Possible relocation to Downtown Orlando - STICKER SHOCK! Need apartment tips and help!

[elranzer]

I realize that I will not being paying $900/month, no matter what, and I will have to deal with it. It's still sticker shock, even if I have to deal with it.

So, after the sticker shock, I've decided I want to stay under $2000/month (after utilities and everything).

I don't plan on paying New York City rent prices ($2000+) for Orlando, but I have no idea what are the good neighborhoods, what are the rip-offs, what are the areas with bad traffic commutes to work in downtown Orlando, etc.

(I didn't think to look at Zillow... I thought they were mostly for home ownerships, not rentals.)

[Arcenal813]

If you're going to be working downtown Orlando, you don't have to limit yourself to living downtown. You can live practically anywhere, as long as you're not too far from a Sunrail station. Commuting into downtown sucks, no matter where you're coming from. There are much more affordable options elsewhere.

I work downtown. I take the Sunrail into town, unless I need my car for something particular that day.

[elranzer]

Thanks @Arcenal352 that's the info I don't know, and what I'd like to know. I will look into Sunrail stations. (EDIT: The "Church St" Sunrail station is pretty much exactly near where I would work.)

On that note, are there any neighborhoods you could recommend that have access to Sunrail stations?

I've read on other threads that $1500/month can get you anything from a 600sq/ft condo or a whole house (to rent), depending on the area.

[Arcenal813]

Yeah. If you're a single male in your 30s, aside from downtown, some locations I'd consider would be Winter Park and Maitland, where you should be able to find a number of complexes (and in some cases, small houses) near the stations.

Winter Park is hit-or-miss in terms of prices, and tends to be on the higher side.

Maitland, you can find tons of units.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_ren...45_rect/15_zm/

The station is at the corner of Maitland Blvd and Orlando Ave. They have recently built a bunch of complexes around it, and there are numerous bars, restaurants, etc., nearby.

[WithDisp]

Originally Posted by elranzer

I realize that I will not being paying $900/month, no matter what, and I will have to deal with it. It's still sticker shock, even if I have to deal with it.

So, after the sticker shock, I've decided I want to stay under $2000/month (after utilities and everything).

I don't plan on paying New York City rent prices ($2000+) for Orlando, but I have no idea what are the good neighborhoods, what are the rip-offs, what are the areas with bad traffic commutes to work in downtown Orlando, etc.

(I didn't think to look at Zillow... I thought they were mostly for home ownerships, not rentals.)

Your pay is more than the average household in Orlando.
So- At least you have that going for you.

Orlando rental prices are out of line with cost of ownership and salaries. It's a post-recession effect of investment groups taking over the housing market.

The units are nice at least, with quality amenities.

The best zips near Downtown are 32803 (Milk/Mills/Audubon), 32804 (College Park) and 32806 (SoDo).

[centralfloridagal]

It is often cheaper to buy per month than to rent. Have you considered that option? At least you might be able to invest your money rather than pay someone else's mortgage?

[firmbizzle]

Get a nice place for $1800 near work, you won't regret it.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by firmbizzle

Get a nice place for $1800 near work, you won't regret it.

I second this.