Considering Relocating To Orlando Area (employment, school, place to live)

[Keeper]

There is crime in every big city in FL although not as bad as Memphis. There are a lot of problems with the school system as a whole now with budget cuts. It is hot for a lot longer in FL with just a few months of less than 80 everyday. There are lot more bugs in FL too.

Now, you can be swimming when other folks are freezing, no snow to shovel and live in a nice nabe away from crime areas. Only an hour away from the beach or Tampa. Close to theme parks and lots of fun things for the kids.

[Nico66]

Dear Pianogal,
My name is Nick, I'm forty one. I am willing to buy a place in Orlando (preferably an appartment) as an investment, to rent it first. Which borough, neighbourhood would you recommend ?

Thanks for your input.

NS

[Tom in Spring Hill]

[quote=ChipandMollysMom;3557452]?

Considering both my husband and I make SQUAT up here where we live now (Ohio, one of the biggest unemployment states in the country) I'd say making squat somewhere we were happy would be a better trade off, wouldn't you?



Hey Mom...

What position do you intend to fill at The Mouse House? Have you spoken to them or interviewed with them on positions? If you intend to go in as a park services employee, custodial, maintenance, food service, etc. those jobs pay the minimum wage. Check into the benefits package and the costs for the family. Then do the math.

Florida unemployment rate, while better than the national average, is pretty high right now.

[Tom in Spring Hill]

Originally Posted by Nico66

Dear Pianogal,
My name is Nick, I'm forty one. I am willing to buy a place in Orlando (preferably an appartment) as an investment, to rent it first. Which borough, neighbourhood would you recommend ?

Thanks for your input.

NS

Look at the Winter Park area. 32789 zip.

[Dee2e]

Originally Posted by ChipandMollysMom

LOL you make working for Disney sound like a punishment. I'm sorry you feel that way. Because obviously people wouldn't work there because they have love for Disney, or want to share the magic they've experienced with Disney in the past right?

Considering both my husband and I make SQUAT up here where we live now (Ohio, one of the biggest unemployment states in the country) I'd say making squat somewhere we were happy would be a better trade off, wouldn't you?

Nearly every cast member I've talked to that's full time has told me that if you're ambitious enough and want it enough it's not as hard to move up in the company as it is in some other companies, and overtime is not hard to get if you want it.

We don't want to work for Disney because we "have to". We want to work for Disney because we see the opportunity there and want to share our love for Disney with others. And I think that's okay. When I posted here I wanted to know what the rental of houses in the area I specified was like, and the prices. Not a lecture on whether or not we can raise a family on Disney pay. A lot can happen in two years.

Mom...do what you and hubby thinks is best for your family. Some people can't be happy no matter what the circumstances. Disney has great benefits, even for part timers! Your comments are right on! Good luck with the pending move! PS Our weather's a whole lot better than Ohio's weather! (I'm from PA originally!)

[TrishP7]

I've been here for 3mnths now..relocated from Jersey, and I absolutely hate it!! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MOM4! I couldnt have said it any better. Please stay in Jersey or move to surrounding states..the south is just not for us northerners!! I dont think I can ever call this place home..I still feel like I'm on a bad vacation!

[bdpop]

Originally Posted by TrishP7

I've been here for 3mnths now..relocated from Jersey, and I absolutely hate it!! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MOM4! I couldnt have said it any better. Please stay in Jersey or move to surrounding states..the south is just not for us northerners!! I dont think I can ever call this place home..I still feel like I'm on a bad vacation!

As soon as I can raise the money, it's back to NJ for me. It's not that I can't stand it here, I just feel that I have no real future here.

[Dee2e]

Originally Posted by TrishP7

I've been here for 3mnths now..relocated from Jersey, and I absolutely hate it!! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MOM4! I couldnt have said it any better. Please stay in Jersey or move to surrounding states..the south is just not for us northerners!! I dont think I can ever call this place home..I still feel like I'm on a bad vacation!

I move to Florida from Pennsylvania and absolutely love it! It's not for everyone but not all Northerners hate it here.

While I still go to PA and NJ to visit family and friends, Florida has been home since the day I arrived! I sure don't miss the cold and the snow! About the only thing I miss is the Boardwalk in Wildwood! Mack's Pizza and the rides are great!

