I'm moving to Central Florida.... Suggestions?

[texaninsouthfl]

As my forum name suggests... I'm from Texas. I moved to south Florida (West Palm area) in 2004. I have decided it's time for a change in scenery. Truth is, if I didn't have a business established in Florida, I'd probably head back to Texas. (I'm a VA accredited claims agent and I help veterans and surviving spouses with a VA benefit that helps pay for long term care like assisted living and private duty home care) I have a few referral sources in Central Florida so I figured since the cost of housing (rental for now) is MUCH cheaper up there, that in January of this year, my 19 year old son (who works with me) and I are moving up thataway.  I have zero interest in living too close to Orlando but I do need to be a reasonable drive from there for business reasons ... I'm thinking smaller towns or better yet, out in the country.

I've looked as far south as Okeechobee... up to Lake Placid/Sebring... Lakeland...  and up around Leesburg/Eustis/Mount Dora. The criteria is pretty vague... nice small town not too far from Orlando (or in betweenish Orlando and West Palm) ... low crime ... nice scenery... friendly people and reasonable cost of living.

I have to confess that part of the reason I'm enthused about moving up that way is you VRCC folk ... I've met a bunch of you and it'd be awesome to be in the area to meet up, ride and such. It'd make moving into a new area much more pleasant than usual.

Soooo.... any suggestions as to what towns y'all think I'd like best up there?

[John Schmidt]

The Eustis/Mt. Dora area is rather nice and centrally located. Another place to consider might be Deland. That puts you in between the Orlando metro area and Daytona, and still close enough for air travel or a commute from either city.

[Pappy!]

Lake Wales and Winter Haven are getting built up pretty rapidly these days.
Still a bunch of wide open spaces in Lake County which covers Eustis, Mt. Dora, Leesburg, etc.
Far enough away from Orlando yet close enough to get there within about 45 minutes or so depending on where you end up.
Riding is some of the better to best in the state I think. National forest is up here, we do have a few hills, around a thousand lakes or so to ride around and centrally located to get you wherever you want to go in a decent amount of time.
To live here we would have to approve your visa status of course.........

[TJ]

I'm in Lake Placid , nice little town , a lot of space around here about an hour from Orlando...
About in the middle between W.P.B. or Tampa ...
Plenty of lakes , not real crowded , open roads & spaces...

[_Sheffjs_]

Check out the little town of San Antonio and its surrounding area.  Yes Tex I said San Antonio!!  Close to hills country side and a nice area.   

[FloridaValkRyder]

Eustis?  I used to play golf there.  Route 44 and 46 were good motorcycle roads.  But age 19 in Eustis?  Nope.  The closest place with anything is Apopka and it is not friendly.

I live in Apopka, well, southwest Seminole County anyway, and it's pretty friendly actually, especially if you live here.
I'm with Pappy though, I would look in Lake County if it's country you desire. They are building the last piece of the 429 (Western Beltway), which would put you in Orlando real quick. It will swing through the Wekiva Preserve and go just east of Plymouth, Sorrento, Eustis, etc. and hook up with the 417 in Lake Mary. There are some real nice pieces of property all over that area and some nice neighborhoods too.

[BF]

As my forum name suggests... I'm from Texas. I moved to south Florida (West Palm area) in 2004. I have decided it's time for a change in scenery. Truth is, if I didn't have a business established in Florida, I'd probably head back to Texas. I have a few referral sources in Central Florida so I figured since the cost of housing (rental for now) is MUCH cheaper up there, that in January of this year, my 19 year old son (who works with me) and I are moving up thataway.  I have zero interest in living too close to Orlando but I do need to be a reasonable drive from there for business reasons ... I'm thinking smaller towns or better yet, out in the country.

I've looked as far south as Okeechobee... up to Lake Placid/Sebring... Lakeland...  and up around (I'm a VA accredited claims agent and I help veterans and surviving spouses with a VA benefit that helps pay for long term care like assisted living and private duty home care)Leesburg/Eustis/Mount Dora. The criteria is pretty vague... nice small town not too far from Orlando (or in betweenish Orlando and West Palm) ... low crime ... nice scenery... friendly people and reasonable cost of living.

I have to confess that part of the reason I'm enthused about moving up that way is you VRCC folk ... I've met a bunch of you and it'd be awesome to be in the area to meet up, ride and such. It'd make moving into a new area much more pleasant than usual.

