Where is best? Live, work, play. (Miami, Orlando: short sales, foreclosures, rentals)

[Monikamarieee]

Hello! First time poster here.

I've been reading a lot and researching the area (I'm even staying in town for a week in efforts to get to know the town a little) and I know that this question has been asked time and time again but I'm hoping to get some new perspectives and opinions.

I'm considering a move to the area to take advantage of the busy winter-spring tourist season. I'm wondering if it would be better to live in a trendy fun area like Downtown/Thornton Park area or more Westward where the theme parks are located? Areas that more suburban but packed with restaurants like the Millennium Mall area, International Drive, or what about CityWalk or Downtown Disney... would it be better to get a seasonal restaurant job there as opposed to the many downtown area restaurants? What do you think? I'm trying to gauge it for myself but it's difficult not ever experiencing South Florida's scene before.

Also I know Florida is not a very 'pedestrian friendly' state and the car rules as king here, but Orlando seems to have a good amount of public transport. If I lived close to work could I swing it without my own vehicle?? Or would you recommend at least getting a motor scooter to get me around more efficiently?

Those are my main factors for consideration. Also I know times are tough and jobs are hard to come by EVERYWHERE right now so please don't overwhelm me with responses of caution and negativity. I want to make this work!! I'm very experienced, yes I have plenty of savings, and I like the flavor of Orlando... one big melting pot - that sounds like fun!

[Pete C]

Downtown Orlando/Thornton Park is definitely the most walkable area and there are a lot of bars and a decent amount of restaurants there. The issue there is if you can afford to live there. If you can, this gets my recommendation. You could get away with walking or having a bicycle because most everything you absolutely need is there (Publix, big library, movies, lake eola park), but for trips to Target you will need some way to get there....by bus maybe? Not sure how it is to rely on the Lynx bus system. I would check the routes on their website.

If you want to check out 'live, work, play' developments built from the ground up to be that way, try 'SoDo' which is just South of Downtown and not as suburban and has a Target, big fitness center, etc. Baldwin Park, a huge master-planned community with a main street that has shopping and dining...very suburban. Both of these places are not cheap. Cranes Roost at Uptown Altamonte is another area kind-of like that. I would not say Citywalk as you would have to live close by and the options around that area are not the best. Perhaps someone else can offer another opinion on that. Disney...tons of stuff over there but I am not as familiar with where to live there. Celebration is like Baldwin Park...a master-planned community with a town center, but very pricey.

[Monikamarieee]

Thanks Pete C. Your response was exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate the help!

[TehB33nz]

One of your questions were, is where can you go with public transportation. I would say the only place to live in Orlando if you do not want to own a car is Downtown Orlando (which includes Thorton park as you mentioned), but you would also have to work in Downtown as well. I personally would not want to come to Central Florida without a car, and remember it is very hot here so getting a motor scooter or bike, you would probably have to change your clothes whenever you get where you are going! Even walking a few blocks during the middle of the summer, you will be drench in sweat. Like Pete C, I have the same recommendations, I would advise you to have a car though, otherwise you will be very restricted.

[laurencefosgate]

Downtown is fairly good sized with a few nifty neighborhoods. In addition to Central Downtown (mostly pricey high rise condos), Thornton Park (many houses and duplexes, pricey as well), Colonialtown is probably the hippest and biggest and there are expensive to cheap places. Very diverse with large asian, gay, artsy and yuppy elements.Convenient to a lot and a bike or scooter could work (except it rains a lot in summer), buses and taxis are really just so so, but I can certainly imagine no car but you'd feel freer with a little one and there are lots of inexpensive used vehicles available, parking is very easy.
I'm a native but have lived in Boston, London, New York and Paris with my other favorite place in Florida being Miami Beach. I think Colonialtown/downtown Orlando has a very cool vibe. Super mellow. And culturally, we have one of the top ten theater scenes in the US, a very vibrant visual arts scene as well, with six art museums, including three that are nationallly acclaimed (The Morse, The Menello and Cornell at Rollins). Full Sail (about four miles east of downtown) attracts a big artsy/music crowd. You should say more about where you are from, how old, what you like etc and I and others could do a better job of pointing out things that might interest you or that we think you need to know.

[AONE]

Don't forget the Fringe Festival in the Spring. very trenedy and artsy experience at the museum. I would agree with most of what people have said about the various areas. Thornton Park is nice but condos are 100kup quickly, an rentals are $600 + for small places.

Baldwin is nice but also kind of pricey for rental or buying. If you rent be aware the issues of foreclosures and short sales. they can cause a premature move.

Are you looking to rent or buy?

[Monikamarieee]

Originally Posted by laurencefosgate

You should say more about where you are from, how old, what you like etc and I and others could do a better job of pointing out things that might interest you or that we think you need to know.

Here's the short version of my story

I'm 22, young, single, from Washington (state). A good friend of mine moved to Destin, Fl and being as I've never explored any part of the South East States I decided to follow suit. Let me tell you, Destin has phenomenal beaches, like nothing I've EVER seen but the resort style town and sprawling condominiums leaves much to be desired for my age bracket (in my opinion). So I was researching the different areas of Florida and I can't explain it but I was really drawn to Orlando!! I'm into the arts, I'll be returning to school to finish my degree next fall at Portland State University, so I really love the art scene as a couple of you brought out that this area has to offer. Museums? Festivals? Culture? Shops? Seems to have a lot of that!! Oh and I like a little nightlife too

Hmmm... so my other main concern was that I made it my goal to rid myself of my slavery to the almighty vehicle for at LEAST one year (it's difficult!!! I've been driving my own car since I was 16!!) And of course I choose Florida of all places... not the easiest place to start... hmm that was where I mainly was looking for input from locals. I've been here for a few days trying to explore and the bus system is fairly extensive but it is lacking in several areas. So my semi-not-so-conclusive-conclusion is that I'll really need to live and work within close to proximity to each other AND that WOULD work best in a downtown area, just like most of you suggested!! I'm glad one of you suggested Colonialtown, I really like that area and it's CHEAPER! How do you feel about the safety of the downtown/Colonialtown area as compared to say... Winter Park?? I've seen a lot of homeless in the downtown area but haven't felt threatened while walking around by myself, and of course I'm not frolicking about at 3 am either! So I'm referring mainly to break-in's and I don't know... muggings??

Also my last area of curiosity is referring to the Orlando 'season'. I have a background in finance but for the past year I've been working as a server in and around the hospitality industry (it's so much more enjoyable AND less stress!!). In Washington I attained experience at a local winery as well. It's a scary time to be wandering around without a secure job, and I'm aware that Orlando's unemployment rate is at 11% (just saw that in the Sentinel today, yikes!) But I'm determined and already have a couple interviews lined up for the week so it IS possible to find work. I'm curious if anyone else may know from personal or friends experience what exactly is more lucrative during the winter time? Working near the theme parks where the tourists swarm OR at a good established restaurant downtown where the locals play?

Okkk so this was longer than anticipated. Thanks for reading and responding regardless!

[robert999]

Stay as close to Lake Eola area as possible if its for a short time. It has everything you desire. The only thing may be the job stuff. Its tough to find work these days. If you don't need to work than yes stay downtown. Clubs, events, walk to everything. Museums are not that close though & there arn't that many anyway. Disney and tourist area's are not the real Orlando.

[AONE]

Celebration is also a decent area for what was asked. Avalon Park in some areas is getting more so but most is a pretty good hke to the stores.

[GLS2010]

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