Orlando Relocation Research Questions

[lucigo]

Just lurking here as I came upon your post in a search. I'm not gay but all of my siblings are

We are also moving to Orlando, my husband is there now. I'm reassured to hear good things about Hunter's Creek as that is where I have concentrated my search. We were told they had a good elementary school for a child with autism.

I'm going to go spend a week down there in 2 weeks to really check things out. Was hoping you might be able to give me some tips though also for our 22yo DD who wants to live closer to UCF with her dog, where she should concentrate her search?

 

[ConcKahuna]

Thanks for the link ConcK. So the "boys" isn't a reference to the owners, rather their dogs?

Looks like a homey place.

Yes. Although the restaurant is owned by 2 "Boys" it's named after their dogs.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH and I have talked about moving to FL once DS is in college. DH can transfer with his job, and I can find a new job once we get there. Of course we may decide it is just too labor intensive to pack up and move, but I would imagine we will do it eventually.

 

[copperhound]

Hi There!

I would think a realtor wouldn't hesitate at all to show you around the area. I did that in a few communities when I moved here to the Gulf Coast in 2004.

However, if you are hoping to move down here to FL eventually, and if you can swing it financially, you might want to be open-minded about buying ahead of your move and renting out your new home until you're ready to make the leap.

There are some stellar real estate deals here in FL right now that hopefully (for me, anyway) will evaporate within the next few years.
)
Have a great visit -- I'd like to make it over for the Saturday of Gay Days with my two kids, but not sure if my seasonal passes cover that date...

 

[lucigo]

I have a realtor who put me on a mailing list so that I get emailed whenever a listing changes in the area I have specified. (Hunter's creek, only houses with pools). We aren't moving until this fall, and may not be able to buy yet if we don't get this house sold, but the realtor has been very receptive to my questions.

 

[QCast_Michael]

We also live in Hunter's Creek and LOVE it! Convenient to just about everything thanks to the 417.

 

[colaboy29]

I'd avoid Lake county too, by the way (Clermont is in Lake county). They have impact fees and other charges (haven't kept up with it).

I disagree about Lake County. The property taxes are actually much less than Orange County. I live in Four Corners/Clermont (the Kingdom toll plaza is due east of our house). The only issue is hwy 192 during the morning rush hour (when tourists are heading into the attractions). I go to work early in the morning so miss it but this congestion is here on weekends, too. If they would build the proposed extra access to the 429 from hwy 27 I would love it because we could get to Orlando faster even if we do pay tolls.

I also love my development because we have natural gas. There are so few places in Orange county that offer this. The money we save is wonderful.

I agree with avoiding Pine Hills (aka Crime Hills). And do contact David Dorman. He is a friend of mine having worked at Disney with him.

Davenport may depend on where you are. If you are near Champion's Gate you are really close to I-4...and some neighborhoods out there have FIOS! (Think Internet access on crack!). A large shopping center with a Target and other major stores opened last year at I-4 and 27 (where Circus World/Boardwalk and Baseball used to be) so you have shopping not far away.

And your final location would depend on where you will be working.

Oh, and I agree with Michael about Hunter's Creek, too. The 417 can help you get easily around.

 

[ABOMIBOT]

Wow I never even considered natural gas wouldn't be available everywhere but - hello and duh - Orlando is pretty much on a swamp isn't it? That's a huge deal for us we're kinda foodies and wouldn't want an electric cook top.

By the way we have several appointments to see some homes when we're there thank you all for the advice.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Wow I never even considered natural gas wouldn't be available everywhere but - hello and duh - Orlando is pretty much on a swamp isn't it? That's a huge deal for us we're kinda foodies and wouldn't want an electric cook top.

By the way we have several appointments to see some homes when we're there thank you all for the advice.

I had natural gas in a development in Kissimmee I lived in (It was actually Champions Gate, but the address said Kissimmee). The development was called "Indian Ridge". I really liked it there, but the rent was too high for me at the time.

 

[rpmdfw]

I had natural gas in a development in Kissimmee I lived in (It was actually Champions Gate, but the address said Kissimmee). The development was called "Indian Ridge". I really liked it there, but the rent was too high for me at the time.

I work at the resort adjacent to Indian Ridge!

It's okay. Lots of tourist rentals there, aren't there?

I would NOT want to live amongst the tourist rentals!

 

[PHILCT]

I enjoy reading this thread.

I would love to move to Orlando someday too.

I'm always on the real estate sites checking out the homes and condos in the Orlando area and its suburbs.

Years ago I checked out the affordable condominiums in the Metrowest area and the Millenium Mall area, but didn't like the surrounding areas. The area that looked the nicest was Hunter's Creek, which was amazingly close to Disney.

I haven't had a chance to check out the Dr Phillips area, it looks like some of the resident's have a nightly view of some of the Fireworks in the sky activity. Is this the ultimate nearby area for Disney Lovers who can afford it? (Curious, just in case I win the Powerball on Wednesday).

Phil

 

[rpmdfw]

I haven't had a chance to check out the Dr Phillips area, it looks like some of the resident's have a nightly view of some of the Fireworks in the sky activity. Is this the ultimate nearby area for Disney Lovers who can afford it? (Curious, just in case I win the Powerball on Wednesday).

Being able to see and hear the nightly fireworks isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I know you're not going to believe it, but a lot of nights, it's a real nuisance.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yep, some nights it's much louder than others. It is a minor nuisance though. They don't last long and essentially sound like a contained volley of thunder.

Actually thought that was what it was the first few times we heard it. Now we know.

The one real drawback is if you have little ones visiting. "What's that?" "Fireworks." "FIREWORKS!!! WHERE????" "Down at Disney!" "IWANNAGOIWANNAGOIWAAAAANNNNNAAAAGO!!!!"

Ayuh. Too much fun, that one.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I work at the resort adjacent to Indian Ridge!

It's okay. Lots of tourist rentals there, aren't there?

I would NOT want to live amongst the tourist rentals!

There are some tourist rentals, but most of the people on my block were residents.

Tourist rentals arent all that bad either. It's mostly British folks who are never home. That also means the house is empty most of the time.

 

[shellynn24]

This thread was very informative! I would like to move to the area in the next few years too and I like to hear all about the best places to live. What do you locals do for fun?

 

[rpmdfw]

What do you locals do for fun?

We have a fun driving game where we get points for mowing down tourists with our cars!

 

[MonorailMan]

We have a fun driving game where we get points for mowing down tourists with our cars!

That's a LOCALS' thing?? I did that the last time I rented a car while down there.

 

[rpmdfw]

That's a LOCALS' thing?? I did that the last time I rented a car while down there.

Too bad. Rental cars don't get points for hitting tourists. They get points for swerving across five lanes of traffic to get to an off ramp or for stopping in the middle of traffic to take pictures of signs.

 

[zulemara]

Too bad. Rental cars don't get points for hitting tourists. They get points for swerving across five lanes of traffic to get to an off ramp or for stopping in the middle of traffic to take pictures of signs.

So True! Remember folks, the index pointer is far more accurate than a blinker when figuring out what the car ahead/next to you is about to do

 

[colaboy29]

This thread was very informative! I would like to move to the area in the next few years too and I like to hear all about the best places to live. What do you locals do for fun?

We have fun going to the parks and looking for the UK tourists who are so sunburnt they look like walking tomatoes!