Moving to Orlando ,Which is a good city ? (Sanford, Winter Springs: foreclosures, rent)

[mjpb16]

Hi we are moving to Orlando i would like to know which are. good cities in Orlando or nearby with good schools ,low crime rate . Thanks i would appreciate your help bye

[GLS2010]

Clermont, Oviedo, Winter Springs, and Winter Park are some good towns in the orlando area. there are alot more nice areas that arent cities/towns, like Dr. Phillips, Waterford Lakes, Vista Lakes, Lake Nona, and more

[sweetcityluvn]

Just to let you know, you will find crime almost anywhere in metro Orlando (even in the nice neighborhoods). You can not hide from it completely. We have one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation. There is a reason why most of the neighborhoods here are gated in. Good schools go along with more expensive residential areas. So it all comes down to commute and how much you can afford. If you got the money I would live in the Lake Mary area or Avalon Park. Although Winter Garden and Windemere are nice too. To tell you the truth neighborhoods change fast here. You can be in a rich neighborhood walk down the street and find yourself in a bad part of town. Heathrow is the most expensive place to live in metro Orlando. A fortress of multi-million dollar homes, where the Disney execs live and in which no one from the outside can get in. Damn, I wish I had a friend from Heathrow....that would be sooo sweet!!!

[annerk]

Be cautious with Winter Garden, there are some not at all nice areas.

[niceguy19125]

I agree with Lake Mary as well, though there are areas of the town that have had some issues. Mostly the area to the east in some older subdivisions near US 17-92 and the town of Sanford.

Generally speaking, anyplace west of I-4 and north of Lake Mary Boulevard is pretty solid. Especially the subdivisions between Rinehart Road and County Road 46-A (The Hills of Lake Mary for example).

On the other side of I-4 it does get pricey, with Heathrow and Alaqua, but their are other smaller subdivisions where you can find affordable homes. (though that depends where you're moving from, they may not seem expensive).

Crime is substantially lower than other areas of the Orlando metro, and you're further removed from it than other areas considered safe as well. Winter Park is a prime example, nice but close to less desirable areas.

Seventeen of the top 100 schools in Florida are in Seminole County, where Lake Mary is located. All of the Lake Mary elementary, middle and high schools were within that group.

Another nearby area to consider, with similar qualities but less developed is DeBary, which is just ten minutes past Lake Mary. Homes tend to be on larger lots and there's much less of a population density as well as lower home prices. The town has not participated in the out of control development like Lake Mary and still retains more of an old Florida feel. If you're looking to avoid the congestion of Central Florida and live in a safe place with good schools I'd opt for DeBary.

[AliceT]

Crime is a relative thing. If you do your part in being a hard target rather than a soft target, you can minimize your chances of being the victim of crime. Most police are quick to advise you to get a dog. If you cannot have a dog where you are, at least try to make it look like you have one - a dog bone on the porch by the door or a large dog dish near the door - fill it with water if nothing else. A dog house in the back yard is pretty convincing, too. Keep your windows and doors closed and locked. Keep your car in the garage and doors locked. Have you car keys in your hand before you leave a building and be aware of your surroundings before walking into the parking lot or to your driveway. Same thing returning home, have the house key in your hand before you get out of your car.

Prepare for the worst! Have a pepper spray cannister on your key chain. They can be made very, very small for two or three uses. Better yet, learn how to use a stun gun and carry that with you - many come with a flashlight to make it look like just a flashlight. Learn how to hold it and to use it.

When your dog barks, look to see what he is barking at! If you can't tell and your dog isn't looking right toward the door, call him in. You just moved your vocal protection inside with you. A dog that barks incessantly outside is not a deterrent - just a nuisance. And thieves love these kind of dogs because the neighborhood is conditioned to ignore him.

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by AliceT

Crime is a relative thing. If you do your part in being a hard target rather than a soft target, you can minimize your chances of being the victim of crime. Most police are quick to advise you to get a dog. If you cannot have a dog where you are, at least try to make it look like you have one - a dog bone on the porch by the door or a large dog dish near the door - fill it with water if nothing else. A dog house in the back yard is pretty convincing, too. Keep your windows and doors closed and locked. Keep your car in the garage and doors locked. Have you car keys in your hand before you leave a building and be aware of your surroundings before walking into the parking lot or to your driveway. Same thing returning home, have the house key in your hand before you get out of your car.

Prepare for the worst! Have a pepper spray cannister on your key chain. They can be made very, very small for two or three uses. Better yet, learn how to use a stun gun and carry that with you - many come with a flashlight to make it look like just a flashlight. Learn how to hold it and to use it.

When your dog barks, look to see what he is barking at! If you can't tell and your dog isn't looking right toward the door, call him in. You just moved your vocal protection inside with you. A dog that barks incessantly outside is not a deterrent - just a nuisance. And thieves love these kind of dogs because the neighborhood is conditioned to ignore him.

Or move someplace where that doesn't have to be your focus.

[annerk]

AliceT is so spot on! My dog has two barks, one for "Hey, that stray cat's back" or "Yes! Dominos is here! Yes, Yes, Yes!!!" (Want to rob me? Show up in a car with a Dominos sign on top ) and one for "There's something out there and if it gets any closer I'm going to kill it." The latter is just downright scary sounding coming from an 80 pound dog that's black so you can't see him in the dark...

He doesn't bark all that much, so when he does, I go to see what's going on (or get the money for the pizza.) And when I hear that low bark, I always have the expectation that I'll be calling 9-1-1 and possibly cleaning up the mess once I shoot an intruder. If I were a criminal and heard that low bark/snarl/growl, I'd just move on to the next house.

One thing I'd like to add to AliceT's great post is to get to know your neighbors. You don't have to BFF's, but know their names, their phone numbers in case of emergency, their kids names, and their cars (plus the cars of others who are regularly at their home--the housekeeper, nanny, daughters boyfriend, etc.). Tell them when you are going away and ask them to bring in your mail/paper and encourage them to do the same for you. I have 10 homes on my street, and we know everyone who lives in each house. We all keep an eye on each others homes, and you betcha if there's a strange van or truck in a driveway, we call to see that everythings OK. Or if there's a strange car driving around we call the police. Your neighbors can be your best allies in crime prevention.

[chuck2lisa]

hi me &my wife 5yr old are moving from pa to fl saw a place online that looked nice it is in orlando 7001 alvina way 32822 i was told to stay away from east orlando it is a bad can any one tell me where this place is at and is at nice . iam going rent so i can only spend 600-800 a mouth thanks chuck ps .cannot wait to see no more snow or cold weather

[sweetcityluvn]

That area is pretty built up with a varitey of low end retail along Semeron, Goldenrod, and Curry Ford Roads. Its not bad, but not really great either. Crime is average in that area. I would look for something more east along Curry Ford toward Avalon Park. I would rent a nice McMansion home / room and live in a more "peaceful" neighborhood, which might be more affordable with of the foreclosures going around.