Anyone live in or around Orlando?

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I need some advice from some locals in Orlando lol..


Due to my fiance's career we are looking to move to Orlando around Feb/March of next year after our new baby is born. We'd move sooner, but I love my OB and can't commute that far lol.

Can anyone direct me to where the best areas for raising a family are (less crime and good schools are a must)? We don't want to be right in the middle of town, but are looking to rent in a family friendly subdivision or slightly rural area I guess lol. I have no prob commuting 30-45 min to get to work to be in a better area. Though we go to WDW tons, I am just not familiar with most of Orlando lol. Can you find a nice 4/2/2 rental for around 1300/month or would it be more expensive? Also besides craigslist can anyone tell me about any good places to look at rentals online? Any other advice about living in Orlando would be appreciated too!! Thanks for the help!

 

[mickeyboat]

No advice on Orlando. But happy to see you back around the DIS, and congrats on all the excitement in your life.

 

[ChristmasElf]

What does your fiance do? It would all depend on where in Orlando his employment is as there is commute time to figure in.

Orange county has a lot of nice areas to live in. West Orange county is nice. Winter Garden has some nice areas. Hunters Creek is nice in South unincorporated Orange county.

I could describe every little area, but it would really depend on how long a commute your fiance is willing to have.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Thanks! I have missed this place and all the nice ppl I met here over the years! I lurk sometimes but have just been so busy with the divorce from hell (finally over after over two yrs lol), working 50 hours a week, the fam and baby on the way I am hardly ever online...plus I am so tired I fall into bed when the girls go to bed at eight lol..

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

What does your fiance do? It would all depend on where in Orlando his employment is as there is commute time to figure in.

Orange county has a lot of nice areas to live in. West Orange county is nice. Winter Garden has some nice areas. Hunters Creek is nice in South unincorporated Orange county.

I could describe every little area, but it would really depend on how long a commute your fiance is willing to have.

He's in graphic design and advertising...he's had a few job offers this year near downtown, but since we aren't leaving until next year he had to turn them down which is sooo my fault. We figure he'll start looking again in Jan 2010 for a job...I work in medical so I can find one fairly easy anywhere. I am just not sure where the good areas are so I figure if I find an area I like then we can have a starting point.

 

[FayeW]

I'm glad to see things are going so well for you now. Congratulations on all the happiness in your life!

 

[ChristmasElf]

He's in graphic design and advertising...he's had a few job offers this year near downtown, but since we aren't leaving until next year he had to turn them down which is sooo my fault. We figure he'll start looking again in Jan 2010 for a job...I work in medical so I can find one fairly easy anywhere. I am just not sure where the good areas are so I figure if I find an area I like then we can have a starting point.

So if he will be downtown, you could do most areas south of Orlando like Hunters Creek which is straight down John Young just before the Osceola county line. There are good schools there, a pretty diverse population, great shopping with the LOOP right there at John Young & Osceola Parkway, and his commute wouldn't be that bad unless there has been a backup on John Young.

Metro West. This area was great in the early to mid 90's but a couple years ago, they started having real problems. Many of the residents stepped up and decided they needed to have a bigger police presence even if it meant paying for it-so they all chipped in and the problems have improved.

Winetr Garden and Windermere are both nice. Good schools, he could hop on the 429 to the Turnpike to I 4. About a 20-30 minute commute depending on the time of day. More expensive housing costs though.

East Orlando areas like Waterford Lakes, Tuskawilla, Oveido, would be a much longer commute into downtown.

Seminole county has great schools. There are nice areas as well like Lake Mary and Heathrow but your commute will be tough dealing with I 4 in that direction.

 

[KristinBelle]

I would stay west of Orlando, Lake county specifically.

We searched and looked everywhere before our moved from Ocala to this area. We made the mistake of first moving to Kissimmee and we hated it, only stayed 6 months and broke a lease to get out. We ended up in Clermont and love it! It's a fantastic area for families, friendly people, good schools, lots of lakes and hills!

You should come down one day and check out the area, we're not too far from Ocala. You can take the Turnpike to commute to Orlando and we have South lake Hospital right here in town.

We love it here, wouldn't live anywhere else in Central Florida. You could find a very nice rental for the price you said, or probably even cheaper. Search for zip codes 34711 & 34715, I'd stay away from 34714 because it's south Clermont which is a ways down the road, away from the turnpike and closer to Four Corners, Kissimmee/192 tourist area.

Good luck, just make sure you take the time to visit each location you're interested in because one person's paradise could be another's nightmare.

