Are you looking to move to Orlando? One word: Don't! (Boca Raton: condo, crimes)

[Jonotastic]

Originally Posted by rogercobb

I think the worst thing about the area is the very stupid + dangerous drivers around here. With the lousy traffic and spread-out sprawl of the area I am forced to spend a lot of my day driving these violent streets. Earlier today my light turned green and I had to let twelve numbskulls run their red light. There are a lot of stupid people in this town.

I was probally one of those drivers lol (well not the running of red lights), but because the city is so spread out and the traffic lights when they turn red last a couple minutes before turning green again, I HATE IT when someone is going slow and as we come to an intersection seem to slow down as if they are waiting for it to turn yellow and then stop. Oh and especially on the freeways, when people drive 1-5 miles over the speed limit so they think they should drive in the fast lane (far left) when there is no one to the right of them. Yes, Orlando can cause road rage...Florida for that matter.

[SinDonor]

To all of you defending Orlando, thanks for taking the time to post your opinions. Orlando does have some good to offer. But so do many other cities that are safer, have better traffic and mass transit systems, and have better schools.

I posted this as a warning for people considering moving to O-town. It is hard to dispute the facts that crime is on rise, Orlando's roads and mass transit options are substandard for the increased population, and their school systems are some of the worst in the country. I am not pulling these facts out of thin air. They are facts that are unfortunate and are bringing down the charm of Orlando I first felt when I moved there six years ago.

To sum it up for you potential newbies to the area: Do your own research about the points I made. If these are things that would concern you when choosing a new place to live, you will find that my points were pretty much on the mark and you may want to move somewhere else.

[**NoodLes**]

Every city has its pros and cons, there is no utopia. Enjoy your pasty white, cloudy utopia in Seattle, couped up in your cubicle making Bill Gates rich while sipping on your StarBucks latte.

[Wilshire81182]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

Every city has its pros and cons, there is no utopia. Enjoy your pasty white, cloudy utopia in Seattle, couped up in your cubicle making Bill Gates rich while sipping on your StarBucks latte.

This made me laugh because I grew up in the NW and hated it. I would take any part of Florida over WA or OR hands down!

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by SinDonor

To all of you defending Orlando, thanks for taking the time to post your opinions. Orlando does have some good to offer. But so do many other cities that are safer, have better traffic and mass transit systems, and have better schools.

I posted this as a warning for people considering moving to O-town. It is hard to dispute the facts that crime is on rise, Orlando's roads and mass transit options are substandard for the increased population, and their school systems are some of the worst in the country. I am not pulling these facts out of thin air. They are facts that are unfortunate and are bringing down the charm of Orlando I first felt when I moved there six years ago.

To sum it up for you potential newbies to the area: Do your own research about the points I made. If these are things that would concern you when choosing a new place to live, you will find that my points were pretty much on the mark and you may want to move somewhere else.

I don't usually respond to posts like this, and I wasn't going to respond to this one but I just have to as someone who is choosing to move to the area for no other reason than we want to. No, we're not moving for jobs, money or anything like that. We just want to.
I appreciate you trying to get across your points about crime, etc. to anyone moving...you know, you'd be surprised how many people don't research first.
It can be scary reading these boards on Orlando and I know that you and others have scared away hundreds of people who were thinking about moving to Orlando.
I personally know how hot it is, how humid, how many bugs and snakes there are, how bad the crime is (it's scary how bad it is) and about the yucky swamp water that comes out of the taps. But I choose to move there anyway. I am one of those "Disney freaks" you referred to in your first posts. We will be spending our days at Epcot enjoying ourselves. Guess what? We're moving to Orlando FOR WDW!!!! And we're going to really enjoy ourselves too
Thanks for spreding the word about the problems in Orlando, every city had it's problems and the only big one I see in Orlando is that the crime does seem really high in comparison to other cities but it's like other posters said ~ Orlando is a big place and I'm sure crime is concentrated in particular bad areas. It's not like you're going to be mugged or raped going to the grocery store in Clermont or Kissimmee...
I'm glad to see everyone defending their city ~ Orlando is a special place and needs to have more positive things said about it.
How come on these boards you don't read very much positive stuff?
When I get there next month I am going to be a positive contributor and if anyone asks about moving to Orlando I will tell the the ups and downs, in a positive non-personal way

[SinDonor]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

Every city has its pros and cons, there is no utopia. Enjoy your pasty white, cloudy utopia in Seattle, couped up in your cubicle making Bill Gates rich while sipping on your StarBucks latte.

Thank you, I am defintely enjoying the PacNW so far. Weather was not a huge factor for me, but after sweating though countless suits while working in the thick, swampy air of Otown, I will take the clouds and 10" less rain per year. I traded in the beaches for the mountains, so instead of sand in my suit I've got snow in my boots.

Making money for Bill Gates? You can blame most of the world for that. Many people in this world right now would relish the opportunity to work for Microsoft. They are always one of top-rated companies for employee satisfaction. Besides, why not make a guy rich who has so far donated over 30 billion of his own personal wealth to charity? Do you think you will ever donate 1/3rd of your net worth?

As for coffee, I prefer 7-11s coffee over getting ripped off at a Starbucks. So there's one thing I'll miss about Orlando since every single corner in Otown has a 7-11. Seriously, I have never seen so many 7-11s in one place my entire life. Orlando: The City Beautiful AND Convenient! Ha!

[ProjectDeveloper06]

I agree with SinDonor, Orlando's crime is getting pretty scary. But I also have to agree with many people who posted in this thread. There is crime everywhere, but if you stay away from the bad areas like OBT and CRIME HILLS you should be fine. I have live in orlando for over 5 years, it isn't the best place to live but it certainly isn't the worst.

It comes down to the individual. Orlando is definitely affordable, but perhaps there are better places to raise a family in.

The area you live in determines the outlook, try living in windemere. Where all the celebrites and athetes live. Dwight Howard, Tiger Woods...etc. I am sure you wouldn't complain.

[Jonotastic]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

This made me laugh because I grew up in the NW and hated it. I would take any part of Florida over WA or OR hands down!

Growing up in Alaska and then spending a few years in Seattle I know what you mean.

You cannot afford a house with a pool and jacuzzi in Seattle unless you are wealthy, nor lounge out soaking up the sun whenever you are feeling ill.

Now that I'm older, I prefer the city life, but I know many people in both states that are DYING to get out of that cold weather and just be able to relax by a pool or beach.

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by ProjectDeveloper06

place to live but it certainly isn't the worst.

It comes down to the individual. Orlando is definitely affordable, but perhaps there are better places to raise a family in.

I would take "perhaps", out of that sentence all together.

[GloryB]

I guess everyone has their own idea of what a great town is.
As for me, I moved to Orlando a few months ago. I got the best job I ever had in my life. I just rented an incredible apartment downtown for a fraction of what it would cost me elsewhere. This morning I took my little grandson out to Disney just to eat breakfast using my annual pass. Last week I swam at the pool. And the shopping is great.
I think it is as close to Paradise as one is going to get without going to the other side of eternity.

(And this is coming from someone who was totally homesick when I first moved here!)