Relocating to Orlando area for work (Altamonte Springs, Apopka: apartment complex, vacation, rental)

[pack2602]

So my job is relocating me to the Orlando area later this year. As of right now I'm not sure if I want to rent and apartment or house. After looking through the forum I have some question.

First I'm wondering which area is safer Apopka, Winter Park, Oviedo, or Altamonte Springs?

The second thing I'm wondering is a good place to find possible house rentals in those areas for 950 or less a month? I'm looking for a decent size house for that price if I can find it. Other wise what are some good apartments complexes in those areas for that price? Oh 2 bedroom is preferable.

The last thing is probably my biggest issue, traffic. I've heard its very bad more or less anywhere, but which of these would be a quicker/easier drive to the area around where Levis docker outlet is? That's the general area where my store will be. Thanks for any help, and feel free to email me more detailed info on stuff.

After looking at some things is there anywhere south of orlando thats a good safe place to live as well?

[Crane's Rooster]

Where will you be working? Out of those areas, 2 are central (Winter Park & Altamonte) and the other two are somewhat out of the way (Apopka & Oviedo). So if commuting is going to be your main concern location may be the deciding factor for you. Overall all those areas are nice and mostly safe (S. Apopka is not as desirable) but bang for the buck is different. In Altamonte you should be able to find something within that price range and for Oviedo also. Winter Park may be a little more difficult. Please post more specific questions and I'll be glad to give you more in depth answers. Hope this helps.

[pack2602]

Well after doing more research, I'm curious as to how safe/unsafe the davenport area is as I found a house there I could afford to rent. As far as being more specific I can't tell you exactly where the building will be, but I know its on International drive somewhere. I'll probably continue to update this as I find out more info.

Do you have any suggestions as to a good website for houses in altamonte, or even what some good apartment complexs out there may be?

Also how expensive are utilities there, basically the place I found in the davenport area is a 3 bedroom 2200 sq ft, and I'm trying to figure out how much utilities would cost on average?

I don't expect where I live to be completly safe, as I've lived in some pretty rough areas, but I just prefer not to have to watch my back all the time.

Thanks for any info

[pack2602]

Anyone have any experience with signal pointe apartments? How safe is that area, is it a good quiet place to live?

[Crane's Rooster]

If you're going to be working on I-drive I wouldn't recommend any of those areas as you would have to go past downtown to get to work and you're commute would be very difficult. Try looking around the Mall of Millenia area. Directly on the other side of I-4 on Orlando Vineland road there are some affordable apartments. I would also look at Hunter's creek if you're gonna be on the southside of town. You may also want to look in Lake Nona area, I think you could probaly get to I-drive pretty easily on the beachline (528). The most convenient area would be Metro-West. You'll hear varying opinions about it but my cousin has lived there for the past 2 years without any problems. Also, Clermont or Winter Garden may also be an option since you could connect with the 429 and turnpike. I'm not trying to discourage from your previous choice but your commute from those areas to I-Drive would be epic.

[stinafl]

The areas that you have named are quite far from the place you noted for your work. You may consider the area of hunters creek or windermere

[stinafl]

Try to find some rentals from craigslist , they usually have pics with them and also try rentclicks.com

[WinterberryFarm]

I lived in Davenport for 4 years and can probably help with your questions regarding such. Do you have kids? My first question only because of schools...Davenport is a HUGE area that in 2001 was mostly rural, rural subdivisions and orange groves. Now it is being built up quite a bit...but the big problem with the area...esp. if you BUY is that a lot of the homes are vacation rental homes. You never know who is going to be next door from one week to the next. During the slow months, many of those houses sit empty...no neighbor problems, but high incidence of home burglary....everybody knows the houses are empty alot. If you tell me where the home is, I probably know whether it is mostly vacation rental or owner occupied.

[bennyb273]

so is it possible to find homes for $950 or less to rent in oviedo??

[pack2602]

In answer to your question benny I didn't really find anything. I've pretty much given up on the house idea and am looking for an apartment now, which is difficult in itself. Does anyone know what The Legends at Champion Gate apartments are like? I will be working in the levi's outlet area strip mall, so if anyone has any apartment recommendations from 5-30 minutes away let me know thanks. My price range has also changed as my wonderful car has gone out on me so I'm looking for a 1/2 bedroom for around 750-840. I'm hoping to find something around the 800+ square feet mark but we shall see.