Any questions just ask!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Winter Garden and Windermere are nice areas, that's where we just bought our first house. I've heard Winter Park is nice as well; I've driven through that area and it seems very pretty, but I don't know anyone who lives there.

I totally agree with the PP, stay out of Kissimmee! We rent in Celebration right now, which is technically in Kissimmee and whilst Celebration is great, Kissimmee not so much!

 

[cherylp3]

I'd definitely suggest seminole county. Maitland and Altamonte springs and Longwood and winter springs have some great areas.

 

[RadioNate]

I'm in Seminole County. It is ok here.

Winter Park is awesome but pricey. It has come down but it is still expensive.

If I had to do it again, I'd look more into the Dr Phillips area or more towards Winter Garden.

Out of the places mentioned, I'd avoid MetroWest and Kissimee at all costs. We have friends who just moved out of MetroWest and their stories were downright scary.

The house next door is a 4/2/2 rental and she was asking $1600 per month. That included HOA fees but no utilities. I think my best friend gets $1200 for her 3/3/1 condo.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Dr Phillips is nice (the High school has big time problems though with drugs right now) the rents are pricey-you won't find anything for less than $2500 per month in a house.

Clermont is nice. If your dh works in Downtown Orlando he will have a 40+ minutes commute during the week.
Clermont has pretty rolling hills, a wide variety of shopping and restaurants and the housing is priced better than most other locations.

 

[RadioNate]

this is the site that listed the house next door.

http://easyrent123.com/

and these are the people who manage my best friend's rental

http://www.exitfivestar.net/

 

[perdidobay]

MY DD and DSIL just moved to Clermont a few months ago. They love it there. After housesitting for them for a week, I love it there too. Freindly people and rolling hills. Lots of good shopping around.

 

[vettechick99]

No advice on Orlando. But happy to see you back around the DIS, and congrats on all the excitement in your life.

I was thinking the same thing!

 

[PatriciaH]

Winter Park for sure if he will work downtown!

 

[nrsldy]

We are looking to move in 2 yrs after our youngest graduates from high school. Our son lives in Gainsville. Can I ask what about Ocala that you do not like. We have looked in Ocala and will be looking in Gainsville also.
Thanks,

 

[DisneyDayTripper]

I'll agree that Clermont is a great area...we moved here last August from Chicago and love it. The scenery is beautiful and it is growing pretty rapidly in terms of restaurants/shops. The only thing I don't like is that the traffic on 50 sometimes in the mornings is INSANE. We usually only have problems with it when we're going to Disney in the mornings during the week There is an amazing running/biking trail that is very popular on the weekends (West Orange Trail). It is a great place to get a workout in and if you head on the Lake County side of the trail you'll get to climb some pretty nice hills.

Oh..and also...the other thing that DW and I don't like about the Clermont area is that it isn't a great place for good jobs. A lot of people work in Orlando and have quite a commute especially in traffic simply because Clermont doesn't have a lot to offer in the job market. What Clermont really needs is some a big company to come in and open up a corporate office or distribution center to offer a ton of jobs.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

We are looking to move in 2 yrs after our youngest graduates from high school. Our son lives in Gainsville. Can I ask what about Ocala that you do not like. We have looked in Ocala and will be looking in Gainsville also.
Thanks,

I was raised here so I am pretty familiar with the area. Ocala is a decent town but there is very little growth or employment opportunities here. The schools are hit and miss on whether they are quality or just a place for your kid to hang out during the day. If you are looking to move nearby I would deff suggest Gainesville over Ocala.

Also Marion County leads the state in unemployment which is simply insane. I like living here but there is just no future for us here. Too many layoffs and company closings to make a decent living.

 

[perdidobay]

The only thing I don't like is that the traffic on 50 sometimes in the mornings is INSANE. We usually only have problems with it when we're going to Disney in the mornings during the week

Oh..and also...the other thing that DW and I don't like about the Clermont area is that it isn't a great place for good jobs. A lot of people work in Orlando and have quite a commute especially in traffic simply because Clermont doesn't have a lot to offer in the job market. What Clermont really needs is some a big company to come in and open up a corporate office or distribution center to offer a ton of jobs.

DD and DSIL live several miles south of Highway 50, I found it took me 30 minutes to get to WDW from Legends (where they live) via 27 south to 192, then turning onto Sherberth to Osceola Parkway.

I never tried going north to 50, assuming it would be a longer drive.

Luckily DSIL works from home so he doesn't have to worry about traffic. DD has yet to get a job, she's looking for a job working with animals as she used to work at a zoo.
I agree that Clermont could use a big company come in and bring more jobs.