Soooo.... any suggestions as to what towns y'all think I'd like best up there?

You do know that the Panhandle area from Pensacola to Panama City has THE largest military presence in the state did you not?

Lots and lots of veterans and retired military in these parts.  

Pensacola Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Duke Field, Hurlburt Field (home of Air Force Special Ops), Eglin AFB, Naval Station @ Panama City, Tyndall AFB, 7th Special Forces Army, All Branches EOD School at Eglin......  

[larue]

I just moved out of Orlando due to traffic after 15 yrs, now I'm in lake county now and a proud resident of Clermont 6 miles north west of winter garden, Nice scenery and hills and not as crowded. It takes me 30 min to be in Orlando on 429. By the way that was the reason I couldn't make the Maggie valley trip I had just closed on my house there. Great area

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Well As You Know ,I Live In The Ocala National Forest, Ocklawaha Florida. There Are Lots Of Roads To Ride Throughout The Forest , With Shade And Little To No Traffic On Most Days. I Am An Hour From Gainesville ,Sanford ,Orlando ,Daytona ,And  Crystal River. Directly In The Middle Of The State.
The Weather Actually Changes With The Seasons Here . And The Cost Of Living Is Pretty Reasonable Out Here In The Country .

[Tropic traveler]

Don't come to Marion County as you will freeze to death in the winter. Even though it has been 100° here every day for the last week or so the winters are brutal. I refer to this area as the Arctic Circle of Florida.
Lake County seems to be the best place for you IMHO. Close to Orlando w/o being in Orlando. Warmer there in the winter too due to the proximity of all the lakes.

To John Schmidt & the rest of the warm weather wussies...... I ♥ this weather we are having now!!! 

[John Schmidt]

Hey Tex, don't pay any attention to Tropic Traveler, that boy just ain't right.    He loves this hot weather like a cold blooded reptile, but let it drop to perfect riding weather between 70 & 80 degrees and he's wearing long johns and three layers of shirts under a jacket. His heart must be patterned after an alligators. When it drops below 75 deg. you'll see him in the morning, out laying in the sun trying to warm up his metabolism so his legs will function. Like I said....that boy just ain't right I tell ya.   

[darksidemxer]

Bushnell. Quiet lil country town with cheap property and great roads. Also the dunkin donuts inside the walmart is one of the best i have tried. I live near nobleton and commute to clermont everyday. Love my commute on all the lil back roads to 27.

[texaninsouthfl]

Thanks for the replies so far... I'm looking forward to riding with y'all bunch o' nuts.

So far I'm leaning toward Lake Placid/Sebring and Lake County.  I won't be moving until January but six months passes by pretty quick so I figure I need to have a reasonably sure idear of what I plan sooner rather than later.

[John Schmidt]

Keep in mind....Lake County will have you closer to the Orlando Metro area where a high poplulation of former service members live. Plus the new VA hospital is opening and the current facility adjacent to the old Navy base which I believe has an assisted living area for vets. Also, there is a VA services office nearby, my granddaughter works there.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Bruce's suggestion of the panhandle area is worth further thought if being near Veterans is a consideration. I would love to live in the panhandle again. I lived in Fort Walton Beach area, Niceville actually, for a while when my Dad was stationed at Eglin AFB. I still love that area, beach and woods come together nicely and it is soooooo different up there than here in Orlando.

.

[F6MoRider]

You should consider the area from Polk City to Leesburg.  Some beautiful country, close to Orlando but rural as you'd like.

[texaninsouthfl]

It's official (unless something goes sideways last minute)...  I found a nice place on an acre in the woods between Eustis and DeLand.  So around the first of the year I should be all moved in and ready to start exploring the area and meetin' up with you bunch of ruffians.  I'm looking forward to it.   :-)

[_Sheffjs_]

 

[Flrider]

Great 

[BCoy]

Great news, congrats! That is a beautiful area.

[Bronxboy]

Lookin forward to meeting u, Great bunch of people here....except Billyboy...he takes a little getting used to 

[John Schmidt]

Lookin forward to meeting u, Great bunch of people here....except Billyboy...he takes a little getting used to 

Yeah, they only let him out of the home a couple times a month. When that happens, he gets a little kinky; rides motorcycles, smokes cigars(dog turds), wears Daisy Duke shorts, etc.  We just humor him until he heads back in time for curfew. 

