Is having (lanai) screened patio/balcony important in Florida (Orlando)?

[*Fantasia*]

I noticed that some apartments have screened patio/balcony and some do not. Most of the apartments that I saw at Hunter's Creek (community in Orlando city) do not have lanais. Is it maybe there's a little less bugs in that area? And then there's apartments along International Drive and they have lanais. This area here is a quiet area. Not so much a community, it's a little more in the tourist area, but not very busy area.

I don't like any bugs flying in my place and I thought lanai would be nice to have. The only thing is that this apartment is a little bit far from everything. They provide school bus, but I am not quite ready for my children to be riding on their own. So the drive is a bit far. This apartment is fairly new and I like the floor plan.

The other apartment is in Hunter's Creek, a nice community, but this doesn't have lanais. This aparmtent also offer free kid's club on certain days for a few hours after school. This will give my kids a chance to meet the other kids in the apartment complex and the kids who goes to the same school district.

I don't know which to go with. Both schools are grade "A" school.

Any thoughts on this one?? TIA!!

 

[cynsaun]

Bugs, BIG bugs!

 

[Aimeedyan]

My mom recently moved to Orlando and her apt complex has them... it's SUPER nice to have, esp since we can let our cat go in and out now with it, and leave the screen door slightly open at all times (hers is upstairs).

She was told when she was shopping that it was usually for gators to not get into swimming pools, that's why houses have them... course apts dont have pools in their balcony, but I guess people put them on everything now.

=)

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thank you Amieedyan. Do you know why some apartments have a monthly pest control and some have weekly? The ones that has lanais apartments, the pest control comes there weekly. The one without lanai, the pest control comes in monthy. I am thinking that is why they only have monthly pest control and no lanias is cause not much bugs in that area. Any infos on this one anyone or any thoughts...THANKS!!

 

[Serena]

The only thing I suggest is to get the one you like best and buy a flyswatter.

 

[aynt79]

I'm in South Florida, but my apartment complex has screens on all their lanais/balconies. I LOVE having the screen. It almost feels like an extra room. We use it much more than if we had a "regular" balcony. Like someone said before we have cats too and they love being able to go out there. We have been sort of looking at different apartments and I don't think I would move somewhere now where they didn't have the screened balconies.

Slightly OT, but one hint when finding an apartment is to think ahead which floor you want to be on. (I think most places will have 3 floors). Originally we wanted the 1st floor (no steps to climb) but the person that was helping us find apartments gave us good advice: the higher floors feel more private and secure. We wouldn't feel comfortable having blinds or windows open living on the 1st floor (not that the 2nd floor is actually "safer", it just feels better). We settled on the 2nd floor; still more private, but only one set of stairs to climb.

edited to add: I really don't know why one place does more pest control than another, but I suspect it just comes down to which one feels like paying more to do it more often.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by Serena
The only thing I suggest is to get the one you like best and buy a flyswatter.

Ha ha ha... I'm going to get 3 of them! One for each one of us!

Thanks aynt79. We don't have any pets, so I don't have to worry about that, but I do have 2 small kids. I thought it would be nice to have lanias, it's like extending your sq ft, and you can sit in the balcony peacefully without the bugs hanging around or worrying it may come in as soon as you open the door to the inside.

Someone adviced me to go with the 2nd level. And I agree. I didn't want the first level cause I figure that those pest would try to move in the apt first before heading to the second flor, nad besides, I know that the snakes can climb up on the stairs to the 2nd floor. And someone also said to me that if you go with the 3rd floor, you will hear the thunderstorm more cause you're higher and when it rains you can hear it.

I always hear that Hunter's Creek is one of the places to be, so I just feel like if I don't pick that place that I would feel like I'm not "IN" or something. Windemere, MetroWest, Winter Park nad Hunter's Creek some of the nicest place to stay in Orlando/area.

So you guys think I should go with lanais, but kind of far from school and shopping center, but very quiet area. Any more thoughts on this one? Thanks!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Wow...it's has only been a few hours and this thread is already on page 3! CB sure moves fast!!

I am trying to make up my mind as to which apartment to go with. The one on International Dr. offers the first 2 month free. the one at Hunter's Creek offers 1 month free and they prorate it.
Which one would you go with considering other things that I already mentioned above.

 

[legs22]

Take the Hunter's Creek one. It seems to have more going for it than the other apt. And you really want to live in Hunter's Creek.
Don't pick the other just because it has a lanai. And if you decide later you must have a lanai....you can move to a place that has one.

 

[DMickey28]

Hi,

I would go with the Hunter's Creek one personally!! Are these the only two complexes that you are interested in? A friend of mine lived in one that was right around the corner from Hunter's Creek in Kissimmee that was really nice... let's see if I can find the name.

