Who lives in Orlando?

[MegandNatesMommy]

Me and DH have always loved FL.
We are from NY and it is just getting WAY to exspensive to stay here.
We love Orlando and just got back yestorday from a weekend trip.
We drove around a bit and are seriously thinking of moving there.

So my question is...Do you love it there? Hate it?
Whats the best/worst part?

thanks a lot!

 

[madcoco]

Love where we are in SW Orange County. Lots of lakes and golfcourses(Butler and Hancock Chain of Lakes) Built in a neighborhood on an old Orange Grove that froze out in the big freeze in the 80's. You're near everything but seems like you are out in the country. Close to the MK with a nice view of the fireworks but far enough that we only get the "thuds" not the booms.(fireworks get old after awhile but visitors love em. Great new open air mall up the street(Winter Garden Village) The market has nosedived here as well and there are some great deals for buyers. PM if you need more info on the area. (we're not RE agents LOL )

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Moved to Central FL from Boston in 1995. I love Boston but our quaility of life is so much better here. The cost of living is not as low here compared to the NE as it used to be but, still pretty good. There are tons of NYers here so I assume they agree. I live 40 mins west of Orlando on 4 acres of lakefront in the country. My DH drives the 40 mins to the city for work. You don't have to live right in Orlando. There are some nice areas around Orlando so look around a lot. I wouldn't buy right away. Live here for a year or so until you find out where you want to live.

I love the people in Boston but, I could never go back to that cold and those gray dreary skies that start getting dark are 3:30 in the winter!

 

[jezebella]

Love where we are in SW Orange County. Lots of lakes and golfcourses(Butler and Hancock Chain of Lakes) Built in a neighborhood on an old Orange Grove that froze out in the big freeze in the 80's. You're near everything but seems like you are out in the country. Close to the MK with a nice view of the fireworks but far enough that we only get the "thuds" not the booms.(fireworks get old after awhile but visitors love em. Great new open air mall up the street(Winter Garden Village) The market has nosedived here as well and there are some great deals for buyers. PM if you need more info on the area. (we're not RE agents LOL )

Ditto! I'm about 3 minutes from the MK "back entrance". See the firworks every night, great schools, love Winter Garden Village and I'm not a RE agent, but my husband is... I moved here a little over 4 years ago from NC and husband is from the UK. We both grew up with DVC and when my parents finally made the move down, I had to follow. I can't imagine living anywhere else now. DD doesn't really remember TN and NC, but now she just doesn't understand it why every town doesn't have Disney World. Oh...and bonus you're only a little over an hour to Port Canaveral....it makes cruising Disney so much more affordable when you don't have to travel here first.

 

[safetymom]

I moved here about 4 1/2 years ago. It was the season of 4 hurricanes. I love it here!!!!

I live south of Orlando. I am a short drive from the parks and visit them often. Our home is out in the country but close to I-4.

 

[MegandNatesMommy]

Thank you all.

I would love to hear even more!

I am very unhappy where we live now. My DH works in NYC and we grew up in Dutchess County NY wich is north of the City and very beautiful but now has become also very pricey and mostly everyone just moved there from the city. (BOO)!
Even if the cost of living in Orlando has gone up I'm sure it can't compare to where I live in Nassau County on Long Island. Average 3 bedroom here with no yard runs over 400,000 and the taxes range between 8 and 12 a year!
oh and gas here is about 4.15 a gallon now. Not to mention the traffic, the rude ppl and the winter that lasts from November through March. Then it rains for a whole month in April! ugh.

So I am so glad to hear that everyone loves living there!

Again thanks for your input and I would love to hear anything else anyone would want to share!

 

[Jason71]

I am very unhappy where we live now. My DH works in NYC and we grew up in Dutchess County NY wich is north of the City and very beautiful but now has become also very pricey and mostly everyone just moved there from the city. (BOO)!
Even if the cost of living in Orlando has gone up I'm sure it can't compare to where I live in Nassau County on Long Island. Average 3 bedroom here with no yard runs over 400,000 and the taxes range between 8 and 12 a year!
oh and gas here is about 4.15 a gallon now. Not to mention the traffic, the rude ppl and the winter that lasts from November through March. Then it rains for a whole month in April! ugh.

Prices are better down here (gas is mid 3.80s, as of this morning, you could easily get a 5-bedroom for $400k), but remember, wages tend to be much lower as well. No state income tax helps, but I would seriously look into what the local market is paying for whatever your particular skill sets are.

No snow is nice, but you pay for it with brutal heat and humidity from Memorial Day through Halloween.

Afraid you're not going to avoid "New Yawkers" down here, either--I've met far more people down here from the NY/NJ/CT than native-born Floridians. There can be traffic that even gives even NYC a run for its money, as well, depending where you live and work.

