Relocating to WDW?

[MARCIAKAZ]

In my limited research so far, I've seen the phrase "old Florida" used in a positive way. I'm not sure I'd know "old Florida" if I saw it...but I like the idea of a community having a sense of history and a downtown area like you described.

 

[PatriciaH]

In my limited research so far, I've seen the phrase "old Florida" used in a positive way. I'm not sure I'd know "old Florida" if I saw it...but I like the idea of a community having a sense of history and a downtown area like you described.

You might want to take a look at Winter Park. Old Florida

 

[akur]

We found a lovely house in Oviedo, about 45 min drive to the parks. I love it here!!!!

Going to AK today if I can get the twins and DH ready and out!

 

[michvin]

Congradulations! We are still trying to sell our house up here in PA...as soon as it does we will be joining you in Oviedo! Have a great day in the warm sun...

 

[mill4023]

We didn't move to FL, but we did just move from Oregon to North Carolina. And while WDW wasn't the main reason, being close enough to drive to Orlando in one day was certainly a big plus for me.

I've often thought it would be nice to live near WDW, but nothing else about the Orlando area is that attractive to DW and I. Like some other posters, I also worry that being that close would take away from the magic and excitement. But it sounds like that hasn't been an issue for most people here.

I was actually browsing the WDW employment site a few months ago and got excited when I found a position that fit me perfectly. But then reality set in and I realized that we really are very happy in the Charlotte area. Moving from Oregon was a big change, but we have an amazing house (3500 sq. ft. for the price of our 1500 sq. ft Oregon house), great schools, and a great neighborhood. The kids have made really good friends and have settled into the new area and new school really well. So at this point, moving to FL would not be the best thing for our family.

If I just had a job that pays twice as much and provides 8 weeks of vacation each year, my life would pretty much be perfect.

We'd visit WDW twice a year for 2 weeks each time and still have plenty of time and money to visit all those other places DW keeps talking about.

 

[orljustin]

I moved to St. Louis from Orlando two years ago, after about 12 years there. I was down for a visit last month. I've always thought I'd move back in a heartbeat. As I drove around town, however, I thought "do I really want to be back here ?"

Tiny home lots where you can touch your neighbor. Big square "most footage for your money" non-descript housing. Unkept streets with Florida scrub weeds in the medians. Strip mall after strip mall. Nail salon after nail salon. Non-english speaking workers in the Target. Scrub pines everywhere. Bermuda grass. Mowing all year long. Toll roads. Trailers outside of BRAND NEW schools. No basements. Fire ants. Stucco everywhere.

The only reason I want to be there is to be a 24 a day tourist. I'm not sure I'd really want to live there again.

 

[jarrdisney]

DGF and I have been contemplating moving down for the past year or so. It's gone from being wishful thinking, to what could be a reality. We're both in our mid 20's and would probably rent rather than buy. WDW is a contributing factor, but not the only reason we would move. Someone said it best when they stated that they feel like a 24 hr tourist. I love the constant entertainment. There always seems to something to do. We are enamoured with the entire area and can not see ourselves getting bored. A friend of mine moved down for college and has NOT looked back since. He absolutely loves every second of it. Rent is about half of what it is here (NJ). DGF is a teacher so finding work will not be a problem. I'm just trying to find the reasons NOT to move down?

 

[orljustin]

Thought I just gave 'em.

There's constant entertainment, but after a while (few years), it's the same entertainment. I didn't renew my PI annual pass after the 3rd year. "Hey, it's the Flower and Garden Festival again - want to walk around? Ehhh." "Want to go to the wine party at Lakeridge? It was pretty lame last year, remember? Oh yeah." ... and Tourist things don't come free. Annual passes, or parking, or other admission, etc. all cost $$$

There is something to be said for running over to the MK for a brownie sundae and fireworks, though.

 

[trypnotic]

My wife and I are planning on moving down as soon as she finishes her MBA. WDW was probably the biggest factor, with the second being that we're from Minnesota and have absolutely no interest in the cold and snowy winters (hey that works for many many people, just not us), and lastly both sets of parents have been supportive in the sense that they're nearing retirement and would have no problem visiting us at least once a year. I think the biggest arguement that people raise against us are the crime levels down there -- I figure each city has it's trouble areas. I stay out of NE Minneapolis because I know it's a bad area, is it really any different in the Orlando area??

 

[Luckymommyx2]

My wife and I are planning on moving down as soon as she finishes her MBA. WDW was probably the biggest factor, with the second being that we're from Minnesota and have absolutely no interest in the cold and snowy winters (hey that works for many many people, just not us), and lastly both sets of parents have been supportive in the sense that they're nearing retirement and would have no problem visiting us at least once a year. I think the biggest arguement that people raise against us are the crime levels down there -- I figure each city has it's trouble areas. I stay out of NE Minneapolis because I know it's a bad area, is it really any different in the Orlando area??

