Moving with my wife & kids. I need some help :) (Orlando: for sale, rent)

[beckycat]

I think you might do better to get a 3 bedroom house at that price and do a garage conversion possibly. What I mean is, in FL, most ppl don't use there garages here in FL, so you could convert it to a bedroom. It is difficult to find 4 bedrooms in your price range. Is $190K your tops or could you push it a little more to $200K or $210K. I think if you could, it would give you more otpions in a 3 bedroom, once again that's even pushing it for a 3 bedroom. What about purchasing a home that has a bigger piece of property and eventually building on?

As far as where I would live, would be Seminole County, definately for the schools. I live in a very desirable area that is very safe called Lake Mary. Well actually, I live in Longwood, but it's so close to the border of Lake Mary. Longwood is very nice too. We are 40 minutes from Disney, 40 minutes from the beach, and 20 minutes from downtown. We have everything that you could need in a 5 mile radius. We never have to leave town for anything. We have shopping, restaurants, entertainment, movies, parks, and more. It really is a nice area conveniently located to I4 with great schools.
Good luck! If you have anymore questions, let me know!

[annerk]

Sorry Becky, I have to disagree. I don't know anyone that doesn't use their garage to store their car here in Florida. Keeping it in the hot sun is a good way to destroy the value really quickly.

In many neighborhoods with HOA's as well as many municipalities a garage conversion isn't allowed.

[OmarC]

Hey Beckycat thanks for your post, I could push to 210,000. I will also look into Longwood.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by annerk

Sorry Becky, I have to disagree. I don't know anyone that doesn't use their garage to store their car here in Florida. Keeping it in the hot sun is a good way to destroy the value really quickly.

In many neighborhoods with HOA's as well as many municipalities a garage conversion isn't allowed.

I don't have HOA's in my neighborhood and we have several homes with garage conversions. Even when I did live where there was a HOA, I know ppl who did it. IMHO, garages in FL end up being just a storage place for most ppl. Most ppl park their cars in the driveway or on the street.

I just looked on realtor.com and there are a couple 4 bedroom homes in the OP price range in Longwood. That surprised me.

[OmarC]

Thanks Becky for the website Realtor.com I found this one that looks nice and it has a pool Lake Mary, FL, 32746 - MLS ID#O4900383 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

There is a few homes with the price I'm looking at. Thanks Becky.

[shokazulu]

I was looking at houses with my family and we just purchased a home. at 190,00 and if living in a good area and good schools is your priority i would say 2,100-2,600 sq ft 2,700 if your lucky. 5 rooms that is pretty impossible 3 would do it

[GABMER]

I hope you have done your research, I have lived in Orlando for the last 20 yrs and can not wait to move out. Education is horrible, crime is high, people are rude and now you cant find any jobs. People are moving out of the state due to job opportunities. I hope it goes well for you.

[OmarC]

Well Gabmer I don't have the job problem because I'm on Disability. also I think there is crime everywhere you go, I'm just wishing to live in a place where there is not that many crimes.

[cfIfan]

Wow you have been here 20 years and its so bad your still here.

Originally Posted by GABMER

I hope you have done your research, I have lived in Orlando for the last 20 yrs and can not wait to move out. Education is horrible, crime is high, people are rude and now you cant find any jobs. People are moving out of the state due to job opportunities. I hope it goes well for you.

[Parrotrosie]

Hi OmarC!

We are getting ready (just got a house down there, moving finally in two weeks) to move from PA. Just a note to you , so you are not too shocked...like we were...lol!

No basements or attics in FL, so the garage would be the only storage area for the most part.

Bedrooms seem to be smaller. There are some exceptions to that rule, older houses or houses that are two stories (not as common down there either)

Also, the schools...they were a full grade level behind where we are here. I don't know how that compares to NJ. But I was surprised. But I am not deterred, I am an active parent, so I am not overly concerned about that. Here is the website for the Seminole County schools. Most of the places recommended so far would fall into this district (if not all of them)

When you find a house you like, plug it into this page, and it will give you the school the kids would attend, then you can research that school and decide how you like it. They zone a little differently than we do here, especially around the Lake Mary/Longwood/Sandford area. The closest school is not necesarily the school they might attend.... They have some school choice options there as well...just look around the site for more info.

Welcome to Seminole County Public Schools