Moving from Midwest to Clermont area, need help! (Orlando, Winter Springs: gated, apartment complex)

[mikewilson2323]

Myself and my girlfriend are moving to the Clermont area at the end of June for at least one year. She has accepted an internship (paid) in Clermont to complete her doctorate and I am looking to find a job in a restaurant working in the kitchen. I have been looking for apatments online and have some concerns about moving somewhere I have never been. While the apartments in Clermont look nice in the pictures, after going to several apartment rating sites online, I have to admit I am quite nervous. None of the apartments have good reviews from current and past residents who took the time to voice their opinion. I have read a lot about gunshots, burglary, and gang problems in all of these big apartment complexes. We are also open to the idea of renting a house but once again, we need help from some locals who might be able to steer us in the right direction. I know that every city has problems (we are from a large city). But, we don't want to live in the ghetto. Any help would be greatly apprecciated.
Thanks,
Mike

[Floridasunshine]

I would look for newer apts, the more you pay the better chance you get a better complex. Also lot of people live in outskirts and drive to Clermont,

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by Floridasunshine

I would look for newer apts, the more you pay the better chance you get a better complex. Also lot of people live in outskirts and drive to Clermont,

The Gardens at Citrus Tower-i believe on North Ridge Blvd. I've driven by them, they are new, look very nice. . . The probably have a website.

[sunsky778]

Hi, I live in Clermont now. The apartments you have probably read about are most likely in the four corners area which is south hwy 27. You really will think Clermont is beautiful rolling hills and very up and coming. Stay closer to hwy 50 and 27 which is north. South is about 20 minutes the other way and is an area that is zoned short term rentals so you get lots of people visiting and more crime because it is a tourist area. The ones I would look at would be sundance apartments which is beautiful and gated and in a better school district for families. The Gardens is new and very beautiful also but closer to minneola. The Villages at east lake are in a nice area too. You can also call a development call Magnolia Point lots of upscale homes, condos, and townhomes in gated community. You can sometimes find rentals there. I hope this helps

Jessica

[FL_TN_Nana]

There just simply are not that many bad areas in Clermont! And right now I see many houses for rent. I don't know which apts. you've checked out, and I'm really not that familiar with them, but these are in nice areas:

-Sundance Apartment Homes
-The Garden at Citrus Tower

Have you checked out the Orlando Sentinel classifieds for Clermont? You possibly could get a small house for what some apts. cost. I really have not heard of any gangs around here at all, not that I'd hear everything! But we're not big-city crime by a long shot. Good luck in your move!

[Beach Addict]

Gun shots and burglary?? In Clermont?? I'm sure it happens everywhere but Clermont is not a place I'd associate it with.

I grew up there. Very safe and friendly community.

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by mikewilson2323

Myself and my girlfriend are moving to the Clermont area at the end of June for at least one year. She has accepted an internship (paid) in Clermont to complete her doctorate and I am looking to find a job in a restaurant working in the kitchen. I have been looking for apatments online and have some concerns about moving somewhere I have never been. While the apartments in Clermont look nice in the pictures, after going to several apartment rating sites online, I have to admit I am quite nervous. None of the apartments have good reviews from current and past residents who took the time to voice their opinion. I have read a lot about gunshots, burglary, and gang problems in all of these big apartment complexes. We are also open to the idea of renting a house but once again, we need help from some locals who might be able to steer us in the right direction. I know that every city has problems (we are from a large city). But, we don't want to live in the ghetto. Any help would be greatly apprecciated.
Thanks,
Mike

Clermont is quite nice. I'd say check ApartmentRatings.com and see which neighborhoods are better.

I think the saying goes "you get what you pay for". In Central Florida/Orlando that is very much the truth.

If you are not ready to spend a nice $1,100 - $1,500 on a 2/2 apt, then you will be living in a pretty shoddy area. You will hear scream, slamming doors, loud Spanish music, fights in the hallways, bully kids on the streets, drug dealers on the corner, and even gunshots all hours of the night. These problems are usually in Orlando/East Orlando, and the known bad areas (Kirkman, and more recently MetroWest).

Another alternative to save some money is to live away from the busy areas into more residential "bedroom communities". Clermont is kinda like that.

I think you will like Clermont. Clermont is pretty safe. Check out Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Winter Springs too. You might like these too.

[mikewilson2323]

Thank you all very much who took the time to reply. But, all of the apartment complexes that have been mentioned were the same ones I read about that have crime problems at apartmentratings.com. Sundance apartments, the Citrus Tower, etc... These are the apartments that look great on their websites but the people who have reviewed them talk about the horrors of living there. And then some of your posts talk about how there are NO problems at all in Clermont. I am just confused. The highest rating is 46%! Here is a link to the apartments listed in Clermont that have been reviewed, http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/FL-Clermont.html
Any further info would be greatly appreciated.

[FL_TN_Nana]

Originally Posted by mikewilson2323

Thank you all very much who took the time to reply. But, all of the apartment complexes that have been mentioned were the same ones I read about that have crime problems at apartmentratings.com. Sundance apartments, the Citrus Tower, etc... These are the apartments that look great on their websites but the people who have reviewed them talk about the horrors of living there. And then some of your posts talk about how there are NO problems at all in Clermont. I am just confused. The highest rating is 46%! Here is a link to the apartments listed in Clermont that have been reviewed, http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/FL-Clermont.html
Any further info would be greatly appreciated.

Well after reading the comments on that website, I'd have doubts too. But remember those are only a few comments and probably the people who have good experiences aren't posting anything. If Clermont's are rated this low, it would surprise me that most Orlando apts. are even livable! Have you looked into renting a house perhaps? Maybe you could just go into a short term lease agreement which would give you a chance to look around and decide which areas you prefer.

[SouthernBelle3]

Look more to the north towards Minneola and the Leesburg area. I definetely would stay away from the Four Corner area south of Clermont. Even the south side of Leesburg wouldn't be too bad. Also, check into housing located north off the Florida Turnpike from Hwy 27 towards Wildwood. I know there are new subdivisions going up along the turnpike, but I'm not real sure about apartments. Good luck.