Question for Orlando area residents

[moinab]

DH was laid off the end of October. The job situation in NE FL is pretty dismal, so we're starting to look at Orlando.

What is the housing situation like? We're currently renting a decent 2 BR, 1.5 Bath townhome in a nice neighborhood (we're actually 4 blocks from the ocean) for $900/month. Obviously, we wouldn't be anywhere near the ocean in Orlando, but I'd like to know how the Orlando area would compare, rent-wise. When I try to find information, all I get are vacation rentals.

TIA

Maureen

 

[marlasmom]

here in winter haven you can rent a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with garage (very decent) for $750.

 

[suzannews]

Have you tried looking at apartments.com? There are also those apartment books that can be found in most 7-11's. Inbetween houses, we rented in Kissimmee so my daughter could go to the same school until we moved again, a 3/2 for $900. Here in Clermont, there are a few nice complexes and a few not so nice. The nice ones are in the $700-$800 range.

 

[Feralpeg]

I picked up the Greater Orlando Apartment Guide while I was there in October, just in case my house that I'm building there isn't finished by the time I need to move. I'll give you a quick rundown of the general amounts by area. Altamonte Springs - $550 & Up. Casselberry - $500 & Up. Celebration - $725 and Up. Downtown - $600 & Up. East Orlando/UCF - $600 & Up. Kissimmee - $600 & Up. Lake Mary - $700 & Up. Maitland - $550 & Up. Metrowest - $700 & Up. Northwest/Rosemont/Lake County - $500 & Up. Oviedo - $725 & Up. Longwood/Sabel Point - $725 & Up. Sanford - $530 & Up. Southeast Orlando/Waterford Lakes - $600 & Up. Southwest/Hunters Creek/Lake Buena Vista/Dr. Phillips/Millenia - $550 & Up. Winter Garden/Ocoee/Clearmont - $600 & Up. Winter Park - $650 & Up. Casselberry - $600 & Up.

I rounded the lower end of prices for the above. Of course, it all depends on the size of the apartment and the features provided. Hope this helps. If you can get a guide, it will really help!

 

[moinab]

Thanks for the suggestions. We would prefer to avoid complexes, if at all possible. We've had much better experiences renting from individual owners than management companies, but, of course, it all depends on what is available.

Ideally, we'd like 3 BR, 2 Bath townhome or house, but could get by with 2 BR, 1.5 bath if necessary. I know in a lot of areas, 3 BR can be hard to come by.

 

[BobbinWeez]

Man I am so jealous of you Florida residents. Not only are you not freezing with temps in the single digits but you can rent 2 bedroom townhouses for $750 a month. My roommate and I have a tiny 2 bedroom in Westborough MA and we pay $430 EACH. I am so living in the wrong part of the country

 

[TigH]

Our realtor owns a few properties that she rents out.

Johanna Burkhardt 407-330-0452 or 1-800-762-9268

I think that's the current phone number, her office recently moved though. She helped us find an apartment when we moved from the DC area to Central FL. She sold us our house when we were ready to buy in Seminole County, she sold my parents a house in Volusia when they retired and then listed that house and sold it for them when they wanted to move closer to us in Seminole. Then she found them the perfect house 2 miles from our house! She also sold my sister a house in our neighborhood. Hopefully she can point you in the right direction.

Good luck. You will love living here. Seminole County is the BEST, but I am a bit biased...