UPDATE bottom of page 1 :) May be moving to Orlando. Immediate HELP please!

[taylor1293]

DH has been offered a job in Orlando.

To make a really long story short. DH lost his job on Christmas Eve (how nice huh.....not to mention 9 days before we our WDW vacation).

He was a manager of a small business. It was after months of verbal abuse by the owners son, called every cuss word you can think of in front of anyone and everyone. DH had finally had enough. We had already been looking for another position, but hadn't found one that he wanted.

Now of course we have to be a little less picky in our job selection, lol.

Anyway. He has been offered a job in Orlando. It is at approx 30% less than what he was making here. Ouch!

What I need to know is how expensive is living in the Orlando area? I've done the cost of living comparisions, but honestly, that doesn't tell me much.

What can we expect to pay for a 3bd/2 bath rental home (that allows dogs!)?

Does Florida have state income tax?

How is the school system? If we were to live North East of Orlando(the job is in Longwood), which school district should we try to move into and more importantly which ones should we avoid?

I've been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years now. Our youngest is just 3 1/2 and I wasnt' planning on returning to work until she was in kindergarten, but if he accepts this job I'll have no other choice than to return sooner. So....what about daycare costs? Recommendations? Places I should avoid?

Final question. Does living so close to WDW mean it will lose some of its magic?

Thanks to anyone who has read through this entire post and can help me!

Edited to add: DH really wants to live in Florida, has always wanted to. We are currently in Illinois.

Teresa

 

[sap1227]

I live one town over from Longwood in Apopka. DH and I have both lived in this area since we were very young and love it here.

There is no state income tax in Florida.

The schools vary greatly from area to area (even in the same district), but your best way of telling which schools are best is by the state ratings (http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/). The ratings of course are not perfect, but it at least gives you an idea.

Longwood is in Seminole County (http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/) and Apopka is Orange County (http://www.ocps.k12.fl.us/).

The cost of housing is usually more expensive in Seminole County, because as a whole their schools are better, but the Elementary school where my kids will go is great.

I don't know a lot about the cost of renting a house. I will look around and see if I can find any houses for rent that have the info on the sign.

I love Disney, but I have lived here for as long as I can remember, so I can not compare it to living far away.

When I thought I was going back to work, the only daycare I was willing to put my child in was http://www.starchildacademy.com/.
I don't know what the price would be for a 3 1/2 year old (for an infant full time it was $165, that was 2 years ago). If you send them an email they will give you the prices.

Feel free to email me with any other questions
cpage4@cfl.rr.com

Christy

 

[Lewski709]

600-900/mo for a home/apt with what you are looking for.
good luck, i loved living there.

 

[Mishetta]

If you're moving from IL, my guess would be that everything will be lower in FL than IL.

I really don't think you'll suffer from a 30% pay cut living in FL. You may just break even.

Lots of luck to you! What a wonderful thing that could have happened (in a back-door type of way) to your DH since he really wanted to move to FL in the first place!!

 

[ahutton]

You can check the possibility of apartments at www.apartments.com. I found one that would take our 65 pound dog, it has floorplans and all to check. We found by doing that and renting a garage we actually paid less than renting a house (or an apartment plus an off site storage unit) and we had a chance to check out the neighborhoods and traffic patterns before deciding where to live for longer than the first 6 months. If you love it, great, find a house in your area while you have time to look. And if you hate it, you will have a chance of finding another community you will love and won't be stuck for a year waiting for a lease to expire.

I don't think WDW can lose its magic, but it would sure be nice to be able to grab a piece of it whenever the urge strikes, especially deciding hey - it's a nice day, how about we visit MK?

As for work, what about working at a day care? Then you can be close by your child, they often offer free care to employees, and maybe she can start the getting ready for school process?

 

[cherylp3]

I can tell you about Apartments..

I was looking at a 3 bed/2 bath apartment in Waterford it would be $1000 a month. The complex is gated, has great amenties and is pet friendly.

You might want to try a service called apartment hunters.
I've been working with Blythe there and she is a gem.

 

[gshoemate]

Gotta run to catch the school bus but here is a great site for rental homes and apartments. It will give you an idea of the cost.

http://www.rentclicks.com/default.asp?ws=53

And so far WDW has lost none of the magic. I live across the street from Longwood, well, I live in Altamonte Springs but the gas station across the street, there address in Longwood. And we love it up here.

PM me if you have questions.

 

[Nikki_Nikki]

I just moved to Florida a few months ago. I'm not in Orlando, but in the Tampa area. Florida doesn't have state tax, or food tax for that matter. An apartment for what you're wanting would be around $700 - $900 on up.

I personally don't know how good the school systems are, but I have a friend who's sister is in high school. They seem to work by studies. Like her sister is in the art studies and goes to a high school that does a lot of drama and stuff like that. I know they have a high schools that focus on science and so forth.

Good luck! I hope everything works out for you.

 

[gshoemate]

taylor1293......sent you a PM...well actually 2. Please let us know what you and DH decided to do.

 

[Mishetta]

Wow~ No State tax? Really? Why?

Gee, maybe we'll be moving there too!!

 

[taylor1293]

Wow! You guys are awesome! Thank you to each and every one of you who replied.

I'll check out all the links provided.

We haven't decided what we are going to do yet. I think we will take the weekend to think about it. I don't want to rush into a decision.

Thanks again!!!

Teresa

 

[taylor1293]

Originally posted by gshoemate
taylor1293......sent you a PM...well actually 2. Please let us know what you and DH decided to do.

Thanks!!! I got it, and PM'd you back

 

[taylor1293]

UPDATE!

After making a quick 1000 mile drive down to Orlando this weekend. DH has decided to take the job!

We found a place to live and have to be there in 12 days!

I'm excited yet a little nervous.

Thanks to everyone for all their positive words, it really helped in making our decision.

Teresa

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great news, Teresa! Glad to hear all went so smoothly and the move is so soon. We'll miss you here in chilly Illinois, but am sure you will enjoy the warmth of FL.

Dan

 

[floridafam]

Wow,

Congratulations. This is a great time to move-before your little one starts school.

You will be fine. It sounds like Florida is the place you want to be.

Keep us posted on what happens once you get there.


Good luck.

 

[wdwnutze]

WOW!!! Congratulations! I would like to move to the Orlando area but things will take a little longer than they have taken you. Let us know how things are going! How exciting!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Congratulations!! How wonderful!! I guess no DIS board for a little while coz you'll be very busy packing and unpacking and trying to settle down on your new place and venturing out in your new location. I am so happy for you! This sure is going to be a fast move for you guys! 12 days!!

My 2 children and I are moving to Orlando as well. I am thinking of Kissimmee or St. Cloud or SW Orlando (near WDW). OR Metrowest or Millenia (both near Universal). I have been calling around asking infos on apartments and schools. I am planning to head out there sometime in May so I can apply for apartments and check out some schools too and venture out to see what else is out there.

Are you going to have a professional movers or are you going to rent a truck and your husband drive to Fl? Good luck in your moving! Maybe we'll see you there this summer!

 

[Micca]

I'm so happy for you Jealous But happy