Reviews & Comments
Alafaya, FL
Living in Orlando -
4/24/2009Having lived in Orlando, FL all of my life, I have had the chance to watch the area grow and change. If someone were considering moving to Orlando, I would encourage them to consider several things carefully.
1. The cost of education per student is lower here than most areas of the US. This may or may not matter to you.
2. Summers are brutal. I don't even like to go outside during the summer. The heat lasts for about 6 uncomfortable months, so if you love the humid (thunderstorms every afternoon) heat, this is a great place for you, but if you have an aversion to sweating, then look elsewhere. (my summer AC bill runs $300+/mo)
3. Recreation is plenty if you like theme parks, but as a resident of the state, the novelty of crowds, lines and the enormous expenses associated with visiting the theme parks lacks appeal. If you love visiting museums, the ballet, symphony, opera or shows, Orlando offers some options, but not very many. The downtown scene leaves a lot to be desired as well.
4. I have never felt a great sense of community living here. People come into the area and then leave the area. Not too many people are from the area. There are several master planned communities around and none of them are greatly successful in re-capturing the small town feel. I live in one and consider it to be a great option for Orlando, but I'm still in Orlando....
5. Crime has become an issue in Orlando. You cannot turn on the local news without hearing reports of some violent crime having been committed each day. It's an unfortunate reality in this growing city. If you are moving here, carefully study the areas before choosing where to live.
6. Shopping is great here. There are really great malls and outlets are everywhere if you like getting deals. Food shoppig options are decent with Publix being my grocery store of choice. Farmers markets are starting to crop up everywhere, which is great because I'm all for supporting the local farmers.
7. Sprawl is a major issue. There aren't any good mass transit options, which I believe we are in need of. Commute times can be high and with road construction, frustrating. The lack of planning has led to the wreckless building of strip malls. Orlando has got to be the strip mall capital of the world.
8. Day trips to the beach are an easy option. You can drive in any direction and eventually you will arrive at a beach. I love the beach and Florida has many beautiful beaches, but to see anythi