NWR: Considering relocating to Orlando

happe2gether · July 2010

FI and I will likely relocate from Jacksonville after I complete my RN degree. Orlando is something we talked about recently. What's the good, the bad, and the ugly about Orlando and the surrounding areas? Particularly interested in schools (for myself and my kids) and real life not just the I-Drive area of Orlando. Seminole seems ok from first glance but really have no idea what the good areas really are.

Any info is appreciated
Thanks!

jmucheech21 · July 2010

There are lots of non-touristy parts of Orange County. I used to live in Hunters Creek, which was very nice. It had a lot going on and was a little trafficy. For me it was fine, but some prefer to get away from traffic. I have also lived in Ocoee, which was very nice and very central to everything. The thing I liked about there was it was so close to everywhere, but very suburban, not at all touristy or trafficy. I lived in Lake Buena Vista for a bit, but that is sounding like not what you want. Tons of tourists and traffic. I work in Apopka, which is super nice. It is decently north of Orlando and much like Ocoee, just not quite as central. I teach at Dream Lake Elementary (although I will not be there next year unfortunately, because I teach students with autism and our program was moved) and I cannot say enough nice things about that school. Great kids, teachers, administration.. its the only school I know pretty much at all, but I highly recommend it. I now live in Mt Dora, which is in Lake County. I love it out here. It is very country and calm. We also live just a few miles outside of downtown Mt Dora, which is this cute little town with all these adorable little shops. This is about 45 minutes to an hour from Orlando, but it is really nice and very afforable.

Anyway, I hope that helps a little bit. I think the Orlando area is a really great place to be. Good luck looking around!!!

Anyway, that's pretty

happe2gether · July 2010

Great info! Thanks

Theresa626 · July 2010

I love everything about Orlando. We go to theme parks every single weekend. I don't know anyone else that can do that. My universal pass cost me 100 for both parks for the whole year. that is so cheap for such awesome entertainment. In the summer and spring, we see free concerts there all the time and we got to see the sneak preview of harry potter before it opened. We also have disney passes and we love being able to see amazing fireworks any night we want. I love the weather here. I love everything about Orlando. The housing is cheap (compared to where I'm from) there's very little traffic and parking is cheap (again compared to where I'm from) . I think the schools in Seminole county are very good.

[Deleted User] · July 2010

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Megs30 · July 2010

I second Seminole County! Lake Mary is a great area. Just like Britt said, you are close enough if you want to go to the parks, etc but far enough away not to have to deal with it on a daily basis.

ericak926 · July 2010

I'm the Resident Realtor on here. Email me if you have any questions at Erica at RealtorErica dot com!

happe2gether · July 2010

Thanks Ladies! This info really helps! Though the move won't be right away it helps to hear real opinions about the city and all the details everyone gave was really great.

@Erica- I will be emailing you soon. My email address is lelosmail@yahoo.com.

SarahSmile23 · July 2010

I agree about Seminole county! My husband and I spent like 8 months looking at houses and ended up eliminating Orange county completely and focusing on Seminole. We ended up buying in the West Sanford area and LOVE it!

julie102310 · July 2010

happe2gether,
Good luck on all the big changes coming up in your life! I too relocated from Jax to Orlando. I dont want to focus on the negative, but did want to offer my opinion. As a refrence point, I lived in JCP in Mandarin. Worked in the Baymeadows area, and my BFF lived in PVB, so I spent a lot of time there, too.

All in all, I am REALLY disappointed by my Orlando experience. I think the ladies who recommend Semicole county are right on spot. Problem is, that if you &/or your husband work, it can be really difficult to find a desirable area to live that is close to your workplace. I currently live in the UCF area and well....kinda hate it

I think you are right on track, because the area in which you settle is SO important to a successful move. Not all of the Orlando area is bad, but there are lot more opprtunites to settle into the wrong area here than in Jax. Plus, I personally had a bit of culture shock. Orlando has MUCH more of a big city feel than I woudl have ever guessed. Jax seems downright small, quaint and homey by comparison.

Good luck with your move!

happe2gether · July 2010

Julie thank you for sharing your opinion. It is good to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am not originally from Jacksonville and have been fortunate enough to live across the world already so the big city feel is okay with me as long as I can find my space to raise a family in. I originally lived in the Mandarin area and now live in the Deerwood/Southside area so I understand that location is key. I think besides the increasing crime rate (which I realize is everywhere), the biggest disappointment for me is that Jacksonville doesn't offer as many opportunities, social events, variety of businesses, sports teams, etc. as Orlando does. I moved here from Dallas, TX and even though I'm a true Floridian, most of the cities in Florida cannot compare to all the things that other large cities offer. Thankfully, like many other things right now, I have time on my side.

NWR: Considering relocating to Orlando

Re: NWR: Considering relocating to Orlando

Choose Another Board

Search Boards