We moved to Orlando! Three months in.

[jewjubean]

The process with Disney took about 3 months from the time he applied to receiving an offer. He was contacted within days of applying, and had a good feeling about it throughout the process so I did a lot of research in that time. We have kids so schools were most important. We also wanted a short commute to Disney, and a safe area. Those criteria narrowed things down a lot. Disney does relocation very well. We have moved a lot with his previous job, and this was the easiest move by far. They have people to answer questions about neighborhoods, schools, property taxes, drivers license, and everything else. When we came for our house hunting trip they had someone meet us at our resort who showed us around Orlando, gave us maps, and lots of other information. They were also very helpful with commute times. We were also provided with a fantastic realtor that works with lots of Disney relocating families. We only took one house hunting trip. It was the end of the school year, and my oldest does not like to miss school. After seeing the areas and neighborhoods, and looking at several homes we felt confident that the area was right for us. We weren't sure on a house yet because we had looked at so many in such a short period. Fortunately, we didn't have to decide quickly because Disney provided temporary housing, and the kids were now out of school for summer. We lived in a furnished apartment for a couple of months (in the same area we were looking for a home). After we moved in the apartment we decided on a house within a couple of weeks. It made it easier because we knew we weren't in a huge rush to pick something, and we took a couple of weeks to decide. Our search was narrowed down to an area called Horizons West before we even came here on our house hunting trip. It fit the criteria we had very well. It is a very planned out community in Windermere and parts of Winter Garden. I found a map of it online that showed grocery stores, schools, and neighborhoods that was very helpful. Our realtor later gave us a magazine type thing on Horizons West with the same information in it. We just liked the feel of the area, the schools, it's very close to Disney, and it's safe. After we got it narrowed down that far, being able to hear the sounds from MK, and being able to see the fireworks sealed the deal! Several months later, and settled in to our house we are very happy with our decision.

I'm in the same area if you ever need a babysitter let me know!

 

[Beam20062010]

*

 

[2girlsmom]

We moved with my job and are in the Tampa area so a little further away, about 1-1/2 hour from the parks, 2 hours to my parents and sister's houses (they are also in Wedgefield area in Orlando), about 30 minutes to Busch Gardens and the beaches (gulf side). Overall I love Florida but there are certainly some cons.
1)RAIN- I don't know why I didn't realize how much it would rain in Florida, after all it is the subtropics, right? But seriously, it rains some part of the day virtually EVERY day for several months, and is overcast and cloudy much of the days throughout the summer months. I certainly don't hate rain with the same animosity that I feel for SNOW, though, so it is a livable thing.

2)TRAFFIC- Both Tampa and Orlando have crazy traffic, in part because of the transient nature with tourists and snow birds.

3)JOBS/PAY - My job moved us, so that pay was fine. But my husband left a job in Iowa that he loved, and it took him several months to find any employment in his field (electronics tech, which there are a LOT of companies with), and the first one he got was literally 1/2 the pay as he was making before. He is now the manager of the electronics department for county utitilites, and is still only making about 75% of what he made before we moved. Unemployment is MUCH higher in Florida than the nation as a whole, and MANY jobs pay a lot less than in other places as well.

 

[diznygirl]

I'd love to hear more negatives. My husband wants to move there but I do not.

We moved here from SoCal. Yes, it's true what Agent7 said about food - there is no good chinese or mexican. I know some people here think they have found some, but they really haven't.

And, of course, there is no In 'n' Out. Big negative.

But less traffic, lower cost of living, and we moved out of LAUSD. So those were our benefits.

 

[Luvchefmic]

We moved here from SoCal. Yes, it's true what Agent7 said about food - there is no good chinese or mexican. I know some people here think they have found some, but they really haven't.

And, of course, there is no In 'n' Out. Big negative.

But less traffic, lower cost of living, and we moved out of LAUSD. So those were our benefits.

I FINALLY found a real Chinese food place, in Lakeland, of course they moved here after having a business in NY so that must be the key

 

[SingingMom]

I FINALLY found a real Chinese food place, in Lakeland, of course they moved here after having a business in NY so that must be the key

That IS what I worry about - we are so spoiled in the NY Tristate area with fabulous restaurants ! Not sure I can leave that!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

The restaurant scene is really starting to bloom here, especially downtown. Nowhere near what NYC has (but NYC is in its own league, nothing can match it), but it's growing. One local spot was named as one of Esquire's best new restaurants. There's also a ton of great food trucks.

 

[diznygirl]

I FINALLY found a real Chinese food place, in Lakeland, of course they moved here after having a business in NY so that must be the key

Well, we just might have to try that one.