On the plus side, there's obviously a lot to do down here, especially for young families--you can never be bored. And it's fairly easy to find a good, safe neighborhood. Just remember, it's not going to be a "permanent vacation." While we do get to visit Disney more than the rest of the country, for the most part, daily life in touristy central Florida is not that different than life anywhere else.

 

[DisDeac]

I would agree with previous poster about trying to live in Orlando area for awhile before buying. For one thing the market is still sorting itself out from the real estate downturn. Also it would be good to see the different areas in and around Orlando. My wife moved to Orlando to take a new position and luckily I could drive around and see what we liked and what we didn't, wound up north of Orlando in Longwood near Apopka. If traffic is not bad less than 30 minutes to downtown Orlando area and 45 minutes to WDW using the Western Way.

Ask lots of questions about amounts of property tax and property insurance premiums, had sticker shock compared to North Carolina where we moved from.

If you've ever read a Carl Hiassen book when Hiassen says he doesn't have to make stuff up for his books about Florida he just has to read a local Florida paper he's not kidding.

If you have any big qualms about lizards, lubbers or love bugs may want to reconsider.

DisDeac

 

[disnee4mygirls]

We used to live near Orlando and my Dh and I got married and moved to Indiana to be closer to my parents and raise our kids! Now we kick ourselves for moving at all! We miss it! Alot! And not just because of Disney either! You must like bugs or at least have a tolerance for them! Plus if you live near a touristy area, you have that traffic to deal with! The heat, we got used to that! We lived in Altamonte Springs! Prices compared to where live now, well, grocery prices are definitely much higher.. Never seemed to have any good sales at the grocery stores like they do here. I found myself driving 30-45 minutes to the closest super walmart each week for groceries as the prices were much cheaper! I worked part time at Disney World and a full time job as well! The best thing about Florida is there is ALWAYS something to do!!! And having lived in that area, we know our way around so no need for maps!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We will be moving back to central FL hopefully in 2 years. I lived there before kids so I have no clue about the schools in the area. We will have a middle schooler and a high schooler and would love to live near WDW and the Greenway.

Any suggestions on an area with great public schools that would be an easy commute to WDW (I'm a former CM hoping to return) and not too far from the Greenway so DH can get to his classes at UCF easily?

 

[tednvon]

Hi, we spent the last 3 years doing Jan, Feb and March in Indian Ridge in a nice 4 bedroom home. It is located off Old Lake Wilson road south of 192. As crow flies about 2 1/2 miles straight south of Animal Kindom. This is a neighborhood we really enjoyed. It is about 70% owner occupied and about 30% weekly rentals. The homes are all modest 1300 to 1700 sq foot homes,3/2 and 4/2's, many with pools in the back. They were built late 80's early 90's so the lots are very spacious. Master bath in nice size with full tile shower walk-in. They also have huge playground areas with soccer and football goals. Not sure your price range, but Von and I would look here in an instant if we wanted to buy and live in the area and shop in the 200 to 250K range.

They also have a central pool and tennis courts. I know the HOA is under $100 a YEAR as you do all your own lawn care.

Lots of kids going to school each morning on the bus to Celebration School System which is all brand new and very very nice just down 192 in Celebration.

I know the homes have dropped a lot in price. I enjoyed looking at them on www.realtor.com . Search zip code 34747. Here you will see lots of homes in Indian Ridge and Indian Ridge Oaks right next door...start looking at about$175K and go up to about $300K and you will get homes in these two developements.
We really liked it...very close to Disney, just a mile or so south of 192, big lots, but very isolated and now 2 minutes to I-4 via the new 429 toll for 25 cents. Only saw police in the whole area once on 3 months that looked like some kind of police call. I heard no reports of crime or other problems...We went to sleep every night and never once had a problem with noise or disturbance during the night.

Good luck with your search...Ted

 

[elf]

We are moving to Winter Springs (part of greater Orlando,just north) in two days. I really should be packing now but I'm beat. Anyway, last year we moved from our lifelong home over 40 yrs. from Long Island to NC (Triad area). It's very beautiful and everything is soooo much cheaper but it's not for us. So we decided to just take the plunge and go where I always wanted to go Orlando.

We found the Utilities (cable, electric phone, etc) between NY-Fl is similar. Housing is cheaper than LI. In NC we are renting a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment for $800, it's in one of the "best" school districts and rooms-closets are huge. Very nice.
In Orlando the equivilant would be about $1200 and the size of the rooms are alot smaller. My car insurance and health insurance a little less by $200-300 per year. In NC they were about 1/2 the price.

