watchcamFloridabound

Hi all,

Does anyone have any recommendations for areas of Florida which are really good value for money when it comes to home rental prices (initially) and home prices for when I come to buy?

Looking for a nice 4+ bed, 2+ bath villa in a safe and nice area.

Only other criterior are within 100 miles of Orlando or Miami airport.

I was going to be working in Boca Raton which was really expensive compared to Davenport/orlando area. Looks like I can now work anywhere from home so looking for the best value area.

Just to highlight not looking for a cheap area a such but more for my money if you know what I mean. Kind of like living in Wiltshire rather than Berkshire in the UK!

All tips and thoughts welcomed!

Cheers!

Ynara

My only experience is where I live, which is south of Tampa. It's an area that is being developed, and there are many houses being built. Currently we rent a 3 bedroom 2 bath house for $1000 per month, and it's a quiet, safe neighbourhood. Look for houses in the South Riverview/Apollo Beach/Ruskin area.

watchcamFloridabound

Thanks, will have a look on realtor.com and see what I can find. Thanks!

Wibblypig

You won't get a villa in Orlando, as short term rentals aren't allowed in Orange County. Davenport yes.

Where will you be working? That will be a big factor as traffic can be a nightmare. Do you have children? Another big factor as schools can range from really bad and where you live determines where your kids will go to school.

100 miles of Orlando or Miami airports is a HUGE area. You really need to cut that down a lot.

I can help with areas around Orlando as that's where I live.

Brit3964

If you can stand a bit of Arkansas dropped in the middle of Florida, go to Polk County; Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales etc. That area is probably some of the cheapest to live in the extended Orlando area. There are some nice properties there, especially if you like ranch type houses and land.

watchcamFloridabound

If I don't get the job in Boca Raton I can live anywhere I want as will work from home. Agree the search area is huge and although I have spent a lot of time in Florida I have explored only so much so really appreciate the thoughts. I might come out ahead of the move and explore for a weekend to see whats best - will need to anyway I guess. I had thought about using a holiday rental for a few weeks while we explored.
I do have three kids and school really important - we have found a website that gives grading of school performance and that will be a very important consideration. They currently go to a top rated school here so important that continues.

I want to cut the search area down, but its hard without knowing the area well enough - if I focus on what I know well (Orlando/Davenport/Haines City area) I could be missing a great opportunity somewhere maybe on the Gulf Coast?
Near Orlando does appeal because of the entertainment but need to think beyond that really?

Traffic not ideal, but as long as its not outside the house I wont be bothered.

watchcamFloridabound

That does appeal - my wife is from mid west and land appeals so will have a hunt! Thanks

watchcamFloridabound

That does seem good value. Will pass to my wife who is in charge of this!

Gordon Barlow

A few years ago when property prices were low in parts of Florida, my wife went up and looked around in the general vicinity of Gainesville. There was a little town called Bell that seemed attractive. Just for something to do, I went on the Internet to see if I could find out WHY prices were low there. Somehow or other (and I really can't recall how) I discovered that Bell - cute as it seemed - was a town that was on a list for the housing of convicted sex-offenders.

I Googled the name just now, but couldn't duplicate my earlier search. However, I Googled "Bell Florida sex offenders" and found a whole bunch of items to click on. I expect a similar search is available for other towns. Apparently, it is compulsory for registered sex-offenders' names and addresses to be made available to the public, and the State authorities like to house them in certain selected places.

This information may be useful to BE members on this thread.

watchcamFloridabound

Thanks, good to know! I know where I would house them!

Jerseygirl

How come people rent houses/condos for a week or so for their hols in Orlando?

watchcamFloridabound

Agree, i have stayed in one - lake Buena Vista is in Orange County?

Is short term rental different to holiday rental maybe?

Awesome Welles

Because the rental properties are not located in Orange County, they are in Osceola, Polk and Lake.
That said, there are some areas in Orange that are zoned for short-term rental - but nothing like as many as in the surrounding counties.

Gordon Barlow

Don't forget to check the registry, to see who your next-door neighbour might be!
http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Kissimmee-Florida.html

watchcamFloridabound

By coincidence I have found a house for sale i rented for two weeks a few years ago in Davenport. Small world?
It was nice - might drop the owners a mail in a couple of months if its still there and see if we can sort something if they want to rent it out. Was a nice place.