Orlando..a nice place (Pine Hills, Sanford: real estate, hoa, apartments)

[spunky]

Well, it definately depends on what part of the east/west area you are speaking of. Not all of the east is "wealthier". The east area, and I am speaking east of 436-the Curry Ford/Goldenroad area is certainly not wealthier. It is the area of the above-mentioned hit and run, and there is ALOT of crime there. Sure if you go farther out there are some newer and nicer areas, but again, you are getting farther and farther away. And yes, Metro West has become problematic. It is basically a walled off nicer area surrounded by an older and seedier area. It is like a walled off area surrounded by a high crime area and the criminals go over the wall and commit crimes. However, just a little further out you have Windermere and Ilsesworth which is very affluent. I personally would much prefer Windermere to the other, much more scenic and small town and easier to get to downtown Orlando. Just my observation.

[Christian11]

Originally Posted by pianogal

Vista Lakes, Waterford Lakes, Stoneybrook East, Avalon Park, Cypress Preserve are dumps?!!?! Give me a break. I'm sure the people who live in these $300K to a million+ dollar homes in these neighborhoods believe that.

Again, WHO are these people can afford a $300k home with the current FL wages and the skyrocketing property tax rates and HOI costs? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Waterford Lakes is nice, sure Avalon is nice too, but super expensive and your commute from there do downtown Orlando (where most jobs are) will be over an 1 hour each way.

Sounds enjoyable!

Chris

Originally Posted by spunky

Well, it definately depends on what part of the east/west area you are speaking of. Not all of the east is "wealthier". The east area, and I am speaking east of 436-the Curry Ford/Goldenroad area is certainly not wealthier. It is the area of the above-mentioned hit and run, and there is ALOT of crime there. Sure if you go farther out there are some newer and nicer areas, but again, you are getting farther and farther away. And yes, Metro West has become problematic. It is basically a walled off nicer area surrounded by an older and seedier area. It is like a walled off area surrounded by a high crime area and the criminals go over the wall and commit crimes. However, just a little further out you have Windermere and Ilsesworth which is very affluent. I personally would much prefer Windermere to the other, much more scenic and small town and easier to get to downtown Orlando. Just my observation.

I lived in MetroWest for the past 7 years. I had to move due to high costs and the issue with home invasions (when people are home - scary crap).

436/Goldenrod/Curry Ford.... very bad. One of my old clients lived off Curry Ford and said there was always smoke coming out of one of the apts there (rent $1,100/mo). They were cooking meth!!! Did anyone call the cops? Nah, too scared to get killed. Crime is rampant, it is very crowded and dirty too. A total dump.

Windermere is awesome, but again, how the heck can you afford it? My aunt just got a house out there, she is now strapped for cash, trying to gasp for air when she got her oppressive new insurance bill and property taxes (which you have until Feb 2007 to pay the full amount CASH or face possible foreclosure or consequences from mortgage company). Her commute to her job in Winter Park as a physician's assistant is a fun 50 minutes each way (paying the tolls). She is happy to have the house (beautiful new contruction too, nice tub and all) but miserable paying for it and having to commute so far.

She wants to sell anyone buying??

[CURT]

Originally Posted by Christian11

Again, WHO are these people can afford a $300k home with the current FL wages and the skyrocketing property tax rates and HOI costs? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Waterford Lakes is nice, sure Avalon is nice too, but super expensive and your commute from there do downtown Orlando (where most jobs are) will be over an 1 hour each way.

Sounds enjoyable!

Chris

i dont know about everyone in waterford but i do no several people over there. they bought, unfortuneately in 2005 so paid peak price. they do commute to down town everyday with 50-60 minute ride but they are going to their engineering and computer jobs, etc. that are paying them between 75-100 k. do you they think they mind the drive? The people I know over there have wives who also are working. These are some of the people living there.

[pianogal]

I live in Vista Lakes and work downtown. My commute is 30 minutes each way.

[CURT]

Originally Posted by pianogal

I live in Vista Lakes and work downtown. My commute is 30 minutes each way.

I agree with the 30 minute commute. I was refering to using non toll roads at rush hour when I said 50-60 minutes. It also takes me only 30-35 minutes during rush hour on the toll roads. It takes me 45-55 at rush hour on the free roads. I'm in the winter springs/oviedo vicinity

[j in florida]

Some of you live in a different Orlando than I do. There are parts of this city you just stay away from (Pine Hills, SOBT, Curry Ford/436, Angebilt, Malibu Shores/Groves, Union Park etc). For the most part, this is a very nice city. If you live in a big city, you will have some bad areas.

[spunky]

Just heard on the local news that the Guardian Angels are on their way to Orlando to help with the escalating crime. . They would not be coming if there wasn't a huge need. Nuff said. . .

[Prichard]

Most of those areas you've listed, I don't get too concerned about going to. I don't venture into the heart of Pine Hills anymore. It's been going down hill since about 1980, and hasn't seemed to bottom out yet.

[spunky]

Originally Posted by Prichard

Most of those areas you've listed, I don't get too concerned about going to. I don't venture into the heart of Pine Hills anymore. It's been going down hill since about 1980, and hasn't seemed to bottom out yet.

That is the point, the escalating crime problem is NOT isolated in the Pine Hills area any longer, maybe 10 years ago but now it is scattered pretty much all around, Metro West, East side, Casselberry and Altamonte, Downtown etc.

[lovelyrita81]

I live in MetroWest and agree with many of the comments about it. It is nice inside the little cluster of apartments and houses but as soon as you hit Kirkman Road it's disgusting.

The best indication of how bad this area is getting is the walmart. I would be uncomfortable going in there at night. It's amazing the difference between the walmart and the Publix on Hiawasee, like night and day.

I work near dowtown, close to College park, and drive up Colonial or Old Winter Garden when I-4 is backed up. This drive is disgusting. I've stopped at gas stations here only to get back into my car and leave because it was very ghetto. One Citgo station on Old Winter Garden had about five police cruisers, three news trucks, ambulances, and crime tape around the entire parking lot. This was during rush hour traffic, not late at night.

My boyfriend and I are both from Connecticut and have lived here for a year and a half. As soon as he finishes his school, we are moving.