 

[kerrynic78]

We live in SE Orlando, about 45 minutes from Disney and about 5-10 minutes from UCF. We moved down here from CT about 3 years ago and for the most part we are very happy. I absolutely love the area we live in, except for the traffic. There is always something to do and the schools in our area are awesome, always get A's and B's for ratings. I will have no problem sending my DD to them when the time comes.

I just heard that they are building a Cheesecake Factory, Carrabbas and Mimi's Cafe about 5 minutes from us, so I am very, very happy about that.

I am getting used to the hot weather although the 95 degee day yesterday was kind of rough! The bugs don't bother me at all, but the snakes are the one thing I could definitely live without!!! I have seen about 3 of them since we moved here and that is 3 too many!

Overall I am very happy with our move. We have made many great friends down here and I think it will be a great place to raise our DD.

 

[deej696]

I recently moved back to my hometown north of Orlando, but I lived in O-town for 5 years. As with anywhere, it had its pro's and con's. There is always something going on, and pretty much anything you would want is there at least as far as restaurants, etc. It was also nice being in the same city as a major airport for when I travelled. Major downside for me was the traffic. I lived east of Orlando near UCF and I worked in Downtown. So every day I had to fight the 408 for 2 hours, which can really wear you down. Orlando is also so spread out, it seems to take 30 minutes to get everywhere. All in all I enjoyed my time in Orlando, but I am just close enough now, but without the stress of living there

 

[mickey squared]

Another NYer relocating to Fl. We're looking into Celebration area right now. Does anyone know what the difference is between Celebration and Reunion? We would rent first, just to make sure it's ok for us. First, we're checking out the schools. Any info or insight anyone would like to offer would be appreciated. Thx.

 

[krys&cory]

I would love to move down to central Florida. I've lived in New England my whole life and it's just not for me. The summers are wonderful but the winters really get you down. Can anyone tell me who the cable providers are for the Orlando area? My boyfriend works for a large cable company and I would like to check out jobs?

As far as the negatives.... I can't see the heat bothering me as much as the snow does. As long as there is A/C everywhere you go, then I would be fine. The bugs and lizards might be a problem but I could deal with it.

 

[MegandNatesMommy]

Another NYer relocating to Fl. We're looking into Celebration area right now. Does anyone know what the difference is between Celebration and Reunion? We would rent first, just to make sure it's ok for us. First, we're checking out the schools. Any info or insight anyone would like to offer would be appreciated. Thx.

I guess this heat we are having is preparing us for Fl! ha ha ha

We also are planning to rent first to make sure we like it there.
Can you believe the house price difference from here? UNREAL! Some of the homes listed at 250k would sell here for over 5! ( I am in Nassau)

 

[mickey squared]

We live in Suffolk County and our house has been on the market for 6 mos. now. It's awful, my Dh has been in Orlando for 4 months straight and we keep flying down every couple of weeks to see him. (He works for jetBlue so we fly standby!) He really likes Celebration, so hopefully we can find something to rent until our house sells! Where are you looking?

 

[Florida Princess]

Although I don't live in Orlando, I relocated to Sarasota from NJ 7 years ago.
I lived in NJ my entire life and always knew that I would relocate to Florida when I retired. At the time we weren't exactly sure what area but knew it would be the West coast anywhere from Naples to Bradenton. We decided to rent in Sarasota---not far from Orlando--Tampa---or Captiva.
We found a great apartment home complex and searched daily for the perfect community and town to live in. After 4 months we made our choice and decided on an area in North Sarasota and a community of 150 homes which was buidling in phase 2. Building our home was just like a full time job but it was sure worth it and we love the Florida lifestyle.
The pace is much slower down here, taxes lower, food is about the same cost, car insurance cheaper but homeowners--well it is expensive ! We go to the Orlando area every couple of months to visit the parks and are able to buy those great Florida discounts for them.
Renting is the best way to become familiar with the area and learn about the good and bad.
Although we retired we decided to get part time jobs that provide us with great perks !
We are extremely happy with our relocation but take your time and investigate all aspects of moving!!! We felt the transition to be smooth since we vacationed in Florida about 5 weeks a year prior to moving. But it is certaintly different from living in the tri-state area. Oh--and you can throw out your snow shovel ----yipee !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

Great timing….we too are considering moving to Orlando. We live in Milwaukee,WI and just can’t deal with the cold winters anymore. We have two DDs (4&6) and I hate being stuck inside for 6 months out of the year. We don’t ski and don’t enjoy the snow….I don’t even own boots. =)
Anyway, we considered several locations with warmer climates, but have finally come to the conclusion that if we moved anywhere else, we would always be wishing we were in Orlando.

Any suggestions for neighborhoods? Great schools and a family friendly neighborhood are two top priorities for us. We heard Lake Mary is very nice, but I am afraid it is too far away from Downtown and WDW. Someone mentioned SW Orange County. What city/suburb would you recommend?