So....should I stay here in Philly or move there to Orlando area.... (Tampa: condos, house)

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

Hi Parrotrosie -

I'm also from Philly suburbs and have been here almost 4 yrs now. We came for my husbands job also. I will just say there are negatives and positives to Philly and Orlando. I wish I had more time to house hunt before we moved but we didn't. We ended up in a nice "gated" community in Waterford Lakes. It's not a bad area but I would have picked Lake Mary, Oviedo or Winter Springs over this area now that I know what I know. Orlando has a very long hot season so your air conditioner will be on from May through October, give or take. A pool is a must, it makes it more enjoyable. Proximity to the beaches are great. For us, Philly is cold and has snow so we prefer FL.

You mentioned about the planned communities or gated communities being very prevalent here. It's true but I prefer them. Our neighborhood is not cookie cutter, there are many homes that are different but they all blend together. By the way, you mentioned that they cut your grass. The communities don't cut "your" grass but the landscaping that surrounds your property. The entrance areas, the greenbelt areas and along the roadways. Just something to understand.

There must be a lot of Philly transplants here because in Waterford Lakes area we have Briantos (which is excellent) for cheesestakes, we have the Philly Pretzel Factory and we also now have a Rita's Water Ice. If you're an Eagles fan, you must go to the Wing Shack on Michigan St. for Eagles games. They have satellite TV for the games and the owner is the head guy for the Orlando Eagles Fan club. All kinds of Philly transplants come to watch the game together, all in Eagles jerseys. It's a lot of fun to meet people from back home.

[beckycat]

Lake Mary is the closest to Winter Park, next Winter Springs, then Oveido. Are you planning on buying or renting? How much are you looking to spend? That may better help me direct you to different subdivisons. IMO, I think ppl are much more friendly here! The sun shines all the time and ppl seem to be happier.

[Alphaman]

Winter park is a really nice city that is just outside Orlando`s downtown and one of the nicest areas in Orlando Metro, I would look around there also. Waterford lakes is also a very good choice.

[Parrotrosie]

Thanks for the tips...we would be buying, and likely in the 275k range. Pool is a deal breaker...its a must have...preferable a screened in one. They look so cool! Must have 4 or more bedrooms, got a mom-in-law living with us, and she is just fine with the move....shocked me really.

So, if I didn't know these were pre'planned communities, would they just look like a regular town? I guess they would....it's just the knowing that is was all laid out like that ahead of time...its kind of 'twilight zone' to me. Around here, things just pop up on an 'as needed' basis...which make for a harry carry sortof look, which looks sortof lousy....

I would offer to bring you all Tastykakes when I come there...but they would never keep on the drive down...I would eat them all...hahahahaha!!!!

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by Parrotrosie

Thanks for the tips...we would be buying, and likely in the 275k range. Pool is a deal breaker...its a must have...preferable a screened in one. They look so cool! Must have 4 or more bedrooms, got a mom-in-law living with us, and she is just fine with the move....shocked me really.

So, if I didn't know these were pre'planned communities, would they just look like a regular town? I guess they would....it's just the knowing that is was all laid out like that ahead of time...its kind of 'twilight zone' to me. Around here, things just pop up on an 'as needed' basis...which make for a harry carry sortof look, which looks sortof lousy....

I would offer to bring you all Tastykakes when I come there...but they would never keep on the drive down...I would eat them all...hahahahaha!!!!

Bring the tastykakes! Nevermind, my husband said rolls instead. He wants to know where you are in Philly? In that price range, you can find quite alot. I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised when you get here. It's different than what your explaining. Most homes are in what we call developements up north. Alot of them don't have a bunch of property either. Don't know if that matters. When you go into these subdivisions, they are usually made up of cul-de-sacs and they go in a big circle which has side streets. It's not like a grid. There are older SD that have the grid pattern with more land. It is very clean and green down here compared to Philly. Everything looks so new and updated. And you have palm trees. Some subdividions have pools, but mostly ppl have their own. You maybe interested in Egret's Landing, Osprey Landing, The Crossings, Greenwood Lakes, (cookie-cutter) Silver Lake, Sheffield, The Manderley or Huntington Pointe (higher prices). As you can see, there are many choices. Look on realtor.com or craigslist so you can see some pictures. Do you like newer cookie-cutter developements or houses that are older (80's) with different looking models?

[Parrotrosie]

I can bring rolls.....wait...you mean I can't get any decent rolls down there!!!!! Poo.

