Moving to Orlando - Advice on schools, neighborhoods, etc. (Oviedo: relocation, insurance)

[AnnetteChaffee]

Hello and thank you for this forum. We arrived in Orlando today to scout for good places to live and this area is so large that we don't know where to start!

We are looking for a nice apartment that will be in a good neighborhood and also be in a great elementary school system. Our jobs will be (1) at the airport and (2) at the new VA that is currently being built. We want a safe and happy relocation and would appreciate any advice given. If you can recommend apartment complexes that would help us, I would appreciate it VERY much!

Sincerely,
Annette

[Crane's Rooster]

Lake Nona seems to be your best option. It's close to the airport and basically same area as the new VA is being built. From what I hear schools are good and the rents are falling due to housing slump so you should be able to find a reasonably priced apartment there.

[pianogal]

With your locations the Lake Nona/Vista Lakes area seems perfect. Beautiful settings and great, safe location. Vista Lakes has a lower crime rating than Lake Nona by just a little according to the Orlando Crime Blog if that is a big concern. They also have a neighborhood elementary school that I've heard is wonderful. If you want to see what is available for rental, go to realtor.com and click on rentals. Type in 32829 for Vista Lakes and you will get 3 pages of rentals with apt/homes starting at $700 for a 1/1 all the way up to $2250 for a 3200 square foot 4/3. Lake Nona is higher with only 13 properties listed on realtor.com for rent. They start at $1350 for a 2/2 and go to ....get ready for this.....$25,000 for an 8000 square foot 6/6!

[Alphaman]

What about lee vista? that area looks nice.

[AColbe01]

Things you might stump your toe on!

May try corporate housing ,a furnished unit month to month before signing a 1 yr lease, to give more time in your housing search.

Schools: For us, Best place to start is at the (Seminole County) you may need Orange County Seminole County Public Schools site, look at the map for elem/mid/high schools as just because you live next to a school DOES NOT mean you get to go to that school. A map is available for purchase (about $5.00) at the central office. We will have to move again in about 2 years when one child gets in high school, otherwise, she gets thrown into a pool of possible schools. Fortunately most of the schools have a very high rating. "Magnet Schools" hope they have enough attraction to overcome the "Negative" issues in or around.

Enrollment in schools will require: Birth Certificates, Electric bill (Available from fpl.com, up to date shot records on FL forms (County Health Dept will do no charge), Get Driver's Lic and vehicles registered (MUST have FL insurance in place BEFORE applying for FL plates.

Car Insurance: Higher than suit happy Mississippi, Still trying to figure out a solution to this one!

Electric Bills: I like to be comfortable, just got first bill, ($402) where I had been paying an avg of about $100 . Look for double or triple paned windows.

Don't get me wrong we love it down here, but cost of living is greater than what we were used to.

We feel your pain!
Andy

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

What about lee vista? that area looks nice.

Lee Vista is a great area. With many new homes and low rents right now because it was built out just as the market tanked. It's also a very safe area according to the Sentinel's crime blog and has good schools.

[AnnetteChaffee]

Hi everyone and thank you so much for your responses. We spent 2 days driving around in several areas of Orlando and found Lake Mary to be lovely, but a little out of our budget for apartments. We did find a couple apartment complexes in the Millenia area - not terribly far from the mall, that seemed to be very nice, price is right and the schools are supposed to be Grade A. Can anyone tell me about this area?

Thanks again!
Annette

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by AnnetteChaffee

Hi everyone and thank you so much for your responses. We spent 2 days driving around in several areas of Orlando and found Lake Mary to be lovely, but a little out of our budget for apartments. We did find a couple apartment complexes in the Millenia area - not terribly far from the mall, that seemed to be very nice, price is right and the schools are supposed to be Grade A. Can anyone tell me about this area?

Thanks again!
Annette

The best school districts are in Seminole County(thier reputation is well known), have you tried Oviedo?

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by AnnetteChaffee

Hi everyone and thank you so much for your responses. We spent 2 days driving around in several areas of Orlando and found Lake Mary to be lovely, but a little out of our budget for apartments. We did find a couple apartment complexes in the Millenia area - not terribly far from the mall, that seemed to be very nice, price is right and the schools are supposed to be Grade A. Can anyone tell me about this area?

Thanks again!
Annette

The millenia area is surrounded by ghettos I would not advise picking a place there. One of orlandos most crime ridden areas is just down the road where vineland turns into Bruton blvd. Then you have the Oakridge area also another crime area and south OBT also crime infested.

[florida road dog]

Try the apartments on south semoran (436) down by the airport. You should be able to find something within your price range, without going to the Millenia area (in agreement with alphaman on this point), and without going to Lee Vista or Lake Nona if the prices are too high.

Seminole county schools are some of the best in the state, but because of that and because it is well known, sometimes the prices in the area are higher than elsewhere.