What do you LOVE about Orlando (Melbourne, Winter Haven: rent , jobs, houses)

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I spent the last two days with my daughter, her friend and her friends daughter by the pool during their spring break.

Thats only one of the things I LOVE about Florida.

The pool is by a pond, as I sat there watching my daughter, I also watched the different kinds of birds, settling on the water, the sky was a wonderful shade of blue with fluffy clouds.

[Wilshire81182]

My neighborhood in Bryn Mawr/Conway has a pool at the HOA for the neighborhood which is right next to a lake with a open lawn area. People walk their dogs and bring chairs to sit by the peaceful lake. The homes along the distant edge of the lake are also very attractive. Once it gets a little warmer, around late April or May since the pool is outdoors, I am able to swim and layout almost every day between now and October and can also use the opportunity to get some excercise since I swim laps. The atmosphere is very beautiful and relaxing and I am getting excited since I can swim soon.
Growing up each year in Washington state I loved the summer, but it came and went so fast. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy an "extended" summer and all that brings. I also feel that Florida is naturally beautiful, and I never would have thought I would say that coming from a very naturally beautiful state such as Washington. I like the huge walking birds too, I think they are egrets? I like the little lizards that are always scurrying around on the sidewalk. I drove to work today very early and it was still foggy out and smelled "swampy" and it was kind of cool to be reminded of how different it is here and the unique area I moved to. The office I work at has huge windows that overlook a lake, and a girl next to me told me she saw an alligator today. I was really excited because I have yet to see an alligator in the wild; she said she could see the ridges from its back swimming through the lake, from my office window!
I have to entertain friends in town this weekend at Disney and that brings about another whole list of things I am thankful for. I live somewhere and have the opportunity to visit attractions that people save up for months or years to come do one time in their life that I can go do anytime on a whim or once in a while when people come visit me. There is talk of a new ride at Universal that will be supended over citiwalk, a new ride through SeaWorld, a new theme park at Disney for an more adult crowd, etc. so the entertainment options in the area are only getting better and better!
I am trying to also make it a personal goal to see a lot more parts of the state outside Orlando that I have not visited much or at all, especially taking more advantage of the beautiful Florida beaches.
Anyone can spend all their time complaining, but I could not be happier here and each time I contemplate it I can come up with a whole new list of the reasons why!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Wilshire, so well said.

I also love it when people I know come to town and we can meet up and play tourist together.

Thanksgiving a friend from high school, his wife and their three kids are coming so we are going to have fun with them.

One of the things I really love is going to the water parks at Disney, I also want to try out the one at Sea World as well.

[Wilshire81182]

Yeah I have not done those yet, in two and a half years of living here I have done a lot but not everything. That definitely says something about the area too! I go out and try new things and places often, but there are so many things in Orlando itself that I have not done. Endless fun and sun!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

Yeah I have not done those yet, in two and a half years of living here I have done a lot but not everything. That definitely says something about the area too! I go out and try new things and places often, but there are so many things in Orlando itself that I have not done. Endless fun and sun!

For me personally, there is nothing like packing up your ice chest, dragging yourself down to one of the Disney parks, getting a good seat and sleeping in the sun. My daughter plays around, I get some sun and some rest. I usually bring my music. Eventually I drag my lazy bum off the lounge and play with her. Its a wonderful thing. I love floating in the inner tubes around the lazy river thingy they have at both parks.

Then again, I do love a nice trip through the many outlet malls we have here. I love to shop AND I love to save money when I'm doing it. I almost passed out at the sight of the Le Creuset outlet and the Fitz and Floyd outlet on Kirkland.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

Wilshire you should take your friends on this airboat ride! You will see hundreds of alligators! I took my out of town visitors last weekend and we had A BLAST, we all loved it. The nature was incredible. This place is on 50 just as you cross the St. John's river. The ride lasts 1 1/2 hours and is $45.00 a person. We had Capt. Ray, what a hoot he was.

Orlando Airboat Ride : Air Boat Ride in Orlando

[Wilshire81182]

Kirkman? I have not seen those, are they new?

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

Kirkman? I have not seen those, are they new?

Maybe I said the name of the road wrong but they back up to I'4. They are on the opposite side of the highway as Universal, is that Kirkman or Kirkland, I can't remember.

There is also a Waterford Outlet, a Ralph Lauren Outlet there also AND a huge TJ Maxx.

[Wilshire81182]

Kirkman. I always called it Kirkland too because I am originally from the west coast and there is a suburb of Seattle named Kirkland. People corrected me all the time.
I know they redid it and it is named the Prime Outlets, but I am not sure of the individual stores in the outlets.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

I think the humidity is here now, do you think it is here to stay?

I don`t know how long you have lived in florida but yes the days of cool weather are done until late october. But thats Florida the heat is not much of an issue for me, I prefer the weather in florida over the north IMO.