I am not exactly in Philly, but a stone's throw...I can see it from my house. I am about ten minutes south of the Philly airport, so just south of south Philly. The Philly zoo is a fifteen minute ride (no traffic assuming) from me, as is the Museum of art, Ben Franklin Museum, Historic Philly, etc. Guess I should visit all that once more before we leave...cause I ain't coming back to see it...hahaha!

I was noticing the lack of property.....not sure how I feel about that....

I don't think I would mind if my property backs up to some community type property but if I was surrounded on all three sides by other houses, I think that would bother me...

I want my own pool, but I think a community pool would also be nice for my daughter, it gets boring as a kid to swim alone...I know that from having a pool here, and an only child. But I would also bet there would be more kids in a development like that than there is where I am right now.

I am going to try and google some of those places you mentioned...I appreciate the tips. I gotta start a word document or something...haha

I actually like the Florida looking houses if you know what I mean - with the nice stucco and tall entry. I don't particularly care for the Brady bunch style of house (70's type) I have seen some that look just like the homes here, and while they are nice, I don't think I want one of those either...when in Rome....

How is homeowner's insurance there? Can you get flood insurance and will it break the bank? I have no flood insurance here but then again...don't need it. I am sure to get it there, as I am sure I may need it. What is the norm there...? Does anyone have hurricane insurance? Is there such a thing?

[cmj_fla]

Originally Posted by Parrotrosie

How is homeowner's insurance there? Can you get flood insurance and will it break the bank? I have no flood insurance here but then again...don't need it. I am sure to get it there, as I am sure I may need it. What is the norm there...? Does anyone have hurricane insurance? Is there such a thing?

Flood insurance price depends on your coverage and if you are in a flood zone or not. 250K worth of coverage is usually less than $500 if you are not in a flood zone and less than $1000 if you are.

Hurricane coverage is included in almost every homeowner's policy but usually with a higher deductible then non-hurricane related claims.

[Parrotrosie]

Originally Posted by cmj_fla

Flood insurance price depends on your coverage and if you are in a flood zone or not. 250K worth of coverage is usually less than $500 if you are not in a flood zone and less than $1000 if you are.

Hurricane coverage is included in almost every homeowner's policy but usually with a higher deductible then non-hurricane related claims.

Thanks...coming from the northeast...that doens't seem too outrageous then

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by Parrotrosie

I can bring rolls.....wait...you mean I can't get any decent rolls down there!!!!! Poo.

I am not exactly in Philly, but a stone's throw...I can see it from my house. I am about ten minutes south of the Philly airport, so just south of south Philly. The Philly zoo is a fifteen minute ride (no traffic assuming) from me, as is the Museum of art, Ben Franklin Museum, Historic Philly, etc. Guess I should visit all that once more before we leave...cause I ain't coming back to see it...hahaha!

I was noticing the lack of property.....not sure how I feel about that....

I don't think I would mind if my property backs up to some community type property but if I was surrounded on all three sides by other houses, I think that would bother me...

I want my own pool, but I think a community pool would also be nice for my daughter, it gets boring as a kid to swim alone...I know that from having a pool here, and an only child. But I would also bet there would be more kids in a development like that than there is where I am right now.

I am going to try and google some of those places you mentioned...I appreciate the tips. I gotta start a word document or something...haha

I actually like the Florida looking houses if you know what I mean - with the nice stucco and tall entry. I don't particularly care for the Brady bunch style of house (70's type) I have seen some that look just like the homes here, and while they are nice, I don't think I want one of those either...when in Rome....

How is homeowner's insurance there? Can you get flood insurance and will it break the bank? I have no flood insurance here but then again...don't need it. I am sure to get it there, as I am sure I may need it. What is the norm there...? Does anyone have hurricane insurance? Is there such a thing?

If you want more property, that's where it gets more expensive. I don't like the cookie-cutter, postage stamp lot neighborhoods either. You may do better in Huntington Pointe, The Manderely, or the Oaks, Crystal Creek in Longwood. Some of them may be out of your price range. They seem to have more land w/o the cookie-cutter homes. There are other nice homes on the west side of Sanford and the north of Lake Mary, but you have to be careful about the schools. Not so much elementary b/c they are fine, it's the high school. I'll try to find you some examples.

[Parrotrosie]

Thanks...it is nearly impossible to look homes up by develpment from up here...

I appreciate the help you are giving me. You can't really do a search on development names , only on city or towns. So that makes it a little tough. I think I am pretty well sure I want to be in Seminole county schools and not Orange county...is that a sound decision? Or are there some seminole schools that are not that great and some orange county that are super? LOL...ugh! You are all so helpful and I am appreciative of the patience