Moving from Holyoke MA to Kissimmee/Orlando Florida (Tampa, St. Petersburg: crime rates, how much)

[chivyking]

Me,my husband are looking to move to the Kissimmee/Orlando area around June 2009. We have a 4 year old. Can anybody tell me or give me information in regards to the living situation, employment, schools. Or please let me know where is the best place to live in Central Florida especially near disney....etc...

[antoine4838]

Stay out of this area, it has one of the worst crime rates in the country, a school system that is a joke, and traffic that is unbearable, i recommend someplace else anyplace else than here, i have been here for 5yrs, and hated it for 41/2 years, i figured to give it a chance. The pay here is low, the people are some of the most unfriendly i have ever had to deal with. I live all over the world, and this is the place im ashamed to tell people i live here. Ashamed, [email="!!!!!@#@!@!@!@!$#$##%"]!!!!!@#@!@!@!@!$#$##%[/email]#!##!. Its a hell hole here, do not come here, people are leaving, like crazy here, do not even visit here go to disney land in cali. Do not come here, or live here, i cant even describe how much i hate it here, im leaving in 6mths, yipppeeee. The land of the unfriendly.

[bdpop]

I would not suggest Kissimmee or anywhere near that area. North or west of Orlando are where most of the nicer area are. Seminole County is best for schools.

Do not come here without a job!

[**NoodLes**]

Funny, I lived in Kissimmee for a few years and really enjoyed it. No problems out of the ordinary for me. I prefer Kissimmee over Orlando, less traffic, cheaper housing, and close to everything you need.

[annerk]

I'm in Clermont in Lake County. Schools aren't great but aren't bad either. We've found this area to be super friendly. Anyone who says it isn't is probably someone that has a bad attitude to begin with.

Seminole County has the best schools, look in Winter Springs and Longwood.

[DailyJournalist]

If you want a good education for your child stick with Seminole County, especially Oviedo, Winter Springs, or Lake Mary. I would not even consider Kissimmee at all!

[blueoktober]

I have to agree with the above poster (for once!) - I wouldnt even consider Kissimmee either.

[south-bound]

Try looking on either cost. I grew up in FL, and from what I hear, the metro Orlando area is having problems. However, on the west coast you have Tampa and St. Petersburg, which are very nice. And on the east coast, you have the Space Coast (Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Titusville). I grew up there, and it's a nice place to live. Merritt Island has some top-notch schools. It is VERY quiet there, though. If you like action, go to Tampa; if you're into a quiet, family-friendly area, go to the Space Coast.

[Wilshire81182]

As the posts suggest, your experience can differ by where you live, so it is good that you have some time to research and ask questions to decide upon area. I am sure that when you look around and find the right area, you will be plenty happy here. I agree that the North and West suburbs are nicer than the South and East for the most part. There are also really nice areas around downtown and the other central areas like College Park and Winter Park.

[bostontoorlando]

If you want to live near Disney and have good schools and quality of life I strongly recommend Windermere. We moved from the Boston area about 4 months ago and really like it here. Disney's rear entrance is only about 10 minutes away.