Relocating to WDW?

[jennf]

i love this thread...my husband and i are looking at moving down to the Orlando area

 

[makinorlando]

I don't know anything about south Florida. I've heard some stories on the news about insurance rates going up and people getting dropped by their insurance companies. My insurance has not increased since I moved to Florida two years ago.

I have State Farm who I had heard one day on the news of a substantial increase (50% I believe was the quoted figure) in homeowners insurance to open my mail the next day to find a $20 increase per month!!! I switched to State Farm right after Charley - I was refinancing and my insurance company at that time would not increase my coverage.... so it was stable for 2 years.

It has gotten more expensive to live here than it was 3 years ago - electric rates went up after the hurricanes in 2004 (my bill has almost doubled since my first summer here... some KW hours) of course gas prices are higher, so things like pool service and lawn service have all tacked on $5/month to their invoices.....real estate taxes have increase with the increase in property values.. but the same can be said for all areas of the country!

Still I will not move back to PA... .unless for some unforeseen at this time family situation - I am the only one here in FL.... all other family is in PA within a 20 mi radius of each other!

 

[Metro West]

As a word of warning, you may have heard that Metrowest is a nice area, and it was, but it's becoming more and more dangerous due to crime. I live nearby (by Universal) and while I love the area (I can be riding Spiderman at IOA soon after I leave my front door or be at WDW in 10-15 mintues) I plan on buying a place after Christmas and I'll be looking elsewhere in the city.

Absolutely...I used to have an apartment in Metro West (hense my screen name) but bought a house last September in Orange County not too far from the Ocoee area. I guess I got out at the right time.

 

[michvin]

Yet another PA family wanting to move. I did a LOT of research this past winter and spring, we went down in April to check out places to live, actually put a bid on a house but our house up here didn't sell in the window of keeping the contract open. Rethinking it again, HARD, and driving down in three weeks and heading for our WDW vacation in 2 months....well, maybe I should just move after all.....

Anyway, for those looking for a great place to live with outstanding schools...try these towns:
Oviedo (where we are heading)
Winter Springs
Lake Mary

All are NW of Orlando, but you don't have that touristy feel of Orlando itself. Very nice communities, beautiful tree lined neighborhoods, close to parks, shopping and about 50 minutes from the beaches and 50 minutes from WDW.

The taxes for people moving into the area are a bit high, but for us its actually a decrease cause we pay over 10k...all the towns have their own website and are in Seminole County. The Seminole County school district has a great site as well. Good luck....and see you there soon!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

One of the nicest (& most growing areas) is to the west of Orlando & a lot of people that work in the parks seem to live that way, also. Yes, property has skyrocketed in the past several years, but you still get more for your money out that way & the areas to live in seem to be more conducive to raising families.

These areas do seem great BUT isn't 30 miles= an HOUR in driving down there? Wondering if that is that too much hassle for a quick visit or dinner in the parks? Wouldn't be for ME mind you, but also what for p/t work at the WDW? Too far to commute?

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha!

Also...how is it in POLK county? Saw some nice 55+ communities advertised...Lake Wales/Haines City? Too far? Nice areas?

 

[Amity 3]

Polk county is growing fast, especially cities like Lakeland. we live in an Eastern Tampa suburb and we're 45 min. from WDW and an hour from Universal.

like others have said before, I think you appreciate the parks as much, just differently. no schedules, no deadlines, we go when we want and do what we want. DTD is just another shopping mall. we can spend the day at Universal and stop by the MK to see Wishes on the way home. we've had days where we've only done one ride or show because we can just go back next week if we want.

when I retire I want to work one year at WDW and one year at Universal, just to do it. I'll sweep the sidewalks or sell Mickey bars, I don't care.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

Loving this thread...I'm in the "wishful thinking" stage of making this move. Like several other posters, I don't want to live too close to WDW. First, I'd like to still think of WDW as a destination...and maybe having it too close would over-feed my addiction.

