Orlando Area

Fern Park is a nice place to live if you want to be close to the Orlando area but not live in the middle of Disney World and all the trappings of tourism. Incomes are higher than the average Floridian. The crime rate is low along with basic living expenses. Also, You're within 15 miles of several colleges and universities. Apartments in Fern Park are very reasonable with one-bedrooms starting around $500. However, less than 10,000 people reside here so you won't have a lot of apartments available. By expanding to surrounding communities, you can enjoy more options. Entertainment venues are endless with being so close to Orlando. They have everything for the kids and adults along with terrific restaurants. However, the downside is the economy. Fern Park has not succeed in avoiding the recession. There's an unemployment rate around 11%, a little higher than the average city. Overall, everyone enjoys the great weather and a fairly short drive to the beach. But, be prepared for a very hot summer. It takes a while to adapt to such high heat and humidity. This is not a bad spot at all.

Overall, Winter Park is a nice place to live. From the east side to the west side however, there is a noticable class disparity. Central Winter Park is home to the profanely rich upper-class whereas the east side is home to mostly middle-class families and immigrants. Housing is cheaper on the east side, but the crime rate is higher. I recommend the east side for students and the west & central side of WP for working professionals and families. I would highly recommend staying west of 436 (Semoran) and east of I-4 for optimal quality of life here.

Leesburg, Florida offers a number of choices for apartment living. Prices are very reasonable with one bedrooms starting around $600.000. You won't have hundreds of choices like in Orlando and Miami. However, for a town this size, apartment living is not too shabby. You can even get something right on the lake that's very affordable. You'll enjoy mild weather all year around. However, summer can get blistering hot at times. The incomes here are low and unemployment is a problem, although the numbers aren't much higher than the average town. Overall, it's a cute place with a thriving downtown and a low cost of living. But, keep in mind that the population is older and you're not on the coast.

Although I could never afford to live in the Windermere/Isleworth community, I have known others who do live in this area and they enjoy the seclusion away from the hustle & bustle of Orlando. If you can afford it, I recommend this neighborhood for families and professionals looking for a small town suburban feel with a high quality of living.

This area is still up-and-coming, and as it grows with more people moving to the area, more housing divisions with relatively cheap homes will continue to be built. The economic setbacks of the local housing markets caused this area to be hit hard, so homes here at an all-time low. Recommended for families and professionals planning to move to Orlando.

Located in one of the fastest-growing areas of Orlando, Hunter's Creek is a large single-family community that is great for anyone moving to the Orlando area and wants to have access to the many Central Florida attractions, shopping districts, and downtown area. Hunter's Creek was built conveniently in Southwest Orlando near the Central Florida Pkwy (417 Toll), US 441 (S. Orange Blossom Tr.), and S. John Young Pkwy. This neighborhood is known for its great golf course, quiet and attractive single-family living, modest apartment rentals, and good schools.

The City of Kissimmee carries a great joke on all new comers and tourists.  While it's pronounced "ki-sem'-mee" the newcomers all seem to fall in the same trap of the wrong pronunciation; "kiss-a-mee' "  to which you'll immediately hear snickers and the a little diddy, "I kiss a you and you kiss a me."  Kissimmee is the golden gateway to all major entertainment and theme parks.  While "Disney World" advertises that it's in Orlando, it's actually in Lake Buena Vista, which is a neighborhood of Kissimmee.  In fact the majority of them are there, as well as the major hotels for the theme parks.  The markets and factory outlet malls are packed with shoppers, both local and visitors.  You'll find many unexpected pleasures such as dinner theater's with fabulous shows and events that may have skipped the attention of the world such as the "Silver Spurs Rodeo," "Old Town," "Green Meadows Petting Farm,"  and a host of others.  Kissimmee is "the" place to be for visiting Orlando and "Disney World."  It's the city that is always on and if the theme parks and water parks are closed then that means the clubs are hopping.  It's not the most popular place to live however, as traffic is never ending and lines are everywhere, even at the grocery stores.  But there are still those that would rather live right in the midst of all the excitement and others that just like the convenience of living where they work.

Oviedo has gone through major changes of the last couple of years.  Previously it was considered a strong rural area that allowed for low cost residential areas.  There was a small mall, "The Oviedo Marketplace" to go to and few sports parks but, not much else to speak of.  Now, the mall is much larger as are the sports parks.  The most marked change however, can be seen in the center of the city that has been transformed into one of Florida's Master Communities.  A master community has everything a resident would need right there in the community.  There is no need to travel to other locations.  Major housing has been built, both of apartments & homes, as well as parks, with planned activities for all ages.  These are a few of the ways that they've grown as a city and community that respects the needs of it's citizens.

