Might be moving to Orlando, help! (Miami, Tampa: apartments, renting, condos)

[BooHoo]

My family of four might be moving to Orlando. My husband is interviewing with a major Orlando Company and we should find out next week if he gets the position and if the salary is what we are wanting.

We are needing to know where is a good place to live in the area. We are looking at three areas--Celebration, Windermere and Winter Garden. Schools are very important to us and I have researched and found the above cities have good schools and would be close to my husband's future job location. I know they are pricey to buy but we will be renting. We are not sure if Florida will work out and do not want to make a commitment.

Also, how are people in Orlando? I am from Arkansas where no one is a stranger. I have a strong southern accent and love to talk to everyone. Will Florida be nice to me and my family?

Please help---much appreciated.

[milano]

Hi boo hoo,
Florida is quite nice, however that is not the problem, the traffic congestion in and around Orlando will kill you, the people are the most unfriendly you can find in the entire U.S. ( In florida people are very unfriendly and do not talk to each other, that is just a fact especially in places like Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and other big towns....) trust me it's true! the cost of living is out of control, therefore, i hope your husband has a very well paid job!
Good Luck!!

[Rosario]

Orlando is not that bad, but it is very hectic and lots of traffic. I've ran across some people that work in Orlando and live in Ocala which has a great home town atmosphere (but it's a 60-90 minute commute!!)

Good Luck!

[OneBadApple]

Please look into Seminole County, just north of Orlando. We have the best schools overall, and quality-or-life here is much better than anything that Orange County (Orlando) has to offer.

Your husband may not like the I-4 commute, but I promise it will be worth it. We've lived in Lake Mary for 17 years, and I've been grateful for it every single day.....

Best wishes.

[Dee2e]

Originally Posted by OneBadApple

Please look into Seminole County, just north of Orlando. We have the best schools overall, and quality-or-life here is much better than anything that Orange County (Orlando) has to offer.

Your husband may not like the I-4 commute, but I promise it will be worth it. We've lived in Lake Mary for 17 years, and I've been grateful for it every single day.....

Best wishes.

I tend to agree with you. With the toll roads, it's not a bad commute and Seminole County is a great place to live. I can't wait until the 429 hits I4 on the north side of Orlando!

[Saule]

Check out Melbourne area, very easy commute to Orlando. You can buy brand new house for 200K. People are very nice, exellent schools.

[Prichard]

I agree with 1BA, Seminole County is where you should look. Eastern Seminole county - Oviedo / Winter Springs has access to downtown via the 417 / 408. It's not quite as bad a I-4 (not much better, though), and there are alternate routs to downtown Orlando if there is a problem.

...the people are the most unfriendly you can find in the entire U.S.

Don't listent to this. If you are a friendly sort of person, you will find that we are very friendly people. As I and my family are Florida natives, we welcome Southerners! When I moved into the house in which I currently live about 5 years ago, one neighbor came over and brought me a home-cooked pie - something you don't see much of anymore, and the other neighbors came over and introduced themselves as well. My neighbors are great - really nice people. I know of several other neighborhoods hear in Seminole County where all of the neighbors get together celebrate at least the 4th and New Years in block parties. Other than Windermere, Winter Park and maybe Maitland (all in Orange County), I'd really look in the Seminole County areas in Heathrow, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, and Oviedo.

[Suzanne1945]

Winter Garden is a family oriented town with 2 great high schools. One in Ocoee. Celebration high school does not get good press. Winderemere is great if you have lots of dollars. More higher middle class and upper. If you have to come to FL, I would choose WG. Lots of new building. Try renting a home. Apartments here are at a premium because so many have converted to condos.

ps We will not retire in FL. It's a metro, metro area. There are many things to do but having lived here 30 years, the tourist novelty is gone. The traffic and crime are not worth the price anymore.

[greggs]

hi my name is darren gregory just call me greggs myself and my family are thinking of moving to orlando from wales in the uk i am a kitchen fitter and my wife is an aerobics instructor we already own a holiday home in davenport
but we would like to come over on a more perminate bases could i earn a good living kitchen fitting and my wife doing her job also need to find a good school for are two girls aged 12 and 5 please help.

[AJ67]

Greggs, Generally speaking Florida is low wage state, you may be able to make ends meat with your qualifications, but as for your wife not so sure....
And by the way Davenport is a nice area so stick with that if you move!