 

[Denise6131]

We moved here 3 months ago as well - from PA. It's been an adjustment but the family is enjoying it. I love going to the parks on the weekends! We're in the Avalon Park area.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Well, we just might have to try that one.

Just for you I looked at my bank statement Chen Wok Lakeland

Crab ragoon seriously never had anything there that wasn't delicious

 

[Luvchefmic]

That IS what I worry about - we are so spoiled in the NY Tristate area with fabulous restaurants ! Not sure I can leave that!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Seriously missing the bagels and bialys on a Sunday morning and pizza here is a joke cheddar cheese REALLY ! ? If we're really craving occasionally NYPD pizza in Kissimmee or a Poppa Johns will do but yeah nothing like NY

 

[thedonduck]

We moved here 3 months ago as well - from PA. It's been an adjustment but the family is enjoying it. I love going to the parks on the weekends! We're in the Avalon Park area.

That's 3 of us now that live over here

 

[threeboysmom]

I FINALLY found a real Chinese food place, in Lakeland, of course they moved here after having a business in NY so that must be the key

Oh please share! My family down in Winter Haven have been looking for a good Chinese place since they moved there 9 years ago!

(And I am planning on making the big move south in 18 mos. myself, so watching this thread with interest! Haven't decided on FL or SC yet though...)

NVM: Saw that you posted the name a few posts up. Thanks!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Oh please share! My family down in Winter Haven have been looking for a good Chinese place since they moved there 9 years ago!

(And I am planning on making the big move south in 18 mos. myself, so watching this thread with interest! Haven't decided on FL or SC yet though...)

NVM: Saw that you posted the name a few posts up. Thanks!

Now I have a craving Don't just take my word for it the internet LOVES this place Maybe we should have a Dismeet there !

http://www.bing.com/search?PC=WCUG&FORM=WCUGDF&q=chen+wok+lakeland+florida&conversationid=

 

[Art 1]

Now I have a craving Don't just take my word for it the internet LOVES this place Maybe we should have a Dismeet there !

http://www.bing.com/search?PC=WCUG&FORM=WCUGDF&q=chen+wok+lakeland+florida&conversationid=

And you can be the organizer, Ruthie.

 

[SingingMom]

I know - when we move down to Florida I will open a little New York Italian restaurant!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Luvchefmic]

And you can be the organizer, Ruthie.

Hey we can go anytime

 

[enigmaticorange]

We moved here in May. We did move here to be close to Disney, but it's so my husband can be close to work. We relocated when he got a job at Disney. He has dreamed of working there for years, but it was still a scary decision. We have no regrets. We love it here! We were vacationing here 2-3 times a year and every time I dreaded leaving. Now we can go to the parks whenever we want. Sometimes we just go to Epcot for dinner.

We came here for Disney, but we love it here for many other reasons. The area we live is so peaceful. It was planned out with sidewalks that go on for miles and miles, and it's just beautiful here. Even the shopping centers where Publix, etc. are nicely landscaped and blend in well. We feel like this is where we are meant to be!

It is funny- I know that I say don't move for Disney- but what makes Orlando special is the "Disney affect" that made us want to live here! So many factors in Orlando are influenced by tourism and the people who want to exude the "Walt Life", so to speak. We still haven't set foot on park property but now feel like we live in a community that places value in the same things that we do. We had a late dinner at Raglan Rd. last night. It was so great to come home and sleep in my own bed!

 

[enigmaticorange]

Hi! I work for HCA, but in a free standing ER a few miles away from Osceola Regional Medical Center. Are you at Celebration? What area do you work in? My family loves it here so far. Still getting settled in. How are you guys liking it so far? I have a few co-workers who work for FL hospital at Dr Phillips.

I am at Florida Hospital Orlando in the Disney Children's Hospital. I specialize in Pediatric Cardiology. I love Florida Hospital! It is so gorgeous there and the environment is wonderful. We are also still settling in. There is a lot of things that I didn't anticipate being different- from getting licenses to the kid's school registration.

 

[enigmaticorange]

Hello!
I recently (4ish month ago) moved from Maine. While the summer months were very hot, I found that I adapted quickly! A few early mornings the past few weeks its been in the 60's-low seventies and I had a fleece jacket on until the sun came up and things warmed up!

When it was super hot I noticed I slowed down a bit and spent less time at the parks and more time swimming and going to movies etc but ...Its nothing compared to becoming a hermit in the winter months back home! Plus NO SNOW!

Hope that helps!

I love your user name! We pulled into a SuperTarget upon arriving to our new neighborhood and my three year old started yelling in the parking lot; "MOM!!! There are palm trees here! LOOK! Palm Trees!!" Three months later,he still says it sometimes when we go outside..