Which Orlando suburb to move to? (Fort Myers, Winter Springs: hoa fees, condo, income)

[cmj_fla]

Originally Posted by pianogal

I post on this board to give helpful information to newcomers and to visit with online friends I have made here. But I get so tired of the same people giving the same exaggerated negative drivel for every post. This forum has so much potential to do so much good....it's too bad you have to weed through all the trash to get to the good stuff. Sorry, guess I've about had enough.

I totally agree pianogal.... I've only been on this site for a month but its always the same people with the same EXAGERATIONS. How about leaving the computer for a moment and getting out in the world and really see what good things Central Florida has to offer.

[kathyg1]

We have purchased a home in Leesburg Florida and locked in our price. The homes prices in the 55+ community have jumped. We expect to settle in July.

We now have a new problem. We are in are 60's and will be raising a 4 year old grandchild. Does anyone outthere know if there are exceptions in the 55+ communities for grandparents who are raising grandchildren.

[arctanx]

Originally Posted by cmj_fla

I totally agree pianogal.... I've only been on this site for a month but its always the same people with the same EXAGERATIONS. How about leaving the computer for a moment and getting out in the world and really see what good things Central Florida has to offer.

Nice post, and I agree with both of you.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

I TOTALLY agree with all three of you!

[Lisa_from_Debary]

Originally Posted by ioda006

I'm moving to the Orlando area this summer and looking to buy a house. I've been reading a lot on these boards and I'm worried about which area I choose mainly from all the stuff I hear about crime. My requirements are this:

• Commute to southern Orlando (around University of Central Florida and Orlando Intl airport) is less than 1hr
• Relatively low crime
• Affordable housing (looking to spend about 200k. Kissimmee/Poinciana was appealing because new construction out there is available for that price. Hoping to get something about 1300sqft+)

Early on I was looking at Deltona, but a few people told me that the commute to southern Orlando would be long and hellish (is that true?). I'm hearing that about everywhere else too it seems. Clermont, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Daveport (seems kinda far), Deltona, Sanford, Lake Mary, Ocoee.. Anywhere right in Orlando would be fine too if I could afford it :/ I know there are plenty more places so feel free to add.

I *have* to move there in a few months here. Any suggestions on where I should go? I mean, if you had to pick one place to move with the same requirements I have - where would it be? Where's the best spot?

I live in Debary and there is no way I would want to commute to the area you are talking about. Lake Mary is nice but WAY overpriced. Deltona and Sanford are where the Volusia county Sheriff's department goes to find the latest perp...

[ioda006]

Ok so I've been taking in all that's been said here quite a bit. I've looked around at property in East Orlando in the zips you guys gave me; doesn't look like I'll have much of a chance at getting a new-ish single family home for under 225-250k, so I'm reconsidering how much I want to spend. I'm now a little more open to townhomes/condos and such, but I'm wondering if the money I'll spend on the HOA fees will be so much more than it would be on a singlefamilyhome that it might be worth it to pay the extra for a house.

Also - some folks mentioned Narcoossee and St. Cloud. These are still kinda far, but how is the commute? I wouldn't still be using I-4 like I would in Kissimmee I assume.. Just the turnpike instead then? Or are there other roads that are decent enough to use? Narcoossee road looks pretty big. This area would be really desireable to me beacuse of the reduced cost. Just really wondering about commute here though. It's a ways down 528 to UCF. Is crime/etc like it is in Kissimmee?

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by ioda006

Ok so I've been taking in all that's been said here quite a bit. I've looked around at property in East Orlando in the zips you guys gave me; doesn't look like I'll have much of a chance at getting a new-ish single family home for under 225-250k, so I'm reconsidering how much I want to spend. I'm now a little more open to townhomes/condos and such, but I'm wondering if the money I'll spend on the HOA fees will be so much more than it would be on a singlefamilyhome that it might be worth it to pay the extra for a house.

Also - some folks mentioned Narcoossee and St. Cloud. These are still kinda far, but how is the commute? I wouldn't still be using I-4 like I would in Kissimmee I assume.. Just the turnpike instead then? Or are there other roads that are decent enough to use? Narcoossee road looks pretty big. This area would be really desireable to me beacuse of the reduced cost. Just really wondering about commute here though. It's a ways down 528 to UCF. Is crime/etc like it is in Kissimmee?

I don't know anything about St. Cloud and Kissimmee so I can't help you there. You may want to also look in 32825 - there are homes here built in the last 10 years not as new as the other zips but still nice new homes and in an area closer to UCF than St. Cloud or Kissimmee. I really don't think you would want that commute. Also, there was a report in the Orlando Sentinel today that said home prices plummeted 15K last month - from an average of 255,000 to 240,000. So...I wouldn't give up just yet.

[cmj_fla]

The commute from Kissimmee is a killer. However, it is much better from Narcoossee but still a good 45 minutes or more to UCF if you take Narcoossee to 436 or you could take 417 and it could get there much faster but it would cost quite a bit of money (at least $5 each way??? not sure). I think the new homes they are building on Narcoossee are great - I have a friend that lives their (I think its called Lake Cove) and we went their for Halloween and they had they cutest neighborhood party. The people were friendly and the houses were very nice for the money. Hope this helps!

[pianogal]

From Lee Vista/Narcoossee to University would cost $1 for tolls and take maybe 10 minutes. From the 417 exit it is a straight shot into UCF - perhaps take another 5 minutes unless you get caught by alot of traffic lights. Then you have to add the time it would take to get from your home to the 417. My son drives it every day and tells me he gets to school in 15 minutes. Of course, he drives too fast!

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by mickey mouse is dead

Truth to be told, Orlando as a whole is ghetto for the most part. Crime, gangs,

You said you want to be close to UCF and the Airport, so East Orlando is the way to go. Avoid anything really close to Colonial (50) at all cost. Dean and Alafaya are all right, there may be the occasional unconsiderable dude that listen to loud music really late or drive like a maniac in a really noisy car....but for the most part, is alright. If you want avoid all that, go north....Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Maitland, Longwood and Lake Mary...

Orlando (the majority of the town) really is made up of run-down ghettos. This is due to the local economy depending on low-income earners to run their businesses. The people have to live somewhere, we understand that, but these are high crime areas.

That is why I say "go north young man". Head to Seminole county where you get to miss all that nonsense. Like I said, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Maitland, Winter Springs, Oviedo...

Now Dean rd is HORRIBLE!