+15 year Orlando Resident Here - Ask Me Anything (Miami, Altamonte Springs: property taxes, transplants)

[momto4boys]

dismom2hann,
Have you thought about Oviedo? It's a really nice area with A schools across the board, it's safe and has lots of shopping and recreation for kids. The housing market there doesn't seem to be too out of control (yet) as other areas of the county have gotten.

[Coming2FL]

Originally Posted by momto4boys

I am a native Floridian and have lived in Winter Park, Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Apopka, Deltona, Orlando, and Tampa. Lake Mary is not far at all from downtown as far a miles, but can be a bear with traffic on I-4 in the mornings. Afternoons aren't as bad though. Orlando is spotty with crime, it just all depends on where you live. Just narrow down some areas and then you can research them based on crime, schools, etc... Good luck to you

Between Tampa and Orlando which would you choose and why?

[momto4boys]

I lived in Tampa for a year when I was in HS and my dad's entire family still lives there. There are some nice parts of Tampa...New Tampa, Brandon, Valrico. The thing I don't like about Tampa is how industrial it is--a lot of plants there and it just makes it feel dirty to me in parts. Traffic there is no picnic there either anymore. It is closer to the water than Orlando though, so if that's important to you --you might want to consider it.

As for the Orlando area, I'm not a big fan of Orange County as a whole. There are some nice parts...Winter Park, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, but overall I personally wouldn't want to live there. That's just my opinion though. I really like the Longwood and Lake Mary area. We feel safe (or "safer") here I should say than we would in many other places. Seminole County is far enough away from "Mickey" and all the tourists and stuff that comes along with that it still has a certain "surburbia" feel to it. There are parts to avoid like any place, you just have to know where not to go. The schools overall are far superior to the surrounding counties due to the higher taxes we pay. We have a lot of great shopping here and most people just seem to be pretty friendly. Like I said, this is just my personal opinion. I've lived here for 33 years and have watched all of the changes (good and bad), but I'd have to say I'd take it over any other place in Florida that I've been.

[Ruru]

Originally Posted by Nomoresubways

Okay I have a question for you too. Realizing of course the whole area is completely flat, where would you recommend someone go for a good "hike" in the Orlando area? I call flat hiking "trekking" myself, but everyone has their own term.

Prichard's answer was good...and there is are communities that exist around cycling in the woods and people who run/hike and canoe all over the state. It might be flat but they make up for the effort in distance. Have fun!

[Nomoresubways]

Trust me I plan on having a lot of fun. I am extremely excited, nothing like being able to do what I want for most of the year. During the hottest times, I'll just find the closest body of water to immerse myself in...

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by Nomoresubways

Trust me I plan on having a lot of fun. I am extremely excited, nothing like being able to do what I want for most of the year. During the hottest times, I'll just find the closest body of water to immerse myself in...

Hopefully a pool or the ocean or you might lose an arm or a leg....

[Cookie214]

Don't know if you've seen all the feedback (crime, nasty PR, drugs etc) I've received about Poincianna (near Solivita) but I had not witnessed rude Spanish people when I visited. True my husband & I had not been out late at night, but during the day we do not feel threatend in Public or Winn Dixie or in Wall Mart. Are we carzy or to stupid to see something. Since you said you will not sugar coat it or make up BS, I'm asking you what you think? Thanks

[Jon D]

Hi Dizzy, we are a family with three children aged 14, 10 and 6. Could you give us advise on areas with good schools, good communities and safe. We have already looked at Lake Mary which we like and are also going to look at Windermere. Are there other areas we should consider.
Best regards
Jon

[Nomoresubways]

Originally Posted by VAFury

Hopefully a pool or the ocean or you might lose an arm or a leg....

LOL Valid point! Maybe I'll take up gator wrestling!

[CalisterKaley]

Originally Posted by Need_affordable_home

Why are you one of the thousands moving out if you love Orlando? Also have you seen the crime index for Orlando?

yeah probably saw the crime like we all do everyday

i agree people move out because of the crime you know what is funny - some people i read about here pretend there is no crime they live in la la land.

crime in orlando specially is horrible, specially in metro west. it used to be the best area in town now it is horrible rapes murders almost everyday in metro west it makes you wonder why we let all these katrina refugees move down to orlando

i think the other person is getting out because of the hurricanes or maybethe violence - it is enough to amke you wnat to leave and never come back not even to visit