Planning on moving down to Florida...again (Orlando, Winter Springs: apartment complex, crime)

[smb5575]

I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice...I was raised in central CT my whole life but moved up to Western Mass where my parents are from and that is where I am now. Back in 2006 my husband and newborn daughter and I moved down to Orlando, where his family lives, and I lasted a whole 6 months before I moved right back up to Massachusetts. I loved the weather, hated the traffic (but I was able to deal with it, CT has some of the worst traffic in New England) but I missed my family too much and the news was scaring the crap outta me. People constantly getting shot, robbed or kids being kidnnapped by their own parents. I also have a paranoia of Fire Ants. I have NEVER gotten bitten, but I have the worst fear that if my daughter or I does, were gonna be allergic and die or something. I was constantly looking out for those things. I heard a guy died when some got into his house during the flood. My husband HATES the winter, as do I. If I see any more snow I am gonna scream and he is sooooo unhappy up here. My mother and sister are now thinking about moving with me to Florida. I don't want the Orlando area, but would like to be close by so I am able to be near my in-laws. Is it worth moving back? We hate it up here and there are no fire ants, but the taxes are rediculous, people getting laid off everywhere and there is NOTHING to do up here!!!!!!!! Im thinking about Apopka, Oviedo or Winter Park....any suggestions

[DailyJournalist]

I would also research Winter Springs. Keep in mind that Florida had the second highest job loss of any state in 2008. So you may find a much worse job market than Mass. with lower wages. You may also want to research Texas as the job market there is much better than Florida and it has a very mild climate. Look at cities like Houston and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

[**NoodLes**]

Come on down. I honestly don't see how anybody could live up North besides family reasons and a bit more history. However there's much more to do in Orlando than any of the suburbs you mentioned. And please don't complain about traffic, it is NOTHING compared to many other larger cities.

[Jonotastic]

My gripe about Florida traffic is the stop lights. Those things are the longest lights I've ever seen. If you need to make a left turn and you arrive at a yellow, some lights you can spend 3-5 minutes waiting until it turns green again, then you have some slow senior driving and you hit the next yellow light lol.

Other than that, unless I was living in NYC or Boston, I'd much rather be living in Florida than the Northeast. I consider Winter Park as Orlando...where in Orlando did you live and why didn't you like that area. My favorite area has always been Dr. Phillips, I graduated from high school there and thought it was a nice place.

If you can afford it, look into Windermere...the heart of Windermere, it feels like a whole other city, yet it's right next to Orlando's most famous attractions, that part of Windermere just costs $$$.To get there, you need to drive WEST on Conroy Windermere Road...passing through Apopka Vineland...look at a map, it's easy to find.

[ngrome]

Again, people are always tired of the winter at winter time. The economic situation is the same anywhere else. You may find a job, but it may not be comparable wages. Really think about it, ask yourself if you're going to end up missing CT in the long run. Three to four months of winter to me is not bad compared to the beautiful seasons you get the rest of the year. In FL, you'll have 3-4 months of decent weather during the winter season, but then you'll have the heat and humidity the majority of the rest of the year. If you can deal with that, have at it, along with the fire ants, which are year round.

[smb5575]

Originally Posted by ngrome

Again, people are always tired of the winter at winter time. The economic situation is the same anywhere else. You may find a job, but it may not be comparable wages. Really think about it, ask yourself if you're going to end up missing CT in the long run. Three to four months of winter to me is not bad compared to the beautiful seasons you get the rest of the year. In FL, you'll have 3-4 months of decent weather during the winter season, but then you'll have the heat and humidity the majority of the rest of the year. If you can deal with that, have at it, along with the fire ants, which are year round.

I have already lived in Florida for 6 months (during the summer too) and its not the weather that bothered me, it was missing my family. My husband's family already lives in Orlando Now that MY family is willing to move down with me, I am thinking about it. The only time new england gets nice weather is in the summer and september...that's about it. Otherwise its cold, and a lot of the time its gray and ugly. My husband is originally from Puerto Rico, so he doesn't miss new england when we leave. I am just worried about things I am unfamilar with like all your poisonous creatures down there....and the crime. But I know it probably just depends on where you live.

[smb5575]

Originally Posted by Jonotastic

My gripe about Florida traffic is the stop lights. Those things are the longest lights I've ever seen. If you need to make a left turn and you arrive at a yellow, some lights you can spend 3-5 minutes waiting until it turns green again, then you have some slow senior driving and you hit the next yellow light lol.

Other than that, unless I was living in NYC or Boston, I'd much rather be living in Florida than the Northeast. I consider Winter Park as Orlando...where in Orlando did you live and why didn't you like that area. My favorite area has always been Dr. Phillips, I graduated from high school there and thought it was a nice place.

If you can afford it, look into Windermere...the heart of Windermere, it feels like a whole other city, yet it's right next to Orlando's most famous attractions, that part of Windermere just costs $$$.To get there, you need to drive WEST on Conroy Windermere Road...passing through Apopka Vineland...look at a map, it's easy to find.

I lived near the airport in an apartment complex near lee vista on bent pine dr, right off of 436. Never had any problems actually, but I know the crime is getting worse, so i worry about going back to Orlando.

[beckycat]

I'd say go fo it! I can't agree with you more about the weather up north. Too many cloudy, grey, cold days that make me depressed. Good luck to you!

[MOmatt417]

I lived in Central Florida (right outside of Disney) for a while, and I'm from the midwest originally (specifically Missouri). I had a lot of the same issues as you. But now, I kinda miss it...whatever you decide to do, good luck! I hope everything works out for you.

[Wilshire81182]

I think if you pick a safe area, you will find it very enjoyable! I encourage your move too! Oviedo and Winter Park are great areas. You have to be a little bit more careful in Apopka. You will want to be north of downtown in the 32712 zip code or in the Wekiva area. Avoid the areas right around downtown Apopka and South Apopka. For this reason, Winter Park or Oviedo are probably better options for you.