planning move to orlando area....

[mishoe01]

and was wondering about the different areas - are they a good area to live in (I'm a single female, no need to worry about schools), how bad would the commute be (I (hopefully) will be working across the street from Sea World), is it a bad crime area, is it easy to get to DW....that kind of thing.

Any help/feedback would be appreciated.

I have been looking at these areas:
Kissimmee
Polk City
Orlo Vista
Pine Hills
Gotha
Lake Buena Vista
Intercession City
Winter Garden

and maybe--Haines City, Davenport, Winter Haven, Lake Alfred

TIA!!!!

 

[chrissyk]

We're in the process of moving from MA to Celebration. Our new house is finally almost done! Anyways, if there is one thing I've learned as a homeowner, it's that schools DO matter no matter what! My husband and I were 23 and childless when we bought this house. We wanted to live in a family-friendly neighborhood with good schools because of resale value. We currently have an offer on our house that is almost 3 times what we paid for it 6 1/2 years ago! Everybody and their mother wants to be in our location now because of the neighborhood and the schools. Well, we're still childless (although not for long, LOL!), and we chose Celebration because of schools and location. Even if you don't plan to move for a while, think resale when you buy!!!

As for locations, we really liked Avalon Park also when we were house hunting. We felt that Celebration would be better for resale, though. Baldwin Park was pretty, but the surrounding area was scary. We were told that Windemere and Dr. Phillips were nice places to live with good schools and established neighborhoods. Good luck in your move!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I live across the street from Sea World, getting ready to move into a complex on World Gateway (aka the road you take to get into Disney). This apartment complex is pretty nice. We have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with vaulted ceilings that overlooks the golf course, so we have a front row seat for the fireworks every night. The traffic on I-4 gets pretty nasty every afternoon around 4, but it's not too terrible. WDW is literally 10 minutes up the street.

 

[HollyJoy]

Don't have any helpful information, but just wanted to say Congratulations!! Can I come too?

 

[mishoe01]

Chrissyk---I hadn't thought about the resale value w/ schools - will keep that in mind. I know that most of the homes I've seen so far in the Dr Phillips/Windermere area are out of my price range (nice, but too pricey for me). I would love to have a house built for me, but have heard horror stories about not great building supplies, and was worried about building it from far away.

Stepharoonie! -- do you know if there are homes for sale in that area? I really don't want to rent anything.

HollyJoy - thanks for the congrats....I used to live down there, then moved to MD after my nephew was born ('96), and have been planning to move back to Orlando ever since . I can't wait!

Thanks for the imput - anyone else?

 

[ducklite]

I just built a house in Clermont from 1000 miles away. My experience was very good. I think a lot depends on your builder. Mine was excellent about keeping in touch over the 20 month process. They sent photo's and let us know how things were progressing. I only had to make one unscheduled trip down due to a construction problem.

The neighborhood we built in is lovely. There's a guard house that's manned in the evening for extra security.

We didn't pay too much attention to schools, as this is not a starter home for us, we expect to own it for at least 20 years, and lots can happen in that time. But in your case, I agree, schools will be important for resale value.

As far as the areas you listed:

Kissimmee

No way.

Polk City

Not familiar enough to comment.

Orlo Vista

Maybe.

Pine Hills

Not familiar enough to comment.

Gotha

Not familiar enough to comment.

Lake Buena Vista

yes

Intercession City

Not familiar enough to comment.

Winter Garden

Absolutely, especially on the Windermere side

Haines City

Maybe

Davenport

Yes

Winter Haven, Lake Alfred

Not familiar enough to comment.

Good luck!

Anne

 

[mishoe01]

Thanks Anne - I've been looking at the progress your house has made everytime you post new pics---I'm sooooo jealous!!

Schools never have been much of a thought for me - I don't plan to have any kids....but what Chrissyk said makes sense.

I don't plan to move again for a while!!! (I HATE the act of moving!)

Thanks again!

 

[TennVolTony]

Originally posted by mishoe01
and was wondering about the different areas - are they a good area to live in (I'm a single female, no need to worry about schools), how bad would the commute be (I (hopefully) will be working across the street from Sea World), is it a bad crime area, is it easy to get to DW....that kind of thing.

Any help/feedback would be appreciated.

I have been looking at these areas:
Kissimmee NOT A CHANCE
Polk City NOPE
Orlo Vista FAIR
Pine Hills NO FREAKIN WAY
Gotha NOPE
Lake Buena Vista IF YOU LOVE TRAFFIC...YOU'LL LOVE IT THERE
Intercession City NEVER HEARD OF IT
Winter Garden NICE PLACE...CAN BE PRICEY

and maybe--Haines City, Davenport, Winter Haven, Lake Alfred

TIA!!!!

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

Originally posted by Stepharoonie!
I live across the street from Sea World, getting ready to move into a complex on World Gateway (aka the road you take to get into Disney). This apartment complex is pretty nice. We have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with vaulted ceilings that overlooks the golf course, so we have a front row seat for the fireworks every night. The traffic on I-4 gets pretty nasty every afternoon around 4, but it's not too terrible. WDW is literally 10 minutes up the street.

Do you have a link to a website about the apartment complex you are talking about? Sounds really cool!!!

 

[CindysGusGus]

Pine Hills AKA Crime Hills...thats the one I would stay def. away from!

 

[mishoe01]

I forgot to add Poinciana.....

TIA!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We just moved a few months ago to Winter Garden. LOVE it. Great location. Easy access to everything. I work near USO. It is normally a 20 minute commute.
We looked at several homes throughout -- from S Clermont to Apopka.
The further west, the taxes were higher, but you got more house for the $.
Our taxes are lower, but we paid more for this house than if we would have bought in Clermont.
Clermont has way too much traffic.
Almost all, if not all, subdivisions in this area have rental homes. The closer to WDW, the worse it is.
Watch where you buy. Some subdivisions -- even gated are up to 70% rentals, with mostly out of state owners. Not desirable when you live someplace as a year round resident.
One of my neighbors is a cop. I was told the gated communities have a tendency to have more crime than city streets. (Of course depending on what city and where. But I am sure the reference was to this general area.) The police have to be invited into gated communities. City streets are montored regularly. We have a non-emergency police phone number that many say is very effective.
Most gated communties here leave the gates open all day and early evening.
We lived in a gated apartment complex right outside of WDW for 3.5 months after we moved here this year. Vandalism was common. And the gates were closed all the time, with cards required for entry. (The Alexan at World Gateway)

 

[AdventurerKat]

Second that on Pine Hills. When I originally wanted to move to Florida, all my Orlando area pals said steer clear of there!

 

[Virgo10]

Originally posted by chrissyk
We're in the process of moving from MA to Celebration. Our new house is finally almost done! Anyways, if there is one thing I've learned as a homeowner, it's that schools DO matter no matter what!

Great tip and, with grown children, something I didn't consider. It's been added to my ever growing list of important Florida information.

Roberta