Live in Tampa, wife working in Orlando (condo shopping) (Baldwin: homes, safe area)

[Jasonusf]

Good morning Orlando, all the way from the distant land of Tampa Bay. Quick summary, my wife is interviewing for her dream job in Orlando and I’m very supportive. We are an early 40s couple, been married for 10 years, no kids. We’ve lived apart a few times for various career reasons and it’s always been fine.

All of that said, her new job would be in the NW corner of I-4 and 408. The traffic seems miserable in that area. We are looking to buy a 1BD condo in Orlando where she’ll live during the week. I’ll spend some weekends there, as well. We would like to be closer to the attractions, but traffic may dictate otherwise. We want a safe area, will pay up to $140k. We will keep our Tampa home (I’m not leaving my job). We’d love to hear your recommendations. MetroWest and Baldwin Park seem to be the early leaders.

I know questions like this become repetitious on this Board, so I apologize in advance. Thanks!

[kyle19125]

The Millenia Mall/Florida Center-Kirkman/MetroWest area doesn't jump to the forefront when utilizing the word "safe" and wouldn't recommend it to a working female who has to come/go at varying hours of the day alone. Baldwin Park would be a much better option but given your price point not sure that's doable. The Wekiva-Lake Brantley area offers a bunch of good (and safe) options in your price bracket at a similar commute time as seen from Baldwin Park, and is easily accessible to the 429 which bypasses the hot mess involved on I-4 going to/from Tampa.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...27,15&qdm=true

[Jasonusf]

That’s very helpful feedback- thanks Kyle

[OTownKnight]

Maybe check out Dr. Phillips. I'm not sure if you can find even a cheap condo there anymore, but it's close to the attractions, not far from downtown, and would cut down the commute to/from Tampa versus being on the north side of downtown. Dr. Phillips is one of the nicest areas in Central Florida and incomes there are very high so it's a safer area.