General questions about Orlando (Miami, Pine Hills: to rent, crime, hotel)

[Västkusten]

Hi,

First of all, I would like to apologize for my substandard english.

Me and a couple of friends are going to Orlando next week and we have a few questions I hope you could answer.

Is there any non-go areas where even locals don´t want to set there foot? Simply: what parts of Orlando should we avoid?

How is the nightlife in Orlando? Where is the place to be?

What are the prices for example taxi, beer(convenient stores/bars), a meal at a decent resturant?

We are going to stay here: Major Blvd near Universal Studios

is it a nice area?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions?

[DailyJournalist]

Hi,

First of all, I would like to apologize for my substandard english.

Me and a couple of friends are going to Orlando next week and we have a few questions I hope you could answer.

Is there any non-go areas where even locals don´t want to set there foot? Simply: what parts of Orlando should we avoid? Pine Hills, Orange Blossom Trail.

How is the nightlife in Orlando? Where is the place to be?Nightlife is Ok in Orlando, Downtown Orlando, Orange Avenue is the place to go. But you will find better nightlife in Southbeach Miami.

What are the prices for example taxi, beer(convenient stores/bars), a meal at a decent resturant?I would not recommend taking taxis in Orlando, rent a car. Meals will run about $10-$15 per person.

Thanks in advance for answering my questions?

[Västkusten]

Thanks for a quick response.

We´re going to rent a car but we don´t have a designated driver at all times.

I read somwhere that there are a lot of crimes in the area surrounding Universal Studios but what can you do. Is it really that bad btw? it sounds like a very crime infested city...

I also read somwhere that cab fares cost about 4$ per 1.8 miles. In Gothenburg it can cost up to 45-50$(night time) for 10 miles so it sounds very reasonable.

[Wilshire81182]

Daily Journalist did a great job responding.

I just wanted to say that the Orange Blossom Trail area around Florida Mall is not that bad and there is a lot of shopping in the area. I would avoid the area at night but in the daytime you will be fine. The areas to avoid since they are not good and there is no real reason to go there are: Pine Hills, Parramore, Washington Shores (around Ivey Lane), Oak Ridge, Tangelo Park, and some parts of the east side of town are probably best avoided like Goldenrod, Union Park, and Azalea Park. They are not extremely high in crime like Parramore and Pine Hills, but there is no real reason to be there and put yourself in a bad situation. Especially at night.

When people say the area around Universal Studios has a lot of crime, they mean the Parramore and Washington Shores areas as well as parts of Metrowest and the Northern parts of International Drive (close to Oak Ridge/Festival Bay Mall). Just be aware of your surroundings, don't go anywhere alone at night, stay in well lit areas, shopping centers, etc. and you will be fine!

You will be fine on Major Blvd. It is a highly trafficked area that is well lit with great chain dining options. It is convenient to the Mall at Millenia, Universal, International Drive, etc. For the most part, just do not go too far north of Conroy on Kirkman (like north of where Walmart and Valencia College are). West of you and south of you from your hotel are pretty nice areas. If you need to shop at Walmart go to the One in the 8900 block of Turkey Lake Rd as opposed to the one on Kirkman. The area east where I Drive is better visited in the day than at night.

I agree with the comments on nightlife, renting a car, and restaurants. There are a lot of chain and non chain restaurants where you can get a decent and filling meal for under $20.

[Västkusten]

Thank you both very much for the info.