The ♥ We Moved To Orlando Trip Report ♥ Update 4/12 ♥ Trevon's Birthday & East

[wvdislover]

Wow! Sounds like too much fun! DH and I have talked about it, but we're not quite ready to take the plunge DH has a good job with a lucrative income, but we have a lot of bills that need to be paid off (mostly from when he wasn't making as much money) before we can do something like that. Can't wait to hear the rest of your story!

[westcliffemom]

I'm following your story with interest as we are looking to move to the Orlando area.

Can I ask what search engines you're using on the internet to find rentals? I'm looking for rentals in the "Orlando" area but I'm getting pretty confused trying to figure it all out.

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by wvdislover

Wow! Sounds like too much fun! DH and I have talked about it, but we're not quite ready to take the plunge DH has a good job with a lucrative income, but we have a lot of bills that need to be paid off (mostly from when he wasn't making as much money) before we can do something like that. Can't wait to hear the rest of your story!

In your situation I would definitely stay put with the good income and pay off bills. Just think ~ when they are paid off you can move to Orlando and enjoy yourselves!

Thanks for reading along and I look forward to talking to you more

Originally Posted by westcliffemom

I'm following your story with interest as we are looking to move to the Orlando area.

Can I ask what search engines you're using on the internet to find rentals? I'm looking for rentals in the "Orlando" area but I'm getting pretty confused trying to figure it all out.

Hi and Welcome

I can PM you the realtor I'm using ~ he's incredible and I wouldn't recommend him if he wasn't great. He does not charge a fee and he will find exactly what you're looking for for you

I started off by looking up rental on the rental websites but didn't have good success. I've looked on craigslist too and there are tons of rentals but I like that with Nick I can tell him exactly what I'm looking for and he will screen the neighborhoods and such for me and just send me the good choices.

Let me know if you want his contact info. You can just tell him the areas you are looking for, and if you're not sure he can help you with that.

It's exciting you're wanting to move to Orlando too

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by ChevyNat

Did you find work out there?
Last year, my B.I.L wanted to move there and bring me and the kids too, that was right after my separation and I could not wrap my head around it... ha! ha!
He said that I could find work without any problems... with my French and English ha! ha!

No, but we will

When we get there I will start advertising and it may take a month or two to get the families we need but I have faith that we'll find (or they'll find us) the perfect families.

I know work is hard to get there now, from what I've been reading on the city-date forums, but if you are specialized in a field it shouldn't be a problem. You should really consider that, it would be so fun!

Does your bil still want to move there?

[westcliffemom]

Thanks, I'd love the realtor info.

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by westcliffemom

Thanks, I'd love the realtor info.

I just PM'd you the info

[Aburns8]

I will take the realtor information as well. I am hoping to be out there by the end of 2009.

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by Aburns8

I will take the realtor information as well. I am hoping to be out there by the end of 2009.

I just sent you the info Good luck with your search and move!!!

[earthfaries]

Good morning

Just an update for this morning. First if anyone wants the info to the wonderful realtor that is helping me I will be glad to PM you the info

So as of yesterday we have decided we really LOVE the 4 bdrm townhome. I know there are people out there who would not like living in a resort, but we mostly keep to ourselves and love the idea of having happy vacationers as our neighbors, meeting new people at the pool and park from all over the world and having the neighborhood to ourselves for some time too We are moving to Orlando to have fun and we are at home all day, 7 days a week so we can really enjoy ourselves there.

Nick, my realtor is checking it out today for me. He is going to look at the area around the resort, check out the resort and the home itself and call me. Apparently it was on the market for sale these past few months and then for rent this past few weeks for a much higher price. It just lowered in price and I feel I should really jump on it.

I will let you know when I do anything final. I am waiting for a call from the agent who rents out the house, hopefully she will call me today

[NWOhioAngela]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but these are things I think/worry about so I wonder what you think!

With the economy so bad and people out of work, won't there be less need for childcare? I'm seeing a lot of couples working opposite shifts now so they don't have the childcare expense. Are you at all concerned that you won't be able to find work, or families that can afford what you will need to charge? Are the childcare laws different in Florida than in your current state? Will your new landlord allow you to run a childcare business from your home?

I'm sure you have thought all this through--I just want to pick your brain and let you do all the hard work LOL

[PatriciaH]

We moved to Celebration a little over 4 years ago. The biggest mistake we made was not having jobs before we came. We had 2 small businesses we moved with us but it was not enought for long term work and benefits. It set us way back. We came with no debt and a ton of money in the bank. Now we are back in debt and it stinks. I would never move with kids without jobs. Esp. to the Orlando area!

Disney is on a hiring freeze (esp. for seasonal/part time positions.) They have cut many full time positions to 32 hours a week and people are desperate for hours just to make rent. These are people that were making $7/hour to begin with! (That is about what you would make in one of the child care centers.) Salaried positions are being cut and budgets (travel, etc.) are being cut across the bord to try and avoid lay offs. Many other companies are in the same boat. It was hard to find a decent job BEFORE the economy tanked now it is bad news here. Lots of crime and homeless even in/right near Celebration.

