Florida has become a moving option... (Orlando, Kissimmee: 2015, rentals, house prices)

[Flamingomo]

We have been planning for years to move to California, but the cost of living is insane, housing prices are rising and we are also finding it very difficult to find jobs. We have a few friends in Florida who can line us up with jobs working for Disney/Universal almost immediately. I for one, hate the weather in Florida. It is so hot an humid that I feel I may become a hermit. But my kids actually are the ones who suggested maybe moving there. We have been to Disney and Universal more times than I can count and I think Florida is beautiful even though too humid for my blood. Anyway, just looking at houses in our range and came across two that would be perfect, One is in Davenport(Ivy Brooke Court) and one in St. Cloud(Peachtree Blvd). Both are on cul de sacs and have pools which is a necessity, and one comes fully furnished (this was a vacation rental) and seems that it only needs the kitchen upgraded.

Anyone have thoughts on these areas? How are the schools? We feel it will be the perfect time to move in June 2015. I realize these home will probably not be available then, but just a thought of the areas or suggestions as to where else would be good. We want our kids to get a fresh start when they begin high school, middle school and kindergarten and they feel the same.

Thanks for your insight!

[brinkofsunshine]

I would recommend looking at Dr. Phillips or Windermere if you want to be in the attractions area. They're both great, family-oriented communities with good schools. Polk County and Osceola County (where Davenport and St. Cloud are), aren't known for great schools.

[Fl1150]

Ocoee, Lake Mary, Sanford pretty much any city in Seminole county would be ideal for a family.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Fl1150

Ocoee, Lake Mary, Sanford pretty much any city in Seminole county would be ideal for a family.

I agree though I think you mean Oviedo, not Ocoee...which is in Orange County and not known for great schools. I would also throw in Oviedo's neighbor Winter Springs, as well as Altamonte Springs (Lake Brantley area on the west side), Longwood (mostly west of I-4, though the area that extends a couple miles west from I-4 on the north side of SR434 is nice/well-established) and also Casselberry's Lake Howell/Red Bug Road neighborhoods.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by Flamingomo

We have been planning for years to move to California, but the cost of living is insane, housing prices are rising and we are also finding it very difficult to find jobs. We have a few friends in Florida who can line us up with jobs working for Disney/Universal almost immediately. I for one, hate the weather in Florida. It is so hot an humid that I feel I may become a hermit. But my kids actually are the ones who suggested maybe moving there. We have been to Disney and Universal more times than I can count and I think Florida is beautiful even though too humid for my blood. Anyway, just looking at houses in our range and came across two that would be perfect, One is in Davenport(Ivy Brooke Court) and one in St. Cloud(Peachtree Blvd). Both are on cul de sacs and have pools which is a necessity, and one comes fully furnished (this was a vacation rental) and seems that it only needs the kitchen upgraded.

Anyone have thoughts on these areas? How are the schools? We feel it will be the perfect time to move in June 2015. I realize these home will probably not be available then, but just a thought of the areas or suggestions as to where else would be good. We want our kids to get a fresh start when they begin high school, middle school and kindergarten and they feel the same.

Thanks for your insight!

First, what type of jobs are your friends getting you lined up with at Disney that will support 5 people? I have never heard of anyone getting a job there just because a friend tells them about someone. You have to go through the interviews/tests to be hired. Beginning salaries are generally minimum wage or a little more if a skilled job. For promotions to better paying areas they do a lot of them from within. You often are hired as part time before getting full time. Hours can be long with picking up shifts to make enough money to live with roommates for a lot of Disney employees in the parks. Benefits aren't bad, though.

If you think you already hate the humidity, you probably will hate living here. Vacationing in Florida is not the same as living here.

St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Davenport will have less expenses places to live. Even in lower rated schools kids can get great educations if parents stay involved in their educations and volunteer even at the high school level. Too many people think once your kids are in school it is the teachers job to educate their kids, but it is with the parents help and cooperation that kids learn.

[EditorJul]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

First, what type of jobs are your friends getting you lined up with at Disney that will support 5 people? I have never heard of anyone getting a job there just because a friend tells them about someone. You have to go through the interviews/tests to be hired. Beginning salaries are generally minimum wage or a little more if a skilled job. For promotions to better paying areas they do a lot of them from within. You often are hired as part time before getting full time. Hours can be long with picking up shifts to make enough money to live with roommates for a lot of Disney employees in the parks. Benefits aren't bad, though.

