Moving to Orlando - Need help!!!

[cheshirekitty]

Here's the story: My DH & I are in our late 20s and sick of living in NJ...particulary Bergen County..it's so overpriced and we feel like we will never be able to buy a home. We just visited our in laws in Ft. Myers and like it there but there aren't enough jobs. We are now set on Orlando because my DH will most likely find a job there in his field - transportation & distribution. So we have decided to move the end of December...job or not. I know it's a risk but we want to get out of here so bad and feel it's the only way.

We will rent first before we buy a home. Can anyone recommend a good apartment complex? There are so many down there and I want to make sure we get into one that's good.

Thanks so much!!!
Mandy

 

[Keggy]

It really depends on what area of Orlando you want to live in - do you have any neighborhoods in mind?

Kelly

 

[cheshirekitty]

No, nothing in mind. Just want a clean, friendly place!!

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest not having to commute using I-4. That road is bad during peak travel times. That would affect where you should look for an apartment.

 

[Keggy]

Well - we have lived in three different apartment complexes in different areas of Orlando - we are in the same age range as you..

First was Hunters Creek - liked the area - we worked for Disney at the time and commuted using 417 - we paid a $1 toll each way. This is a good area depending on where you would be working. The area has really built up since we have lived there - but we have friends that own a home there and they still like it.

Also have lived near Sea World, off I-Drive - area was fine - apartment complex was not. We commuted an hour to work using 1-4... Very touristy - gets old being around drivers that don't know where they are going. But it only took us 10 minutes to get to Disney property...

We currently live in Lake Mary - and love it. We both work in Lake Mary so we have 5 minute drives to work. On the weekends when we go to the parks it is only a 30 min drive. There are no tourists here so it feels more like home to me.

It really depends on where you would be working because of the potential length of commute times in O-town.

More than willing to help - just let me know if you have any questions!

kelly

 

[cheshirekitty]

Thanks so much for the help! As far as traffic, we are used to it so I'm not as concerned about that. I have been looking at Hunter's Creek...know anything about Metrowest? Is it very touristy there?

 

[Keggy]

We looked at apartments at Metro West and I can't remember why we didn't get one... But, I just asked the girls I work with that live there and they like it - and said tourists aren't that bad there - you are closer to Universal but overall good area.

Hope that helps!

Kelly

 

[Feralpeg]

Metrowest is becoming a very upscale area. They are in the process of building some highrise condos that run in the millions. Shopping from there is very convenient. It is close to Kirkman and Conroy. You can get on/off I-4 at either. It is also not far from the Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake area. About a 5 to 10 minute drive would put you on West Colonial (Hwy 50) which has just about everything. I don't personally know anything about the apartments, but one of my DD's teachers lives in the area and loves it. You would be about 15 to 20 minutes from WDW.

 

[cheshirekitty]

Thanks for everyone's help! Now we just have to find jobs...

 

[CathrynRose]

Thanks for everyone's help! Now we just have to find jobs...

<sigh>

I know this is a Disney board - and not many people are going to agree with me - but here-a-goes...

I made the move to Florida, last year January, from Chicago.... I would never move there again (especially raising kids there! ! ! - The fist week my son was in school (7th grade) he came home and told me how 2 kids had been suspended for cocaine possesion / use !!!)

Florida is a transient state. It's not somewhere I.M.O. where you cant plant your feet - for life. That old saying "Nice place to visit, but I wouldnt want to live there" rings true - for Florida.

Check out car insurance rates - just liability - for Florida. Theyre INSANE!!! I was paying $78 month - for a 1995 Hyundai!!! LIABILITY! Read up on "Sink Holes" - theyre something you dont hear much about. Read up on "Lightning Strike Capital of the World" which Florida is! Look up a local paper - and read about the car accidents...for THAT day, alone. Im not exaggerrating when I say - DAILY we would see a MAJOR accident...cars mangled, people being cut out of the car, mangled! And deadly accidents - you can read about several of those, daily.

Its just something to think about - New Jersey is "big" - Chicago is "big"... and Florida, although there's plenty around Disney...is lots of fields, with cows for miles, and miles. Drive from Disney to Tampa.... thats it. I didnt feel *right* there....

I will never give up my year and a half of DISNEY weekends, and Florida Resident discounts.... but I would never reccomend moving there, to anyone - ever.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Also have lived near Sea World, off I-Drive - area was fine - apartment complex was not. We commuted an hour to work using 1-4... Very touristy - gets old being around drivers that don't know where they are going. But it only took us 10 minutes to get to Disney property...

Keggy, could you please tell me the name of that complex? We're currently looking at apartments in that area.

 

[chrissyk]

<sigh>

Florida is a transient state. It's not somewhere I.M.O. where you cant plant your feet - for life. That old saying "Nice place to visit, but I wouldnt want to live there" rings true - for Florida.

Check out car insurance rates - just liability - for Florida. Theyre INSANE!!! I was paying $78 month - for a 1995 Hyundai!!! LIABILITY! Read up on "Sink Holes" - theyre something you dont hear much about. Read up on "Lightning Strike Capital of the World" which Florida is! Look up a local paper - and read about the car accidents...for THAT day, alone. Im not exaggerrating when I say - DAILY we would see a MAJOR accident...cars mangled, people being cut out of the car, mangled! And deadly accidents - you can read about several of those, daily.

I agree that many parts of FL seem to have very transient populations.

 

[disneymom3]

I am interested in this also. DH has a job lead in Orlando--we think downtown(it's through a placement agency so we don't have the specific co yet.) OP, I hope you don't mind if I throw out a few options too.....

Anyone know of The Berkshire Club or Falcon Trace. Both look to be off of Orange Blossom Trail and 417. Decent area? We would rent for probably a year and then buy. We homeschool so don't care about the schools, but do have 3 kids.

And for the record, we pay $68 per month for a 1996 Isuzu and $56 a month for a 1990 Dodge so those car rates didn't seem too bad. Good to thiink about though--gotta put a call into our ins guy and see if he can give me ideas of rates down there.

Chrissy--do you mind sharing what area you are in?

 

[olena]

There are plenty of older, but well-kept apartment complexes near the airport. My folks lived there for a year when they moved to Orlando recently. Last year, they bought their house in St. Cloud.

If you're looking for social and charity outlets, my Mom found a great opportunity. I can share it wit you... Just PM me.

 

[chrissyk]

I am interested in this also. DH has a job lead in Orlando--we think downtown(it's through a placement agency so we don't have the specific co yet.) OP, I hope you don't mind if I throw out a few options too.....

Anyone know of The Berkshire Club or Falcon Trace. Both look to be off of Orange Blossom Trail and 417. Decent area? We would rent for probably a year and then buy. We homeschool so don't care about the schools, but do have 3 kids.

And for the record, we pay $68 per month for a 1996 Isuzu and $56 a month for a 1990 Dodge so those car rates didn't seem too bad. Good to thiink about though--gotta put a call into our ins guy and see if he can give me ideas of rates down there.

Chrissy--do you mind sharing what area you are in?

Sorry, I forgot to put that in! It's a great area IMHO