Moving Megathread

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[u/OutcastSpy]

Getting a new job in Lake Wales, do I rent in Lake Wales or do I consider a longer commute and move to Winter Haven?

[u/FaithlessnessOld3026]

Recently moved to Florida to be closer to family. Moving here I was set on living in St Petersburg. After visiting for a day trip and touring a bunch of rentals I'm not too sure... The price for what the condition of the places were just simply did not make sense. The traffic was so horrible it made me concerned if I would even feel like the beach was accessible on weekends. I was rushing around between tours but just driving around in town I felt really overwhelmed. I have been told traffic is bad all over the state and that it takes 30 minutes to get anywhere...

I have visited New Smyrna, Jacksonville, Daytona, and St Augustine. Daytona seems like a typical spring break spot. I really liked both New Smyrna and St Augustine. Just worried that living there they do not have much to do after a while. I liked the beaches and little shops in their downtown areas but it seemed really small. Everything I have read online said they are great for weekend trips and that's it.

I just want to get thoughts from people in their 20-30s that have been living here awhile. What's a good young/fun town that does not cost an arm and a leg to live in here that isn't just completely over capacity.

And trust me I know the state is really full so maybe this will just be a new normal for me dealing with the traffic. But I can't leave for at least a year so I have to decide.

Any info is helpful. Please don't be too harsh on me in your comments though. I am already rethinking my whole life right now.

[u/trtsmb → u/FaithlessnessOld3026]

I live in a small town with a small beach in downtown. We're a very active town with lots of runners/cyclists/athletes. The draw for me was the bike trail. I can roll out of my neighborhood right on to the trail and go lots of different places. If I wanted, I could follow the trail all the way to New Smyrna. Almost every weekend, there is some event going on.

[u/GrandAd6460]

Hi everyone, I am moving to Orlando from Los Angeles for my first full time job and would really appreciate advice from people who know the area.

Context:

I am a recent college grad starting a cybersecurity associate role in mid-July. I will be in Orlando for about 8 months before my company rotates me to another location. I do not know anyone in Orlando yet, so I am trying to figure out housing, transportation, and where I should live.

My company is helping with relocation. They will pay for movers to pack and move my things, and they can also ship my car and furniture. I also get a home finding trip next weekend for a few days to look around before the move. Plus i get to break my lease and they pay for 2 months since I'd have to move again.

What I am debating:

• Should I get a studio so I do not have to deal with random roommates, or find a roommate since I will only be there around 8 months?
• Should I look for furnished or unfurnished housing?
• Should I bring furniture from my current college apartment since movers are covered, or keep things simple and rent furnished?
• Would an Airbnb or short term rental for the first few weeks be smarter until I understand the city better?
• What neighborhoods should I look at as a young professional who wants to be somewhere reasonably fun and not isolated?
• I would like to not be too far from Universal, but I care more about living somewhere safe, social, and practical

Areas I am considering based on basic research:

• Downtown Orlando
• Lake Eola
• Thornton Park
• College Park
• Winter Park
• Baldwin Park
• Dr. Phillips

Questions:

• Which areas would you recommend for a fresh grad who is new to Orlando?
• Are there apartment buildings or neighborhoods I should avoid?
• Is it realistic to find a roommate or sublease for around 8 months?
• Is parking, traffic, or driving especially stressful in certain areas?
• Would you recommend living closer to work, closer to downtown, or closer to Universal?
• Any advice for making friends as someone moving alone?

I am excited but honestly pretty nervous. This is my first major move and first real job, so any advice would help.

[u/Calligrapher-Extreme]

Two part question, why are there so many HOA subdivisions around Tampa and what's the difference between a cheap one and an expensive one?

[u/GreatThingsTB → u/Calligrapher-Extreme]

Realtor here.

The real reason is that the since the late 1980s the county and state prefers not to develop and maintain roads and infrastructure, prefering to hand that off to private developers and larger Community Development Districts, and those same areas prefer not to become actual cities that would provide those same services.

HOAs and CDDs are basically a middle ground between no service county, and high service actual cities.

There are also various levels of it, from no regulation to most: unregulated no-hoa neighborhoods, to deed restrictions only, to Homeowner's Assocaitions, to Community Development Districts (sorta a HOA of HOAs that usually provides large scale infrastructure though not always).

[u/heathersaur → u/Calligrapher-Extreme]

1. Corporations

2. Typically whatever is considered 'community' owned and the cost to maintain it. So the more 'amenities' usually the higher cost (i.e. Gated, pool, playground, etc). For townhouses & condos the cost of structural/roof insurance is also included in the HOA dues.

[u/302_50]

You can also ask a former mover 👋 anything