LA naturally tell me to stay.

Has anyone here moved from LA to Orlando and was it a good move?
I realize salaries are likely lower (I currently am a restaurant manager) and crime has gone up the past couple of years. However I am looking for some advice from someone who has been through the same experience. Was it worth it?

Hope anyone can help.

[knightgoose]

I've never been to LA but from what a few friends have told me, Orlando is like like a mini LA(a lot smaller) minus having the beaches right there(though they are still not that far). Living downtown Orlando would be exciting if you are young and without a family...it's a pretty happening downtown. I see a lot of the complaints about Orlando are by people with families that have other factors to consider like public schools, etc. And another bonus, it's a lot cheaper to go out and have a good time in Orlando.

[Prichard]

Beaches are actually closer to many parts of Orlando than they are to many parts of LA. It can take over an hour to get to a beach from many parts of LA.

Orlando is probably a little cheaper than LA, but not much. Salaries will be quite a bit lower, so you won't have "extra" money by moving here, actually probably less. Yes, it is much less expensive to go out in Orlando. Traffic can be every bit as bad in Orlando as in LA. Orlando (most of it) is not on a grid, so it will take you some time to get used to the layout and traffic patterns. The biggest complaint I here from people who are used to living on an LA type grid is that Orlando is just I-4 and I-4 sucks. Part of that is true (I-4 does suck), but getting around Orlando is not logical or obvious.

Greator Orlando is not all just along I-4. You need a good map and you will need to drive around quite a bit before you really get to know Greator Orlando.

Some things to remember when moving from LA to Orlando. LA is not better than Orlando and locals don't want to hear how LA was better. Salaries here don't "suck", but they are generally lower because this isn't LA, its Orlando. This is a "right to work" state, meaning that an employer can fire you for no reason at all - you have no right to your job here. Some jobs provide good benefits, some do not - the more valuable you are to an employment sector in need of workers will determine what you make and the benefits you get. If you are a heart surgeon, you will do quite well; if you are a recent highschool grad with experience working in warehouses and delivery - you will struggle. We don't have rent control. Landlords can get you evicted for not paying rent within about two weeks of you being late. The laws in Florida are quite different than in California. In fact, many of us Floridaians view California as a socialist, welfare, and very restrictive state, and thus quite different from our state.

[gimme5]

I moved from San Jose, CA to Central Florida.

The only things I miss are In-n-out, Jack-in-the-box and Fry's electronics. Other than that, I'm happy here

[OC2OC]

Originally Posted by gimme5

I moved from San Jose, CA to Central Florida.

The only things I miss are In-n-out, Jack-in-the-box and Fry's electronics. Other than that, I'm happy here

We moved from Orange County to Winter Garden and we miss Trader Joe's.. a lot.

[gimme5]

Originally Posted by OC2OC

We moved from Orange County to Winter Garden and we miss Trader Joe's.. a lot.

Yes, trader Joe's, I forgot that one. And I'm always checking the web site to see if there's any expansion coming our way.

[Daphnemon]

Originally Posted by gimme5

I moved from San Jose, CA to Central Florida.

The only things I miss are In-n-out, Jack-in-the-box and Fry's electronics. Other than that, I'm happy here

Were getting ready to move from Corona, Ca to the orlando area. Please give me tip do's and dont's

[OC2OC]

Originally Posted by Daphnemon

Were getting ready to move from Corona, Ca to the orlando area. Please give me tip do's and dont's

Here are some:

- Don't underestimate the bugs. You will have to learn to co-exist with them.
- Don't donate all your winter clothes. Orlando can get chilly in the winter.
- Don't bring your gas appliances. Most houses (if not all) use electric.

- Do your homework
- Do bring Trader Joe's stuff
- Do come to Orlando with an open mind and don't try to compare.

[THASPECIAL]

Case and Point.....Shaq chose Orlando over LA.......He still chose Orlando .....but it depends on your circumstances i guess.....Shaq is from the east coast and has a family


Personally i like the idea of LA being a young single guy.....but i do also like living in Orlando to

[lieder]

Hey gimme5, you mind me asking what career field you are in?

We're in SJ and not loving it. We like San Francisco, but most of our friends up there have moved away in the last few months or are planning to leave for greener pastures in the near future. Then we'll have no great reason to stay. It might be time for us to move back near our home states.

My spouse in an electrical engineer, so Silicon Valley is a great place for jobs. Engineering seems to be drying up on the east coast though. Know anything about high tech in Orlando, or FL in general?