Also, I'd really like to live in an area that has a small-town feel, but within a comfortable (30-45 min) commuting distance of a metro area. Good schools are important, and I'd also like to be in the central part of the state, rather than coastal. Any great town suggestions?

TIA...

 

[GrandFloridian4]

These areas do seem great BUT isn't 30 miles= an HOUR in driving down there? Wondering if that is that too much hassle for a quick visit or dinner in the parks? Wouldn't be for ME mind you, but also what for p/t work at the WDW? Too far to commute?

It really does depend upon which direction you live from the parks & what route(s) you need to get there.

We live to the west & don't have to take I-4 or the Turnpike to get to WDW, so it is a relatively easy commute - DEPENDING UPON the time of day (& the day) that you go. Traffic is HORRENDOUS down here. I always joke & say that the worst drivers from all 50 states decided to move to Florida. [My son asks me if that includes me ]

For instance, driving the speed limit on the roads that we take to get to WDW, on a weekend day or not high time (I'll explain that in a second) it takes us about 35 min. to get to WDW. If we hit slower traffic & all the lights, it takes 40-45 min. to get to DTD or the parking lots of the parks.

However, the same commute during high time (M-F, 6-9am, 4-7pm) very often takes 1 to 1-1/2 hrs. I can't speak for travelling from other directions, but I do know that a man that works with my DH comes from northeast of the parks & complains that it takes him double the time to get to work than it does coming down on the weekend. It's an unwritten law with my son that if he wants to go to the parks or DQ, we go early & he either gets picked up by 2:30, or he's there until after dinnertime, when the traffic subsides.

That's one of the reasons that I never applied to work at WDW, although I thought about it (doesn't everyone???) a lot. Before moving down here, I only had a 5 min. commute to work & I knew I'd be miserable sitting in traffic every day. It's a great question you asked, because not everyone thinks of those things while researching moving here. We always think of the usual important things like schools, crime, neighborhoods.

 

[Makua]

This area is growing like crazy. We live in Windermere right behind the MK. The population in this little town has quadrupled in the past year. The services,ie grocery stores, gas stations, munincipal services, have not kept up. Traffic is a nightmare, I avoid I 4 at all costs, most of the other roads are tolls but the traffic is lighter. When we first moved to the area 7 years ago we bought a home in Clermont but my DH works at Disney and the 45 minute commute was just too much. Now 5 minutes to work but 20-25 to get groceries and run errands. I am a teacher and if you have children, especially high schoolers, think and then think again. The schools here stink. Yes they have A ratings but all are extremely overcrowded and understaffed. Seminole County has the best schools in the area if you don't want to go private. The weather is great, when it gets hot we just move slower, no way would I want to live where there is real winter. I love living in Fl but there are problems here just like everywhere else. Don't believe the rumors that the cost of living is lower, some things are lower and some higher. DO NOT get a contract on a house until you are sure you can insure it. Many companies are not writing new policies and some companies have really raised their rates. Statefarm went up 50% and Nationwide 70% since the hurricanes. Ah! Something else to think about before moving here!!

 

[PatriciaH]

I love being 7 minutes to AK, Epcot and MGM and 15 minutes to MK. I would not want to be any further I would spend more in gas in a month than I did on plane fare from Boston if I lived an hour away. DH works 3 minutes from home and we have tons of restaurants nearby on 192, 535 and I-Drive. Even Universal is about 20 minutes up I-4. Sea World is 15 minutes up I-Drive.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

It really does depend upon which direction you live from the parks & what route(s) you need to get there.
That's one of the reasons that I never applied to work at WDW, although I thought about it (doesn't everyone???) a lot. Before moving down here, I only had a 5 min. commute to work & I knew I'd be miserable sitting in traffic every day. It's a great question you asked, because not everyone thinks of those things while researching moving here.

Sooo...the CMs who live in Lake or Polk (I met quite a few from Clermont or Lakeland)....do they deal with this awful traffic or is there PUBLIC TRANS??? Do some of the planned communities (other than Celebration which will probably only remain a dream for me) have shuttles?