Agreed with this completely. Gone are the days when you can walk into Casting with a recommendation from a friend and move into an interview that day. Even for a minimum wage job, the process from applying to acceptance (which isn't guaranteed) usually takes 3-6 months. If you want to get in for seasonal work for the hopes of getting a permanent position, start applying now.

If you're looking for a professional position, either going for a direct hire through the DisneyCareers web site or through a recruiter is the way to go. For a professional position, from the submission of application to hire can take 6-11 months, and for every professional position advertised, there's usually around a thousand applicants.

This isn't to discourage you from going for it, but if a friend says they can give you an in, make sure you get it in writing from the company before you move. Or, if the company won't give it to you in writing, get your friend to give it to you in writing--and then sue your ex-friend if it doesn't work out so you have money to live off of while you try to find something local or find another place to relocate.

[FL2MT]

Just from that one post I see three red flags about your move.
1. You say you already know that you hate the heat & humidity.
2. The areas you mention living in are not known for good schools, and at least one is in an area that allows short term rentals.
3. Your main connection to the area seems to be that you've visited Disney and Universal lots of times.

From reading these boards for a few years I can tell you with reasonable confidence that those 3 items are big flashing warning signs that moving to Florida could be a bad idea. Others have mentioned some better areas to live and the reality of getting a job (that would support a family) with Disney or Universal.

Not to discourage you completely, you need to really do your research, but from what you've shared so far I wouldn't recommend it in your case.

[Flamingomo]

Thank you for all of your replies. We are still in the thought process of it, nothing definite yet. I will suck it up weather-wise if my kids are happy and we will definitely have a pool or access to one.

As far as the jobs, last time we were there, we met with a few people who are able to help us out and get us in the door when time comes. Neither of us will be working in the parks, I am more of the administrative assistant type roll and my husband, can pretty much do whatever. He is currently a music teacher, so he may have to grab something short term until he establishes himself. We are selling a house and will have most of that for a down payment and my mother in law may be moving with us, so she will also contribute to the household and the downpayment.

The reason I posted was to ask if these areas were good, so I wouldn't know about the schools or the short term rental areas. I will try and avoid this if we do end up here and we will search for the areas suggested. Good schools are very important to me as my oldest has Aspergers and I need to be very careful with him especially going into high school.

I don't feel I need a "connection" to the area to move there. My entire family is close to where we live now, but we don't like it where we are and want a big change. I have no problem moving away from them. We will visit. Its not like I see them weekly or even monthly. We are close, but this is something we have wanted to do forever. So whether it is California, Florida or somewhere else, we will be moving away from this area. Besides, we have fun friends in Florida

Thank you again for all of your help and suggestions and will keep you posted on updates. I'm sure I will have more questions. Now I have to hop over the California boards. haha!

[EditorJul]

For me personally, we didn't move into Davenport even though the house prices were very affordable because Polk County schools (and Polk County mentality in general) are just too wacky for our tastes. (Paranoid, far too conservative for our lifestyle, a little "reverse thinking" in the education department if you know what I mean.) I don't think you'd find the kind of school to meet your needs in that area, sadly.

Regarding backstage roles at Disney (like administrative assistant roles), unless your friend's last name is Iger, Rasulo, Staggs, Crofton, Kalogridis, or MacPhee, or they have a job title that starts with "Vice President of…", your friend is probably telling you something wonderful to hear that they won't be able to fulfill.

What your friend probably has offered you (or would offer you) is the Cast Member Referral Card. That used to be a card that you could use to walk in to Casting and get an interview that day. Problem is, lots of those cards made the rounds back in the day. I believe that process was discontinued in 2013, although there are still good financial bonuses for referrals -- you just have to go through the same process as everyone else and then mention your referral at hire. Long and short of it, start applying now for employment in 2015.

There are a decent number of other minimum-wage administrative assistant positions in the Orlando metro area, however. If you want to go above minimum wage, the best bet is to sign on with a recruiter early on so they can start looking for you now. Then, if you are given an interview and can crunch the numbers, that would give you a good idea of whether or not to afford it. I have no idea if the job market pays more in California to compensate for the higher cost of living.

[Not4longNY]

I would recommend Hunters Creek. The schools are excellent and you are only 15 mins. from Disney.