Are you looking to move to Orlando? One word: Don't! (Seminole: apartment, rental)

[SinDonor]

[quote=Jonotastic;6430562]

Originally Posted by SinDonor

lol you cannot compare the entire area of Seattle to 6 blocks of downtown Orlando. If you do that you have to compare it to downtown Seattle, which is VERY EXPENSIVE!

Find me a 3 bed/3 bath condo or house in DOWNTOWN Seattle for less than $800,000...it's impossible.

There is no debate that Seattle is a better city than Orlando, BUT it is A LOT more expensive. I've lived there and I've lived in Orlando too...I'm not just talking out of my blank lol.

Why can't I compare the two? Of course there are gonna be million dollar properties in Seattle, it's a real city with 4+million people. More people with more money demand higher-price properties.

My point was you can live in downtown Seattle for the same price as downtown Orlando. There are MANY rentals near the $1500-$2000 in good parts of Seattle, and many of the good rentals in downtown O-town are for that same $1500-$2000 price range. But my point is value! The value of what you get in Seattle is way better than the value of what's available in Orlando.


The trendy area of Seattle is Belltown (water views, great restaurants, etc)

classifieds - craigslist


The trendy area of Orlando is around Lake Eola (water view, great restaurants, etc)

classifieds - craigslist

Please, let me know if you notice a HUGE difference in price between these two listings.

I realize you lived here, and yes, you can spend a LOT of money here as well, but you don't have to!

[Jonotastic]

[quote=SinDonor;6430713]

Originally Posted by Jonotastic

Why can't I compare the two? Of course there are gonna be million dollar properties in Seattle, it's a real city with 4+million people. More people with more money demand higher-price porperties.

My point was you can live in downtown Seattle for the same price as downtown Orlando. There are MANY rentals near the $1500-$2000 in good parts of Seattle, and many of the good rentals in downtown O-town are for that same $1500-$2000 price range. But my point is value! The value of what you get in Seattle is way better than the value of what's available in Orlando.


The trendy area of Seattle is Belltown (water views, great restaurants, etc)

classifieds - craigslist


The trendy area of Orlando is around Lake Eola (water view, great restaurants, etc)

classifieds - craigslist

Please, let me know if you notice a HUGE difference in price between these two listings.

I realize you lived here, and yes, you can spend a LOT of money here as well, but you don't have to!

It doesn't matter if the city is 10,000 or 10,000,000 if you compare downtowns you have to compare downtowns, you can't compare one downtown to the entire city area. Example: Boulder, CO small population but still fairly expensive, especially for Colorado.

I would disagree with lake Eola being the trendy area of Orlando. I never met a single person who lived in that area...I think there is only a handful of condominiums in that area.

But for the sake of arguement I'll just say those two areas are comparable as you say. Search realtor.com it takes listings from all major realtors...for a 3/3 in belltown there isn't a single listing for $400,000, while even though Orlando is smaller and Lake Eola isn't really a residential area, there are 5 for under $400,000.

And even using your links...compare a 3 bedroom apt with a max budget of $2000...

There IS NOT even 1 listing in Belltown, while there are 14 listings in Lake Eola...and as you said...Orlando is so much smaller yet there are 14x more for that price.

*add*
Anyways its been fun having a friendly debate with you, but I think I better get back to my work...lol...procrastinating at its best!

If I still haven't made my point lol, I'd be happy to finish tomorrow. Night!

[cmj_fla]

So far, so good but just a warning that if this thread starts turning into personal attacks or a flame war that is will be closed. Also remember to stay on topic. Thanks.

[annerk]

It's interesting how only the worst neighborhoods were chosen as examples.

There are plenty of good, safe areas that are affordable to middle income families. Clermont and it's neighbor Minneola, Winter Springs, and Windermere come straight to mind.

There are also plenty of jobs that are not downtown. Until a year ago when I began working remotely 100% of the time, I had an easy 24 minute, 14 mile commute through orange groves with minimal traffic. I dealt with moderate traffic for a total of two miles. The key is getting a job before you choose a place to work, or alternately having the luxury of being choosey about how far you'll commute and being willing to pass on a job with a long commute.

And there are plenty of schools that aren't bottom of the barrel as well.

Don't move to Orlando because you came here on vacation every year and loved going to Disney. Vacation and real life are very different from each other.

Don't come to Orlando thinking all of your problems will be solved. And frankly if you've got big problems like you are broke and think you'll get a fresh start here, it's a REALLY bad choice. There is no pot of gold here, and frankly we don't need more people with problems. This is not the land of second chances.

There are a lot of low paying jobs, but there are also a lot of well paying positions. Don't come here without either already having a job with a liveable income lined up, or six months of living expenses in the bank. (Unless you are licensed/certified in certain medical professions with severe workforce shortages. If you are an RN (BS/MS) or X-Ray Tech, c'mon down!) Research employment opportunities in the fields you've got experience working in. Look at where those jobs are located geographically, and then look at housing within your commute threshold. Can you afford to live here based on what you'd be earning? If the answer is no, then find someplace else to move that would be more condusive to your needs.

