Moving to Orlando, Fl from NY

[clem78]

If you have a car, move to Seminole County ,checking out the Sanford, Lake Mary and Altamnte areas, It's not all expensive and there are apartment dealsaround that are much better than in Orlando and way better than NYC
Crime here really is not a big thing depending n where you're coming from in NYC. It's just that it's increased recently and people here aren't used to it and the press does nothing but exaggerate it.
But this area is not NYC. I'm a native New Yorker and have lived here since '93, an d still miss NYC. But Central Fl is a nice place to live if you can live without really good food.

[Kaci]

Good places for family. Slower paced living. I have a young adult daughter and her and her friends would go to Orlando or Tampa for dancing, etc.

Lakeland and Winter Haven will have everything you want, evening dancing nights out. Do a search at the Orlando Forum to find out more about Lakeland, Winter Haven and Lake Wales. K

[Dogluvr]

I will suggest doing some research on Winter Park. I lived there for a few years, via NYC. It is 5 minutes from downtown Orlando and you will find several Starbucks, a Whole Foods, decent (non-chain) restaurants including sushi, Thai, Italian, Greek, etc., and fun things like Jazz festivals and outdoor farmers markets. It's about 1/2 hour from Disney and Universal Studios.

If you are coming from the suburbs of NY, it won't be as much of a culture shock, but if you are coming from Manhattan, prepare to slow down a bit and get used to strip malls and lots of driving. Unless you are going into witness protection.....stay away from Sanford! You will think you have died and woken up in an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard!

Here are some links to check out........

Welcome to the City of Winter Park

City of Orlando

Harry P. Leu Gardens

[blxcnxsole]

Originally Posted by KPR007

Hi Guys ,

I'm moving to Orlando, by end of this month and wanted to know if Winter Haven is a good neighborhood to settle down. If not, I am looking for apts rentals around Lake Wales? Any Suggestions are welcome..

Sorry buddy but you're in the wrong area. Thats in Polk County!

[StarJacks]

Crime isnt that bad. Compared to how it was in early 90s yes its gotten worse but not like it may be in NYC. Thats what happens when a city starts to grow and get crowded. You do hear about alot of accidents though.

Originally Posted by srey10

Stay out of florida, crime is really bad, if you teens have issues, they will only get worse with the bad influence already here.

[bgibson]

Where is a good place to live near Orlando, where crime is not jumping off the charts?
Also how much should I expect to pay in rent for a two bedroom?

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by bgibson

Where is a good place to live near Orlando, where crime is not jumping off the charts?
Also how much should I expect to pay in rent for a two bedroom?

Lake mary, Longwood, Winter springs, Oviedo. Windermere and for a more hip area near Downtown, Winter park the cops there are right on top of things so crime stays out of there compared to Orlando Proper but there is alot of traffic in some aras.

The Park ave area in Winter park has a kind of urban vibe to it

[patash3]

how is the community in blackstone landing in kissimmee

[JC1972]

The original poster (KPR007) said they were moving from NY, not necessarily NYC. NY is a large state from Long Island all the way up to Buffalo. So crime and cost of living depend on the area. BTW, I'm also from NY (Long Island) an am thinking of moving to the Orlando area. I'm glad I came upon this site so I know what places to avoid before we come down to take a look.

[AngelofPrayer]

Originally Posted by patash3

how is the community in blackstone landing in kissimmee

Hi Patash:

We were worried when we moved down from NYC too -- but 4 years later I am very happy we wound up in Blackstone. I love it.

Blackstone is a subdivision -- it is not a gated community but it's pretty quiet. The high school is walking distance. The middle and elementary school kids are bused to our front entrances.

At first it was kind of weird for us because Blackstone is surrounded by cow fields so the change was drastic for us but 5-10 minutes on the road and you hit the tourism capital of the world - so if you have an option.

Blackstone is close enough but far enough from everything so that we are not affected too much by the influx. They expanded the shopping plaza south on Poinciana Blvd and constructed a Lowes, restaurants, clothes stores, etc. -- looks great and they are constructing one at the light -- they put a Home Depot so far.

We have about 300 families. Although it is a community that is 4 years old - it is just starting to pull together -- we have a Neighborhood Watch in our community. We are starting a soccer team soon and are having a Family Day Event in May.

It is a mixed community but it is pre-dominantly Hispanic. Most of the homeowners live in the community -- there are a few renters but not too many. The association fees are about $400/year.

I'm glad I moved to Blackstone -- my kids are happy here. It's a middle-class family-oriented community. Weekends you can see the kids riding their bikes and playing -- by evening all you hear are cows and donkeys in the fields.

Downside to Blackstone -- doesn't have a clubhouse. On a scale from 1 to 10 -- I'd say it's an 8. Hope this helps.