She had a screened lanai and it was a great floor plan. I stayed with her for a month and loved it...

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Did anyone mention the FLYING ROACHES?!?! Trust me, you want the screen!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Although I recently purchased a newly built home, I used to rent an apartment in Orlando.

Go with a screened lanai if you plan on using it. If it doesn't matter to your comfort (grilling out doors, dining on the lanai) then don't worry about it. For the majority of the summer it will be too hot to be on the lanai anyway.

With regard to the pest control, the important thing to know is does the apartment management have every unit treated at the same time, or are treatments OFFERED every week/month with the tenant controlling when the insecticide is actually used? If the units are not all treated at one time, plan on having a continuous problem with bugs like roaches and silverfish and ants.

Hunter Creek is a nice location, but John Young Parkway can back up in a heartbeat, especially now with the construction there.

I-Drive will see you sick to death of tourist traffic before you've been there a month. Honest.

So, unless you wish too look around for other options, weigh your choices and make the selections based on what matters most to you.

Good luck with your new apartment! Orlando is a little bit of an odd duck place to live, but not too bad for all that!

 

[Pin Wizard]

LOLOLOL!~ Flying roaches...you mean the Palmetto Bugs?! They can easily get in the house whether or not you have screening. I had a huge one in my apartment down there once. I went through a can of Lysol and a can of hairspray to get rid of the thing. LOL!

We had an apartment on the second floor. I thought it was nicer than being on the first floor. But my last apartment there I found very annoying. I'll PM you on that one, Fantasia. LOLOLOLOL!

Weekly pest control? I always had it done monthly, and it was fine.

P.S. The mosquitos I have here in VA are DIVE BOMBERS! We only had small ones in FL.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Man, I forgot about those nasty palmetto bugs...shudder...I know what you mean about them being HARD TO KILL!
I was talking about the small flying roaches. I don't know if they have these in Orlando, but they SURE have them in Ocala (which is about an hour away). Oh, and lets not forget the LOVE BUGS that seem to get in EVERYTHING! My DAunt is much happier with her screened porch during love bug season. It is nice when you can enjoy the outside and not have to worry about a dozen of those dang things getting in your tea!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Bugs in FL??? Is there lightning in FL???

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Dan Murphy, you are so funny! But you also gave another pro for a screened porch! I love watching the lightning storms fom the comfort of a screened porch!! I can count on one hand how many times we have had a lightning storm up here (in TWO years!) and can't wait to go home for the summer and do this. It truly is the little things you miss most.

 

[suzannews]

I would go with the apt in Hunters Creek. Whats the name of the apt complex? A few people I work with live in apts in Hunters Creek right off the Green Way. I lived just south of Hunters Creek for over 10 yrs and liked the area. Traffic is bad everywhere in Orlando.

 

[Big V]

I have no idea on where you should live, but good luck down there Fantasia!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
Bugs in FL??? Is there lightning in FL???

Ha ha ha ha! Well...yep besides those pesty bugs, I have a much bigger problem don't I?!! Lightning is something we just can't shoo away. I think most of you know I am terrified of lightning! Geezz...Is Florida even a place to live at, I mean for me?!

I know about John Young, it is a very busy road! The apartment on the International Drive is away from the attractions. The reason why I said it is somewhat in the tourist area is because there are a few hotels and one time share in the area where the apartment is at. But as far as the area being busy, it's not busy at all. But when you get to Sea World area then it gets busy and the more you go north heading toward Universal, yes, it gets very congested cause there is no center lane and it is no longer an island in the middle.

Hmmmm...still debating here. So some of you guys say go with the apartment with lanai and some of you say go with Hunter's Creek. As far as the pest control. The one on the International Drive does it every Wenesday and this is all the bldgs. The one at Hunter's Creek, they do it every month, and I am sure they do it to all the bldgs. I didn't look further cause I just wanted to stay in the area that I am already somewhat familiar. I don't know much about Kissimmee as far as the road there. One thing I do know is that 192 is under constrution. I got lost there looking for Hunter's Creek. I want to stay where they have an "A" school. The lady said to me to be careful of what area you choose cause the school may be in a bad district.

OH HELP!! Please add in some more commments if you have anymore or any suggestions or anything..!! Thank you guys in advance!!

BTW...sorry for my typos!! I was typing it at the library and I was in a hurry.

I'm hungry for more of your experience with or without the screened patios and whatever experience you want to share with me. TIA!!

 

[cruisnfamily]

You need to get in touch with Stepharoonie! She lives right in Orlando and can probably give you some good advice.

Personally, I'd pick the one that's convenient to school and shopping.