Considering Relocating To Orlando Area (Altamonte Springs, Sanford: environment, estate, wages)

[CURT]

Originally Posted by IndyDiva73

I am glad that I decided to read this thread. I have thought about moving to Orlando since 2004 and I have always have reservations in the back of my mind since most of my family is here in Indianapolis and I was afraid that I would suffer from major homesickness. I have to admit, after hearing from some of you who are Orlando residents, I think I may change my mind totally about actually living there. As far as visiting, Orlando seems fine. My family and I usually rent a condo in Kissimmee when we are vacationing but had no clue as to what living in Orlando/Kissimmee would actually be like. If there are any other comments that need to be made as far as being an Orlando resident is concerned, please let me know! Thanks!

orlando (city limits) has its troubles. this doesnt mean everywhere around orlando has the problems. its like saying all of burligton county nj is bad because its close to camden. there are many great suburbs around orlando

[pianogal]

We LOVE living in Orlando. Sure there are areas with problems but you need to choose where you live carefully just like you would in any other city. We lived in Winter Park for 20 years and recently built a home in a new community on the east side of town. We have NEVER had any problems with crime - frequently we left our doors unlocked at night, kids left toys out, etc. Never a problem. Neither have we had a problem in our new community. We have a security system, but never set it. We have great neighbors, already gotten to know them all. Yes, we are a mixed lot - just in homes on either side of us we have a lovely muslim couple from the Virgin Islands - he is a pharmacist, a black family whose dad is military, a couple from New York who retired from the real estate business, a Spanish family whose dad is president of a culinary institute, a young caucasian couple who are computer engineers and a young caucasian couple who are teachers. I LOVE the diversity! We learn so much from each other. And everyone is loving and caring for their neighbors.

One neighbor mows our front lawn everytime he mows his grass. My husband uses the edger on another neighbor's lawn. Neighbors have brought food over just becuase they had something special and wanted to share.

When I read all the negative here, it astounds me. I don't know the Florida those people are talking about. I've never seen it. The people I know in Florida are as loving as caring as any other place I've lived and I grew up in South Carolina!

The only viable thing I have read in all the negatives about Florida is the property tax issue and the traffic issues. However, there is more than offset by the fact that we pay no tax on food and drugs, no state income tax and we don't have to pay property taxes on our cars like the people in S.C. do. My parents had to pay $2K last year in property tax just on their cars!!! Ridiculous!

Don't let all the naysayers turn you away from Florida if that is what you want. There are millions of people who live here and LOVE it!

[IndyDiva73]

Originally Posted by CURT

orlando (city limits) has its troubles. this doesnt mean everywhere around orlando has the problems. its like saying all of burligton county nj is bad because its close to camden. there are many great suburbs around orlando

Don't get me wrong; I am not assuming that all of Orlando is bad. There are several areas in Indianapolis that are unsafe and crime is bad and I don't venture into those areas after certain times of day (or night). I just would like to know about the nicer areas. I was looking primarily at just the city of Orlando (Orange County) but I think I may look into the metro area and not just the city. Any information is appreciated. Thanks!

[pianogal]

Indy, there are some nice new communities east of town, Waterford Lakes, Stoneybrook East, Avalon Park, Vista Lakes just to name a few. A little further down, south east of town is booming. It is the Lake Nona area - many new communites. A new tech corridor (a high speed interstate type highway) is on the books to connect this area with the high tech area already built around UCF- which is becoming a top rated university. My son is in the computer science program which is rated in the top 10 in the country. A new medical school for UCF was just approved to be built in the Lake Nona area and just yesterday The Burnham Institute of Medical Research chose Orlando as the site of its east coast headquarters. Due to all this, there are already several new schools planned for the area.

Orlando is a booming and exciting place to live right now. Yes property values have risen, but they seem to have stabalized this year, selling for about the same as they were last year this time.

Seminole County (northeast of Orlando) is also nice and their schools are wonderful. All their high schools recieved A ratings last year. The home prices are a little higher there however and depending on your line of work, you may have a longer commute time.

I would stay away from the downtown area, unless you're into condo living right downtown and don't have children/school issues to worry about. However, if you like older homes with character and don't mind sending your children to private school there are some beautiful, charming homes on the east side of downtown. Also, east of town is Baldwin Park - a classy new subdivision built where the old Navy base was. Homes there range from 600K to the millions. Stay away from the west and south side of downtown Orlando. North east is Winter Park and it's lovely but also Pricey. Winter Park HS is the top rated high school in Orlando. We just moved from there after 20 years. The only reason we moved is that we wanted a newer, larger home and couldn't afford it in Winter Park.

There's lots more I could tell you, but don't really know what price range you're interested in, etc. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[sunbune]

I am a well educated, [hetro] single, 37 year old woman w/ NO children--who happens to be African American. I own a business in the Midwest and would like to relocate everything [myself/my biz] to either the Orlando area or possibly even AZ or Vegas (suburbs). Of course, I want to be in a SAFE environment, but also want to know that options regarding cultural events (I'm not big on "night life"), opportunities to interact with singles and business owners.