[Airchauffeur]

If anyone has watched Florida as closely as I have, they would see the dangerous cloud that gets bigger, yearly. That cloud is called crime. Violant crime is rising at rates that can be compared to South Central, L.A..I predict, after watching what is happening in Florida that within 15 years, the entire state will be plagued with this cloud. It is so out of control. Tampa has the fine distinction of having 34 gangs residing there. On the other coast, stay out of Jacksonville at night, you've been warned. Want to hang out in Miami? Stay on the Collins Ave. side of town. I remember how beautiful that area was many years ago. For that matter,all of Florida. It's almost as though all the major cities on the east coast have dripped their felons down to the bananna state, Florida.

[murphytwin]

Thank you a million times over!!!
For me, this was by far the most helpful response on this forum that I have seen.

My wife and I are planning on moving to Orlando from Richmond VA. I am a graphic/web designer, so I dont think I'll have any problem finding a good paying job, and she (for whole life) has wanted to work for Disney.

We are both artist so maybe we can help in the rejuvination of the art and culture scene.

As far as crime, the 2008 results of the Morgan Quitno Press Survey has Orlando at the 25th most dangerous city. Richmond is 15th and I must say that I do not ever feel I am in any danger. Their are way to many other variables involved in these kind of studies.

I grew up in Texas and then spent 8 years in Savannah, GA, so I am actually looking forward to the weather in Florida. I definitely do not like the cold.

I very much look forward to moving to Orlando.

Originally Posted by dowagiac_2000

I don't see alot of balanced view's on many of these threads so here is my attempt for Orlando where I currently live downtown for the last 4 years.

First off I have lived in alot of cities. Berkeley, CA; Grand Rapids, MI; Miami Beach, FL; New Delhi, INDIA; Melbourne, Australia; Atlanta, Ga the list goes on.....

The Good:

1. Neighboorhoods
Yes their are bad parts mostly on one side of I-4 but many nice neighboorhoods. The better neighboorhoods are Thornton Park, Delaney Park, Park Lake Highland, ColonialTown etc..

2. Beautiful Lakes and Small Parks
Orlando has more lakes within it's city limits than any other city in the United States. So many little small urban park's, Big Tree Park, Lake Ivanhoe park, Azalea Park, Lucerne Park, Lake Eola,
The following link lists 99 parks in Orlando ( with pictures )
FPR - Locations
Show me another city that has this many beautiful parks in the downtown area?

3. People Actually Live in Downtown
I have been in quite a few cities where no-one lives downtown. Orlando has so many brick lined streets with Bungalows in which people actually live!

4. Good Economy
Their are jobs some are higher paying than others yes but un-employement is less than the national average by a good margin.

5. Weather
Yes it does get hot for about 6 months ( April,May,Jun,July,Aug,Sept ). And 3 months are a mixed bag ( Oct, Nov, Dec ) and 3 months are perfect ( Jan, Feb, March ). You will see the Sun almost every day. Hurricanes have quite a bit of land to chop through to reach Orlando. You can wear flip flops 10 months out of the year minimum.

6. Growth
The city is growing and expanding. Lots of new development in the downtown. A great city in the making


The Bad:

1. Culture & Arts
Orlando has a long ways to go culturally. It has improved significantly even in the 4 years I have been here though.

2. Economic Diversity
The economy is overly driven by Tourism which brings with it alot of low paying jobs and transience. Efforts are being made but this is still a major ding.

3. Vibe
Orlando as a city does not have it's own identity outside of the theme parks and to make things worse alot of it's residences complain about this instead of making it better.

4. Educated Hang Outs
I'm not much for clubbing or hanging out with a bunch of idiots who want to just pick up women. Their are not alot of chill places that professionals can hang out and on the whole I don't meet as many highly educated people in Orlando as many other cities I have lived or traveled.


Myths:

1. Their is nothing to do other than the theme parks!
Lived here 4 years only went to a theme park once and have plenty to do.
2. Crime is Horrible
Their is crime in some areas but in the downtown core in the major neighboorhood's I have never felt safer in any other city
3. Cost
This is a semi-myth. All depends on your perspective. If you come from a NE major city you will find Orlando reasonably priced.
4. You must speak Spanish
This is a complete myth. Lived here 4 years and not a single word of spanish ever required.

Overall I think 8 out of 10 people come to Orlando and only visit the theme parks and not the downtown. Downtown is a 30 minute drive from the theme parks on average is is worlds away in attitude, atmosphere and personality.

Overall the next 10 years will make or break Orlando as a good or great city. Right now it is a good city to live in. With more culture, economic diversity and smart development it "could be" a great city to live in.