Best Zip Codes - In & Around ORLANDO ASAP PLEASE

[durofitness]

Originally Posted by peaceandprosperity

32835 is metrowest...it is a mix of nice places and high crime, since it's close to Pine Hills. There are certain areas of 32835 which are a little more secure though. East side is calmer than West side of Orlando in general, but there have been crimes on the East side as well. Stay totally away from Pine Hills (cheapest rent and highest crime) and Paramore (totally run down)..i would take a different driving routes to avoid those areas. I would avoid 32808, 32811, Mall of Millenia area doesn't seem safe either (another place with new residences and higher crime)

32837

[annerk]

Originally Posted by earthfaries

33897

Why do you think that's such a great area to live in? Most people feel just the opposite. Escalating crime, high foreclosure rates causing fiscal problems within HOA's and with the tax roles, inconvenient to many services, and a very high transient rate seem to be detrimental to that area.

[peaceandprosperity]

32837 is Kissimmee area not far from Disney.. Around Hunters Creek.

It's just fine there.. Mainly families, but kind of far from downtown Orlando / East Orlando ..I would say a 45-50 minute drive.

I'd say it's a safe area though.

[krissytine]

Downtown can be cool. but if you move to Lockhart, many suburban markets are there, the houses are small but at an affordable price, and you are just a 15 minute drive away from the malls and downtown. And it's a fair area, just don't make trouble, and you will be secure.

[durofitness]

Originally Posted by peaceandprosperity

32837 is Kissimmee area not far from Disney.. Around Hunters Creek.

It's just fine there.. Mainly families, but kind of far from downtown Orlando / East Orlando ..I would say a 45-50 minute drive.

I'd say it's a safe area though.

Thanks for your information

[formerPA]

Waterford Lakes is nice and Cypress Lakes 32820 on the East side and you can hit the 408 and be downtown in around 20 mins without traffic. Rush hour is another story

[buzzritear]

What about 32703 (The West 15th St area)? or 32807 South Oxalis area?

[flguy123]

32828 is the best zip on the east side. The "big" neighborhoods over here are Waterford Lakes (oldest), Stoneybrook (newer) and Avalon Park (newest). Great schools, tons of families in the 30-40 year-old-range (myself included), affordable, large homes, multiple golf courses, excellent day care centers, very close to Waterford Lakes shopping plaza, which has everything you need, but no night life.

32828 is also borders Rt. 408 and Rt. 50 making it very easy to get to the beaches and airport, etc. Something for everyone in that zip IF you like the suburbs and have no desire for night life.

Housing prices have fallen dramatically, and are probably going to fall a little more, but the worst is over I believe. I would be excited to be a buyer in this market now honestly. You can get a 5br 4,000+ sq.ft. house with yard and pool for less than $500k now in 32828. Prices are hovering around $100/sq.ft. You might be better off renting first to get a feel for the area.

If you are more of an urban person then stick closer to downtown (Thorton Park is great). Don't be surprised at the amount of homeless you see, though. Also check out Baldwin Park if you still want some kind of self-contain town center type neighborhood. But Baldwin is expensive.

I have no experience with the west side other than I've heard it has nice communities, too, more upscale, but there's more traffic, tourists everywhere, and not as close to beaches obviously.

Why don't you tell us what your priority is? Beaches? Kids? Night life? In terms of safety, Orlando suffers like every other city. Looks for a Neighborhood Watch or COPs program in any neighborhood you want to buy in. Ask the HOA if they have off-duty police.

Homeowners insurance rates in Orlando aren't nearly as bad as other places in Florida. Maybe $2k/year for a good policy on a 4br newer house with pool. Older homes have higher premiums. Property taxes are the killer. They are 2% of the home value. But since there is no state income tax, I guess it's a trade off. The state has to get money somehow!

Hope this helps.

[FLAlleycat]

I like and live in 32817 . . . close to the university, both community colleges, to 408 and 417, easy back roads to downtown if you don't want to take 408, close to many malls. It's in east part of town (I never have to get on I-4 unless going to FL mall). It is rather far from Disney area, though, which I like!

[eximious]

32837 in south Orlando / Hunter's Creek is good. One of the nearby high schools, Cypress Creek High School, offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate Program, among standard honors and AP courses. The I.B. program is essentially college prep, very demanding, but also puts your children in mostly I.B.-only classes, which means they don't often mingle with the general student body (which can be rougher). Feel free to ask for more information.

There is some crime and drug activity in the area, but in limited pockets. You'd have to talk to a local sheriff to find out any drug hot spots, because I do not notice much activity. I consider this area pretty safe, the only real nuisance I used to see was hoodlums removing letters from neighborhood signs, but I haven't seen this in some time. Obviously, don't feel like you're invincible; always take basic precautions, etc.

Location. We're not exactly close to downtown. Maybe forty minutes in good traffic. We're basically in the middle of Kissimmee, Disney, the airport, Valencia community college, and downtown. Easily within regular driving distance to all those, except maybe downtown.

Lots of commercial construction just finished up in this area, so there are many nice shopping areas within 5-10 minutes.

Many of the local roads are nicely landscaped, especially when the crape myrtle bloom throughout late spring and summer.

There are many pockets of cypress swamp left in this area, which can be very nice. You're not just stuck in suburban sprawl; you should be able to find oaks, pines, and cypress clusters.

Weather. Hot in the summer. I'd say 10am-5pm is usually too hot to be outside in the summer. However, we frequently receive early afternoon thunderstorms which come and go quickly (and powerfully), but also cool down the temperature a bit.

Housing. Haven't checked prices recently. Hunter's Creek does have quite a few deed restrictions, which means the place always looks nice, but that they'll haggle you if you let your lawn grow out too much or leave junk in your front yard, etc.