Contemplating moving to Winter Springs area in a year or two... (Jacksonville: gated, rent)

[HPage]

Well, here's the skinny - my husband works for a company that installs nurse call alarms, etc. in the hospitals around here in NC and I'm a legal secretary (on a break at the moment). We've seen that the main distributor for his company is in Altamonte Springs and I figure there are law firms or admin jobs anywhere. There is also another company doing similar work to what he does based in Orando also just a different distributor they use. So I'm hoping jobs wouldn't be too big an issue.

I love Disney and all the tourist stuff in the area, husband enjoys it every now and then but he would be looking more forward to golfing on green fairways all year round. We have one six year old who is great - very smart (he has adhd) but we're coping with that. He also loves the theme parks, water parks, mini-golf, animals, dinosaurs, sea life - pretty much everything that we would be in close proximity to if we moved down there.

We have no bills really except rent and general living expenses right now and are trying to not rack up any more bills and I hope to go back to work full time for another year or so before we leave and just start sticking as much money as we can into savings. Basically we are bored with our area of NC and since we always love coming down to Florida (and his parents are in Jacksonville) we are thinking about moving to the Winter Springs area in maybe a year or two. If we moved, hopefully my parents could eventually move down (they were looking at The Villages or some other similar retirement type community) as my dad also loves this area (mom could take it or leave it).

I've heard good things about Winter Springs as far as living there with children, quality of life, the school systems, safety, etc. and was hoping it could be confirmed here.

Also being my son has adhd was wondering how the schools were in Seminole county and helping kids like him. He just graduated kindergarten and is going on to first grade and did well academically (we just need to work on handwriting and work habits/conduct) but overall when he has an understanding and patient teacher (or as patient as they can be) seems to do better. He is also on medication for the school year but hoping one day maybe he won't have to be but will just take it one day at a time.

Okay, well enough of my babbling I was all set to move and then started reading all the posts about the Orlando area on here and am now wondering if the entire state of Florida is just one big crime-ridden cess pool?

At any rate, if there has been any middle-class families (just meaning not super wealthy) that have moved down to the Winter Springs or surrounding areas that have made and actually enjoy life down there, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks in advance!
-Heather

[Guntersville Boomer]

Heather-- I live in gated golf course community in Kissimmee, have been here 10 years and have enjoyed it. My brother lives in Lake Mary and shares custody of his 10 year old daughter who attends Lake Mary (Seminole County) schools and has done great there, no problems at all. I was born and raised in Daytona Beach and have always lived in Florida and I personally enjoy living in Central Florida. You are in a much better location in case of hurricanes than being on the coast but yet you are only an hour's drive to the beach. You are right, there is a lot to do here as far as the attractions and they do offer good resident specials, especially during off periods. You will see a lot of posts on crime, but if you read the other states posts, you won't find one that doesn't have the same problems. The City of Orlando seems to have the worst problems thus the reason so many folks choose to live in outskirts like Winter Springs. I work in law enforcement and will tell you most of the crime is drug related, if you are not out trying to buy any or hanging around or living in an area prone to drug activity, you have reduced your chances of being a victim of crime by 95%. No place is crime free, best thing you can do no matter where you live is choose a safe neighborhood and use good judgement when you are out and about. So you know, there is a lot going on here in your husband's field, UCF has a medical school going on line next Fall and the VA and Nemours are going to build new hospitals on the Osceola County side of Orlando, plus there are other medical field related tech companies like Burnham building around these coming facilities. As far as law firms go, there are plenty of those too for you to find work, should not be too hard for someone with experience. Good Luck to you.

[HPage]

Thank you so much for the informative (and positive!) post .

[KrisCole]

Heather, I taught at Winter Springs High school for 7 years. Many people move to Winter Springs for the school system. It is first rate. It is a really nice place to live. It finished 31st in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live. If you have other questions I can answer, you are welcome to contacr me.

[HPage]

Thank you Kris!