Thinking about Orlando! Need opinions.

bsdsys_x86 · 04-28-07, 06:42

Well, I have been considering moving to Orlando in December. I am wondering something though. I have done some searching but not finding exactly what I am wanting to know. Just like all metro cities especially Florida, there are going to be tourists and the such. I'm perfectly comfortable with that. I see it every day as it is. I am wondering if Orlando is a big retirement city? I mean, I am young and I'm sure the downtown life is good but is this a city that is mostly retirees? Looking into Southeast Orlando.

Only part of the city where I like the apartments, plus there are some with garages which I really want so I can get more stuff, have a place to store it nicely, and I can keep my car looking good at all/most times. So, any guys in the Orlando area that want to jump in on this I would really appreciate the comments. Wouldn't mind meeting some of you in Orlando either, when that time comes of course.

Any ideas/recommendations on "good" areas that have attached garages would also be great guys. Appreciate it and hope I get some feedback. Take care guys!

Bryan

rjstaaf · 04-28-07, 07:16

I am assuming that by SouthEast Orlando you are talking south of UCF? The wife and I built our first home together in Waterford Lakes in 1994 and lived there until 2002 when we moved here to SC. There are a lot of nice apartments near UCF, some with garages.

While there are retirees pretty much all over Florida I would definitely not call Orlando a hotbed for retirees. You will find most of the retirees tend to migrate closer to the coasts.

TH0001 · 04-28-07, 07:25

I live about 3 minutes north of UCF. Its okay I guess, I'm not really a big fan but I will be hanging around until I get into medical school. The people are, in general, jerks. As long as you have no preconceptions about the wonderful world of Disney and so forth, you will be okay.

Crime is on the rise at a tremedous rate. The traffic sucks, ect, ect, ect...... The good news, for you, (sucks for me as a current homeowner) is that the housing value is plummiting and you could probably snag a house for the cost of rent.

joshtpa · 04-28-07, 07:25

Orlando is a wonderful city. many great places to live and wonderful place to raise a family in the right areas.

J.J. · 04-29-07, 05:06

I've only live here for two months and I can honestly say I like it, however the traffic on I-4 is horrendous. It is very bad... very very bad at times.

The crime is definitely on the rise. Everymoring when I awake there area at least two new murders overnight, which is something I wan not really used to being from TN and ME.

I'm currently living in Lake Mary and it is a pretty nice place to live, but like I said, the traffic into Orlando everymorning and evey afternoon definitely pisses me off daily.

I will be leaving May 18 and can honestly say I enjoyed my stay but won't be moving here perm.

JJ

Don't forgeto to check out the Condo scene. Many nice condos w/ garages around. The perfect pad for a young person IMHO.

joshtpa · 04-29-07, 05:10

People need to not get confused and realize that Disney is not in Orlando. It is Southwest. As far as crime being on the rise. Sure it is. Orlando is one of the fastest growing business and residential cities in the US, with growth comes speed bumps. As far as traffic, welcome to FL, the greatest place to live, with the worst intersate system.

Kriminal · 04-29-07, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjstaaf

While there are retirees pretty much all over Florida I would definitely not call Orlando a hotbed for retirees. You will find most of the retirees tend to migrate closer to the coasts.

I hear ya fjstaaf : St. Pete's in particular - we were confused why there wasn't much night life last year (especially at Hotel Sirata where we stayed).....turns out there was an old peoples retirement home nearby, and they had to turn all the music either down or off after 9 pm.

bsdsys_x86 : I can't comment much (being an outsider, and all that) but I would say that everytime we stay in Kissimmee, we have stayed in villa's / town houses in residential areas - they all came with amazing sized garages, and real nice clean areas. The traffic system is a real b!tch though, and the I-4 can be a pig at peak times. Although every year we go back, they seem to be building another road somewhere attaching the I-4 to the 192

I'm not sure on the Southeast area, but there are looooads of retirement homes to the Southwest of Orlando - just a heads up

bsdsys_x86 · 04-29-07, 10:35

Well, it seems like there are some pros and cons to each persons likings. The traffic issue, well, I sit in traffic in thw downtown Nashville loop about 2-3 hours a day as it is and that don't bother me. The crime rate issue, well, I wont be hanging out with that kinda croud so that isn't an issue either.

