Is Orlando as Bad as NY? (Apopka, Seminole: relocation, property taxes, budget)

[CindyArlene]

I read a lot of negativiity about Orlando, specifically Apopka. I read a lot of stuff about crime, the incoming latin population wreaking havoc (i am puerto rican by the way), the presence of the Guardian Angels etc.

Well im coming from the Bronx in NYC. The five burroughs have been my home and I am coming to live a quieter, more enjoyable lifestyle that i believe florida offers. But what i really want to know is this.

Is it really that bad? Or are a few people here overreacting? I mean this from a NY point of view. I come from a place where there on 10 apts. on my floor. 17 floors in my building Im at the top. The elevator is always broken.
It's freezing. Snow is not nice in nyc because it turns to black slush within minutes. Crime is high. Schools are horrible. No matter what burrough youre in. The Guardian Angels have been here since the 1980's. And you guys are going crazy that they are there now. I think they are just getting older want some property and liked Florida. If you buy a house in nyc you wont have any land, all attached. and expensive.

I have a two bedroom and pay $920. That's cheap in NY. People tell me how lucky i am. BTW our apartments dont include washer/dryer, a/c, garbage disposal, carpeting, pool, clubhouse, fitness center, park, and many other ammenities. So you see, I guess that's why we are coming.

And florida has so much for kids to do its ideal. in nyc its all theater and museums. and if you have a car there's no parking.

Well orlando, we are coming. Ready or not! And we're only coming to add to the place not take away from. Look forward to hearing your suggestions on schools, neighborhoods, any apts available. thanks

[Nomoresubways]

CindyArlene, I'll give you my take on it. I live on Long Island but work in NYC and I know exactly what you're talking about in regards to living in the boroughs. We bought a house in Mount Dora, which is about 35 miles nw of Orlando and in general I would say the Orlando area is nothing like the boroughs of NYC. Now there is certainly increasing crime in Orlando, but I think it is mainly because of the fast growing population, and the growing cost of living. I mean simply put if your population grows by 35% in 3 years or whatever, an increase in crime by that much is probably if not inevitable.

You just need to choose the right area as there are a few areas in Orlando that are bad, just as there are in any city. Where we are moving in Mount Dora is close to Apopka and from what I've seen, the city is cleaning up some and doesn't seem as bad as I've read in here. I'm sure I missed some of the worst parts of town, but still it pales in comparison to some of the neighborhoods I've been in Queens or Brooklyn.

The pace is a little slower down there in general, it's a bit more laid back and obviously the weather is nicer for a longer part of the year down there. Yes, it gets unbearably hot for several months, but I personally prefer to dodge unbearable heat in my shorts and tshirt then unbearable cold in my coat, gloves, hat, etc. But that's just me. I think you are right on target when you say it's better for kids down there because they can play outside for more of the year and there are many more things to explore than you'd find around nyc. Just my two cents worth...

[CindyArlene]

thank you, thank you. i needed a ny opinion. because what one person considers bad someone else considers good. its all where your'e coming from. i found a church new destiny christian center on mccormick road. and didnt want to be to far. but i also want to be able to work and a good school for my daughter. 4th grade in september. private school is an option. also can you help out with tax info. the websites say florida has low taxes but in comparison to nyc how is it. im with you. i hate the cold. its freezing now and im miserable.

[Nomoresubways]

All I have to say is I can't wait to go down this weekend, it's supposed to be mid 70's! Much better than the teens like it's been all week here!

Private schools get expensive, just keep that in mind. I'd plan on finding an area with good public schools if you can help it. Don't get me wrong, if you think you can afford private then it probably is a good route. But I've been doing my budgeting and I can't see us affording a private school when we get down there.

When you say taxes, do you mean property taxes? or just taxes in general? Property taxes down there a much less than what I've found up here, but then again I live out in Suffolk county in LI. My property taxes in Mount Dora are going to be about half of what I pay currently on LI, and from what I've seen the rural areas like Mt Dora are higher than some of the other areas. I don't know what property taxes are like in the boroughs though. I have to imagine they are high as well.

[CindyArlene]

well public school is more likely and as far as taxes i mean on salary and sales. i will be renting. its just the two of us, so i need to keep expenses down.

[Nomoresubways]

Well no state income tax so that helps, although the wages will be considerably less as well. I'm finding that I'll probably get around 60-65% of what i made up here down there. Someone can correct me if my numbers are askew.