I had just watched one of the nightly news last week and they mentioned Orlando as having the biggest increase in violent crime in the US! I don't remember which national newscast so I found another link with pretty much the same stats....

http://www.wesh.com/news/11215509/detail.html?subid=10100244

 

[safetymom]

Yes there are certain areas in Orlando to stay away from. I don't think the crime level is any worse than where I came from in PA.

 

[NotAmused]

I already live about 2 hours southeast of Orlando, but in August I will be moving to Orlando! I am graduating with my AA and will be transferring to UCF so I can live in Orlando. It has always been my dream to work at Disney and/or Universal Studios so I am extremely excited.

 

[Jason71]

I'm just trying to find the reasons NOT to move down?

In a nutshell, schools are bad, wages are lower than up north, Summer is brutally hot ("Summer" meaning mid-May to late October), and we get the occasional hurricane. Also, traffic is a nightmare if you aren't careful coordinating where you live and work.

On the plus side, you will never be bored (sorry orljustin, I don't see myself ever getting tired of the variety of restaurants, nightlife and theme parks, although things can get pricey), and there are plenty of 20- and 30-somethings. Wages may be low, but so is unemployment, and there is money to made if you know how to work smart. Also, no state income tax, which offsets the wage disparity somewhat (especially compared to NJ). And you'll never shovel snow again.

Re: crime. It is bad downtown, but like the traffic, if you're moderately careful about where you live, it's not an issue. Keep in mind, when most people say "Orlando," they are including all the suburbs and unincorporated areas of Orange County, but the current crime wave seems mostly limited to a few areas of the city itself.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

The crime reports don't scare me too much because I realize it's a pretty isolated area. We currently live in a more rural area but an easy drive to several major cities.

I necessarily wouldn't want to live in Orlando but someplace like Windemere or Clermont. I find the winters harder and harder to take and I'm convinced that I have the seasonal deficiency--I forget what it's called--that I get easily depressed without the sunlight like summer. I have two younger children that I homeschool so the schools are not a concern for me. Both are very involved in their activities outside school and have friends that would be hard to leave. DH still needs convincing too. I have a hard road ahead of me so for now I keep gathering the information.

I'd love to hear from more people, especially those that responded at the beginning of the thread last year that they were moving down this year. It's good to hear the good and the bad.

 

[orljustin]

Winderemere and the surrounding areas are hugely pricey.
http://www.zillow.com/search/Search.htm?addrstrthood=&citystatezip=windermere, fl

Newer homes in the surrounding start in the 300s, and go up to the high 6 figures in Winderemere proper - that doesn't include the real pricey ones.

There is no income tax, but instead, you have toll roads, admission to some public parks, admission to zoo, science center, art museum - things that are "free" in other places because your income tax pays for them.

Oh, yes, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. However, as I said, there are only so many times you can go to PI or Citywalk.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Winderemere and the surrounding areas are hugely pricey.
http://www.zillow.com/search/Search.htm?addrstrthood=&citystatezip=windermere, fl

Newer homes in the surrounding start in the 300s, and go up to the high 6 figures in Winderemere proper - that doesn't include the real pricey ones.

There is no income tax, but instead, you have toll roads, admission to some public parks, admission to zoo, science center, art museum - things that are "free" in other places because your income tax pays for them.

Oh, yes, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. However, as I said, there are only so many times you can go to PI or Citywalk.

Just kidding abouth the tolls! DH works on one here in NJ
And orljustin, we pay TONS of admission fees here as well. And there are only so many times you can go to red lobster or beefsteak charlies!! I'm near the jersey shore but surrounded by pretty countryside. I time my drives EVERYWHERE according to the horrible traffic and commute an hour each way (for what should be a 35 minute drive). I'd trade places with you ANYDAY!!! Quick...make a wish!

 

[safetymom]

I came from PA with a high sales tax, income tax and I had to pay for entry to the aviary, museums, etc. Also I don't pay any more tolls here in FL. In fact I probably pay less.

There are other areas around WDW that are great areas to live in and they are in the 200's.

 

[LoriMistress]

DH and I had this talk before. We love WDW so much we thought about moving down to Florida. The answer was a quick no right afterwards. The hurricanes that you have to deal with, and dealing with very huge bugs (which bugs scare me btw), and dealing with the huminity 24/7. No thanks.

 

[safetymom]

I don't find the humidity any worse than when I lived in PA. At least here I have A/C which I didn't have in PA. Until the last several years Central FL didn't have any hurricanes come through.

 

[ufgator]

I live 2.5 hours south of WDW and think it's a good distance. I've lived down here my whole life and like that we can decide to go at the last minute. I like that it's close enough for a quick trip but not so close that it's doesn't feel like we've gotten away.