Moving to Orlanda, Need Honest Advice (Orlando, Deltona: insurance, house, job market)

[clarabell]

We are moving from the Portland Metro Area, Vancouver WA to be exact, by June 2007. But it all depends on the job my husband gets. We area working with a great realtor and she has recommended the Apopka and Clermont areas for newer homes, nice nbrhds, good schools, etc. We have 2 boys (7 and 5) and have looked at many areas. What does everyone think about these 2 areas? We are also going to look at Seminole County.

Also, my husband works as a telephone lineman (putting up poles, taking them down, training crews, prepping poles for electrical guys to come out and connect them, etc). He is making really good money here and we keep hearing Orlando wages are not so good. Anyone have any idea what the job market holds in this area for his line of work and average pay? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Rhett_Butler]

Seems they're steering you to those areas based on what you've told them you can afford. Are there some better areas??? Yes. But if you're looking for more bang for the buck, Apopka and Clermont are more affordable for sure.

Clermont would be best described as sprawling suburbia, but a lot of young families live out that way, while Apopka is kind of a "hick" town (for lack of a better description) that is undergoing a rennaissance as home prices forced people further from the city, much like Sanford and Deltona, etc....

I'd most certainly recommend Seminole County and with a little shopping you should be able to find a decent home.

[clarabell]

Thanks VAFury, the more I research, the more I think I will stick to Seminole County. I'm hearing Oviedo is nice. What do you guys think of Orlando address in Seminole County? I've found a few homes there I really like. Also, do you think Home Owner's Insurance will be around $1200/yr for a 1800sf newer home? Thanks!

[Rhett_Butler]

Live in Seminole County and if I were staying in Florida would remain so..... Seminole has superior schools and is better living than Orange IMO...

Oviedo is nice for the most part. A couple of less-than-desireable areas, but you'd be able to tell if you were looking at a house in one of those locales....

Good luck!!!

[LHBR702]

Would someone help with the zip codes for the following areas for the purposes of doing a property search in these areas:

Thornton Park
Winter Garden
Windemere
Winter Park

Thanks!

[clarabell]

Thank you! Seminole County it is, although I kind of like Apopka with it's "newness" and simplicity. But I've never been there...yet...so what do I know...lol.

[cranners99]

Originally Posted by LHBR702

Would someone help with the zip codes for the following areas for the purposes of doing a property search in these areas:

Thornton Park
Winter Garden
Windemere
Winter Park

Thanks!

Here you go, enjoy

Thornton Park 32801
Winter Garden 34787
Windemere 34786
Winter Park 32789

Cranners

[clarabell]

Originally Posted by cranners99

Here you go, enjoy

Thornton Park 32801
Winter Garden 34787
Windemere 34786
Winter Park 32789

Cranners

Cranners, I think you meant to post this on the other thread "Moving to Orlando, need help."

[skrappile]

clarabell, I live in Windermere and moved here from CA 3 1/2 years ago (started in Clermont, bought a house there).
I personally would not recommend Apopka due to "not so good" schools. Seminole county is broad, where in particular are you looking?

[clarabell]

skrappli, thanks for the advice on Apopka. I'm not sure about Seminole County areas (prob. the towns closer to Orlando so that it's not a crazy drive).

On another thought, I keep hearing that we should buy newer...like 2000 and newer...because it will help with the insurance rates but there are so many older homes that are really nice and affordable. Are rates really that high for the older home in comparison to the newer ones?

Does anyone know what the typical home owner's insurance rate would be for a 1985-1996 home, about 1800sf w/a pool?

Thanks for all your help guys! I can't wait to be down there...with the good and the bad...Portland Metro area sucks!