Which Orlando suburb to move to? (Miami, Deltona: low crime, new home, neighborhoods)

[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?

[Seabeacon]

Anywhere in Seminole county is nice. The crime rate is lower and the neighborhoods are nicer. Clermont is nice too.

[AJ67]

if your looking at about $200.00 Poinciana is a good start however ...the traffic will KILL YA!

[mickey mouse is dead]

The most desirable area is East Orlando. Is close to UCF and about 20 minutes from the airport. Anything in Waterford Lakes up to the Curry Ford and Dean Road intersection is really nice and new. If you want to be closer to the airport, anything between Narcoosee, 417 and 528 (ask a realtor about something close to Lake Nona) would be good, since that area is going to grow like crazy in the upcoming years because the UCF School of Medicine and the research park that will be developed around it. In this area you could find a house around 250,000 for 1300-1500 sq feet. I wouldn't recommend Kissimmee / Poinciana since is kind of ghetto, and the new "affordable" construction you are talking about is Maronda home construction, which is pretty bad. Orlando is a city that is growing a lot, so is going through some pains, and crime is part of it (remember New York in the 70's, and Miami in the 80's????), the only part that I would recommend to stay away from besides Kissemme is OBT (Orange Blossom Trail), is horrible and crime ridden. Metro West might appear nice, but is getting rowdy. You can't go wrong with east Orlando or Narcoosee. Don't worry, you'll be okay, there's a lot of thing to do here in Orlando if you like movies, music, partying, etc....

[ioda006]

when you say east orlando, does that include clermont, groveland, winter garden, ocoee?

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by ioda006

when you say east orlando, does that include clermont, groveland, winter garden, ocoee?

No...those areas are west of Orlando.

Sounds like East Orlando may be the best bet for the original poster.

Also, there are brand new homes being built slightly east of Dean Road - off Econlockhatchie and down to Vista Lakes.

All of these communities, Waterford Lakes, Vista Lakes, Tivoli Woods, Lake Nona (several newer, smaller communties on Curry Ford between Alafaya and 417 - I don't remember their names and The Preserve and another new community on Econ just north of Curry Ford) would be good if your commute is to UCF or the airport.

Try looking on realtor.com in the zip codes 32827, 32728, 32829

[ioda006]

ah yeah whoops.. dunno why i was looking to the west. sorry about that.

anyway though.. are any of those areas to the west any good? ill start looking more in east today and see what i can find.

Thanks for the zips btw.. thats incredibly helpful

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

also zip code 32828 (Waterford Lakes)

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by BeenAroundTheBlock

also zip code 32828 (Waterford Lakes)

Thank you! I thought I had put 32828 (Waterford) but I see I actually typed 32728 ....Sorry! I don't think there is any such zip code in Orlando.

[Nirvana-Guy]

Go for Lake Mary. The commute sucks, but your quality of life will be great!

Going for Kissimmee or East Orlando or Poinciana... UGH! Your quality of life will deteriorate, neighbors will play loud music at 3am every night, violence, gangs on the street, etc.