Another Crime Question... (Miami, Orlando, Gainesville: vacation, lease, job)

[gypsystar]

It looks like my husband and I will be moving to Mount Dora in about a month, and I have yet another crime question (I know you see a lot of them on this site). I have lived in Miami for 4 years and L.A. for 3 years, and have yet to be a victim of any kind of crime - knock on wood, of course!! I believe that this is because I stay out of the bad areas of the city and avoid drug dealers and shady people and places. And I have been very lucky no doubt!

If I avoid all of the notoriously bad places in the Orlando area, should I be ok? From what I have read, it almost sounds like the crime is so bad in the city that it may be dangerous to even go shopping at popular malls, etc. I mean, what are the chances that I will be robbed if I am hanging out at Prime Outlets, Winter Park, or some other decent area? I know that crime can happen anywhere.

Also, are there areas in Mount Dora that we should avoid? We will be living in an apt. complex near the country club, about 2 miles from the downtown area - I am hoping that this is a safe area since we have never been to the town. I will most likely be commuting into somewhere in Orlando for a job, so I hope the commute won't be too atrocious! I know we will be kinda far out, but we really want a small-town atmosphere.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[AliceT]

You'll be fine. I don't know what these other folks are talking about when they say Orlando is riddled with crime. I think perhaps they were victimized recently and because of that one experience, they declare the city worthless and riddled with crime. I lived in downtown Orlando for 20 years, walked my dogs late at night and did most everything alone or while walking the dogs or riding a bike. I loved being within walking distance to just about everything.

And sure, you'll see some people that you would like to send to their room until they learn how to dress themselves or get a haircut or comb their hair or use proper english rather than slang. But that doesn't mean those people are criminals nor the places they frequent are gang magnets.

Just use common sense and you'll be fine. You've already got common sense if you've lived in Miami and LA.

Mount Dora is lovely this time of year. Be sure to check out the farmers markets for the first of the strawberries.

[EasyCheeze]

orlando has seen a significant increase in crime in recent years and thats a fact. no one can tell you what your chances of being robbed are. you answered your question when you said crime happens everywhere. "hanging out in winter park" doesn't tell us much. winter park is such a big area that there are some sketchy parts. have you visited the area? if you avoid bad areas and are aware of your surroundings it is no different than LA or Miami. Mt dora is not really part of the orlando area and is like a 45 min. drive.

[gypsystar]

Originally Posted by EasyCheeze

orlando has seen a significant increase in crime in recent years and thats a fact. no one can tell you what your chances of being robbed are. you answered your question when you said crime happens everywhere. "hanging out in winter park" doesn't tell us much. winter park is such a big area that there are some sketchy parts. have you visited the area? if you avoid bad areas and are aware of your surroundings it is no different than LA or Miami. Mt dora is not really part of the orlando area and is like a 45 min. drive.

Yes, I guess that was a little vague - sorry! No, I haven't really been to Orlando - just passed through on my way from Miami to Gainesville a lot. So it sounds like any other city then - just avoid the bad parts and use common sense.

Thanks for your post, Alice!

[cfIfan]

its true if you look at the crime stats they have increased, however, i think the motto you live by wont steer you wrong. Alot of people make alot of fuss on the forums about the crime, and yes you hear about it all the time on the news, but in all fairness, they do always seem to be concentrated in certain areas, and if you dont use some common sense it could be you. For example, touristy areas will be hit because tourists carry money with them and are in a false sense of security on vacation, so if you watch your surroundings you will be fine. I live on the border of Windermere and Winter Garden and i have never had any problems. Whilst its true crime stats have gone up, if you listen to all the hype you hear on the boards, you will never leave your home.

Hope this helps

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by gypsystar

If I avoid all of the notoriously bad places in the Orlando area, should I be ok?

Nooooo! Their all bad, your gonna die!!!! And oy the humidity!!!!!

Really though, stay out of the "predictable" spots, don't leave things in your car in plain sight that burglars might find extra valuable down at Value-Pawn on OBT (applies to any populated place), and use common sense, look confident, and no, you shouldn't have any problems.



Ohhh noooo their gonna get you!!!! Stay inside armed with your three types of handguns and behind your security bars!!! Well, the second one might get you if you happen to be driving down Sand Lake Rd. (if you haven't recognized, he is the hamburglar from Mickey D's)

[heathanoah]

My best friend and his partner have lived in Orlando for 10 years (Winter Park) and have yet to be victims of any kind of crime and they aren't especially "careful" about everything. They park their cars on the street, walk their dogs at night etc. I hope you will be fine! Good luck!

[luvthatmouse]

I grew up in NY city and took the subways my whole life and I have never really had anything bad happen either. There are a lot of poor people and working poor here (Orlando) now and they get desperate. We have seen a lot of homeless begging around our Target, Publix lately. Also, there was a hold up at gun point in Celebration (very safe area) a few weeks ago. They hid in the bushes and jumped out at the guy-not a lot he could do about that. There was also a stabbing here (school age teens) and a robery of 8-9 Jeeps in one night (doors and tops.) If it is getting bad here it must be awful in other areas because this town is $$$$$$$$$ to live in!

[Wilshire81182]

I have lived here for two years since the notorious "crime spree". I have noticed that there are a lot of reports on the news, but the people on this site must have been either victimized or suffer from some perverse form of paranoia. There are several places in town that you will be perfectly safe. I have been in Mount Dora a few times too. It is very beautiful and isolated. You should definitely be safe there and not have problems when you come into the city. I personally think you have to be more cautious driving in the mixture of drivers in Florida than you do about being mugged or assaulted. I hope this puts you at ease, because the negativity that you see on this site is neither accurate or warranted in the least. When people do mention hot spots, they are usually correct. Orange Blossom Trail between Edgewater and Sand Lake, Parramore, Pine Hills, parts of Metrowest, Azalea Park, parts of Kissimmee, parts of Sanford, almost everywhere else you are fine. During the day you should be fine and night in well lit or well attended areas. These would be the same rules you would follow anywhere else. =)

[gypsystar]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

I have lived here for two years since the notorious "crime spree". I have noticed that there are a lot of reports on the news, but the people on this site must have been either victimized or suffer from some perverse form of paranoia. There are several places in town that you will be perfectly safe. I have been in Mount Dora a few times too. It is very beautiful and isolated. You should definitely be safe there and not have problems when you come into the city. I personally think you have to be more cautious driving in the mixture of drivers in Florida than you do about being mugged or assaulted. I hope this puts you at ease, because the negativity that you see on this site is neither accurate or warranted in the least. When people do mention hot spots, they are usually correct. Orange Blossom Trail between Edgewater and Sand Lake, Parramore, Pine Hills, parts of Metrowest, Azalea Park, parts of Kissimmee, parts of Sanford, almost everywhere else you are fine. During the day you should be fine and night in well lit or well attended areas. These would be the same rules you would follow anywhere else. =)

Thanks for your input! We need to make a decision by the end of the month (stay in L.A. or move to FL) as our lease is expiring, and I welcome any advice I can get. I feel like if I move, I will miss L.A. terribly. But if I stay, I will regret not moving to FL. Needless to say, I am really stressed about everything at this point. We are doing tons of research but I still feel like I am going around and around with this. Thanks again.