Young Family Possibly moving to Orlando Area

[drizahy4]

Ok as we move on. With the job location out the way and the obvious school district and crime rate anything else of knowledge that can be shared. I see a lot of people favor the northeast portion of Orlando. Does anyone like the west side of the city? lol

BTW im not a yankee... im a Met and Dolphin fan. =P lol

[Parrotrosie]

hehe...sorry about the diversion

Anywhooo...you had asked about the HOA's. You are not likely to find many newer homes (if any...we couldn't) that are not in an HOA. It is up to you whether or not the amenities provided are worth the fees charged. Some (a few) provide property maintenance, some only provide community type maintenance, while others, like the one we chose, are a full on resort type community - with a pool, basketball and tennis courts, gym, etc. Depends on what you like. We have a kid, so community gathering is important to us.

Also, we didn't want anything older, based on the hurricane codes passed for 2002 (see article here University of Florida News - Research: Florida getting better at protecting homes from hurricanes ) We wanted a more secure roof, etc. So newer house, means HOA.

Western portion of Orlando was too far from the hubby's work, but there are many fans on this board, I am certain you will hear from them soon! But I cannot personally speak to that area.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by drizahy4

Ok as we move on. With the job location out the way and the obvious school district and crime rate anything else of knowledge that can be shared. I see a lot of people favor the northeast portion of Orlando. Does anyone like the west side of the city? lol

BTW im not a yankee... im a Met and Dolphin fan. =P lol

When you say "west side" do you mean Metrowest? Or do you mean Clermont? Or something inbetween?

I live in Clermont and absolutely love it. Lots of amenities with a small town feel, very friendly people. But I wouldn't want to commute from here to the area you're talking about working in. And before you give me the old "I'm used to it" I'll tell you that I used to live in NJ and work in NYC, average commute time 3.5 hours. I'd rather do that commute than the 3 hour r/t commute it would be from Clermont to Edgewood.

I'm not generally a fan of Metrowest, Dr. Phillips is nice, as is Windermere, and the very southern side of Winter Garden off Maguire as well as StoneyBrook West. The schools overall in Seminole County are going to be better than Orange County schools, and I fell safer in Seminole than I do in most of Orange.

[cmj_fla]

Thank you everyone for getting back on topic. If any further back and forth bickering occurs then infractions will be issued. Thank you.

[annerk]

BTW--You will find some newer homes not in HOA's in unincorporated Lake County, but you'd be setting yourself up for a pretty darn long commute.

[Wilshire81182]

Originally Posted by drizahy4

Ok as we move on. With the job location out the way and the obvious school district and crime rate anything else of knowledge that can be shared. I see a lot of people favor the northeast portion of Orlando. Does anyone like the west side of the city? lol

BTW im not a yankee... im a Met and Dolphin fan. =P lol

The west side of the city includes some of the worst areas in Pine Hills, Paramore, and Orlovista. It also includes some great areas like Winter Garden, Windermere, Apopka, Dr Phillips, Clermont, and parts of Ocoee (an Ocoee address does not guarantee it is a great area, the nicer areas are west of Clarke Rd.).
Olympia HS and Dr Phillips HS are good, avoid West Orange, Jones, and Evans.

[riverdaleny]

I go to timbercreek high school, which is right in the avalon park/waterford area, and it is not a good school at all, everyone thinks it is but were a C rated school. Thats not to good. We are from Riverdale, ny [northwest bronx], and i'm telling you. I cannot wait to get back to the city.

[GLS2010]

Originally Posted by riverdaleny

I go to timbercreek high school, which is right in the avalon park/waterford area, and it is not a good school at all, everyone thinks it is but were a C rated school. Thats not to good. We are from Riverdale, ny [northwest bronx], and i'm telling you. I cannot wait to get back to the city.

I think once the East River opens up on monday Timber Creek and University will improve because they were both too over crowded before so it was hard to control everyone. University has already been doing ok though, its a B school. And im sure TCHS will earn a B or A this coming year.

[3liieEsc0]

Originally Posted by lovnlife

My family moved here a year in half ago from NJ. We love where we are. We are in East Orlando called Avalon Park. My son goes to Avalon middle and I cannot say anything negative. He loves it. The schools here are A rated. People are nice here,very convenient to shopping (waterford lakes). I have to say traffic can be a pain but no matter where you are in Orlando traffic
stinks There is sub division called Timber Springs and its next to the Timber creek high school. I know for a fact there are homes selling for $200,00 and less for 3/4 bedroom. I live in Timber Isle. Good luck,hope i helped out...Let me know on any other questions

LovinLife, I am a young adult in NJ looking to move to the Orlando area in about 2 or 3 years... I've lived in NJ my whole life, and my boyfriend, who grew up mostly in CT, spent some time growing up in Orlando. I'm in the process of finishing up school and then we are planning on getting married and starting a life down there. I'm more attached to NJ than he is to where he grew up, and he is all for moving there to start our life and hopefully raise a family. This forum is VERY helpful because we are trying to start the search now so in a couple of years, when we are ready, we have an idea of where to go. I'm not sure where in Jersey your family is from, but how was the adjustment for you?? HOw do you like Orlando?

[3liieEsc0]

Also, with all the bickering that's been going on in here, I don't see any responses to the safety of the neighborhoods. Nevermind the costs of houses, I think it's obvious that you can get an affordable house (if that's what you're looking for) in the area. I'm looking for advice on a job search either. My fiance and I are trying to plan our future in advance so we know what to expect when we are ready to make a decision. We will either stay in Jersey, close to my family, move to the Orlando area. We may consider PA, as well.

If we do make the move, it will be rather permanent. Jersey is quite expensive in terms of property taxes, so I'm not sure we will be able to afford a decent home to raise a family in. I am curious though, is Orlando a family oriented area and a good, safe place to raise a family? For those of you who also lived up North at one point in your life, what's the llifestyle like compared to Jersey or NY?

If we were to buy a home in the Orlando area, what are taxes like? Any advice is appreciated!!