What is a safe, affordable neighborhood in or around Orlando? (Altamonte Springs: to rent, how much)

[DisneyLady16]

My husband and I are currently living in Knoxville, TN, but my husband has possibly landed a job in Orlando. We've visited the area several times, but don't know much about the area as far as a place to live. I would like an insiders perspective on what areas in or around Orlando are desireable. We would like a neighborhood that is resonably safe, and not too outrageous on rent. Also, we would like an area that is not too far of a drive from downtown Orlando, since that is where my husband would have to drive to work everyday. Any advice would be appreciated!

[totsuka]

It depends on how much you want to spend on rent.

[alphamale]

Disney World.

[Crane's Rooster]

Audubon Park, Colonialtowne, Conway and College Park are all nice affordable areas very close to downtown. If you're willing to venture out further, Altamonte Springs, East Orlando, Longwood, Maitland and Lake Mary are also nice. Given your user name and husbands job location I would focus the search on the first group of neighborhoods listed.

[BrittanyMilstead]

I realize that your post is a coupla months old - but I have to second Crane's Rooster's post. My husband and I both work and play downtown, and we live in the Conway area. Try Bryn Mawr or Wedgewood subdivisions there. College Park is an awesome community with a good mix of people there, but it's prices can be tad high. There is a lot of new upscale "custom" homes being built there suddenly (right next to homes built in the 30's or 60's), which makes for an even greater dynamic. I love to drive around College Park! To me though, Conway is tops because it feels a little suburban, but you're literally 5 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from theme parks.

[Compaq]

Originally Posted by totsuka

It depends on how much you want to spend on rent.

Can you tell me the average I would be expected to spend on Rent in or around the Orlando area.

[UMC Musicman]

Check out Sanctuary, Oak Crest & Bella Vista - all part of the Tivoli Woods development. Close to 3 major arteries that will get you downtown, to the attractions, OIA, and the east coast (Cocoa). I regularly drive into Orlando - 15 minutes.

[whyisitsodifficult]

This sounds familiar. My husband got transfered to Orlando from Colorado last July. We made the long and stressful move. It was a huge mistake that we have to live with until we can get out of here. I originally wanted to live in Celebration, but it was a little pricey. I wished I would have found a way to live there as I think it would have been a better match for us.
We live in Metrowest (near Universal Studios) at a place called Gates of Harbortown in a 3 bedroom townhome. We pay $1695 and the community is gated. We can hear the Disney fireworks nightly, but we cannot see them. The area appears nice, but there is a lot of crime, road rage and rude neighbors. The gates on many of these communities break down and rarely work. Make sure you park your car in the garage for safety. Honestly, I have never felt safe living here. On several occasions I have been approached by shady people lingering in shopping center parking lots during the day asking weird questions like do you want to sell me your car or for $40 I can do repairs to your car. It's just weird. I carry mace at all times. My middle school age child hated the schools here, and we have to homeschool him which I did not plan on. If you don't have to move here I wouldn't. Tennessee is a beautiful state and I am sure it doesn't have roaches like Florida seems too.

[brinkofsunshine]

Originally Posted by whyisitsodifficult

This sounds familiar. My husband got transfered to Orlando from Colorado last July. We made the long and stressful move. It was a huge mistake that we have to live with until we can get out of here. I originally wanted to live in Celebration, but it was a little pricey. I wished I would have found a way to live there as I think it would have been a better match for us.
We live in Metrowest (near Universal Studios) at a place called Gates of Harbortown in a 3 bedroom townhome. We pay $1695 and the community is gated. We can hear the Disney fireworks nightly, but we cannot see them. The area appears nice, but there is a lot of crime, road rage and rude neighbors. The gates on many of these communities break down and rarely work. Make sure you park your car in the garage for safety. Honestly, I have never felt safe living here. On several occasions I have been approached by shady people lingering in shopping center parking lots during the day asking weird questions like do you want to sell me your car or for $40 I can do repairs to your car. It's just weird. I carry mace at all times. My middle school age child hated the schools here, and we have to homeschool him which I did not plan on. If you don't have to move here I wouldn't. Tennessee is a beautiful state and I am sure it doesn't have roaches like Florida seems too.

If you're being approached in parking lots, maybe you should do your shopping in nearby Dr. Phillips. I've never been approached by anyone, ever. I've always felt safe, no need to carry mace. Also, it's unfortunate that you're paying so much for MetroWest. There are places to rent in Dr. Phillips and Windermere for less than than $1695/month.

[MikeyGman]

NO PLACE! I worked like a dog here and got treated like Cr*p by everyone around me. DO NOT MOVE HERE EVER! EVERYTHING is too high for no reason and the state most esp central FL area is a steaming pile of P**!