+15 year Orlando Resident Here - Ask Me Anything (Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs: low crime, neighborhoods)

[DBeachBoy]

Originally Posted by blueoktober

I think you would really like Altamonte. It's got everything you need as for shopping and food. It's a short distance (but can be a long drive) to downtown. It has movie theaters, malls, mini golf, skating, etc etc.

People became very indifferent or even rude. The housing boom caused such traffic that by the time I got to work I was so frazzled I couldnt think. Everything seemed to become a burden. Just going to the grocery store become an event I didnt want to endure. Crowds, rude people, traffic, a large population of undesirable people changed the landscape. It could have all been bad timing or it could all really be real, but it FELT real. It felt like I was spending 90% of my life frazzled and I just wanted to stop feeling that way.

I miss Florida now. I had the amenities that made life exciting and I guess I figured out that life is like this everywhere unless I move to Montana, and how long will it be before Montana changes? I miss the beach, I miss the theme parks, the tropical landscaping, etc. But I cannot come back because I cannot afford a house there again like I had or have now. My house I bought for 250k sold for near 500k. I cannot make enough money to have that again and it would cost me MORE to live in a 3/2 bath than it did my 5/3 with a pool and an acre. That just ain't right! lol.

So I am moving to Austin TX soon because well, economy is great, people are the nicest I have ever seen and housing is half of what it is in Orlando.

Wow Blue,

I was born and raised in Daytona and moved to Orlando when I went to college and spent my adult life there until 3 years ago when I got a job promotion to Atlanta.

I feel the same way you do about Orlando that I feel about Atlanta, people are rude, don't even talk about the traffic, I only live 5 miles form work in downtown Atlanta and I feel 'frazzled' by the time i get to work. My commute can end up being 45 minutes somtimes.

I miss FL, I miss the beach, I'm about to come down to Orlando/Daytona/Key West this upcoming week, I'm really looking forward to it.

So many people in this thread are citing how much crime is down there in Orlando. I went to look at crime statistics for Atlanta; it crashed my browser there was so much!

Unfortunately I must agree with you about the housing and wages. There's no way I could afford what I have up here if I was in Florida. I think I would give it all up though for a slower paced environment and a nice beach withing reach.

Many of the comments I have read in this thread so far have been accurate in the problems with living in Florida, and some have been hyperbolized. If I didn't live there I would be thinking Orlando was like a Grand Theft Auto game, as I drive down 436 or 50 and see people getting mugged shot and raped as I drove by.

I haven't lived there for 3 years so some things may have changed dramatically.

This may sound wrong, but I saw a lot of people blaming Wal-Mart... I know exactly where this is and have even been to it and indeed it seems very seedy and I was uncomfortable shopping here.

If anyone has any questions for me, I've lived near UCF, downtown in Thorton Park, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, and Apopka. I'll answer to the best of my ability of my perception when I lived there.

Everyone have a happy and safe 4th of July!

[siobhan smith]

We are looking at buying in Orlando, can you advise on the following areas, Marbella Drive Kissimmee, Sandestin Way Orlando, are these safe areas, and a good place to live, any suggestions on good areas, versus no go places. We are green re: crime and gangs areas and don't want to buy into a problem. Thanks

[cmj_fla]

Originally Posted by siobhan smith

We are looking at buying in Orlando, can you advise on the following areas, Marbella Drive Kissimmee, Sandestin Way Orlando, are these safe areas, and a good place to live, any suggestions on good areas, versus no go places. We are green re: crime and gangs areas and don't want to buy into a problem. Thanks

I have not heard anything bad about either area but they are adjacent to BVL and it comes with it's share of crime and gangs, however, I don't think these areas have been affected. I do not know if that will change but do suggest spending as much time as you can in the area before buying. Before we bought our house we were like little stalkers. We would drive by the neighborhood at night with our windows down to see what kind of noise and activity was going on.

[Wilshire81182]

I just looked where they are. I like the Orlando location a lot more. Town Center Blvd is adjacent to a SuperTarget and leads directly into the nice part of Hunter's Creek. You are close to Landstar, where driving through about 2 weeks ago, I saw a lot of barred up windows and unkept homes. I honestly do not see those areas going in the right direction over time, but this location may fair better and is closer to Hunter's Creek like I said. You may want to look at options a little bit east of there in Wyndham Lakes or a little bit west in Hunter's Creek itself or Williamsburg. I think the nicer parts of South Chase are west of Orange Avenue not along Landstar. I have never really been a fan of BVL.

[superman1027]

In Nov. my girlfriend and 2 children under 2 years old are moving to the Orlando area where i will be attending UTI. IM aware of the crime there and am looking for somewhere where my children will be safe Every time i think iv found a nice surrounding city or a nice apartment i read about people cars getting stolen and every apartment seems to have bad management. I'm willing to drive 20 minutes or so to school everyday, from my understanding UTI is on the most south part of Orlando. I know not everywhere is perfect but I'm a very overprotective father. Some help would be greatly appreciated, our goal is to have a place to go home to as soon as we get there so were not living out of hotels. It sucks not being able to drive around and see these places with my own eyes and get my own opinion which is why I'm relying on you so please help. Thanks allot

[cmj_fla]

You sound like a really great father and I can appreciate your struggle with finding a safe place to live. There are some places left around here and in South Orlando, I would suggest Hunter's Creek. You can look on Craigslist and probably find a pretty good deal on renting a home or condo right now. There are also a lot of really nice and safe apartment complexes there also. I have a few friends that live in Colonial Grand at Hunter's Creek and really like it. The schools are also really good there.

UTI is a great school. Good luck and I hope this forum can be of some help to you.

[Crane's Rooster]

I would agree. For your school's location Hunter's Creek would probaly be best. You may also want to look at Lake Nona on the other side of the airport and parts of Belle Isle can also be nice but it's mostly single family homes. If you're willing to go a little further I would consider Dr. Phillips area.

[dave and the family]

can you please tell me thebest place to buy a tomtom satnav .we are coming over from the uk

[tcm3]

I'm looking for a great private school. Everything I find seems to be either religious or more than I'm willing to pay. (I've got two school -aged children). I'd like something non-religious, and under 10,000 per year
Has anyone had any experiences with Lake Mary Prep? If so, would you recommend it?

[magicfan1031]

Originally Posted by Dizzy is Moving

My first post - I have lived all around Central Florida: Orlando, Metro West, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, etc.

The amount of insane people posting about Orlando being some kind of drug crazed, mafia run cess pool is a bunch of BS, to put it kindly. If i had the time to spend to correct all the disinfo & paranoia being posted around here, I would - but i just dont have that kind of time. I am moving to the west coast of the us come July, so in my spare time I'll be in the California forum and i will do my best to help future Orlando residents here in this forum as well.

I am very familiar with Orlando and its close neighboring cities. If your moving here, or considering it, ask me anything you want. I will not sugarcoat it, but more inportantly - I will not give you some kind of delusional paranoid rant on Orlando being the next gotham city.

We are considering moving from Phoenix, AZ to Orlando. Can you recommend good areas to look? With have a baby, so are looking for a family friendly area with good schools. I have been reading some not so pleasant info, but figure everyone has their opinion. Any direction would be great.
Thank you!!