Help for a UCF Graduate Student (Orlando, Winter Springs: apartment complex, to rent, crime)

[Famousams]

Hey all! I am going to be moving to Orlando this fall to start school as a psych graduate student at UCF. I really don't know where to start and what areas to look for an apartment in. I will be be moving with my fiance and would like someplace close to the university where we can rent a 1 bedroom. Most of the immediate surrounding complexes are for undergraduates and are dorm style living. Not what we are looking for at all, plus many dont allow two occupants in a one bedroom. Any information on the near by neighborhoods or places we could live would be great! Really any information about life in orlando in that area would be helpful. I am moving from northern nj (40 minutes outside NYC). I would appreciate any helpful information as I will be in Orlando for at least 4 years. I have read through the forum and seen alot of negativity. I cannot really help this move so would appreciate advice and positives about the city. THanks!

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

I would suggest going to rent.com or apartments. com and plug in Waterford Lakes. Our zip code is 32828. We are about 3 miles south of UCF (close to the campus yet far enough away from the undergrads.) There are plenty of nice apartment complexes in the area as well as shopping galore. There are a few nice places right close to the Waterford Lakes Town Center. Go to simon.com and pull up Waterford Lakes Town Center and you'll see part of what our area has to offer by way of shopping/restaurants/movies. There is also a completely new shopping area across the street from the town center that has new shops and restaurants. If you want a little bit of a slower pace, I work across the street from UCF and many of the people who work here live in Oviedo and Winter Springs. I'm not sure how many apartments are in these communities, but I'm sure there are some.

Word of advice if you are new to these boards, there is a lot of negativity from many individuals. They seem to live in bad areas and want others to experience and agree to their negative point of view. Many of us are professionals who work in great companies and live in nice communities. Their vantage point is quite different from ours and it is certainly easy to understand the frustration. There are good and bad areas in any city as large as Orlando and the surrounding area. You have to be smart, do your homework no matter where you move. I've been here from the NE also for almost 3 yrs. Yes, crime has increased in Orlando.... not so much in my world. There is crime everywhere so you can't escape today's reality. Just be smart and aware but don't live your life in fear unless you live in bad areas. Waterford Lakes, Oviedo and Winter Springs are great area to at least get your feet wet in Central Florida.

Good luck!

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by Famousams

Hey all! I am going to be moving to Orlando this fall to start school as a psych graduate student at UCF. I really don't know where to start and what areas to look for an apartment in. I will be be moving with my fiance and would like someplace close to the university where we can rent a 1 bedroom. Most of the immediate surrounding complexes are for undergraduates and are dorm style living. Not what we are looking for at all, plus many dont allow two occupants in a one bedroom. Any information on the near by neighborhoods or places we could live would be great! Really any information about life in orlando in that area would be helpful. I am moving from northern nj (40 minutes outside NYC). I would appreciate any helpful information as I will be in Orlando for at least 4 years. I have read through the forum and seen alot of negativity. I cannot really help this move so would appreciate advice and positives about the city. THanks!

A lot of the "negatives" are actual real problems in the area.

The apt rent near the school will be very very VERY high, get your savings account ready! Overall the cost of living will be very, very high and w/o a good job (even if it PT), you will struggle financially.

Crime will be another concern, so until you are familiar with the school side of town, do NOT venture out too far from the school mile radius. You will be robbed, kidnapped, or God knows what if you drive into the "bad side of town". UCF area is nice, but not even 2 miles on every direction will be the ghetto, so you watch it.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

Nirvana - your rants are becoming very offensive. No matter what poster you reply to ... you say the same old negative things. How do you know this person going to UCF has money or not? Not all of us are broke. As well, not all of us move to FL and work low for low wages. You generalize way too much in your postings. I feel bad for the people who come on these boards looking for information, and for us posters who try to help others with information specific to our locations.

Your two mile radious statement is absolutely rediculous. I work in the UCF area and venture out for lunch and dinners all the time. You'd be better suited to relay information to people who live and work in the area that you are from... where ever that is... I asked before and you never replied. I get the sneaking suspicision you do not live in E. Orlando or the UCF area yet you seem to be an authority on our communities.

The bottom line here is that people are coming to these boards for a little information because they ARE moving here. All you do is tell them to stay away and how awful it is. I feel sorry that you have such a bad life here, but can't you just realize not everyone is in your same boat? I know you like Texas and all but believe me, I have family there and it's no different than life in Orlando. If you think otherwise, you are severly misinformed. Actually go to ANY major city board on this website and you will find posters saying the same old negative stuff as you. Why not think about the positives in life and stop dwelling on the negatives? Yes, it's good to be aware that crime happens and it's only common sense most people stay away from bad areas unless that is all they can afford.

I'm sure I'll get more negativety back from you but I've been holding back for a long while now.... as I'm sure others have done. Just thought I'd make the suggestion to lighten it up a little bit, would ya? Try to help instead of doom and gloom unless that is your mission on these boards.

[pianogal]

The original poster may want to check out Arden Villa Apartments. They are located on University Blvd. just a few blocks down from the main entrance to UCF however there are a variety of young professionals as well as families who live there.

We lived there while our home was being built and it was a great place. We NEVER had any concerns about our safety anytime of the day or night.

I would second the suggestion to look in Waterford as well - it has some beautiful complexes.

As you read you will note the posters who try to give specific, factual information and those who just repeat the same negative mantras over and over. So don't worry about moving here, it's not perfect, but it's still a wonderful place to live. I feel so blessed and privileged to live here and I know many, many people who love it and wouldn't live anywhere else.

[Famousams]

Thanks you guys for the information! I will def look into those places. As for Nirvana guy.........read my first post. I have no choice in this matter I am moving there. What is the point of replying to me in a tone that is meant to intimidate and not to inform. I made a specific point about wanting information about where to live and not wanting all the negatives about orlando listed for me. I think i also mentioned that i already read through a bunch of negative posts and was looking for information about areas around ucf only. It doesnt take a genious to look at your posts and know i should take them with a grain of salt. Don't get me wrong I think you should be able to express your opinion and try and give two sides but i specifical asked in my original post to not just post a bash fest. It is not helpful in any way to some one that is moving no matter what the negatives. Thank you to all the helpful posters though i really appreciate the objective information.

[Nirvana-Guy]

It is not meant to intimidate, but rather to warn you that the UCF area is nice, but the sorrounding areas are bad. I thought you would like to know not to be venturing out in the areas around UCF?!

Also, shouldn't you know that rent prices are high before you move down?

I guess the rosey info is what sells. I am sorry for my input, but you won't hear from me on this post again.

[Famousams]

Thanks everyone who responded with places to check out. Me and my fiance are currently looking at a 1 bedroom at Tradition at Alafaya in Oviedo. Does anyone know anything about this area or place? Any feedback? I think its a relatively new apartment complex and its ideal for us because its only 2 miles north of UCF. So if you know anything about the complex or the area it would really help since we wont be able to look down there for another couple or months. Thanks!!!

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

Those apartments look gorgeous! I'm not from Oviedo but from what I heard most of it is really very nice. Good luck!

[CURT]

ah...another christain11 sighting.....
famousam don't worry alafaya is a fine area.