Bad first impression of Orlando/Kissimmee (Miami, Hollywood: vacation home, living in, moving)

[nicsma2002]

Oh, man. I don't usually venture off the Miami forum, but when I saw this, I just had to comment.

We stayed at a timeshare in Kissimmee in 2005. I had never been to Kissimmee before, only seen these great commercials saying "come to Kissimmee," "Great place to stay for Disney," etc. I figured Kissimmee must be this beautiful, idyllic place, right?

Well.

We drive in through the main street, whatever that is, and I was just dumbfounded. I couldn't believe "this" was Kissimmee. What a dump! And I'm from Miami!!!! It was absolutely disgusting, even worse than Hialeah. Like some kind of chaotic, giant, out-of-control, strip mall series and low-end motels and I don't even know what else for bottom feeders. Thank God the timeshare was beautiful. We were in an oasis surrounded by trash.

So I am not surprised at all to hear the OP's story about the Wal-Mart parking lot incident.

I suspect once you get off that main street, Kissimmee is probably quite nice. But were there for Disney and didn't look around Kissimmee at all. It's such a shame they let that main street, which is what the toursits see, get that way. There must not be any code enforcement or city planning or community standards or something - much like Miami, but really, this was over-the-top even by Miami standards. I hope it improves.

[cmj_fla]

Originally Posted by nicsma2002

Oh, man. I don't usually venture off the Miami forum, but when I saw this, I just had to comment.

We stayed at a timeshare in Kissimmee in 2005. I had never been to Kissimmee before, only seen these great commercials saying "come to Kissimmee," "Great place to stay for Disney," etc. I figured Kissimmee must be this beautiful, idyllic place, right?

Well.

We drive in through the main street, whatever that is, and I was just dumbfounded. I couldn't believe "this" was Kissimmee. What a dump! And I'm from Miami!!!! It was absolutely disgusting, even worse than Hialeah. Like some kind of chaotic, giant, out-of-control, strip mall series and low-end motels and I don't even know what else for bottom feeders. Thank God the timeshare was beautiful. We were in an oasis surrounded by trash.

So I am not surprised at all to hear the OP's story about the Wal-Mart parking lot incident.

I suspect once you get off that main street, Kissimmee is probably quite nice. But were there for Disney and didn't look around Kissimmee at all. It's such a shame they let that main street, which is what the toursits see, get that way. There must not be any code enforcement or city planning or community standards or something - much like Miami, but really, this was over-the-top even by Miami standards. I hope it improves.

Sorry to hear about your experience but I have a feeling you saw some of the left over chaos of the hurricanes in 04. Every sign on 192 was blown down and tons of buildings were damaged at that time. Its a little better now but I still stay away from 192 and OBT because its not the best part of town. But I still enjoy it here....for now

[nicsma2002]

Originally Posted by cmj_fla

Sorry to hear about your experience but I have a feeling you saw some of the left over chaos of the hurricanes in 04. Every sign on 192 was blown down and tons of buildings were damaged at that time. Its a little better now but I still stay away from 192 and OBT because its not the best part of town. But I still enjoy it here....for now

That may very well be the case, and I hope that's what that was. I hope it is better now. I understand how you feel - people bash Miami all the time, often with merit, sometimes without - but we have a good life there & enjoy it... for now! lol I'm sure the rest of Kissimmee is not that bad & it's probably a great town.

[hiloshark]

Originally Posted by gypsystar

So, my husband and I finally made the plunge and moved from Los Angeles to Central Florida this week. Although we are moving into an apt. in Mount Dora tomorrow, we have been staying in a hotel in the Kissimmee tourist trap area on Irlo Bronson Hwy due to cheaper hotel rates. Although I love Florida and have been excited about this move for a long time, I can't say that I am totally impressed - maybe it is because of the area we are staying in??

We went to the Super Walmart in Kissimmee (on Irlo Bronson) tonight and I saw something that I have never seen in public, even after living in Miami for 4 years and L.A. for 4 years. When my husband and I parked, we saw two kids at a car next to us very obviously doing some sort of drug or something. They were standing out beside their car, trying to hide behind an open car door, and were rolling something in white paper, probably pot, and nervously looking around them. When they saw us looking at them, they opened their trunk and tried to hide behind that. Although they were nervous, it didn't stop them from making their drug deal or whatever. SCARY and SAD!

I am far from sheltered after living in other major cities, but I was absolutely shocked to see how blatantly obvious these kids were about their drug use - right out in public for all to see!! Obviously, I am not too impressed with Orlando now and so far it has made L.A. look good in comparison.

We have been all around the Mount Dora area and really fell in love with it. Thankfully, we will be moving there because I don't think I would want to live any closer to Orlando.

Central Florida as a whole is a beautiful place to be, but I certainly would NOT recommend that newcomers relocate to the Kissimmee area!!

Are you kidding me? i usually come here and read posts but after reading this it really pissed me off and had to get a account....

first off , you moved here from L.A and you are scared about some kids rolling a joint? LMFAO you com from L.A do i need to remind you of all the dispensaries that were in your area that sold LEGAL pot?

And if your worried about what you saw that night ... and your from L.A then i have to wonder whats goin on with you and what the hell you were paying attention too in L.A... the amsterdam of th u.s



i'm sorry .. but anyone from l.a complaining about some kids rolling some pot...to me thats just bananas

And to everyone else.... this town has alot more to worry about than a little weed...maybe you should all smoke a little and relax

[gypsystar]

Originally Posted by hiloshark

Are you kidding me? i usually come here and read posts but after reading this it really pissed me off and had to get a account....

first off , you moved here from L.A and you are scared about some kids rolling a joint? LMFAO you com from L.A do i need to remind you of all the dispensaries that were in your area that sold LEGAL pot?

