Orlando or Bust!!?? (Miami, Lakeland, University: apartments, crimes, new home)

[Astrid J]

Both my wife and I are currently living in Germany and we will soon be relocating to Orlando Florida. After living here since May 2000, we have decided to move because of the declining dolloar and our daughter will be attending college in Florida. I am athletic and would like to play in a softball league once a week, while my wife enjoys salsa dancing. We already have a place near UCF and we were wondering if any one can give us some info on the do's and dont's of the area for a college bound sweetie, a salsa dancing wife and a sports minded husband.
Another thing is that my wife is German. I am a black male our daughter is in the middle (mixed). How is the racial climate in Orlando? The reason why I ask is because we lived in Silver Spring Maryland and the atmosphere there had an under current of racism..both ways! We would welcome any honest opinion of the area so that we can decide on the arsenal that we might have to bring with us!!! ( Just kidding LOL).
How is the club life in Orange county near the University, the area for college bound students and the sports leauges ( softball)? My daughter and wife would definately like to know about the shopping malls..

We will be moving to the Arden Villas complex..Does anyone have any comments about Arden Villas?

PS..BUGS,HUGE SPIDERS and ALLIGATORS??? ( female fears)

[Prichard]

You asked for a candid response on the bi-racial thing. We don't have that many bi-racial married couples, people are definitely not color blind and you will get looks. But, not necessarily dirty looks. You're daughter will be fine at UCF, and depending on where you live and how you interact with people, you shouldn't have too many problems.

[RedWingsFan]

Originally Posted by Prichard

We don't have that many bi-racial married couples, people are definitely not color blind and you will get looks. But, not necessarily dirty looks.

I think that is true of most places in the U.S., with the exception of a few...

[JR82]

Bugs, yes. Spiders, yes. Alligators, sure why not.

I think its a generation thing as far as the Bi-racial couple is concerned. Im 24 and wouldnt even think twice of it. But with the older more antiquated folks, you might get some looks. But I rarely hear of racially motivated crimes down here. However, there are idiots everywhere, and yes Orlando has its fair share......in other words, you wouldnt get declined of service anywhere.

The clubs, well, they dont really exsist outside of Orange Ave. I mean, you have bars and such spread equally throughout the city, but not really clubs.
Downtown Orlando is about a 20-30 min drive on a friday night from UCF.

Shopping malls : Florida Mall, Fashion Square, Altamonte Mall, Seminole Town Center, Oviedo Mall, Millenium Mall........****, I just realized we have to many malls around here.... Then you have Downtown Disney and the whole disney area along with the tourist trap of the I-drive outlet stores....(you will see many germans )

As for softball leagues, well, I havent reached that age yet so I dont have any info for ya.

[lulu]

Salsa dancing and bi-racial? Seems you'll fit for down here. Have you thought about Miami???
How about Florida International University or the University of Miami? Yeah, I know we aren't necessarily cheap, but one thing is for sure, everyone fits.

[pianogal]

Astrid. Welcome to Orlando!! I don't think you will find the biracial thing to be an issue. We have several biracial families in our church, one couple are good friends of ours and they really haven't had a problem. In fact, it is one of the reasons they moved here and away from their hometown in the midwest. They have two children, very bright and popular in school. One is a cheerleader.

I don't anything about sports teams, really. There is a league that some of the guys from church play in, but I don't know much about it.

There is plenty of shopping. I don't think your daughter and wife will have a problem there. The closest to UCF would be Oviedo Mall, Waterford Lakes and Fashion Square.

The only clubs I know anything about are downtown and at CityWalk (Universal) or Pleasure Island (Disney).

I lived in Arden Villas for a few months while our new home was being built. My only real complaint was the noise. We were on the first floor and it sounded like the people above us were bowling most of the time. The apartments are VERY roomy. We had a two bedroom and the master bedroom was HUGE with two large closets. The second bedroom was also quite large with a built in desk. The only thing small was the kitchen. It's is like a little box, but the pantry was a good size and helped with storage.

The location is perfect for your daughter. Our son is also at UCF and he loved living there - he could ALMOST walk to school. It's only a few blocks down University from the Apartments.

Be careful about parking. It is VERY important to park in the correct spaces. I saw cars get towed! We splurged for covered parking.

Overall it was well kept while we were there. The exercise room is small but adequate and it seems to have a very nice pool area - although we were there in the winter and didn't get to use it.

It is gated and they were very thorough about security which is a good thing. There was always a guard on duty after dark. Also there is an exterior door which you must have a key card for then an interior anteroom through which you must pass to get to your apartment door. Then of course, you have another key for your apartment. Sometimes, that was a pain, but it is safer than just having your door open to the street.

We had an apartment with a view towards the back and it opened up on a lovely field - so we had a nice view from the large windows in the living area and master bedroom.

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them for you. Good Luck!

[spunky]

Hi, I agree, I do not think being a bi-racial couple will be an issue at all, maybe 10 years ago it might have been but not now! And maybe the company you work for will have a softball team but if not there are a lot of leagues in Orlando. And as far as salsa dancing, I am sure you can find that as well!

[Astrid J]

Thanks to everybody....now i am ready to move !!!

[lilyinsf]

My family (husband, 13 yr. old son and myself) are considering a move to Orange County Fl. He is a physician and black I am New England white our son is in the middle. I am told we should look at Doctor Phillips, Lake Nona or Bay Hill? Any thoughts about how well we would be received? Where should we stay away from (Lakeland, Winter Haven?) Anything would be helpful.

[SouthernBelle3]

I'm not biracial, but maybe someone who is can best answer your question. I don't know of anyone that has a problem with biracial couples where I live in Lake County, but that's just me.