Originally Posted By MamaTinkAz Yes Tahajilek, we have predictable weather but it gets as hot as haydes here!!! And we are planning on moving regardless. The only hesitation we have had by moving to another state is no access to Disneyland anymore. So we said why not try Florida ??? We just hate it in AZ and need a change.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros On the bright side, Florida has predictable weather, too. It will be really hot and humid all day, until around 3:00, when it will rain, and become even more humid and equally hot. : ) I don't know if Florida will be right for you guys (I hope it is!), but when I met you guys at the meet, you definitely didn't seem like west coast people to me. I've also been considering Florida after I graduate, but at this point I'm considering a ton of places. I can't wait to hear how this works out.
Originally Posted By MamaTinkAz Well FerrotAfros if you ever want to come out and see how it is, we will be happy to put you up and hang out with you!
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<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?>> Forget about buying the house. If you decide to leave it'll just become a mill stone around your neck. It's hard to sell in a down market, which probably means selling at a loss. My advice: Rent until you're sure you want to and can stay.
Originally Posted By leobloom <<My advice: Rent until you're sure you want to and can stay.>> Good advice. My parents' subdivision in Lake County has 20-30 new houses that have never been occupied that are now either for sell or for rent. I'm sure it's like that in much of the metro Orlando area. The other thing about being a local is the parks definitely lose some of their magic when they're in your backyard. For me, one of the great parts of a Disney vacation was leaving home hundreds of miles away and traveling to the parks. In Orlando, it's not like that. You hop on I-4 or 192 and you're there. The Orlando area has plenty of crime, although the murder rate did decrease in Orlando last year. Put it this way: When I think of "safe places", Orlando doesn't immediately jump to mind. Pine Hills, Orange Blossom Trail, etc. And at least for me, I wouldn't want to be at the parks every weekend. If you do, then maybe this is a good move for you. Going to each park once or twice a year is plenty for me. I also know many locals who either resent or ignore Disney's presence in the area. (Like the woman I know who hasn't been back since Epcot opened.) I don't think WDW has the same kind of local fanbase that DL has. A lot of locals don't see it as a beloved Amerian institution, but as the money-hungry Rat. I can imagine a lot of Orlando locals looking at you funny if you said you moved there "just to go to the Disney parks." But that's just a guess.
Originally Posted By donnyaz Just so it's said MamaTink and I are married.We are not your normal Disney fan our whole family has watched the secret tour of Disneyland probbly more then 10 times as a family.Much like some father and sons talk sports we talk about Disneyland.I am a Network administrator for a good sized office and I am willing to work help desk if that gets me in the door and my wife works in insurance and is willing to do anything she can find. But my question is crime really that bad near the park ????
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Yes Tahajilek, we have predictable weather but it gets as hot as haydes here!!!>> I've lived in both AZ and FL. I much prefer the heat of AZ, because it's dry. The humidity of FL and much of the south is unbearable, compared to the dry heat of AZ. It's like living in steam bath, versus a sauna. The humidity is draining, mold and mildew grow everywhere, and the flying biting bugs are relentless. I got a nasty case of mosquito-borne encephalitis during my third year in FL, which is rarely a problem in the southwestern desert. Sure, the temps are higher in AZ, but it doesn't feel as hot without the humidity. I would rather endure 115 degrees in AZ, than 95 degrees in FL. But that's just me.
Originally Posted By dshyates No the crime rates in the attraction area is pretty low and that includes the I Drive/ Universal areas. There are parts of town that are pretty bad, but I can't imagine why you would find yourself in those areas. There are plenty of nice safe neighborhoods around town. But you may not really want to be right near the parks as the commute in can be rather slow. I4 Can get pretty clogged around rush hour. I would suggest a community like Ocoee or Apopka. They Are are nice affordable areas that have a nice small town feel to them, but are still close to all the action Otown has to offer.
Originally Posted By magic0214 I am a teen that lives in Tampa, and school wise, Hillsbororugh county schools are great. My middle school ~lets be safe and not's say where I go to school ~ Anyway my school is great. We have the best Social Studies program in the county and one of the best in the state. We do have the wierd lets-be-a-gangsta-and-wear-pants-that-dont-fit-kids, but where are there NOT thoese. I know friends that live in Celebration and they love the town and the school, so Hope to see you in Florida Soon! (MAybe we can meet up in the parks!)
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Just for argument sake...when comparing the public education system in Florida it is helpful to not compare schools with other schools in Florida but schools with other schools OUTSIDE Florida. I don't remember the most recent statistics but I want to say that Florida ranks somewhere around 48 or 49 in the country for spending per pupil. My sister...a C student at best in Ohio moved during the school year and was placed in AP classes because she was that far ahead of the Florida students. FWIW. My friend in Ocoee sends his kids to a local Catholic school. I'm not saying anything about Ocoee schools because I have no experience. But, do some homework.
Originally Posted By spacejockey Do you have any other reason to move to Orlando besides Disney? I really don't think it is a wise idea to move your whole family across the country just to live by a theme park.
Originally Posted By donnyaz Yeah we hate Arizona and all we really talk about is Disney in our home. Sad but true
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Florida's unemployment rate is 11.5 percent. CNBC listed Orlando in the top 10 hardest cities to find a job right now.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Personally, I'd rather live closer to DL than WDW, primarily because all the cool Disney collector and enthusiast events happen in Anaheim, not Orlando. Too, I agree with those that don't care for Florida hot and steamy weather. Gimme the drier climate of SoCal!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper You guys need to get a job in nursing and then move to Florida. You will have your pick of positions then.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Until you can identify precisely why you hate Arizona, you won't necessarily solve your problems by moving to Florida. The only tangibles you've provided is that you hate Arizona's heat, and you want to be closer to a Disney park. Well, Florida's heat is just as bad as Arizona's, if not worse, because of the humidity. Yes, you can live within a two hour's drive to WDW, but you can also live within a two hour's drive to DL by moving to CA. I just don't get why it's important for you to move. Why do you hate Arizona so much? (I have an idea, but I'd rather read it from you.)
Originally Posted By AuroraRose (imho) donnyaz just wants advice on places to live in Florida (near disney). His reasons are his own, and as a community we should give him the advice he's looking for and not beat him up about it : ) and since typing doesn't convey tone, I just want to say in no way was that meant to be disrespectful : )
