Is Orlando boring to live? (Miami, Tampa: apartments, condos, weekend getaway)

[coolieandre]

I will be doing an internship in Orlando starting next January- August, and the following year later, I am considering moving there. I'm very concerned, because I'm debating between Miami, and Tampa and seem to be stuck between the two. Although Orlando would be the best decision for my career of Hospitality/Toursim Marketing, my main question about Orlando is, If it is a boring town? How is the downtown area? Are there good clubs, entertainment venues, and are there places where you can walk around and just relax in an urban atmosphere? By the way I am 21 if that helps at all?

[Silence Dogood]

Read previous posts with Orlando downtown in the title. For a metropolitan area of 2 million, Orlando has probably the worst downtown of any area I've ever been. There is not a single newstand, supermarket, drug store, movie theatre, video store, bagel shop, shoe store, etc...,,, There is no downtown and not even those in love with this area can debate that. Orlando has the highest vacancy rate of any city in the country. Whether you find it boring depends on where you are from and how much you appreciate culture.

[Magnulus]

Orlando's downtown has alot of problems. They can't even get a grocery store down there, even though there are alot of condos.

Yes, there are things to do in Orlando but I guess if you would consider it an exciting city would depend on where you come from. Overall I think it's fair to say for some people, Orlando will be overrated and disappointing. It is more cosmopolitan than some areas but there is also a distinct lack of any kind of shared culture or identity- it is a very transient place. It's not even really urbanized. Mostly one giant mass of suburbs that's grown together, so there isn't a really good sense of place and very little is built on a human scale. Many streets and roads in Orlando all look the same.

Tampa is more urban and people are more settled there, since it was built at a time when trolleys and walking were the main mode of transportation- it has a real downtown that is extensive. It is more conservative, especially St. Petersburg. I haven't been to Miami so I won't comment specificly. Many people have said that Miami is more a global city than an American city since the politics and culture of Miami are very different from the rest of the US. They have representatives in the Florida legislature duking it out sometimes. The politics there is crazy- Elian Gonzalez ring any bells? They seem to churn out hard right politicians and corruption. Yet it has a reputation as being an exciting city, so who knows.

[Fnix]

My grandpa lives downtone near Lake Eola and he has no car. He has to take a bus 5 miles from where he lives to goto a grocery store.

[krock67]

Downtown will be getting its first grocery store, a Publix, in a new mixed-use development across from Lake Eola and near the Post Apartments by yearend. See the following for more info: Paramount on Lake Eola - Nothing Brings You Closer

[cfIfan]

I think your age will have alot to do with it to be honest. My wife and i are 29 and because I am from the UK i have a local English pub which we like to go to. Otherwise we like to just hang out at Pleasure Island at the resteraunts or bars there. In all my time here I have only hung out in downtown maybe 10 times. There are alot of bars and clubs there, but it just doesnt fit us.. Maybe were too old now. You will find alot of younger people hang out there or even a bar called Blue Martini which isnt downtown but in the Millenia Mall. If you go anywhere out of downtown you would need to either drive or get a cab as the area is spread out alot. I couldnt comment on Tampa as i havent experienced the nightlife but in Miami there are some great places but i always felt on edge. I have heard good things about Tampa though.

[Keeper]

Tampa's downtown is not 'alive' at night. There are a few bars on Harbor Island but I think they cater to the professional group. Ybor City is where the younger folks hang out on the weekends. Lots of bars and fairly safe but is iffy after midnight. Not a place to go alone IMHO. S. Tampa has some good places but again they cater to the over 30 crowd as a rule.

St. Pete forum (in Tampa) gets a lot of entertainment venues. Of course, there are restaurant bars all over town. St Pete side has lots of bars on the beach, not sure about downtown.

Not sure how much help that is.. but if you have more specific questions, ask on the Tampa forum

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

I don't think it will be boring for you one bit. There are tons of things to do for 20 somethings. You've got all the theme parks and water parks, downtown has a bunch of clubs, there are many more hot spots over by UCF where students hang out. You've got International Drive that has tons of entertainment and restaurants. B.B. King's, Howl at the Moon to name a few. My kids go to a English pub over at Festival Bay called Cricketers and have a great time. There's your choice of beaches within an hour or two and if you want to splurge on a weekend getaway, there's just that many more beaches and towns to visit and sightsee.

Plus with your internship in hospitality, Orlando is the place to be.

[ORLguy]

I don't understand why people are so out of touch. Downtown Orlando parties every night in various bars. They close down Orange Ave on the weekends for god's sake. The place is slammed with people and there is a ton of bars to pick from. If you are 21 and go to Orange and Central, there will be bars everywhere that you can hit up. Yes, this town parties very hard. More then many cities. There is sunday fundays at dexters then pool parties at the Met. There is a party every night somewhere if you know people and want to go out that much.

You can definitley walk downtown anywhere. I did this last night. I parked on Lake Eola and walked to the Beacon which was slammed with people. I did not have a bum come up to me. I was not shot or mugged. It was a nice night to walk on the lake.

It sounds like I am the only person on this board that goes out, so PM if you need any real responses to what downtown orlando really is like.

[Alphaman]

There is plenty of things to do around orlando for 20 somethings and older.

And Who cares about a news stand? The OP wanted to know if there was things to do and I doubt if standing at a news stand in the day and age of the internet is exciting.

Yes Orlando`s downtown needs some more life when it comes to every day things but the club scene is insane and always has been.