OK guys, other then I own a 87 Firebird this doesnt have much to do with third gens. I have to relocate to Orlando to head up the HVAC division down there. I have hit the Flordia boards and other then "don't come" which is not a choice, I will be down. I have heard of gangs and slums in Orlando. But I could also operate out of Tampa and have not heard too much about that. First I need an apartment. It can not have a income cap on it. In a safe area that is fairly nice. Next what would be a safe area, heard of Lakeland, but looked like low income area there. Will be buying a house. How is home owner insurance, heard like 5-6000 a year. Hell of a hit on the escrow account. Also whats up with the high HOA fees. Do the cut your grass and landscape? Will they like my third gen or we be outcast?LOL

 

I live between Kissimmee and St Cloud in a big golf course community called Remington. There are eight sections in Remington with homes going from the low 200s to about a million. The trick to Orlando is living close to work so you don't have to use the toll roads (408, 528, 417, Fl turnpike) or the highway from hell (I-4). Taxes where I live are $3300 per year and HOA $170 @ month. The HOA fee includes lawn maintenance, pool maintenance, sprinkler system maintenance, gate maintenance, insurance on the outside of the villa, and maintenance on the outside of the villa. Where I live, the golf villas; lots of BMWs, a supercharged C5 Vette, lots of Jaguars, and a street rod. No one says anything if you repair your car in the garage.

There are more nice areas in Orlando than bad areas. The worst is Pine Hills aka "Crime Hills" and some areas of downtown. There is no need to live in Lakeland because it is a unnecessarily long commute.

Hope this helps.

 

I live in Lakeland because it's cheap. If I worked in Orlando, I'd probably go where the above planman is suggesting. I hate hoa's, so I'm not going that route. There is too much country to choose from now. With housing prices dropping, you are in good shape to buy a lot more house than you could have 6-7 months ago.

 

It would be best for you to locate a nice neighborhood near your workplace in Orlando. I live in Tampa, and have nothing but great things to say about my neighborhood, but it would be a long commute over to Orlando for your job. Also, in Orlando, the insurance and houses are cheaper than over in the Tampa area. If you do decide to go with a HOA, you will definitely want to carefully read your restrictions as there are many that do not allow you to work on vehicles in view of the street i.e. in driveway or garage with door open.

 

It is probably best to rent if you don't absolutely have to buy right now. Probably be that way for at least another year. Plus that would give you time to decide if you want to stay where you are or move somewhere different within the area without being saddled with a house/mortgage/property that you can't sell if you need to move again. The housing market is terrible right now, especially on the treasure coast/Palm Beaches where I live right now with no end in the near future. I rent an awesome place for 1/3 what it would cost to own a home in this market, mainly because of home owners insurance and taxes. You may as well estimate three times what your mortgage would be to include those other two things. Homes may be cheaper, but they will come down even more, at least in my area, before they even think about coming back up again. I would definitely recommend renting for the first year if you can. This is all coming from a Treasure Coast, i.e. Port Saint Lucie resident.

 

OK I am in Fla now. Leaving today back in 2 weeks. I have decided to start off in Tampa, looks like a nicer area then Orlando. Went to "crime hill" and had to laugh. Man, if thats what a tough area is I feel allot better. I am trying to find a condo, you would think people would jump on a month to month just to get income going. I need month to month for 4 months then willing to make jump. It was 19 in va when I left and 65 here. Now I go from mid 70's to 30's today. Bummed!

 

Yeah, florida has its nice 3 months... then prepare for 95 degress and 100% humidity...

Rent short term, give you time to look around & find a place... the traffic is what killed me in Orlando & I don't even drive! So try and live close to work...

I've lived in Orlando, Lakeland & Tampa Bay (Clearwater / St. Pete side)....

Raf