Comparing Bay Area vs. Orlando Area (Tampa, Winter Springs: car insurance, hotel, neighborhoods)

[Lexneffect]

Hi All -

This is actually my first post. I was wondering if you might be able to help me with my current dilemma. I grew up in the Chicago area but have since been living in the Bay Area for the last ten years. During that time, I have grown to love it in the Silicon Valley. However, a few weeks ago, I found out that my company is closing the entire facility here (about 700 employees) and spreading us out across the U.S. Though I'm over the initial shock, I'm still uncertain about my job since the cost of living in the Bay Area is so expensive. However, it seems I might have the opportunity to work for a company in the Orlando area and wanted to know a little more about it here. The following are the best things I love about the Bay Area...am hoping if some of you experts can help me out about comparing the two...

1) I like diversity here and the large number of people in the area. I'm also Chinese and was wondering what areas have a higher count of asians. I doubt it will rival California but what would be a higher population of asians.

2) I absolutely love playing basketball. Are there areas around that have a lot of ballers? It seems here, almost any park you go, there's a ton of people playing.

3) I've been very blessed that all my friends are around in the Bay Area. I'm a little scared about going to Florida because I don't know anyone there. Can you please tell me where are the best places to meet people? I'm not much of a clubber (being in my 30s) or drinker so but I enjoy just hanging out, playing sports, watching movies, and etc.

4) Also, I did a quick search and it seems Lake Mary is the place to live. Do you agree?

Thanks for all your help!!!

[grapico]

I wouldn't do it...

short answer ...stay in the Bay Area. (note I've lived in all 3 of those areas as well (chicago, florida, bay) and work in IT...)

long answer...

FL is hurting just as much from economy as CA, but CA will bounce back sooner (Better infrastructure)

employment options, moving up, and lateral moves are still better long term around SV than anywhere in FL, not just Orlando...

Worker value... FL corp, and I worked for a quasi corp/state agency there in IT do not value work ethic as well as CA... in general in FL you will also run across more lower skilled workers than what you are probably used to here. It is a right to work state, so, they can and will fire you for anything... keep that in mind in an economy where it is often first in, first out.

Orlando is going to be a virtual ghost town to what you are used to for all things Asian... yes it is a big city, but it is also in the middle of florida, and the south for that matter, expect redneck southern culture outside the city proper.

Ballers? Perhaps...probably not as much... it is a weather thing... Orlando has 7-8 months of hotter muggy weather plus an hour drive from any beach than anything you experience here...
now if you want to play golf...that is another story.

As for meeting people... I think you will meet way more intersting people in Bay Area... it is on nyc/chicago/la level... Orlando is not even on the map. Everything there is very cookie cutter in comparison...It is catered to tourists, retirees, vacationers... so... well that is what you get.

They both might be warm and sunny but it is almost polar opposites in culture and vibe.

If you still must go to fl I would suggest tampa/st pete or mia/fll over orlando easily...

[GLS2010]

You can find what you are looking for in Orlando. Asians are becoming more common in east Orlando, and all of the metro really, i know many here, and there are also a large number of them in a particular downtown neighborhood. To meet people in their 20s and 30s downtown is the place to go, or any type of community event, like concerts, sporting events, theater, festivals, etc. There are a lot of activities to do here, just find one that you like to do and you will meet other people with your same interests.

Don't listen to people when they say everyone stays inside for half the year in FL, thats not true. I see people in parks, streets, at outdoor events, etc all year round. I play basketball too every month or so when i get the chance with some friends and the b ball courts always have other people there playing, even in the middle of summer. Plus we have an NBA team so you will have access to NBA games within an easy drive.

Yes lake mary is a good place to live, its more of a family oriented suburb. Assuming that you are single i recommend an area near downtown like baldwin park, winter park, colonial town, thorton park, conway.

