Young Guy Possibly Moving to Orlando Area, Need Info (Altamonte Springs: appointed, apartment)

[jmahan]

Hello,

There is a very good chance that I will be moving to the Orlando area in May for a job in Lake Mary. I've done some research and it seems like Lake Mary would not be a great place to live for someone my age, so I have come to this group in search of advice.

I am a 23-year-old guy, I just graduated from college in May, and I currently live in the Philadelphia area. I prefer to live in a more downtown, urban environment that is close to a bar/club scene. I will be living alone, and I do not mind a commute to work but I do not want to be unreasonably far from the office in Lake Mary.

Where is the ideal area for me to look when it comes to apartment hunting? Is commuting from Orlando to Lake Mary unreasonable? If so, where is the best place to live for someone like me? What is the approximate cost of living for someone in a one-bedroom apartment?

Any advice/information you can provide would be awesome. Thanks!

[Pete C]

Thornton Park/South Eola. That is where you want to be rather than right smack downtown which is loud. Rent would be between $1000 - $1600 depending on which condo building you choose. You would be living next to Lake Eola which is the focal point of downtown with the conveniences of a full grocery store located at the Paramount. Lots of bars and clubs are a short walk to the downtown core and the Thornton Park area itself has some low key bars as well.

The Paramount and Aspire are managed properties that you can visit and get tours. There is also Post Parkside which is an apartment building. A couple blocks north of Aspire is a brand new apartment tower called Skyhouse opening soon. There are also other towers that are condos that you can rent from people. Check out craigslist and type in Lake Eola.

[MargusMahar]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Thornton Park/South Eola. That is where you want to be rather than right smack downtown which is loud. Rent would be between $1000 - $1600 depending on which condo building you choose. You would be living next to Lake Eola which is the focal point of downtown with the conveniences of a full grocery store located at the Paramount. Lots of bars and clubs are a short walk to the downtown core and the Thornton Park area itself has some low key bars as well.

The Paramount and Aspire are managed properties that you can visit and get tours. There is also Post Parkside which is an apartment building. A couple blocks north of Aspire is a brand new apartment tower called Skyhouse opening soon. There are also other towers that are condos that you can rent from people. Check out craigslist and type in Lake Eola.

I agree with Pete C. Thornton Park is one of the best places close to downtown Orlando and walking distance. You would not be disappointed. Camden Orange Court is another place within walking distance to downtown and its relatively reasonably priced.

Another option that comes to mind would be Altamonte Springs - near the Altamonte Mall. There are places available for a bit less than in downtown Orlando. Still relatively close to it though and there are number of local bars and restaurants close by.

[pele171]

just out of curiosity, what kind of job are you getting?

and yes, downtown orlando may be the best place for you to live.

[otown native]

Yeah, anything downtown would be your only option..because Orlando in general is extremely boring for a young person your age unless you're right there in the bar/club scene, which downtown is the only place for consistency with that. Especially coming from somewhere like Philly. Driving on I-4 (Interstate 4) will be miserable though.

[cerveza]

orlando to lake mary commute on I-4 wouldnt be too bad because most of the traffic would be going in the opposite direction during rush hours.

on the otherhand, im not sure how much traffic you would encounter downtown getting to and from the I-4 on/off ramps during rush hour.

[Pete C]

I don't think anyone familiar with traffic in the northeast will find I-4 to be anything they haven't seen before. I-4 is nothing out of the ordinary.

[Xx2O11xX]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I don't think anyone familiar with traffic in the northeast will find I-4 to be anything they haven't seen before. I-4 is nothing out of the ordinary.

^ this.

[otown native]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I don't think anyone familiar with traffic in the northeast will find I-4 to be anything they haven't seen before. I-4 is nothing out of the ordinary.

I agree it won't be anything they haven't seen before..but 2-3 people I work with here in NY have family in Orlando, and it's funny because they all tell me they despise driving down there, especially on I-4, and say Orlandoans are the crazy drivers..to which I just smh.

[rescue brew]

Thorton Park dude. Take my word for it. If I fit your profile, I would want to live there.

The commute wont be great, but you'll make up for it on the weekend

cheers and enjoy!