Relocation to Orlando (University, Winter Haven, Lake Wales: crime rates, new home, university)

[mingau]

Hi, We are retired couple considering to relocate to Orlando area. We would like to have your comments:

1. How hot and humid comparing with CA? is mosquito a big problem?
2. We know there is no state income tax and want to know the average property tax.
3. Which communities are suitable for the retired people who like quiet and safe place with recreation facilities (Pool, trail,fishing...)

Thanks in advance,

Ming

[bmw335xi]

1) I moved from California to Orlando (San Francisco). It is a lot more humid besides a couple months in winter. Regarding heat, it depends where in California. There are some parts of California that hit 90-100+ degrees daily in the summer and areas like SF that rarely break 70 degrees. It’s more similar to Hawaii weather if you have ever been. There is a winter here though, so don’t think it’s year round heat and humidity.

2) Depends on the home, search any address here to see their property tax. https://www.octaxcol.com/property-tax-search/

3) There are a lot of communities that fit this, especially coming from California. What is your budget? That will determine your options.

[wp169]

I lived in and near Orlando for ten years, when I was working, San Diego for six months, and the rest of the time in NY. Now that I am retired I think about if I would be happy back in the Orlando area and honestly I wouldn't, the only thing I would be happy about is the lower cost of living and having my own pool. The heat is unbearable most of the year, traffic is terrible, there are bugs galore, including no-see-um bugs that keep biting you but you can't see them, and they get through pool screens. You can't sit on grass because the fire ants will sting your feet to death. I got so tired of being in air conditioning all the time and not opening windows, feeling a breeze of fresh air by an open window in the spring in NY is priceless! Orlando is the lightening capital of the U.S, so expect daily summer storms in the afternoon. My new home was infested with tiny ants, I went through three exterminators before the problem was resolved.
Several areas which were very nice when I lived there have high crime rates now. The murders in the Pulse nightclub a few years back (I passed that place everyday going home from work), put the murder rate in Orlando that year over 160 murders! My NY suburban city average only 5 murders a year!
The areas I would suggest a retiree should live would be on the outskirts of Orlando, in neighboring counties, like Volusia, near the beaches, but I don't know what the crime rates are now in those areas, too much has changed since I lived there.

[mikeindeland]

You might want to consider "The Villages" which is north and west of Orlando - big retirement area with lots to do. Orlando proper is a traffic nightmare. I would not recommend it for retirees, or anyone else for that matter. DeLand is a nice town of about 30,000 with a vibrant downtown with Stetson University - lots of cultural things to do.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by mingau

Hi, We are retired couple considering to relocate to Orlando area. We would like to have your comments:

1. How hot and humid comparing with CA? is mosquito a big problem?
2. We know there is no state income tax and want to know the average property tax.
3. Which communities are suitable for the retired people who like quiet and safe place with recreation facilities (Pool, trail,fishing...)

Thanks in advance,

Ming

I would recommend towns like Lake Wales and Winter Haven which are well within the Central Florida area in terms of accessibility to things to do/amenities, yet largely quiet and more suitable for the type of retirement location you seem attracted to.

https://www.cityoflakewales.com/396/About-Lake-Wales
https://www.mywinterhaven.com/community/