You just need to know that Orlando is very different from the Bay Area, there are more trashy areas here i would say, its not nearly as scenic here, its more congested (even in the suburbs), and the weather is very different. Summers can be brutal if you hate high heat and high humidity. But its worth it for a lot of people because of the beautiful weather of the other half of the year. Its already starting to cool down, a cold front is supposed to push through next week bringing the highs down from the 90s to the mid 80s and the lows from the 70s into the upper 60s. It keeps getting better from here, then it starts getting too hot again around may.. It doesn't get too cold in winter, the majority of nights between dec-march are in the low 50s or 40s, with it getting into the 30s a few times and the 20s prolly 4 or so days out of the year. and highs usually stay in the 70s or 60s, and sometimes you'll get a day that doesn't get out of the 50s. rarely will you get a day that doesn't get out of the 40s, maybe like once every 2 or 3 years.

[Pete C]

Wow, Bay Area to Orlando? That is going to be culture shock right there. To say it is different is an understatement. I think you should get on a plane, come here and stay in a hotel downtown. Spend a weekend downtown/Thornton Park, walking around those areas, in Winter Park, which is also social, and then up to Lake Mary to see what a nice suburb looks like here. You will know pretty quickly if you could live here.

I totally disagree with grapico about taking Tampa/St. Pete over Orlando. Tampa is a little long in the tooth...I know tons of young professionals here that lived in Tampa and prefer Orlando. Orlando has a much better downtown scene, and there are tons of locals...no tourists at all. They all stick to west of the turnpike in the tourism district. Tampa Bay area does have amazing beaches though.

[seain dublin]

I would really research salary information,grapico is 100% right. FL is a right to work state and level of skilled workers here is much lower.

And so are the salaries. Many people fall into the trap that it is more cost effective to live in FL.

In some respects it is, I can tell you groceries cost most here, and our car insurance went up( many unisured drivers here so you must protect yourself with extra coverage).

The largest employer in FL is a theme park, this is a service industry state.

And not nearly as scenic???? That is putting it midly , we lived in CA for 20 yrs, yes it has it's issues but it is one of the most beautiful states in the nation.

FL has nicer beaches, that is about it. It is flat and pretty ugly scenery wise.

There is still a redneck culture( hey it is their part of the country) but I don't care for being around people who look like they're going on the Jerry Springer Show.

And you see a lot of that here.

[gimme5]

Originally Posted by Lexneffect

Hi All -

This is actually my first post. I was wondering if you might be able to help me with my current dilemma. I grew up in the Chicago area but have since been living in the Bay Area for the last ten years. During that time, I have grown to love it in the Silicon Valley. However, a few weeks ago, I found out that my company is closing the entire facility here (about 700 employees) and spreading us out across the U.S. Though I'm over the initial shock, I'm still uncertain about my job since the cost of living in the Bay Area is so expensive. However, it seems I might have the opportunity to work for a company in the Orlando area and wanted to know a little more about it here. The following are the best things I love about the Bay Area...am hoping if some of you experts can help me out about comparing the two...

1) I like diversity here and the large number of people in the area. I'm also Chinese and was wondering what areas have a higher count of asians. I doubt it will rival California but what would be a higher population of asians.

2) I absolutely love playing basketball. Are there areas around that have a lot of ballers? It seems here, almost any park you go, there's a ton of people playing.

3) I've been very blessed that all my friends are around in the Bay Area. I'm a little scared about going to Florida because I don't know anyone there. Can you please tell me where are the best places to meet people? I'm not much of a clubber (being in my 30s) or drinker so but I enjoy just hanging out, playing sports, watching movies, and etc.

4) Also, I did a quick search and it seems Lake Mary is the place to live. Do you agree?

Thanks for all your help!!!

Hey there!

I actually moved from San Jose to Poinciana a few years ago. I actually like it here, but there's a few things I miss (Trader Joe's, in-n-out... ).

1) An area with lots of Asians? That's hard to find around here. There are only two Asians on my street (My wife, and a lady that lives 3 doors down).

2)I understand the basketball thing. I play every day if the weather permits. That's the thing though. The weather doesn't always cooperate, you know, with the afternoon storms and all.

We have three parks here in Poinciana, and you can count on finding people to play basketball with at each of them in the afternoon if the weather is ok. I assume it's the same in other places around here.

