We are thinking about moving near DW

Originally Posted By donnyaz

My family (3 kids and wife) and I live in Arizona and would love to live as close to Disney World as humanly possible.Any suggestions ?????

 

Originally Posted By -em

In all honesty as one who has lived in Orlando for almost 4 years. We are a great place to visit but not so much to live here, esp with the economy as the whole town is pretty much tourism dependent (which we are lacking so every area is suffering and jobs are hard to come by unless its basic entry work which is still scarce)

It's also a deceiving town where beyond the touristy stuff (which I will be the first to admit after awhile the parks loose their lustor and you go less and less) there isn't much to do-

I think the only plus Central Florida has right now is the housing market is down (because soo many people have been laid off or reduced hours)

So all in all do your research before leaping because of the 10 families I know that have moved here since 2006- 9 have moved back home because it didn't work out and most now have a very bad views of the area.

-em

 

Originally Posted By juicer

I kind of had a feeling it was that way - Wow...9 out of 10 families you know who moved to the WDW area have moved back to wherever they lived!
Are the locals pretty hospitable to new people moving into the area?
Why did you move out?

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

I can't speak for Orlando, but my sister moved from the D.C. area to Seaside, CA (Monterey, Pebble Beach) because she thought it would be Nirvana. Turned out it wasn't what she dreamed, so now she is back. I imagine that's what happens to a lot of people who buy into a dream, but then reality sets in.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

Happened to me in '96 when I moved to Hawai'i!

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORWEN: You'd be better off moving to Southern California, donnyaz, duckling. That way you'd be close enough to do a Disney park and--depending on where you chose to live--it would most likely be prettier with a lot less humidity than Florida. You wouldn't have to worry about hurricanes either.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORWEN: OH! And if all else fails, just move to Morva. We'll take care of you!!

ORGOCH: In bat's butt, we will!! Things is crowded 'nuff already, sister, an' yer one a the BIGGEST reasons fer that!! Ain't no more room fer a flea, let alone any a yer closest total strangers fer friends!!! Unless donnyaz is any good at ketchin' bull frogs, I vote that he stay put--right where he is!

 

Originally Posted By SuperDry

I think two key factors would be a) can you find a good job in your line of work in Orlando, and b) are you in a position to buy a house there? If you can get a good job by being fortunate that your line of work is in demand in Orlando (a tough one these days, although I'm sure that there are some occupations in demand), now might actually be a good time to move there in order to take advantage of the lower housing prices. Although, if you currently own in AZ, you probably took it in the shorts on your current house.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

I moved from Atlanta to the Orlando area (actually Lake County) several years ago. I didn't pick the area for Disney, although I had been there many times. Long story short, I love living in Florida, and I wouldn't move back to Atlanta for anything. One of the things I liked about Orlando is its central location. For a day trip I could go to the Cape for shuttle launches, or go to Southwest Florida for the nature preserves, or take a weekend trips to the Keys for snorkeling. I live in North Florida now, but visit family in the Orlando area and we go to Disney for a day once or twice a year. The great thing about being a "local" is not having to rush through the parks. We take our time and the visits are much less stressful than the trips we made when we lived in Atlanta. I went to school in DC for a couple of years, and while I loved the cultural offerings there, I wouldn't trade it for Florida. But that's just me. I imagine I would love living in Arizona, too!

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

My buddy lives in Ocoee...north of the parks but with an easy, tourist free drive to get back and forth. It has roots as an old Florida town but they have all the staples of a community.

You could also go west of the parks toward Lake Wales, Winter Haven, etc but a lot of where you end up needs to take into consideration where you are going to be working.

I'd agree with -em that outside of the touristy stuff Orlando is pretty lacking in arts and culture.

 

Originally Posted By donnyaz

Yeah my wife and I are 97% sure we are doing this and the kids have gone nuts with the whole idea.Thanks for all the input please keep it coming.

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

Let me jump in, As far as culture goes between Orlando and Tampa, most of the big name broadway road shows make a stop in central FL. And there is the Orlando Ballet and the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.
Orlando in recent years has also stepped it up with the addition of several real gourmet restaurants.
I also want to add that a commuter rail system was just approved that will run from up north in Deland and run through town down to Poinciena. And we are very close to getting a High Speed Rail line from Orlando to Tampa.
I just moved here in March, and I love the area. I lived here for 3 years back in the mid-90s and am really happy to be back.

 

Originally Posted By SFH

Check out the local news sources, blogs, and government reports to see what is going on as far as business, schools, crime, etc. Perhaps that will help you pick a better neighborhood.

I live in Anaheim. Ever read the Anaheim police blotter? Fun stuff. I bet the areas near WDW also have interesting crime blotters.

 

Originally Posted By MamaTinkAz

Well as far as the arts and culture stuff, we are not too big on that stuff. We are pretty much a Disney family and like to hang out together like movies, stuff outside, etc. I actually use to live in Southern Florida when I was a kid and I have to admit I am a bit nervous to move back. It wasn't a positive experience for me but that was when we lived in Southern Florida. What I am interested in knowing is what is the crime rate like and how are the schools in the area? BTW, I am donnyaz's wife.

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

I work in the local news business and parts of the metro area have a shockingly high crime rates, but there are many affordable areas that are quite safe. And I am sad to say that the public education system in Fl is not really what it should be, but again there are some areas that have good schools.
Do either of you guys have jobs lined up? That info would help in pointing you to safe nice neighborhoods.
My first question would be do you guys have jobs lined up?

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

Soory about the hacked together nature of the above post. I have to remember to proof read.

 

Originally Posted By MamaTinkAz

^LOL, no worries about that. We are currently looking and have several options. Once we have narrowed it down we will let you know.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

<<I am sad to say that the public education system in Fl is not really what it should be, but again there are some areas that have good schools.>>

Schools require funding. People with higher incomes can afford better schools. Basically that's what it comes down to, with exceptions of course.

 

Originally Posted By sjhym33

Having put 3 children thru Central FL schools I have to say you have to be real real careful about where you end up. Schools here can range from superior to absolutely terrible. Even within the same disctrict.

 

Originally Posted By tashajilek

You should really make sure to think about it more. Do you really want to move somewhere just for Disneyworld? i myself have alsways talked about moving near Disneyland but of course i wouldnt go through with it. If you are planning to visit wdw very often while you live near then the magic might wear away, that the positive to living further that everytime you visit you appreciate it. Living in AZ is a excellent state you have vegas and DL near by not to mention more predictable weather. Good luck with you decisions and if you make the move i wish you and your family the best