Sales tax is 6% I think which is considerably less than we pay here.

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by Nomoresubways

Well no state income tax so that helps, although the wages will be considerably less as well. I'm finding that I'll probably get around 60-65% of what i made up here down there. Someone can correct me if my numbers are askew.

Sales tax is 6% I think which is considerably less than we pay here.

Sales tax varies by county. In Orange county it is 6.5% and in Seminole County it is 7%...that is about average.

[Joe S]

I lived in New York all my life. I lived in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. I moved to Orlando 5 years ago to retire. Crime does seem to be on the increase here. I think this is due to growing pains. The population in this area is growing quicker than the city can increase cops, courts correction facilities and just general city services. If your street smart and are constantly aware of your surroundings you should be OK. You also have to be proactive and take precautions to protect yourself, family and property. Being from New York you know what I’m talking about. I feel that living here is no worst than Living in New York or any other medium to large city. I find it cheaper to live here than New York. But jobs don't pay well here so it balances out. Don't come down here with New York bills. I found traffic to be no worst than New York. I wish we had a commuter train. The nice weather and the lack of snow and ice makes it all worth it. Good Luck in your relocation.

[MaryLou2007]

Originally Posted by CindyArlene

I read a lot of negativiity about Orlando, specifically Apopka. I read a lot of stuff about crime, the incoming latin population wreaking havoc (i am puerto rican by the way), the presence of the Guardian Angels etc.

Well im coming from the Bronx in NYC. The five burroughs have been my home and I am coming to live a quieter, more enjoyable lifestyle that i believe florida offers. But what i really want to know is this.

Is it really that bad? Or are a few people here overreacting? I mean this from a NY point of view. I come from a place where there on 10 apts. on my floor. 17 floors in my building Im at the top. The elevator is always broken.
It's freezing. Snow is not nice in nyc because it turns to black slush within minutes. Crime is high. Schools are horrible. No matter what burrough youre in. The Guardian Angels have been here since the 1980's. And you guys are going crazy that they are there now. I think they are just getting older want some property and liked Florida. If you buy a house in nyc you wont have any land, all attached. and expensive.

I have a two bedroom and pay $920. That's cheap in NY. People tell me how lucky i am. BTW our apartments dont include washer/dryer, a/c, garbage disposal, carpeting, pool, clubhouse, fitness center, park, and many other ammenities. So you see, I guess that's why we are coming.

And florida has so much for kids to do its ideal. in nyc its all theater and museums. and if you have a car there's no parking.

Well orlando, we are coming. Ready or not! And we're only coming to add to the place not take away from. Look forward to hearing your suggestions on schools, neighborhoods, any apts available. thanks

Compared to the Bronx, yeah, Central Florida will not be too bad. But here are some things to consider:

1. Compared to that apt you currently live in, for the same $920/mo, you will be stuck in a hell hole down here. The apts will probably have mold or be really, really old and have people sell drugs on the street corner. Make no mistake, dream no illusion: rent is super expensive here, you cannot get away from it, unless you live out in the sticks and commute 2 h daily. Or you can pay $1,200/mo and get a decent apt... but again, it's all up to you. Do NOT let the pics of apts you see on rental websites trick you. Go to ApartmentRatings.com and read about some of these "cute communities" you see on photos.

2. Jobs here don't pay crap. Unless you have some "in-demand skill", you will be working $9/hour jobs. Jobs are very hard to get, specially the ones that pay over $12.00/h. Be ready to be unemployed when you first move for at least 3 months.

3. Crime. You are used to it there, but you get that feeling when there is a criminal there. You know who they are, EVERYBODY knows who the bad guys are there. Here, because crack is our "mainstream drug", anyone of any race, young or old, smiling or not can come up to you and attack you over $20 to buy rock. You will find crime very high here.

Overall, I wish you best of luck. Orlando already sucks, even if you come and you hate it, you will just be another one in the "I hate Orlando" crowd.

Come back to tell us your thoughts of this move after "serving" 6 months in Orlando. Yes, it will gfeel like a jail sentence.

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by pianogal

Sales tax varies by county. In Orange county it is 6.5% and in Seminole County it is 7%...that is about average.

......and that's 'cause the affluent citizens of Seminole County were intelligent enough to pass a slight increase of sales tax on themselves to improve thier schools.... I'd say it's paying dividends in comparison to surrounding counties....