Help!!!!!! Moving to Orlando!!!!!!!! (Miami, Pine Hills: jobs, house, crime)

[traysea]

I just moved to Winter Garden.. I like it, I LOVE my rental house in Winter Oaks.. I wouldn't buy just yet. I would (if I was you..) rent a nice house in a quiet subdivision and wait out the real estate mess.. if you still like WG/Orlando buy in a year or so.

My two cents.
Traysea

[Long Island Mermaid]

Hi Ann, just like you I am moving to Winter Garden/Windermere looking to make a fresh start after my Mom's and brother's death and s
ome unfortunate family battling and some investments gone bad. Gonna brush myself off and move on. If you are in your 20's and planning to buy a house I have no doubt that you will do fine in Orlando.
Just like you, I almost changed my mind after reading posts on here. I sent my furniture down and am just finishing up some business here on Long Island. I just came back home after a week in Winter Park and can't wait to go back permanently. Most people have been very nice and want to help- with directions, some are slow and require some patience while they give you inaccurate directions, some are "confused" but mean well. I am from NY so I need to learn patience and tolerance so that is my goal. As far as work goes, some people say get a job before you get there, but my friends tell me that employers will call candidates who are already living there first. So I am investigating sales but waiting to interview. I don't know how well administrators are doing but I know there are plenty of opportuities especially in sales. My friend is in commercial real estate and he says tons of businesses are relocating to the Orlando area every day. Also, I am in real estate, a very flat market for residential, however time share sales(also real estate) is booming so I am looking into that.
Don't let anyone bust your bubble about moving to Orlando but do visit and investigate the market and speak to others in your field, not just delivery men. Also beware of Dishonest Moving Companies...I just got screwed!!!
Where are you moving from?

[THASPECIAL]

Originally Posted by Long Island Mermaid

. Most people have been very nice and want to help- with directions, some are slow and require some patience while they give you inaccurate directions, some are "confused" but mean well. I am from NY so I need to learn patience and tolerance so that is my goal.

Yeah Orlando is full of people from up north and the midwest that will give you bad directions because they just moved here......LOL....not saying they are bad but just pointing out that you are getting the wrong people involved in your arguement of people being slow and confused because they are "from Florida".....LOL......Besides me and a couple other people on this forum and in this city....Where are the natives?......I'll tell you......they aren't here because most of the slow, confused, and retarted people you talk about are actually not even from here because this is a transient state.....there arent lots of people with roots here.....you have alot to learn....so next time you think people are superior where you came from ...just wait for a second before you say Floridians are bottom feeders because the slow, confused people you speak of might be from an area that is closer to where you are from rather than Florida

[VaNative]

Make sure you get annual passes to Universal and Disney once you're settled in. Universal is an excellent deal and Disney requires proof of FL residency before you can purchase the FL resident pass. The passes will come in handy when family/friends visit...trust me on this!

[cellogirl]

It is possible to move here and make your life here... I did... but I also had friends that were moving the same time and when I arrived my apartment was already decided for me. Now, I understand that this is not the real concern for you. However, this is a expensive place to move to and very lonely if you don't get friends quickly. It is not hard to find a job... there are always places hiring, mostly the theme parks, however it is hard to find a high-paying job in your field. If this is really what you want, you will make it work. I wish you all the luck, and have a blast... The Florida lifestyle is compairable to none other!

[THASPECIAL]

Originally Posted by cellogirl

It is possible to move here and make your life here... I did... but I also had friends that were moving the same time and when I arrived my apartment was already decided for me. Now, I understand that this is not the real concern for you. However, this is a expensive place to move to and very lonely if you don't get friends quickly. It is not hard to find a job... there are always places hiring, mostly the theme parks, however it is hard to find a high-paying job in your field. If this is really what you want, you will make it work. I wish you all the luck, and have a blast... The Florida lifestyle is compairable to none other!

You are right ....it is comparable to none other.....but people from other places always complain that there is nothing to do and that things close too early...i wonder why they do this......is it homesickness or trying to feel like we should all know where they are from and how it should be done?.......people are funny......i love Florida for all the good things there is here...the sun, the beach, the sporting events and clubs and outdoor things you can do ......but there is "real" issues....but unfortunatly "we" (Floridians) dont know what "real" issues are compared to "real" cities in other places .....sorry i had to get that off my chest and im glad to hear someone admitt that the lifestyle here is great.......overall i agree with your reply

[Midwest Teri]

Hi,

My husband and I relocated to the Winter Garden area in 2003 and we love it! We both are realtors and have seen the best times in the market and the lowest of times which are right now but it's a great time to purchase if you're able to. There are so many deals out there right now!

Winter Garden itself is growing and it's exciting seeing the new growth going on. True, the Orlando area was a little getting use to. Back home the rich didn't live right next door to the poor ect. On a drive through say the town of Windermere you can pass by mansions right alongside of tiny homes next door to them. Unreal but I guess we're use to it now. It just takes some adjusting to live down here. It's a mix culture.

As for the crime, I'm sorry but you find it in all the states and it's no different down here. It's just that in the bigger cities back home you hear about all that's going on in the cities like concerts, politics etc. but down here the news seems to focus more on the crime.

I would definetly have a job in hand before moving though. The job scale here is lower than the midwest states for sure. If you need any house listings emailed to you in order to get an idea of the market let us know and we'll send them to you. Good Luck!

Teri

[carolynkingsley]

I lived in Winter Garden for five years. It's a nice little country town and probably affordable. Much of Orlando is very expensive now. I commuted though, because I worked for Universal Studios, (I loved that job.) By the way, you might apply with them. Universal has a high population of young people and the free passes are always nice too, plus 401k and medical. Good luck.

[mka tor]

I have lived here my whole life. Its nice to grow up and great to raise a family. Like anywhere you learn where to go and not to go. Downtown isn' far and WG is about to open an enormous mall and shops area that tis going to bring a lot of buisness to the area. There are jobs, you just have to look. An admid job shouldn't be to hard to find. HOmes in WG are very reasonable. Don't get in over you head and you'll be fine.
I know a friend seliin and her house is ery nice and afordable. and close to the highway and the mall

[pianogal]

I say go for it. You are young, you have some money saved. Why not try it? I would definitely try to have a job lined up before moving if at all possible. Then rent for awhile before buying. Orlando is so spread out and each area has a little different personality. Give yourself time to learn the area before purchasing.