I commute an hour each way now to my teaching job...It is taking a terrible toll on my physical and mental state (STESSSSS!!!) I DO NOT want this once I'm living my dream as a CM!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Every time we go to Disney I comment to DH about how much I would love to work there, how fun it would be, etc. If it weren't for the hot summers, I think I would do it!

Hi Tammi ~

I'm in Stafford and my daughter is working in the Keys and (off and on) at Disney this summer I've had WAY more to complain about weather-wise this summer than she has!! This humidity is killing me!!!

 

[makinorlando]

These areas do seem great BUT isn't 30 miles= an HOUR in driving down there? Wondering if that is that too much hassle for a quick visit or dinner in the parks? Wouldn't be for ME mind you, but also what for p/t work at the WDW? Too far to commute?

I live 30 mi NE of WDW - it takes me 45 minutes from my front door to a parking space in Magic Kindgom - less for EPCOT and MGM -

I use the toll roads (417 is 5 miles from my house, 408 is 2 miles and 528 is about 7 miles) and as I think it was GrandFloridian said I avoid I4 at all costs (i.e. I pay the tolls!). For the most part these roads are congestion free at the times I travel. Having an EPASS for tolls is a great time saver too!!! Yesterday afternoon it was great to "blow" past all the folks waiting to pay tolls on the way to Sea World.

When I moved to Orlando it was not all about Disney - in fact I was not a Disney enthusiast at that time, and DD and I did not even visit it for the first 2 months!

DDs school has had a crowding problem which fortunately due to the building of a new school has leveled off the past two years. In fact last year they had portables to be "installed" that were then taken away. Her class was actually only 19 last year!

As I said before, I work from home so I don't have a commute to work... and I actually enjoy our rides to "The World". Other than our trips to WDW or Sea World, or the beach (I can be on the beach in an hour as well) - everything else that DD9 and I need is within a five mile radius of our home.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think about moving often.

My job is good, offers a pension and is not transferable. I won't move without a job offer and they are difficult to get in a place you don't live already. I could locate some headhunters if I get serious.

I am not concerned with the housing as I could buy a Florida home easily with the sale of my Northern Virginia condo.

 

[nhpooh]

It all depends on where DH gets a job to were we will be living. I hope near Deltona, because that is where our best friends live now.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Sooo...the CMs who live in Lake or Polk (I met quite a few from Clermont or Lakeland)....do they deal with this awful traffic or is there PUBLIC TRANS??? Do some of the planned communities (other than Celebration which will probably only remain a dream for me) have shuttles?

I live in Lake County & there is no public transp. to WDW - it's about 25 mi. to WDW for me. Lake Cty. is fairly 'hilly' & I do enjoy the drive there. I have no idea about other areas & shuttles, but I would imagine that the only places that shuttle or have direct transportation to WDW are the ones fairly close to the property. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think so. The areas that those of us have mentioned living in outside of the immediate area of WDW (Lakeland, Clermont, Windermere, etc.) are fairly rural & only have local transp.

Just commenting on some others posts: I agree with everyone's perceptions of living in Florida. I enjoy it, but it is very different from living in the NE. Some things are less costly, but the overall cost of living is really not remarkably lower, especially coming from a rural area originally. And the price of housing is getting to be astronomical. I think when most people compare states they do it from big city (i.e. NYC, Chicago) to big city (i.e. Orlando, Miami, etc.) & it's not really realistic.

I'm not a heat lover - I'm one of those rare breads who absolutely LOVES the snow - and the heat could just about kill you for about 4 months down here (mid-May thru mid-Sept.), but the other 8 months are generally gorgeous weather. With all of the sunshine that you get down here, it is really nice to be able to plan things all throughout the year without having to worry about too much rain (with the exception of the summertime when you get daily, brief thunderstorms) or snow & extreme cold to thwart your plans.

