Paradise, now lost
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3/3/2024
I've lived in the HW area 5 years, Orlando over 25 and Baltimore, Charlotte and Miami for perspective. This area is beautiful- lots of nature, parks and lakes but hard to enjoy when you're packed in so close. Non-stop growth in Orl Metro has never had the infrastructure to support it and it's taken it's toll. The costs listed are WAY off. A 2 BR apt starts at $2,300 near me and not much diff in cost bet 1 & 2 BR. Traffic is bad and here to Tampa is ~75 miles, used to take 75 mins, can take about 3 hours at busy times. It used to be affordable, but no more. In 2024, HW avg home will not have a yard and be ~$500K, HO ins avg cost in FL (from Ins, Inf. Institute-2023) shows $6K- highest in nation, depends on your house factors. Taxes ~$5,500 and then there's your HOA- I pay for 2 HOA's ($4K/yr) and can't install a privacy fence or even put plants in the ground! NOTE: You may be required to have flood ins., your HO ins doesn't cover that! This is happening in other areas too but I hope this helps you to make your best choice. I miss what was!
Kim | Lake Butler, FL