Looking for safe neighborhood or apartment near downtown (Miami, Orlando: apartment complexes, rentals)

[elgato06]

Hi all,

I am moving to Orlando in the next month or so with my husband and two roommates (and a cat). We are looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, $1300 or less place. I have found a few places through craigslist and driving around. We like the Thornton Park/downtown area but it is out of our price range, so we are looking at the neighborhoods just south of Thornton Park on the other side of 408 and the ones north on Mills near the YMCA. Are there any crime problems or streets we should be aware of? It all looked fine during the day.
We do not mind an older house as long as it is clean and won't cost us too much in utilities. I just don't want our cars broken into.

Also, does anyone know of any near-downtown apartment complexes that have 3/2 units for less than $1500 per month? Camden downtown does not seem to have any 3 bedrooms and Post is $2300 a month. I am probably asking too much in that regard!

Thanks in advance

[Robineli]

If you don't mind private rentals, comb every street in the 32803 zip (that's the downtown - includes Thornton Park, Lake Eola Heights, East Central Park, and the Mills area near the 408). I see signs up all the time. East Central Park is less pricey, albeit a little worn in some areas. The neighborhoods off Gore, between Primrose and Mills, and the area west/southwest of Lake Underhill (the actual lake, not the entire road) have lots of signs up.

Regarding safety, there's a strange mix of high and low end in the area you're looking in - young, white collar professionals in their late 20's and 30's and people who look like they never caught a break in their life and have hit bottom. There's also gangs that tag the area (our mailbox and a nearby park have been tagged), homeless wandering around, and low-income housing off South St (which is right next to public tennis courts that no one uses, except my boyfriend and I on occasion. Never crowded and an audience of little kids). I haven't been a victim of crime, but I have been followed, my coworker had his car broken into, my boss had six masked guys from Miami show up at her house at 6am (they looked at her three large labs barking furiously, got back into their car and drove away. The police caught the a few hours later breaking into a nearby house. Turns out they were coming up every few weeks from Miami to rob houses in the Lake Eola area.) you might take a look at SpotCrime - Know Your Neighborhood for a visual. If you're coming from a big city, this area is nothing you haven't seen before. If you're small town, don't be frightened, just be smart.

[ilovebdj]

I live in 32803 and there are quite a few homes for rent in these neighborhoods. Good advice above. You should be able to find something decent for that kind of money. And who knows....maybe a pool! Good luck.....

[elgato06]

Thank you much! Maybe I should get a dog :-O Actually I used to live in Atlanta so I am used to the high/low mix. I will keep looking in those areas!

[annerk]

The Colonialtown area is generally quite safe and you'll be able to find a nice (but older) home in that area in your price range.

You'll want to jsut drive around, a lot of those homes aren't "listed" anywhere, the landlord jsut puts a for rent sign in the yard.