Maggi

I have a young friend who just got married and her husband is being transferred to Florida on business. They are looking to rent an apartment for 1-5 years. I've looked at apartment rental sites for them, but we don't know which ones are located in a desirable area. They can afford up to $1000 a month. Which areas around Orlando should they avoid and do you have any advice for them?

jubilada

CityData.com is a great source of this type of info.

starrs

The best advice I can give is to be aware of his commute.

clarkgriswold

First, find out where (general neighborhood) in Orlando he'll be working.

dsquared

Agree with clark & starrs; a lot depends on where the workplace is.

Maggi

I actually don't know where he will be working, but I will find out. Thanks.

flpab

Orlando is huge. Where is he working? I can tell you much better if I know where that is and his commute. There is a lot of crime and bad areas so you have to be very careful.

flpab

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/orlando/crime/

flpab

Sorry, so wish we had an edit function. I am looking at this map and looks like the Chamber of Commerce messed with it. International drive is horrible. Tourist get robbed there on a regular basis. They issued warnings today about not walking around with shopping bags and coming and going from hotels. That wonderful time of the year. Pine Hills known as Crime Hills is very bad. Heathrow and Lake Mary are nice areas. It all depends where they are working. Driving on 1-4 is not fun.

Maggi

I'm shocked to read this. Being from Detroit, I guess I assumed Orlando in general is an idyllic place to live by comparison. I am waiting to hear back where his company is and will reply at that time. Thanks for the heads up.

Maggi

Ok, I got a reply. He will be working near the junction of 528 and I-4, near Westwood Blvd and Central Florida Parkway, SeaWorld area. Does that help?

flpab

The Dr. Phillips area is a good. I have to go to work but will do a little research.

flpab

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/...hillips/#crime

Maggi

I don't think I understand how to use that information. Is it different if I subscribe? And does it cost anything?

starrs

Here's a starting point -
http://orlando.craigslist.org/search/apa?query=seaworld

Gives you an overview of what's available and at what price points. A visit to the area to pick out a place before the move is the best plan.

Maggi

Most of the crime in Detroit is gang/drug/domestic related, much like anywhere else I would imagine. We live in the suburbs and have little crime. So I think they would look for something similar down there. They definitely will be making a trip to locate housing. We are looking for options for them before they go. They are in their early 20's and this is a big deal for them. Thanks!

clarkgriswold

I would look at temporary, extended-stay possibilities for a few months....it always helps to become familiar with a place...the traffic, the neighborhoods....before you settle in to a lease.
Check maybe Colonial Grand @ Windermere regarding month-to-month rentals or Sterling Crest Apartments http://www.apartmentratings.com/fl/o...7291897732811/

Maggi

That's good advice clarkgriswold. Thanks.

flpab

Windermere is good but Dr. Phillips is better commute. I am use to all of the crime until someone visits and is mesmerized but the local news and all the crime stories. I don't ever go to the grocery or mall after dark. Crime in the day is bad enough. They love to snatch purses here. Robberies are bad and you can live in a good area but a five min drive puts you in a bad area. The good neighborhoods get targeted as well. My friend left her car out of the garage since she was doing the floor and her convertible top got sliced. Five cars got it the same night. She had to get a whole new top plus they took sunglasses etc out of the car. Nothing major. It is a gamble but Orlando is not the safest place.

dsquared

flpab, that sounds awful. What part of Orlando do you live in? I agree that parts are bad (Parramore, SOBT, Pine Hills as examples), but I have friends who live in College Park and others who live near Lake Sue who've never had a problem.

I'll second your Doctor Phillips recommendation to the OP.