Memphis or Orlando (Altamont, Braden: crime, schools, pros and cons)

[beyond5]

Could someone help me with the pros and cons of living in either place?
I have just got an opportunity to move to Orlando and am doing some research on this. ( I am a single male professional in his mid 20's) Thanks!

[maximus10]

I might be able to help you out. After I graduated from the UofM in '08 I got a job in the Orlando area with a bank there. I also knew some friends down there as well. So that helped. Anyways, here's my take. Definitely lots of things to do. I found the infrastructure(roads, highways, buildings, etc.) to be extremely off putting. But that is because of the strict building codes due to the hurricanes. Weather is always a topic down there. The heat is very hard at first. It gave me a headache for the first couple of days I was down there. I thought the culture and atmosphere had a little to much influence by folks from the Northeast. But that's just me. Things are definitely more expensive, especially gas. You'll notice that if you're coming from Memphis. When it comes to Florida, some like it and some don't. If you liked it you I would give it a shot. Also, if you're worried about crime, Orlando is no slouch either.

[beyond5]

Thanks! What about allergy problems in Orlando? one of the main reasons I wanted to get out of Memphis is allergy.

[weisenheist]

Honest opinion, the two cities are nothing alike- I spend lots of time in Altamonte, Heathrow, and Lake Mary, where I have an office.

Single ? Orlando, hands down- Memphis can't compare
Food/Entertainment/Upscale, etc- easy choice, Orlando
Shopping ? Orlando
Airport / Flights ? Orlando
Schools ? Both suck
Traffic ? Orlando sucks
Business climate ?? Orlando hands down
Race Relations ? Orlando, but ORL is becoming a haven for loud mouth NYC Puerto Ricans no doubt
Orlando is close to the water, Memphis sucks
Weather ? both are hot, I prefer given a choice, Memphis weather
Future ?? Memphis has more real potential, but it will not execute in the next 15 years
People ? Orlando has people from all over the WORLD, Memphis is lagging
Politics ?? I'll take Orange County and others anyday over Memphis boneheads to get things done
Police ? Hands down City and County cops are five times smarter than in Memphis
Crime ?? Orlando has its share bigtime

if you're looking to hang out with a bunch of southern rednecks, you won't like Orlando/Orange County, it's a pure blend of a lot of national and international culture, it's not like hanging at the Grove swigging a bunch of Budwaters. It's cosmopolitan, business Florida !


I really never liked Orlando, there are better FL cities in which to live, but it's still better for a 20 something by a longshot over Memphis, TN IMHO..but ORL is no Hollwood

[beyond5]

Thanks, this is great info! Looks like Orlando is way better than Memphis in almost every respect.

[Pearlbob]

I think you'll get varying opinions. I hate Orlando with a passion. You could not pay me enough to live there. That's simply my opinion, everyone has their biases. Especially the trolls who post on here nonstop

[Johnny Ryall]

Originally Posted by beyond5

Thanks, this is great info! Looks like Orlando is way better than Memphis in almost every respect.

Either you are weisentroll's multi-profile personality or you just got took by a troll that vomitted a bunch of unfounded & subjective nothing.

[Ginsaw]

As far as weather is concerned, they are about the same in the Summer with Orlando being a little warmer in the Winter. Orlando is not South Florida "warm year around". From my experience you don't pick that up until you cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Some think it's something about the Manatee River, but that's speculation by the locals. It does however seem like once you cross the bay and reach Sarasota/Bradenton, you can look forward to using that outdoor pool in January. So I wouldn't move to Orlando for the weather. If you want that, look farther south.

Questions like this are IMO really impossible to answer, because the answer depends on the unique personal circumstances. For instance, what about the advancement opportunities in that job offer, and is the pay a little or a lot higher than in Memphis? And, do you just want a change in life and a chance to see another part of the country? Or do you have relatives there you want to be near? All that would be understandable.

[Pearlbob]

Okay, my one vote for Orlando would be that it's an hour from the beach. However, said beach may be covered with oil. So again, hard to judge....

[Tigertate]

If you have a problem with paying for toll roads you may like Memphis a lot more. There are no toll roads in Memphis, but they are everywhere in Orlando. They are great if you have the money (clean, convenient, and not very congested), but it does add up.