3)Where to meet people? I'm not sure, actually. I'm in my 30s also, and most of the people I know, I met while playing basketball.

[Pete C]

What about b-ball at gyms like the YMCA? I know there is a big one in Winter Park. If you want the ultimate, though, it's RDV Sportsplex in Maitland. It's the nicest gym I have ever seen in my life. That's where the Magic train, and I am sure they have pickup or organized games there.

[Wilshire81182]

I agree with almost everything said. There is a lot factual information posted here already. The one thing I would say though is Chicago, SF... these two are like NY. They are real large world class cities with amenities, culture, etc that Orlando is working toward but could only dream of having at its current size. South Florida would be an easier transition I think, and you would probably like FT Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The only thing is, Orange County has one of the largest Asian populations for Florida with some distinctly Asian restaurants and neighborhoods. I am not sure about South Florida though.

I love Orlando but I would look into it, because other than the entertainment and resorts, attractions, outdoor activities, warm sunny weather, Disney, etc you are going to find the restaurants and culture to be much less than the other places you have lived. Also, you will probably immediately notice the difference in size.

So like others have recommended, I would visit. Stay downtown and visit the real Orlando for a day or two. This would include downtown, Thornton Park, Baldwin Park, Winter Park, College Park, Waterford, UCF area, Maitland, Lake Mary, Winter Springs/Oviedo, Dr Phillips/Windermere, Hunters Creek, etc. and take a look at some of the neighborhoods, malls. Visit a Publix because it will be your friend =)

I would pick Orlando if you do not care as much about the culture or big city feel, but like your city clean and lush. It is a very pretty city with the lakes, palm trees, new development and storefronts, tree lined neighborhoods, brick paved streets in areas.

Lastly, since the COL is so much less here, you will probably be able to buy into a very nice area right away.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

I would really research salary information,grapico is 100% right. FL is a right to work state and level of skilled workers here is much lower.

And so are the salaries. Many people fall into the trap that it is more cost effective to live in FL.

In some respects it is, I can tell you groceries cost most here, and our car insurance went up( many unisured drivers here so you must protect yourself with extra coverage).

The largest employer in FL is a theme park, this is a service industry state.

And not nearly as scenic???? That is putting it midly , we lived in CA for 20 yrs, yes it has it's issues but it is one of the most beautiful states in the nation.

FL has nicer beaches, that is about it. It is flat and pretty ugly scenery wise.

There is still a redneck culture( hey it is their part of the country) but I don't care for being around people who look like they're going on the Jerry Springer Show.

And you see a lot of that here.

Agree there are rednecks, but it is not like Daytona or anything...it is not the dominant culture by any means. Orange and Osceola counties voted democrat, but that could also be in part to the black population. It really all depends on where you spend your time. Winter Park and downtown are not redneck at all, and most of the time in Orlando in you will not hear a southern accent. However, about once a week, even in nice parts of town, you will encounter a person that just looks totally crazy. I saw a bum yesterday near downtown that had like a catchers mask on while carting his goods down Colonial drive. I swear it was one of the craziest things I have ever seen!!

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Agree there are rednecks, but it is not like Daytona or anything...it is not the dominant culture by any means. Orange and Osceola counties voted democrat, but that could also be in part to the black population. It really all depends on where you spend your time. Winter Park and downtown are not redneck at all, and most of the time in Orlando in you will not hear a southern accent. However, about once a week, even in nice parts of town, you will encounter a person that just looks totally crazy. I saw a bum yesterday near downtown that had like a catchers mask on while carting his goods down Colonial drive. I swear it was one of the craziest things I have ever seen!!

I agree it may not be the dominant culture but it does exist throughout FL and when your only used to seeing people like that on TV...LOL...it is a shocker.

I also agree with your comment about a lack of culture, the OP without knowing him but knowing people like him( education and background) proably won't find going to theme parks as a regular source of entertainment a way to pass the time.

I would think that being single, educated, and in my 30s someone would want a more educated area with better job opportunities.

I have seen so many posts on here where young professionals have left Orlando due to low salaries and lack of opportunity.