So what's it really like to live in Orlando?

[Ellester]

Originally posted by Feralpeg
I'm sure this is probably a silly question. We are moving to Orlando in June. Our new home will be about six long blocks from Lake Sawyer. How far do gators stray from water? I really would rather not find one in my yard!

I grew up in South Florida, with canals on two sides. We did get a few gators from time to time. They are usually very lazy and will not venture far from the water. They would just lay in the sun on the bank. Our little dog (like 5 pounds) would go and bark at them if we didn't watch her and they never moved. My dad figured out that if he put large rocks every few feet by the bank they wouldn't come up. The rocks hurt their sensitive little tummies! I think you would be pretty safe, but you never know.

This may seem like a silly question, but... just how bad are the bugs in Orlando? Specifically: palmetto bugs.

Well, if you can't stand bugs or lizards I would not recommend moving to Florida. We always had a few palmetto bugs around, not to mention roaches, ants, centipedes, wasps, etc. Termites are not the subterrainean ones so if you get them they have to tent your whole house (looks like a circus tent). Lots of those little lizards too. They get in the house no matter what you do.

There are many good things about Florida, but I really don't miss the bugs. I never minded the lizards.

~Ellen

 

[ilovepcot]

Okay, we're on a roll. Let's not leave the snakes out! Found a big one sunning on my deck Christmas day! Yes, the nerve to do it CHRISTMAS DAY! That's what I dislike most about FL!!!

 

[TNCarole]

Originally posted by Ellester:

Well, if you can't stand bugs or lizards I would not recommend moving to Florida. We always had a few palmetto bugs around, not to mention roaches, ants, centipedes, wasps, etc. Termites are not the subterrainean ones so if you get them they have to tent your whole house (looks like a circus tent). Lots of those little lizards too. They get in the house no matter what you do.

Thanks, Ellester! Lizards don't bother me either (I think they're kinda cute) but roaches and palmetto bugs make my skin crawl! I guess you could say it's a phobia.

Originally posted by ilovepcot

Okay, we're on a roll. Let's not leave the snakes out! Found a big one sunning on my deck Christmas day! Yes, the nerve to do it CHRISTMAS DAY! That's what I dislike most about FL!!!

LOL! Santa Snake!

 

[Micca]

I hope to move to Central Florida someday. I've had it with winter, and with the expense it costs to get to my favorite place

 

[JustHolly]

We moved here in August from New Hampshire. I LOVED it until I had to go to work! I always associated Florida with vacation, so it was hard to adjust to actually being in Florida and "the real world" at the same time.

I have gotten over being homesick and I just LOVE the weather. You can't beat it. Since November, it has been warm and dry.... just gorgeous! It is so nice to come home from work and put on my bathing suit (IN FEBRUARY!) and sit out by the pool with some lemonade and a book. I love being able to go out to breakfast in Celebration on a Sunday morning and sit outside in the sunshine in the middle of winter.

The biggest problem I have encountered is the traffic. I was in two car accidents in one month! I've really had to learn to drive defensively, which was hard to do, coming from an area (near Mass) with very aggressive drivers. People come to Florida from all different states countries with different driving laws. Nobody knows where they are going, and it is just plain scary to drive on I4 on the weekends! It has taken a lot of getting used to.

The bugs are neat, but also terrifying. There are mosquitos year round and lots of other bugs I can't identify. Yesterday I saw a 4 inch bug that looks like a leaf. And there are these bugs at work that are the size of pin heads with bright red backs.

When we first moved here, we had a lot of "ant-cidents" If you drop even a crumb of food, within an hour, there are millions of ants everwhere. It has gotten better this winter, but we're starting to see ants again.

I always said, "the first time I see a cockroach in my house, I'm moving back to New Hampshire". I have seen three, one in my kitchen! GROSS!!!! They come up the drains and in the air vents. I am obsessively clean, and cocrkoaches feel so "dirty" ICK!


Those are the only downfalls of living in this area. We are 12 minutes from WDW and go there all the time. It is so fun to jump in the car after dinner to catch the fireworks, or to head to BOMA after a long day at work. I still get the "Disney chills" when entering a park or seeing the fireworks and parades. The best part is, if the place is packed, you can go home and return whenever you want! There are so many places to explore and so many new things to see. We are always exploring and finding new things to do!

It took a few months to get over being homesick, but I am loving Florida!
Holly

 

[Robinrs]

Me, too, Ron!

I plan to be a resident in the next few years! Heck we have palmetto bugs and the like here in Georgia, I might as well be where I want to be!

As for the unfriendly types, I'm WAY used to that!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thanks for asking the question. DH is interested in the answers too.

 

[Micca]

OK, Robin and I are starting a Dis neighborhood Anybody wanna move in down the block? We can have Dis meets, and you are all welcome to come watch Disney DVDs Neighborhood association meetings will be held first Saturday of each month at Kona Cafe

 

[msdis]

Do fenced in yards keep the snakes and gators out or do they still come in? How do pets fare? I am concerned about our cat and dog with gators, snakes, bugs? Are they really in danger living in FL and what types of environment would be best suited for having pets? TIA!

BTW-I'd only have one sunbathing snake on my deck before I'd be headed back north too.

 

[magicmouse2]

We love Florida even with its bugs . We are currently saving for a deposit on a vacation home. In 2 years we should have enough. In the future we would love to live in Orlando. I absolutely detest, despise and hate cold weather and I am stuck with it for 8 months a year at the moment