I really like the Florida scene and all. I'm just thinking of a change, I'm 24, I moved to Nashville from Louisville,KY 2 and a half years ago, and I like it here but need a change and thought Florida would be a great place to live for 5 years or something. Other thing that caught my eye is Disney, SeaWorld etc. etc. etc. Like I said, I'm young, I'm only 24, but I do have kids and that would be alot of enjoyment for the kids when they visit. But, I will be living there all the time not just every other weekend like the kids so I'm looking at other things besides Disney, SeaWorld etc. etc.

About getting a condo for the price of rent for an apartment. I deffinately have been looking into "renting" a condo/house with a garage. I don't plan on purchasing one within the next couple years though. Just don't want to deal with some of the things that go with owning your own property. Mowing, paying the cost to fix something. Just something I'm not interested in at the moment.

Alot of great info thust far guys. I apprecaite it and any other random thoughts or whatever would deffinately be appreciated. Heck, even a recommendation on another "Metro" City in the state of Florida would also be welcome. Just searching guys but think I will be deffinately making a move in December, Take care.

Bryan

bsdsys_x86 · 04-29-07, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kriminal

bsdsys_x86 : I can't comment much (being an outsider, and all that) but I would say that everytime we stay in Kissimmee, we have stayed in villa's / town houses in residential areas - they all came with amazing sized garages, and real nice clean areas. The traffic system is a real b!tch though, and the I-4 can be a pig at peak times. Although every year we go back, they seem to be building another road somewhere attaching the I-4 to the 192

I'm not sure on the Southeast area, but there are looooads of retirement homes to the Southwest of Orlando - just a heads up

Hey, great info. Do you have any links to any of the condo rental sites and maybe I can find someone that would rental monthly for a lease period. BTW, 1,400.00/mo max if you find anything. That will be my limit and that makes me have to work 2 jobs. lol. But, it's worth it I need a change "again"! Great tip about Southwest Orlando. Appreciate it. I don't want to have to turn music down at 9:00pm. Heck, I'm 24, my kids are 9 and 5 and they wouldn't dare to go to sleep on a weekend at that time nor would I make them...lol.

Kriminal · 04-29-07, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsdsys_x86

Hey, great info. Do you have any links to any of the condo rental sites and maybe I can find someone that would rental monthly for a lease period. BTW, 1,400.00/mo max if you find anything. That will be my limit and that makes me have to work 2 jobs. lol. But, it's worth it I need a change "again"! Great tip about Southwest Orlando. Appreciate it. I don't want to have to turn music down at 9:00pm. Heck, I'm 24, my kids are 9 and 5 and they wouldn't dare to go to sleep on a weekend at that time nor would I make them...lol.

The only link I've got at the moment, is this map I found :

Orlando Map, Maps of Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista and Orlando, Florida -

At the bottom left (small print), it's got Villa / Home Rental Areas. If these are the ones I seen last year, they were being built just off the I-4 (the quieter part that is)....they were buidling both to the left and right. If you follow the I-4 South (sorry West, as they say in Florida - confuses us Brits, cuz it goes downwards...but if you see the large map, the I-4 DOES go from the East to the West of Florida, so I guess you're right)...you go towards "Animal Kingdom", but before you reach there the I-4 kinda makes a quiter road of it's own, which is where these places are based.

I'll keep looking and see if I can find more info

Kriminal · 04-29-07, 11:30

Try having a look on here :

Orlando Florida Apartments For Rent | Orlando Apartment Rentals | Apartments.com

It looks like Polk County could be the area I've mentioned.

Hope this helps

landcruiser · 04-29-07, 11:31

LOL about the posts re: traffic in Orlando and the I-4. Since I'm close to El Lay, I say you call that I-4 stuff traffic?

My favorite areas of Orlando are really adjacent suburbs of Winter Park, Maitland, Altomonte Sprins etc. I also like places like Sanford and Deland. FL does have lots of nice places, but also lots of bugs.

Just my .02