CEntral Floridians..do any of you now where I can rent a villa for 3 months?

[bullet875]

I am thinking of retiring to Florida in a few years, but as I am currently a teacher I am thinking about ( as soon as next summer) and renting a villa from June through August and working as a seasonal causal at WDW. Mainly to see how I like living for longer periods in Fla (especaily the hot, humid summers). If it works out I'd like to do this yearly until I retire.

I've talked to some of the rental management companies such as All-Star Vacations and they have told me that they really can only rent to me for 1 month at the longest (plus it would be too expensive to rent that long from them if you look at their weekly rate.

Does anyone know of a management company who deals with longer term rentals.

As I live at the NJ shore I'd even be illing to do a home switch..probably would be the cheapest way if it could be done.

 

[kilee]

Honestly, I'd check the orlando newspaper classifieds. Also, sometimes sites like www.vrbo.com have long term rentals.

 

[tednvon]

Hi, frankly, I would stay away from the management companies and go right to owners directly. It takes some time and effort on the web sites but can get you a good deal if you plan ahead. Summer is "high season" so rentals will be a harder to find for that long a period.

I suggest using www.vrbo.com
www.villas2000.com
www.greatrentals.com
These tend have rentals from all over the area and no focus on one development.
Stay away from the really popular developments that are really close to Disney like Emerald Island, Winsor Palms and Hills, Indian Creek, rolling Hills, Formosa Gardens Oak Island....look for places that are either older or a long way from Disney...here is map http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm

If you are willing to do a 2/2 or 3/2 condo, chances are going be to be better during the busy summer months.

Places south of I-4 on hwy 27, Places over by Oak Point and Sandy Ridge are a ways out and if condos would work, I would search Villas at Island Club condos, Villas at Sommerset condos, and Villas at Island Club West...these are all condos built by the same owner that are nice, basic, condos that are caught in the crunch of overbuilt homes and condos.

Villas2000 lets you search just condos in the area.

Now, you will need to start at least 8-10 months ahead or before these units get even one summer rental or you lose the chance to do 3 months without interruption. Check the availability calendars if they have them...email a bunch of owners of properties that you like...cut and paste the same message to each or with vrbo at least the same message will appear on each email. Tell them who you are and in a few sentences make sure they know you are a retired school teacher, love Disney, will just be two adults, and will take very good care of their home. You will need to get to know these folks as they will be trusting you to take good care of the property for 3 months. Their benefit is guaranteed $$$, no cleaning fees, minimal management calls as you can change a light bulb, and (forgive me) no kids to add to the wear and tear.

Give it a try...you can use a management company but the owner will give a better deal, no doubt.....

You will notice by our handle that we stay 3 winter months and this is just how we did it! Easier months to find open propertes, though.

Good Luck...Ted

 

[bullet875]

Sounds great!Thanks for the info!

I don't know if I will start this next year or the year after, Next year we are planning a Non-WDW Florida trip (kids are a little tired of the Mouse..lol). I'm planning on doing Universal (and staying in one of their hotels for 3-4 days) then a stint at the Hawthorn Suites at LBV to do some of the attractons on I drive, and then a week at a vacation home just to rest and unwind. This summer was a rought one and between interviewing for new jobs, getting everything in order of rmy new job, and then having to start back to work a week earlier than usual because I am new to the school district, I haven't had much time off, except for my 2 week FL/Wdw trip..which was NOT relaxing (but it was fun! lol).Next year I just need some vegging out time.

 

[tednvon]

Good Luck...Ted

 

[Kay1]

I am thinking of retiring to Florida in a few years, but as I am currently a teacher I am thinking about ( as soon as next summer) and renting a villa from June through August and working as a seasonal causal at WDW.

As I live at the NJ shore I'd even be illing to do a home switch..probably would be the cheapest way if it could be done.

You could also consult a realtor and Central Casting.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

I am thinking of retiring to Florida in a few years, but as I am currently a teacher I am thinking about ( as soon as next summer) and renting a villa from June through August and working as a seasonal causal at WDW. Mainly to see how I like living for longer periods in Fla (especaily the hot, humid summers). If it works out I'd like to do this yearly until I retire.

I've talked to some of the rental management companies such as All-Star Vacations and they have told me that they really can only rent to me for 1 month at the longest (plus it would be too expensive to rent that long from them if you look at their weekly rate.

Does anyone know of a management company who deals with longer term rentals.

As I live at the NJ shore I'd even be illing to do a home switch..probably would be the cheapest way if it could be done.

What kind of position is a "sesonal causal" at WDW? Do they offer seasonal positons in the winter months? (Jan, Feb, March) I would be interested to know. TIA Grammy

 

[englishteacha]

If a condo will work, Grand Palms (in the Lindfields Development of Kissimmee, West 192) is quite nice. We've stayed there twice. Across the street is Villas at Island Club. We haven't stayed there, but driving by it seems very nice and I spoke to a pleasant owner there before deciding to return to Grand Palms.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Have you thought about housesitting? There are a few websites that advertise, you can even sign up yourself and ask for responses. Housesitworld is one that I know of. We are doing this for our house here in Australia while we are away. The people who are staying in our house will look after the house and our pets while we are away. They come with references and police checks.

 

[hmp2z]

You could try looking for a garage apartment in Celebration, on craigslist.com. That would be an incredibly short commute to WDW, and, since they're individual homeowners, they may be more flexible. We walk around Celebration and there are lots of houses with garage apartments for rent. Some even take pets!

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[lam712]

Some of our friends are going to be renting a condo at Venetian Bay for an extended period for more than four months. The photos look great and they have already visited their unit. I believe they located the unit on vrbo.com. They are also going to be working part time at Disney (they just recently retired). They had considered purchasing in the area but said the property taxes were high and they decided to rent every winter. Good luck on your search!

 

[bullet875]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions! I'll look into all of them.

I agree with property taxes in Celebration. I looked for a home there 2 years ago and the taxes were twice what I pay in...NJ! So I decided just to rent in the future rather than own. I'll keep the house in NJ here for my kids and so I can come up in the summers when I retire, and I'll rent in the winters. I have many years to go before retirement but I'm starting to plan early!

 

[mike256]

Hello Bullet,

Did u checked the site http://www.springvacationrentals.com, which lists some really good quality condos, Villa's and houses, some on the beach. A Bit pricey but very well furnished. As on our last visit we have been booked a Villa through this site. And we had a good time during our stay and i would like to suggest u check the site where u can get a good property according to ur taste, Hope that u can think about. Have a pleasent stay....

Mike