And if your worried about what you saw that night ... and your from L.A then i have to wonder whats goin on with you and what the hell you were paying attention too in L.A... the amsterdam of th u.s



i'm sorry .. but anyone from l.a complaining about some kids rolling some pot...to me thats just bananas

And to everyone else.... this town has alot more to worry about than a little weed...maybe you should all smoke a little and relax

And I just HAD to comment on this one!! Yes, I did come here from L.A. and was shocked to see what I did. I think it is shame that you don't think it is a big deal that kids are dealing and or doing drugs in a Wal-Mart parking lot, or anywhere for that matter. Very, very sad that something like this post would **** you off but seeing high schoolers doing drugs wouldn't! Nice priorities!

I went almost everywhere in L.A. and even lived in a somewhat seedy area of the Valley called Van Nuys, and I was well aware of my surroundings. I also lived in Miami for four years and saw nothing like this, which is what shocked me further.

I am happy to say that we are settled into Mt. Dora and are very happy here so far!

[dk22]

Originally Posted by nicsma2002

Oh, man. I don't usually venture off the Miami forum, but when I saw this, I just had to comment.

We stayed at a timeshare in Kissimmee in 2005. I had never been to Kissimmee before, only seen these great commercials saying "come to Kissimmee," "Great place to stay for Disney," etc. I figured Kissimmee must be this beautiful, idyllic place, right?

Well.

We drive in through the main street, whatever that is, and I was just dumbfounded. I couldn't believe "this" was Kissimmee. What a dump! And I'm from Miami!!!! It was absolutely disgusting, even worse than Hialeah. Like some kind of chaotic, giant, out-of-control, strip mall series and low-end motels and I don't even know what else for bottom feeders. Thank God the timeshare was beautiful. We were in an oasis surrounded by trash.

So I am not surprised at all to hear the OP's story about the Wal-Mart parking lot incident.

I suspect once you get off that main street, Kissimmee is probably quite nice. But were there for Disney and didn't look around Kissimmee at all. It's such a shame they let that main street, which is what the toursits see, get that way. There must not be any code enforcement or city planning or community standards or something - much like Miami, but really, this was over-the-top even by Miami standards. I hope it improves.

Wow! Worst than Hialeah? That's pretty bad. I've been to the touristy areas a few time to eat at a friend's restaurant on 192 and once stayed at the Ramada there because I said yes to Westgate for a free Disney weekend and hotel stay. I learned so much from that experience. I even enjoyed saying NO to the shady Westgate sales people. Especially the guy wearing all those chains and gold rings.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by gypsystar

So, my husband and I finally made the plunge and moved from Los Angeles to Central Florida this week. Although we are moving into an apt. in Mount Dora tomorrow, we have been staying in a hotel in the Kissimmee tourist trap area on Irlo Bronson Hwy due to cheaper hotel rates. Although I love Florida and have been excited about this move for a long time, I can't say that I am totally impressed - maybe it is because of the area we are staying in??

We went to the Super Walmart in Kissimmee (on Irlo Bronson) tonight and I saw something that I have never seen in public, even after living in Miami for 4 years and L.A. for 4 years. When my husband and I parked, we saw two kids at a car next to us very obviously doing some sort of drug or something. They were standing out beside their car, trying to hide behind an open car door, and were rolling something in white paper, probably pot, and nervously looking around them. When they saw us looking at them, they opened their trunk and tried to hide behind that. Although they were nervous, it didn't stop them from making their drug deal or whatever. SCARY and SAD!

I am far from sheltered after living in other major cities, but I was absolutely shocked to see how blatantly obvious these kids were about their drug use - right out in public for all to see!! Obviously, I am not too impressed with Orlando now and so far it has made L.A. look good in comparison.

We have been all around the Mount Dora area and really fell in love with it. Thankfully, we will be moving there because I don't think I would want to live any closer to Orlando.


Central Florida as a whole is a beautiful place to be, but I certainly would NOT recommend that newcomers relocate to the Kissimmee area!!

Did you make it to Mt Dora and what did you think?

[TwoWheelRider]

I agree that kids should not be rolling dope or whatever illegal activity they may have been participating in. I also don't believe that a couple of dumb kids represent the lifestyle of a community. If however this was common around the community then there would be some merit to the argument that the area could be bad.

As for LA or any other city, just because you don't see someone doing drugs in public does not necessarily mean the area is drug free. I currently live in the Midwest and often there are news reports of people trying to make meth in their homes which they end up blowing up themselves and their neighbors.

Unfortunately, drug abuse is becoming more common among younger generations and location does not gaurantee you will be shielded from it.

[Kimbo5]

I am from L.A. and have to say that what you witnessed happens all the time in L.A. I lived there for 28 years. One day, I was sitting in a movie theater viewing a movie and noticed two young teenage boys sniffing glue in the seat in front of me. I leaned over and whispered to them that they had a choice: they could stay there and get arrested or leave pronto.

It's everywhere. You have to get involved by not ignoring it. Stay in Orlando!! I am thinking of moving from northern CA.

[Ms NewYork]

Can anyone give me info on altawestgate Dr ? the area code is 32818, is this area good or bad