I'm figuring I will rent the first year out to test the waters. Which areas would you recommend in Orlando? I have seen postings on craigslist.org for a townhome (which is my preference) in Lake Mary, a condo in Alamonte Springs--- this is a difficult decision to make.

I appreciate any input.

Originally Posted by pianogal

We LOVE living in Orlando. Sure there are areas with problems but you need to choose where you live carefully just like you would in any other city. We lived in Winter Park for 20 years and recently built a home in a new community on the east side of town. We have NEVER had any problems with crime - frequently we left our doors unlocked at night, kids left toys out, etc. Never a problem. Neither have we had a problem in our new community. We have a security system, but never set it. We have great neighbors, already gotten to know them all. Yes, we are a mixed lot - just in homes on either side of us we have a lovely muslim couple from the Virgin Islands - he is a pharmacist, a black family whose dad is military, a couple from New York who retired from the real estate business, a Spanish family whose dad is president of a culinary institute, a young caucasian couple who are computer engineers and a young caucasian couple who are teachers. I LOVE the diversity! We learn so much from each other. And everyone is loving and caring for their neighbors.

One neighbor mows our front lawn everytime he mows his grass. My husband uses the edger on another neighbor's lawn. Neighbors have brought food over just becuase they had something special and wanted to share.

When I read all the negative here, it astounds me. I don't know the Florida those people are talking about. I've never seen it. The people I know in Florida are as loving as caring as any other place I've lived and I grew up in South Carolina!

The only viable thing I have read in all the negatives about Florida is the property tax issue and the traffic issues. However, there is more than offset by the fact that we pay no tax on food and drugs, no state income tax and we don't have to pay property taxes on our cars like the people in S.C. do. My parents had to pay $2K last year in property tax just on their cars!!! Ridiculous!

Don't let all the naysayers turn you away from Florida if that is what you want. There are millions of people who live here and LOVE it!

[jerseydevil306]

Stay where you are. Don't come to Florida, it will be a big mistake, listen to all your replies. Florida is not Florida anymore, we have a very expensive cost of lving and the WORST school system. I kick myself is the a-- for leaving NJ. We are going back north after 18 years. We wish you luck (trust your gut).

[pianogal]

sunbune,
Come on down to Florida. Lake Mary is a great place to live although it is quite a bit north of downtown. You didn't say what your business was so that may make a difference in where you would locate. Altamonte Springs has been undergoing a rejuvenation recently and it has some very nice areas. However, you would need to be careful as there are some undesireable areas as well. I will admit that we are not the most culturally advanced city...that is probably my biggest disappointment as I am a musician. We do have an orchestra, an opera company, a ballet company and some local theatre...but I wouldn't say any of it is world class - although I have a number of friends who play in the orchestra and some in the Southern Ballet Company - they are growing and improving. We also have a Broadway series and get many of the newer shows on tour.

[Dee2e]

Originally Posted by IndyDiva73

I am glad that I decided to read this thread. I have thought about moving to Orlando since 2004 and I have always have reservations in the back of my mind since most of my family is here in Indianapolis and I was afraid that I would suffer from major homesickness. I have to admit, after hearing from some of you who are Orlando residents, I think I may change my mind totally about actually living there. As far as visiting, Orlando seems fine. My family and I usually rent a condo in Kissimmee when we are vacationing but had no clue as to what living in Orlando/Kissimmee would actually be like. If there are any other comments that need to be made as far as being an Orlando resident is concerned, please let me know! Thanks!

This board baffles me totally.

I moved her in the mid-80s from PA. I love it here!

Many make many bad comments. If I hated it here as much as many claim to hate it, I'd move.

Florida has lots of warm, sunny weather. We do have our rain periods, however. Usually the afternoon rains in the summer cool things down for the day. The landscape is beautiful most of the year. Fresh flowers everywhere, year round! I swim year round! Many don't but in the winter, my pool does not get so cold that I can't swim.

I have lived in Broward County but now am in Seminole County. I have never regretted moving here and will most likely never leave the Central Florida area.

I'm never bored, can get to the beach easily, enjoy the culture, musuems, sports, and theme parks that are part of our area. I even enjoy the tourists and meeting people who visit when I'm at the theme parks.

Is it perfect, no! But do the plusses outweigh the minuses...for my family and for me....absolutely!

[Keltay]

My husband is from CT and we love Orlando, FL. We own a beautiful pool home in Waterford Lakes and we feel very safe here. Schools are A+ but I have heard when it is time for High School we should consider a private school.
Too many homes are on the market right now and I believe prices will go down in order to sell the inventory. I agree when it comes to making new friends it is not that easy but I am from Germany and maybe it is me. Anyway, I love it here. I love the weather and the shopping mall and restaurants. Just check it out ! Everybody sees things differently. Have a nice day !
Regards, Simone

[cuse]

Originally Posted by jerseydevil306

Stay where you are. Don't come to Florida, it will be a big mistake, listen to all your replies. Florida is not Florida anymore, we have a very expensive cost of lving and the WORST school system. I kick myself is the a-- for leaving NJ. We are going back north after 18 years. We wish you luck (trust your gut).

I've been here 2 years too long! I'm getting out of here as well.