Is there such a thing as Orlando apartments that are neither "income-restricted" nor "luxury"? (Winter Park: apartment complexes)

[elranzer]

I moved to Orlando for work in May, and I have a 15-month lease I can afford. But rent will go up dramatically by the end of that lease at this complex. It already has gone up now (for new tenants here) and I can only image it will be even more by the end of the 15-month lease.

When doing apartment-searching, I only seem to come across two types:

- "Income-restricted" (under $32K/year) complexes with horror story reviews
- "Luxury" apartments that are overpriced with amenities I don't need (pool, gym, etc)

Is there such a thing as decent, working-class apartments in this area?

I don't qualify for income-restricted, but these luxury apartments cost more than 50% of my monthly income.

I'd like to be a close commute to work. Work is in the "Medical City" part of Lake Nona, and my current apartment is close to that. But with Disney moving to Lake Nona (with their 2000+ Californian workers), I fear that the area will cost San Francisco levels of ridiculousness by then.

[drive carephilly]

Originally Posted by elranzer

I moved to Orlando for work in May, and I have a 15-month lease I can afford. But rent will go up dramatically by the end of that lease at this complex. It already has gone up now (for new tenants here) and I can only image it will be even more by the end of the 15-month lease.

When doing apartment-searching, I only seem to come across two types:

- "Income-restricted" (under $32K/year) complexes with horror story reviews
- "Luxury" apartments that are overpriced with amenities I don't need (pool, gym, etc)

Is there such a thing as decent, working-class apartments in this area?

I don't qualify for income-restricted, but these luxury apartments cost more than 50% of my monthly income.

I'd like to be a close commute to work. Work is in the "Medical City" part of Lake Nona, and my current apartment is close to that. But with Disney moving to Lake Nona (with their 2000+ Californian workers), I fear that the area will cost San Francisco levels of ridiculousness by then.

The land that Tavistock controls is on both sides of the Orange/Osceola county line - there's more land on the Osceola side than on the Orange side so, as big as Lake Nona seems, it's only about 1/3 of what they're actually building. Some of their projects on the Osceola side are already underway (Sunbridge) and others are being permitted now. The 2,000 jobs from CA (assume 2,000 new households) amount to a small part of what they're building.

As for cheap(er) apartments - if you're only looking on zillow or one of the other big apartment websites you're already filtering for the most expensive places. Keep an eye on Craigslist. I would focus on the 417 corridor and not limit yourself to new(ish) apartment complexes. When I first moved here some of the cheapest places I saw were between downtown and Winter Park in small buildings with 3-5 units. Also, with a roommate you can rent a nice 3 bedroom house and pay less in rent than a one bedroom apartment. Or, if you have decent credit, buy. There are still a lot of townhomes in the low to mid 200s that would be smart investment and a mortgage/tax/hoa/insurance bill of around $1400-$1500 a month for 2 or 3 bedroom.

[elranzer]

I don't even need an apartment complex. I don't use any of the amenities when I live in one. I wouldn't mind renting a house, or unit in a high-rise that doesn't necessarily have a pool or gym.

Sometimes I wonder if it would just be best to buy a double-wide (installed on a base so it's not taxed as a vehicle).

[boy3365]

There’s really not much of a visible market of in-between units. I’ve said the same thing. Things are either luxury or lower end. One solution is to find an older building (which could mean 1990s era) that have been renovated in the past few years. That may be a good middle ground.

[elranzer]

Originally Posted by boy3365

One solution is to find an older building (which could mean 1990s era) that have been renovated in the past few years.

In my old state, I've lived in apartment complexes and buildings from the 1960s or even older. So 1990s isn't old... unless it's termite-damaged. Which means I wouldn't mind such a building, if I could find them.

[offset]

Keep in mind that a "Luxury apartment" is only a marketing term. Don't think you're priced out already because of a name.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by elranzer

In my old state, I've lived in apartment complexes and buildings from the 1960s or even older. So 1990s isn't old... unless it's termite-damaged. Which means I wouldn't mind such a building, if I could find them.

There are some out there. Here's several:

http://www.winterparkoaks.org/

https://lakeivanhoeshores.pmiflorida.com/

https://pmiflorida.com/property/st-regis/

https://pmiflorida.com/property/yale-town-homes/

https://www.concordlake-apt.com/index.htm

https://www.highmarkapt.com/

https://longmanagement.net/our-communities

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

There are some out there. Here's several:

http://www.winterparkoaks.org/

https://lakeivanhoeshores.pmiflorida.com/

https://pmiflorida.com/property/st-regis/

https://pmiflorida.com/property/yale-town-homes/

https://www.concordlake-apt.com/index.htm

https://www.highmarkapt.com/

https://longmanagement.net/our-communities

Be careful with St Regis… They are set to sell the land for condo high rise development.


Add to your list: On Baldwin Pond just outside of Baldwin Park.

[drive carephilly]

Lake Ivanhoe Shores are vintage Florida. 100%. It's also a great location that's close to everything. The only downside is that you're close to I-4 but with the new sound walls you can't really hear it.