Like another poster said-be sure and check any rentals. Owners are in foreclosure and pocketing the rent money and taking off. Then the renters are left with no home!

Not trying to scare you just warn you! We were warned 4 years ago when it was much better here but we still insisted on giving up good jobs up north and moving down. It was "our dream." I miss MA every day. We made $30K more a year up there and it was so much more beautiful than flat Florida. Weather is not everything. We were able to get away and vacation much more when we were making more money. Most people think they will move to Florida and it will be like a vacation but they wind up working so much they never enjoy the parks and beaches!

We made a lot of great friends here and have no kids so we are still able to do a lot of fun things. Would I do it again knowing what I do now? No. I would just keep vacationing in Florida. It has changed so much in such a short time! Avoid Kissimmee-not a nice area.

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by NWOhioAngela

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but these are things I think/worry about so I wonder what you think!

With the economy so bad and people out of work, won't there be less need for childcare? I'm seeing a lot of couples working opposite shifts now so they don't have the childcare expense. Are you at all concerned that you won't be able to find work, or families that can afford what you will need to charge? Are the childcare laws different in Florida than in your current state? Will your new landlord allow you to run a childcare business from your home?

I'm sure you have thought all this through--I just want to pick your brain and let you do all the hard work LOL

You're not being a downer ~ just practical

There is always a need for childcare, even with the economy as it is. I know here, which is a much smaller city, three times as small actually, that I have no problem finding families, I actually have a waiting list. There are always people needing good childcare. Lots of people have good jobs out there. Honestly the people rearranging their schedules to save on childcare costs aren't the people I usually babysit for. I babysit for people who have good, high paying jobs. I'm not worried about finding families, it just takes time as it always does. Then I have to make sure I find the right ones

Also about the laws ~ yes, they are more lenient in Fl. You can actually babysit more children in your home without being licensed than here in NC. I don't have a daycare or large family childcare either, so babysitting a few children in my home won't be a problem. Just like where I live now, in a townhome rental, I can babysit a few children, as long as it's not a business, and as long as I don't go over a certain amount of children that's not a problem I did tell my realtor to check into it just in case though, dont' want any surprises!
I appreciate your thoughts, I know some people may not think about all the possibilites!
Also, my sister works with special needs children, and the government pays her wages, $12.00 an hour so I'm not too worried about that either.

[earthfaries]

Originally Posted by PatriciaH

We moved to Celebration a little over 4 years ago. The biggest mistake we made was not having jobs before we came. We had 2 small businesses we moved with us but it was not enought for long term work and benefits. It set us way back. We came with no debt and a ton of money in the bank. Now we are back in debt and it stinks. I would never move with kids without jobs. Esp. to the Orlando area!

Disney is on a hiring freeze (esp. for seasonal/part time positions.) They have cut many full time positions to 32 hours a week and people are desperate for hours just to make rent. These are people that were making $7/hour to begin with! (That is about what you would make in one of the child care centers.) Salaried positions are being cut and budgets (travel, etc.) are being cut across the bord to try and avoid lay offs. Many other companies are in the same boat. It was hard to find a decent job BEFORE the economy tanked now it is bad news here. Lots of crime and homeless even in/right near Celebration.

Like another poster said-be sure and check any rentals. Owners are in foreclosure and pocketing the rent money and taking off. Then the renters are left with no home!

Not trying to scare you just warn you! We were warned 4 years ago when it was much better here but we still insisted on giving up good jobs up north and moving down. It was "our dream." I miss MA every day. We made $30K more a year up there and it was so much more beautiful than flat Florida. Weather is not everything. We were able to get away and vacation much more when we were making more money. Most people think they will move to Florida and it will be like a vacation but they wind up working so much they never enjoy the parks and beaches!

We made a lot of great friends here and have no kids so we are still able to do a lot of fun things. Would I do it again knowing what I do now? No. I would just keep vacationing in Florida. It has changed so much in such a short time! Avoid Kissimmee-not a nice area.

I'm sorry to hear it didn't turn out how you thought it would I understand where you're coming from. If we had really high paying jobs we may not leave yet. We are just going to do there what we do here and what we'd do anywhere we live. It will work out, it's meant to be. I appreciate all the help you guys have given me ~ just keep your fingers crossed for us

[ChevyNat]

Best of luck... We are still thinking and wishing in living there one day... But I have a good life here and I think I can go to my happy place every year or so...

[kaysmommie]

Hi Earthfaries,
I agree with PP to avoid Kissimmee, my SIL said the same thing. It's close to Disney but not a nice area. I think job wise you have your bases covered, you wouldn't be moving if you didn't . It's not like you have tons of bills and debt, so why not . My DH has had some slow months at work so we couldn't do a move like this unitl we get caught up on everything and have a certain amount saved in the bank. Anyway I'm looking forward to hearing more , this is so exciting.