Life In Orlando

[DisneySaint]

Hi guys,
With my plans to move to Orlando in 2005, I'm trying to find out as much information as possible ahead of time. So...for those of you that live in or around Orlando, how is it out there? What do you like, not like, etc.? How's the choice of restaurants, the availability of jobs, shopping, malls, etc.? Any and all information will be highly appreciated!

Joey

 

[DisneySaint]

Anyone from Orlando?

 

[MonorailGreen]

I live in Orlando and have all of my life. It really is a great place to live. Do you want to know anything specific?? I live thirty minutes from Disney and it is another world... TOTALLY!! Orlando is not just about the theme parks and resorts, although that is what most people think. There is a whole other side to the area which most people don't see. We face the same issues any other rapidly growing city faces these days. Orlando's just like any other city but Mickey DOES live in our backyard, which is a PLUS =)

 

[LeaveALegacyGuy]

Living in Orlando is not just theme parks as MonorailGreen states. Lake Eola is in Downtown and it is a nice place to walk and just rest. There are a few malls from where I live. You would like it here in Orlando.

 

[Woody13]

Originally posted by LeaveALegacyGuy
Living in Orlando is not just theme parks as MonorailGreen states.

MonorailGreen didn't say anything of the sort. You must have misread his message.

 

[DisneySaint]

Here Comes the Questions!

Thanks so far for the info! I definently don't think Orlando is just some city built around a theme park and that the theme park area is the only place people work and play. In fact, I'm trying to find out everything ELSE that goes on. I want to be able to know I have places to shop, eat, relax, etc. Some specific questions that come to mind:

- How is traffic normally? The interstates and highways, specifically.

- For shopping, are there a lot of places? How about the malls? Big/small? I currently work at Foley's department store at the Mall of Louisiana in customer service (Foley's is a Division of the May company ... perhaps you may know better Lord & Taylor, Filene's, Famour-Barr, Hecht's, or Kaufman's - all May company stores). I was thinking that if I couldn't land a job in Disney or Universal immediately to go apply at one of the department stores.

- Food-wise, are there a lot of restaurants around or do people more commonly go to the Disney property to go out to eat?

- Is it pretty much standard to be a Disney passholder?

- School-wise, are there any college programs besides UCF? Is UCF considered to be a pretty-much joke school or a Harvard-level school or in-between?

- How is the availability and price of apartments and condo's in the Orlando area? How about houses? I'm not sure if it's like here where 90% of people live in houses or if it's more like New York where most people live in condo's or apartments. Where should a future college grad and his wife (such as myself, of course!) look first - apartment, condo, house?)

- What is the current tax rate? Are there any other non-taxed things besides groceries?

- How far is it to the beach and which one do people commonly go to?

- Are there plenty of medical services, doctors, etc.?

- Job-wise, are there usually plenty of jobs or does it take several weeks to find a job like it does here?

Allright, well, that's what I can think of off the top of my head. I know some of my questions are vague and generic, but I'm just trying to find out every little thing I can. I don't want to just pick up and move to Orlando and be like "Oh gosh, I have no idea what I just did!" Soooo ... any tips you have for someone moving their way to Orlando will be gracously appreciated!

Joey

 

[imagineer99]

Originally posted by Woody13
MonorailGreen didn't say anything of the sort. You must have misread his message.

Uh...yes he did...

Originally posted by MonorailGreen

Orlando is not just about the theme parks and resorts, although that is what most people think

 

[TURKEY]

Interstate 4 is a mess. Traffic is usually terrible.

Plenty of restaurants around. Not just Disney.

UCF isn't Harvard, but it's not the pits. Since you'll already have your degree, there isn't much other than UCF around for a post grad degree.

 

[MonorailGreen]

- How is traffic normally? The interstates and highways, specifically.
*Traffic is usually very heavy on the I-4 corridor but if you live in certain areas of the city you can find ways to avoid traffic on the interstate. The toll roads are not bad at all but I would advise getting E-Pass if you use the tolls a lot. The cash lanes take forever during rush hour!! Most other roads are not too bad though.

- For shopping, are there a lot of places?
*There are many places to shop outside the I Drive area but if you are looking for something specific then it is usually best to play a tourist for the day =)

-How about the malls? Big/small?
*In relationship to Florida Mall most of the malls aren't too big. There are a many in the area and now the new thing are "town centers" popping up everywhere. These are just basically outside malls without huge name department stores. The Waterford Lakes Town Center near me is HUGE and is a great hang out place for people in the area. It has a Super Target, Best Buy, movie theater, and just about anything else that you would need. PLENTY of restaurants too. UCF is pretty close so that drives business.

-I was thinking that if I couldn't land a job in Disney or Universal immediately to go apply at one of the department stores.
*You most likely won't have a problem finding a location to work in a department store. There are MANY malls in the area!!

- Food-wise, are there a lot of restaurants around or do people more commonly go to the Disney property to go out to eat?
*There are many common restaurants in the area and a few unique ones as well. Usually I go to Disney or I Drive if I want something just out of the ordinary.

- Is it pretty much standard to be a Disney passholder?
*Actually, I only know one family that does have annual passes for Disney. Most people I know have only been a handfull of times despite our close proximity. There are also 55,000 cast members that have free passes too.

- School-wise, are there any college programs besides UCF?
*UCF is the big one here but we also have Rollins College and Valencia Community College, which are good schools as well.

-Is UCF considered to be a pretty-much joke school or a Harvard-level school or in-between?
*UCF has many awesome programs to offer. I live right next to the school. It is no joke, for sure, but not any top school.

-How is the availability and price of apartments and condo's in the Orlando area?
*Apartments are everywhere, some are pricey though. Condos, I'm not too sure about.

-How about houses?
*New homes are also popping up everywhere.

-Where should a future college grad and his wife (such as myself, of course!) look first - apartment, condo, house?)
*I would look for a house, personally. Orlando is a growing city but it is probably more like where you live now. Although, condos and apartments in downtown are planned. We are becoming a big city =)

- How far is it to the beach and which one do people commonly go to?
*The closest beach is Cocoa on the east coast and from UCF it takes about 35 minutes to get there. From downtown that equals about 45 to 50 minutes. I prefer to go to the west coast, Clearwater, though... it just seems cleaner and more inviting to me. That beach is about 90 to 95 minutes away. Or if I feel like a Disney adventure... Blizzard Beach =)

 

[DisneySaint]

Thanks so much, MonorailGreen ! I'm saving all this stuff and printing it out also so I can show my girlfriend. Great information!

Joey

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by DisneyJoey
Hi guys,
With my plans to move to Orlando in 2005, I'm trying to find out as much information as possible ahead of time. So...for those of you that live in or around Orlando, how is it out there? What do you like, not like, etc.? How's the choice of restaurants, the availability of jobs, shopping, malls, etc.? Any and all information will be highly appreciated!

Joey

Not too much info for ya...but have you considered moving to a different city in FL......maybe Tampa....or Ft. Lauderdale...or West Palm Beach or maybe even as far as Miami......Orlando is a great city though...and you can't beat having disney right there....

 

[MonorailGreen]

Originally posted by DisneyJoey
Thanks so much, MonorailGreen ! I'm saving all this stuff and printing it out also so I can show my girlfriend. Great information!

Joey

You are very welcome for the information... I'm glad to be of some help at least. If you need anything else just let me know. I'm sure that you will enjoy living here =)