Schools are a big disappointment compared to the NE. I was appalled at what they consider 'advanced' down here. After speaking to several other parents who came from up north & their kids are in the excel programs, also, they concur that the curriculum is far behind what they were used to. I do hear that the schools on the NE side of Orlando are much better, however.

Traffic can be a nightmare, but as was said, you just learn when are good times to travel & which roads to avoid & plan accordingly. Many people retire down here & I think that there is an abundance of opportunities for those who do.

I think anywhere you live there's good & bad & we certainly are enjoying the experience of living in an entirely different type of environment than we did. AND living close to WDW & DCL is the biggest plus!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We live in west Orange Co. About as west as you can get.
I am approx 7 - 9 miles straight north of MK.
We moved here January 2004. I looked at MANY homes all over into Orange and Lake Counties.
Keep in mind this was 2.5 years ago, but what I found was we could buy more house for our money in Lake Co. But the property taxes were higher.
We moved from Nebraska, where property taxes are way too high. And we wanted away from paying $3k a year for property taxes. (That are sure to only increase as the years pass by.)
In western Orange Co the homes cost a little more, but the property taxes were lower. And the closer you buy to WDW, the higher the home costs.

We primarily chose our location because it is so close to many main roads. Everything is easy access. And we have been very happy about our choice. Nothing is far away. And we can drive the back roads or take the toll raods.
I am glad we did not choose the Clermont area because of the drive. People use to buy into Clermont to get away fron it all, and have a more country feel. But what they got was heavy congested traffic. The homes went up. But the roads did not expand to meet the needs.
I would like living in Clermont, if we were retired.
Glad we did not move to Apopka, as I would be REALLY tired by now of taking that 429 route A LOT.
I can expect a half hour in the car between leaving my house and parking in any WDW lot.
And even USO or Sea World is about a half hours drive, max, too.
Homes are VERY plentiful here now. Like most of the country, it is a buyer's market right now.

We lucked out. Our home cost us $155k. The value has not quite doubled. I am VERY glad we bought when we did. Homes are not cheap here any longer. Ithink those coming from the northeast will be fine. The prices of homes are at least similar, more so than other areas of the country.

Yes, there are many moving in. But there are many moving out too.

 

[Feralpeg]

Sooo...the CMs who live in Lake or Polk (I met quite a few from Clermont or Lakeland)....do they deal with this awful traffic or is there PUBLIC TRANS??? Do some of the planned communities (other than Celebration which will probably only remain a dream for me) have shuttles?

I commute an hour each way now to my teaching job...It is taking a terrible toll on my physical and mental state (STESSSSS!!!) I DO NOT want this once I'm living my dream as a CM!

I could be wrong, but I don't think there is public transportation available from Clermont to the Disney area. That being said, I don't think the traffic from that area is so bad.

I live in Windermere. I am about 10 minutes from DTD and 5 minutes from MK. The CMs who work at MK park off Reams road. I can be to the MK parking lot in 3 minutes. The traffic between Disney and my area is not bad at all. It is a leisurely drive.

 

[PatriciaH]

Also, I'd really like to live in an area that has a small-town feel, but within a comfortable (30-45 min) commuting distance of a metro area. Good schools are important, and I'd also like to be in the central part of the state, rather than coastal. Any great town suggestions?

TIA...

We have found that there are really not "towns" here in Central Florida. It is not like other places. There are many housing developments with strip malls nearby (that you have to drive to.) To get a town with an actual downtown in it (shops, restaurants, library, etc..) you have to spend a lot (Winter Park, Celebration, Baldwin Park) or go pretty far away (Mount Dora, Tarpon Springs, Coconut Grove, Key West, etc..) Also, in places like Celebration, Baldwin Park (newer developments) the town has a pretty man-made feel. It is not older and established A lot of businesses are struggling too. A few have closed here in Celebration-could not make it. Same with Baldwin Park.

I really think Kissimmee has potential. It seems they are trying to fix it up a lot and push out the poorer folks (sadly.) That is an old and quaint town. Florida is a pretty interesting place. I think Central Florida will really change in the next 10 years.