Question for those living in or around Orlando

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

I feel bad starting yet another "should I move to Orlando/Florida?" thread. . . but didn't see one that quite fit my question.

First, I live in Florida, so I already know about humidity, bugs, tourists, hurricanes, etc etc.

My question is:
if you live in or around Orlando where are you? What city/subdivision/town? How far from "the world" are you?
And do you like it?
What are your favorite parts of where you live?
The least favorite parts?
Would you recommend where you live and if not where else is good?

My husband and I are really considering moving closer to Orlando (we are currently 6 hours away and I'm looking for a little advice.

We are thinking of moving for several reasons:
1) I know I'm crazy but I really do want to be a cast member, money is not really a factor
2)My husband is interested in going to the Orlando culinary school
3) our son is currently in Montessori and there is no Montessori options past preschool in our area and there are in Orlando

So, any advice or recommendations would greatly be appreciated!

 

[Lorelai]

I'd like to know the answers to some of these questions also. We always dream of someday calling that lovely area home.

 

[Feralpeg]

My question is:
if you live in or around Orlando where are you? What city/subdivision/town? How far from "the world" are you?

I live in Windermere. I am 5 minutes from MK and about 10 minutes from DTD.

And do you like it?

I love it. I run to DTD all the time. I often eat lunch there. Look for me at The Earl of Sandwich around noon!

DD and I run over to Epcot for dinner or to Spoodles at the Boardwalk when we feel the urge.

Aside from Disney, I think my area is very pretty. There is a lot of building going on around me. I'll be glad when it is finished, but it isn't that bad. I don't live on, but within a couple of blocks of a lake. I like to walk up that way and look at the birds, etc. The neighborhood is very friendly.

What are your favorite parts of where you live?

As stated above, being close to Disney is great. I'm maybe 15 minutes from Universal.

There is so much to do in the area. I love the fact that the people who live around me are from all over the world.

The least favorite parts?

Currently, I have to drive a ways to get to most shopping (other than DTD). That will change soon. They will be building a new mall about 10 minutes from me.

The traffic around me is not bad. Traffic in Orlando is heavy, but I avoid I-4 and the other highways for the most part.

Would you recommend where you live and if not where else is good?

I would definitely recommend my area.

 

[Lorelai]

Thanks Feralpeg!

 

[GrumpyC.Hook]

Thanks I am interested in this topic as well as I am moving down to FL before October most likely September.

I can't wait so was subscribing!

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

if you live in or around Orlando where are you? What city/subdivision/town?

Lakeland

How far from "the world" are you?

Depends on I-4 traffic! If it's good, about half an hour. If not, well, anyone that's traveled on I-4, or any major route, understands how traffic can be.

And do you like it? What are your favorite parts of where you live? The least favorite parts? Would you recommend where you live and if not where else is good?

I love it! It's centrally located, between Orlando and Tampa. The town itself is a nice size, not too big but not too small, and is really quite lovely; I mean, our town logo and 'mascot' is the swan. There's something for everyone here, and I'm very happy with my choice to live here as opposed to other locations in Central Florida. Click here for the city website and click here for the Chamber of Commerce site; there's info there about relocation.

3) our son is currently in Montessori and there is no Montessori options past preschool in our area and there are in Orlando

Lakeland has at least one Montessori school that I'm aware of, and I don't have kids -yet- so there may be more!

Hope this helps, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Thank you so much Feralpeg and SolitaryPhoenix! Those posts are exactly what I'm looking for!!!!!
I KNEW I'd probably get a post from feralpeg, seems like she and I were among the few that were defending florida like crazy in a thread about what stinks about living in Florida.

 

[Feralpeg]

Thank you so much Feralpeg and SolitaryPhoenix! Those posts are exactly what I'm looking for!!!!!
I KNEW I'd probably get a post from feralpeg, seems like she and I were among the few that were defending florida like crazy in a thread about what stinks about living in Florida.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know. I'll help as much as I can. Since we've been in Florida not quite two years, I'm still learning things myself. I'll do what I can!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I live off I-drive, between the Central Florida Parkway and 417. I guess I'd say I'm on the outer edges of Lake Buena Vista. Takes me about 17-20 minutes to get to AK or MK, about 12 to get to Epcot and DTD ... Studios is somewhere between that. All on surface streets, no I-4.

Favorite parts? I can get to WDW without using I-4. There's a grocery store 5 minutes from my apartment, and a Sams Club, a super Target, and a super Wal Mart not much further away. I'm also close to I-4, 528, and the 417, and only about 8 minutes drive to Sea World, 15-20 to Universal. Plus, I have every food chain imaginable (plus all the restaurants on WDW property) within about 15 mins of my apt.

Least favorite parts? Having to remember to avoid certain routes during "tourist" times of the day (for example, not using Vineland to get to I-4 during mass time at Mary Queen of the Universe), traffic isn't actually terribly heavy in my area, but there's a lot of people driving that don't know where they're going which can make things scarier than they need to be. I-drive from Vineland to 417 is in desparate need of re-paving.

Would I recommend this area? Yes.

Caveat: I don't have kids, I know nothing about schools in the area.

I"d say probably at least 30, possibly closer to 40% of the residents at my apartment complex work for Disney.

 

[trypnotic]

Thanks for all the information everyone - this thread so far has been very helpful. My wife and I are in the "scratching our chins" phase of moving down - probably another couple years away.

For the most part, I've heard nothing about good things to say about Orlando but that the school system leaves a bit to be desired. Anyone know where the better public schools, if any, are around the Orlando area?

 

[Lcm2108]

Right now, I have to say we LOVE it here but then again, we have only lived here 10 months and have yet to encounter a really bad hurricane season.

My question is:
if you live in or around Orlando where are you? What city/subdivision/town?

I live on the outskirts of Windermere in Summerport Subdivision. Off Highway 535. The SR 429 is 4 miles from here.

How far from "the world" are you? 8 minutes from MK. About 12 minutes elsewhere on WDW property. We see the Magic Kingdom Fireworks every night. If we are not watching them, we hear them, even if we are in bed trying to sleep, lol. I dont mind though....

And do you like it? We LOVE it here. The weather is great. There is lots to do. The beach is close, an hour from here. Even West Coast beaches are good day trip beaches. My son goes to public school (in 5th grade) which is in a great zone. The school is new and very technology oriented. My daughter attends UCF and the university is very organized.

What are your favorite parts of where you live? The people in my subdivision are from all over the country and the world for that matter. I read that 50% of the people who live around here are really from somewhere else. I've found that to be true.

The least favorite parts? I-4! Where we live, we seldom use I-4. We have been here 10 months and have used I-4 less than 10 times. We even purchased a home where my husband could get to work without using I-4.

Would you recommend where you live and if not where else is good? I would definitely recommend it here. Other places that I like are Winter Garden (about 5 miles from here), Ocoee (about 7 miles from here), Clermont (11 miles from here). I also love the city of Winter Park, a little north of Orlando but you would have to use I-4 every day if you live there. Downtown Orlando is nice too but very expensive.

I miss my friends and family but am very glad I'm here.

Lisa