Don't come here expecting to find jobs in industries that just don't exist in this area. Don't expect to make "NYC money." I don't care how good you are at what you do, it's just not going to happen. Be realistic, and fully aware of the fact that depending on where you are moving from, you're likely going to take a pay cut. (Mine was about 60% at first!)

I chose to come to the Orlando area after years of knowing that I wanted to live in Florida and then more years of finding the right place. I took my time, waited until things fell into place, I had savings and a skill set that would offer me a large number of job options. It was a good choice, and I'm very happy here.

[DailyJournalist]

I think the OP made some great points. For people that moved from vibrant cities to Orlando, it definetly feels like a giant suburb. For me the worst part about living in Orlando is the low wages, lack of employment opportunities for college graduates and for blue collar workers, lack of culture, and lack of an urban feel. But I think that for people that move from the rural areas of the US, they may find Orlando to be more appealing.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

I think the OP made some great points. For people that moved from vibrant cities to Orlando, it definetly feels like a giant suburb. For me the worst part about living in Orlando is the low wages, lack of employment opportunities for college graduates and for blue collar workers, lack of culture, and lack of an urban feel. But I think that for people that move from the rural areas of the US, they may find Orlando to be more appealing.

I moved here from NJ where I was a NYC commuter. So I certainly know urban and culture. There is plenty of culture here, and I feel there is a definite urban vibe going on in the downtown bar/restaurant area. Anyone who says there isn't just hasn't bothered to look for it.

My social calendar is incredibly full. So far this week I've been out to a good dinner (Seasons 52), a concert at the UCF Arena, and tonight an art show/benefit at City Arts Factory. Haven't thought about dinner for tonight yet, although I'm leaning towards Ceviche.

Next week I've got a date with friends for dinner at Luma with pre and post at the Wine Room, a concert at House of Blues, and tickets to a show at Theatre Downtown.

Still firming up the following week, but that's looking like a concert at Hard Rock Live with dinner at TchopTchop, and a Magic game.

There's plenty to do outside the theme parks if you bother to take the time to find it. (Which isn't hard to do.)

[Wilshire81182]

Originally Posted by annerk

I moved here from NJ where I was a NYC commuter. So I certainly know urban and culture. There is plenty of culture here, and I feel there is a definite urban vibe going on in the downtown bar/restaurant area. Anyone who says there isn't just hasn't bothered to look for it.

There's plenty to do outside the theme parks if you bother to take the time to find it. (Which isn't hard to do.)

I agree with this. I also think your perception of the Orlando metro can differ a lot due to where you live in the area, your social network, and possibly also your income level. The economy is tight right now, so not everyone can afford to go out and do all these things or eat at some of the nicer restaurants in the area, but like you I have never really felt like there is a lack of urban culture or things to do in Orlando. I do feel that it is a far cry from huge cities like NYC or LA, but I think that is to be expected given our size.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

I agree with this. I also think your perception of the Orlando metro can differ a lot due to where you live in the area, your social network, and possibly also your income level. The economy is tight right now, so not everyone can afford to go out and do all these things or eat at some of the nicer restaurants in the area, but like you I have never really felt like there is a lack of urban culture or things to do in Orlando. I do feel that it is a far cry from huge cities like NYC or LA, but I think that is to be expected given our size.

I'm not rich by any means! What I don't make in income is made up by working in an industry where I get a lot of concert and event tickets comped to me though. But...

The City Arts Factory benefit tonight has a suggested donation of $25, but no one will be turned away if they can't afford that--and the drinks are free!

The Wine Room can be a very inexpensive night out if you stick to the lower priced wines. You could have a few pours for under $10.

There are also a lot of free wine tastings--look on localwineevents.com. LakeRidge Winery offers free tours and tastings almost every day.

Several of the local colleges put on theater performances with tickets as low as $5.

An Entertainment Book can make dining out more affordable. I get one every year, and it pays for itself about 20 times over.

There is a solo/duo on the porch at House of Blues every night. No cover charge, you don't need to buy anything to sit and listen. And no parking charge there either.

And the Preds often have great ticket deals. I've attended a Preds game for under $10!

Bottom line is that there are plenty of things to do that don't cost a fortune. Heck, go check out some of the great local talent at one of the area clubs where cover is under $10 and there's no drink minimum.

[AONE]

And you are moving when?

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

For me the worst part about living in Orlando is the low wages, lack of employment opportunities for college graduates and for blue collar workers

That is the primary reason I left and should be included in the poll. The absolute worst part of Orlando is trying to make a living there. Low wages + rapidly increasing cost of living = misery. If companies in Orlando would pay wages comparable to other areas of the country, it wouldn't be as bad.