[Tropic traveler]

Lookin forward to meeting u, Great bunch of people here....except Billyboy...he takes a little getting used to 

Yeah, they only let him out of the home a couple times a month. When that happens, he gets a little kinky; rides motorcycles, smokes cigars(dog turds), wears Daisy Duke shorts, etc.  We just humor him until he heads back in time for curfew. 

I thought he was on parole. 

[Tropic traveler]

It's official (unless something goes sideways last minute)...  I found a nice place on an acre in the woods between Eustis and DeLand.  So around the first of the year I should be all moved in and ready to start exploring the area and meetin' up with you bunch of ruffians.  I'm looking forward to it.   :-)

Cassia or Pine Lakes area?

[Flrider]

I thought he was on parole. 

[texaninsouthfl]

It's official (unless something goes sideways last minute)...  I found a nice place on an acre in the woods between Eustis and DeLand.  So around the first of the year I should be all moved in and ready to start exploring the area and meetin' up with you bunch of ruffians.  I'm looking forward to it.   :-)

Cassia or Pine Lakes area?

In between...  Royal Trails

[Valkahuna]

It's official (unless something goes sideways last minute)...  I found a nice place on an acre in the woods between Eustis and DeLand.  So around the first of the year I should be all moved in and ready to start exploring the area and meetin' up with you bunch of ruffians.  I'm looking forward to it.   :-)

you are going to love the area. We live in DeLand. Great town, lots to do, and close proximity to Orlando, Daytona, etc.

[billyboy]

Lookin forward to meeting u, Great bunch of people here....except Billyboy...he takes a little getting used to  

Yeah, they only let him out of the home a couple times a month. When that happens, he gets a little kinky; rides motorcycles, smokes cigars(dog turds), wears Daisy Duke shorts, etc.  We just humor him until he heads back in time for curfew.  

I thought he was on parole.  

Hey I only broke curfew a couple of times John    I tried rehab until I found out
it was full of quitters    Sorry not for me.    Now if I can only find the
front gate. Oh miss; over here; Oh miss. Jezz why do they always run away.    

[John Schmidt]

Lookin forward to meeting u, Great bunch of people here....except Billyboy...he takes a little getting used to 

Yeah, they only let him out of the home a couple times a month. When that happens, he gets a little kinky; rides motorcycles, smokes cigars(dog turds), wears Daisy Duke shorts, etc.  We just humor him until he heads back in time for curfew. 

I thought he was on parole. 

Hey I only broke curfew a couple of times John     I tried rehab until I found out
it was full of quitters     Sorry not for me.     Now if I can only find the
front gate. Oh miss; over here; Oh miss. Jezz why do always run away.    

That's cuz your rep preceeds you!   

[billyboy]

JACK!!!!!!!! Need some help here brother. They're picking on me again man. Oh by the way
you got any bail money.      

[_Sheffjs_]

Heees Back!!!

  Fart Fart Fart

  Where did it go?

[_Sheffjs_]

Thanks for the replies so far... I'm looking forward to riding with y'all bunch o' nuts.

You don't know the half   

[Bronxboy]

Heees Back!!!

  Fart Fart Fart

  Where did it go?

[billyboy]

You guys just aint right. Someone please pull my finger. Please   

[_Sheffjs_]

You guys just aint right. Someone please pull my finger. Please   

Oh you loved the ribbing I got with the bromance chapter    admit it!!   

[Tropic traveler]

It's official (unless something goes sideways last minute)...  I found a nice place on an acre in the woods between Eustis and DeLand.  So around the first of the year I should be all moved in and ready to start exploring the area and meetin' up with you bunch of ruffians.  I'm looking forward to it.   :-)

Cassia or Pine Lakes area?

In between...  Royal Trails

Drove by there today. You're right, dead smack in between Cassia & Pine Lakes it is!
Good choice. Pappy looks to be your closest Valkyrie neighbor. 

[NighthawkVTX]

Tampa/ St Pete has a very active biker community. Plus ya gotta love the beaches.
We dont talk about the Bucs.......

[bgnorthport]

I just moved to Deltona from Venice a month ago.  Its definitely cheaper than southwest Florida.  I'm 30 miles away from both Orlando and Daytona, 43 miles away from Titusville.  I'm still learning the area, but I drive through Osteen to go to work, and its a very quiet country town.