Rated by money magazine as the 4th Best Place To Live in the 2007 issue .

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Winter Springs, Florida is a city in Seminole County. Winter Springs is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a population of roughly 35,000 residents. Winter Springs was ranked the #2 place to live in the state of Florida. Winter Springs is roughly 18 miles northeast of Orlando and 30 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. Winter Springs is known for being on "the other side" of Orlando. Winter Springs offers residents year round events, including, the Scottish Highland Games, Easter Egg Hunt, Holiday Tree Lighting, and a Celebration of Spring. The worlds largest Flea Market-with over 1700 booths-- is just minutes from Winter Springs on Highway 17-92. Winter Springs is packed with huge shopping malls, boutiques, fine dining and basically anything anyone would ever need. Winter Springs is a great city to call home because it is only moments away from Orlando but not as congested as the big city.

Situated only 13 miles from Orlando and serving as a distinguished part of Orange County, Maitland, Florida is a fabulous Floridian town to reside in! With buckets of attractions coupled with fabulous Florida weather, Maitland apartment dwellers live in city full of the spice that makes life so tasty!Maitland apartment dwellers share this illustrious city with approximately 15,000 others who are enthusiastic about new blood moving to their community. Maitland is counted as one of the oldest incorporated municipalities positioned in Central Florida. Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the land until Euro settlement erupted during the Second Seminole Indian War. The U.S. Army built Fort Maitland in the area that was torn down after the war's completion. Even though the fort had been destroyed, the American settlement remained. The locals decided to call the settlement Maitland, and after the American Civil War, the area flourished as a result of widespread citrus harvesting.Once you have moved into your new Maitland apartment home, you will be amazed at all this city has to offer! Maitland is the home to the Maitland Art Center noted as a Historic Place by the National Register due to its ancient and exclusive Maya and Aztec sculptures, bas-reliefs and murals. William H. Waterhouse Museum always has its doors open for eyes itching for a good exhibit. The Enzian Theater is the gracious host of the annual Florida Film Festival. From the Telephone Museum to the Waterhouse Carpentry Museum, Maitland apartment residents are consistently met with culture on every corner of the town.Outdoor parks and recreation surround Maitland apartment occupants. You can plan fun-filled days for excursions to the Howell Branch Nature Preserve and Park, the Maitland Community Park or the Quinn Strong Park. Hang out at the calming waters of Lake Minnehaha or Lake Sybelia. Once you have completed your fill of outdoor adventure, make sure to visit the Maitland Farmer's Market to stock up on healthy fruits and vegetables for the entire family to enjoy!Regardless to the area you find your perfect Maitland apartment, the entire city is packed with wonderful exciting things to bit into! Maitland apartment occupants can choose an exciting day at Disney World or a peaceful day in a city park. Not everyone have those options, but Maitland apartment dwellers do!

Dr. Phillips is an area in Orlando that is elegant and beautiful. It is noted for its prime real estate and lavishly gated communities. It has been referred to as the "jewel" of Orlando's residential neighborhoods. From its lake front homes and its immaculate golf courses, to its perfect location and rural scenery, Dr. Phillips is gorgeous.Dr. Phillips gets its name from Dr. Phillips Phillips. This is a man who is known for his huge development in the packaging and processing of orange juice. As everyone knows, Florida is the Citrus state and his innovations towards the management of orange juice, made him quit the profit. He owned thousands of acres of property in the Central Florida area. These superb acres of groves later became known as Dr. Phillips. Though this neighborhood can be the ideal place to call home, the real estate may be steep and because it is so sought after, finding a home that doesn't leave your pockets on fire, can defiantly be a challenge.

Having grown up near Sanford, I've seen the changes to the city itself, and while it is not exactly my cup o' tea, Sanford could be nice to live in the coming years. There are still bad neighborhoods overrun with poor housing, and the public school system is not very good (then again that pretty much applies to Florida as a whole). I do not recommend Sanford to anyone looking to move to the Central Florida area who is looking for an urban atmosphere. Sanford is closer to rural, or unincorporated at best. If you are looking for a smaller, laid-back community that is cheap to live in, Sanford is your place.

I do not recommend the Azalea Park area except maybe to students who cannot afford to live elsewhere. Sure there are some good eats around here, but you have to drive to get anywhere and most of the apartments in this area are bug-infested dumps according to most tenants. Some of the newer places in the proximity might be alright, but they're still way overpriced for what you get.

Oak Ridge is located in Orange County, Florida.The community of Oak Ridge is small, but established. Since it is surrounded by larger communities, and located very close to Kissimmee, shopping opportunities, schooling options and employment is not too far away. Apartments in Oak Ridge are affordable and offer great amenities. Oak Ridge although small offers a safe place to live and play.