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Moving to West Orlando, good places?

Maybe I'm expecting a lot but I'm starting work on Sandlake in three weeks and am looking for a nice studio or duplex or whatever in THAT area, I found quite a few in the Millenia area, but after looking at the apartment ratings online, I'm just really struggling. I have a ridiculous car payment, and was hoping to pay somewhere b/w 500 and 650. Also I want to have my own place (no roommates) and they must accept dogs. Thanks for ANY help and any inside information.

Public Comments

1. the only place you are going to find rent that cheap that accepts dogs is in the bad areas good luck!
2. That's asking a lot, consider living outside of that area. Trust me I live in Seminole county pay $800 for a very small 1 bedroom, but good area.
3. Two things to know.. Orlando is #11 on the list of dangerous cities.. that's beating Compton.. that means our bad areas are truly bad. That said, anything under $800 probably will be in a bad area. Florida's unemployment is at a 14 year high.. I'm waiting to tie up loose ends and go to Texas at least for a year or two. To the smart aleck below: I lived in Orlando up until June and then I moved to Altamonte which neighbors it. Two other things to know: Local people who are desperate to stem the tide of falling real estate values in the area for themselves or others, try bigtime to deny the crime problems here.. evidence of the some of the pretentious mentalities that you will meet in the area. Foreclosures in the area are high. As good as that might sound for finding bargains, it's mostly the hugely inflated teenie-tiny 700sf condo prices that are dropping.. People are still trying to sell their podunk shacks as gold. If I thought the bargains were good, I'd buy in cash outright now. Apartment complexes and landlords (if they are not in foreclosure as is a very real rising problem), are getting to be worse scam artists probably in response to the economy. I had to threaten my last complex with a court case in response to their outlandish claim on my deposit and hundreds more.. and that was an upscale place. Don't get me wrong, Florida is a beautiful place, that's why I consider coming back. You may find a nice place and be happy. I just don't want people being disillusioned that Orlando is an extension of Disneyworld. I only regret that I didn't go to Jacksonville like I originally intended until some guy gave me the yip-yip about Orlando, and now Orlando has a worse crime rate than Jax or Miami.
4. Try APts near Sea World nice area near International Dr. Dont let the poster above scare you by brining up that Orlando is bad she probably dosnt even live here ( which is not your question anyway) Sandlake is nice if you can find one stay away from the FL mall area. Whole Foods is on Sand Lake so would be good for you
5. What you're asking for probably isn't going to happen. Sandlake Rd is long and goes through a few different housing areas so not sure which end you mean. For the airport end (north) I wouldn't recommend anything there safety wise but it might be within your price range and may accept small dogs. For the middle section (florida mall area) I would strongly discourage living there, anything in the area around texas ave, holden ave, rio grande, oak ridge is bad news although it also might be in your price range and may accept dogs. For safety I would start by looking in the 32837 and 32821 zip codes are they're both nice areas and close by to sand lake. However, a minimum rent amount for a 1 bedroom would be about $800. Your other option is to try an income restricted apartment complex, which are in nice areas and pretty safe but you have to make between a certain amount of money to qualify, these complexes have rent for about $500-600 for a 1 bedroom but they do not accept any pets. Local complex names for income restrict would be Waterbridge, Regatta Bay, Berkshire Club etc. Millenia area is nice, and relatively safe although it's just a few miles from a bad neighborhood, but again rent would be 800+ Kirkman Rd area might be a compromise but a 1 bedroom would be 700+, safety is Ok but not great depending on the location. Towards Universal Studios is better than the other end. Metrowest is Ok too but crime rates are on the rise in that area. Also most complex's accept only small dogs and have strict breed restrictions. You'll have to pay a hefty pet deposit and maybe even pet rent monthly.
6. Sea World area would be best for you. Try http://orlandosentinel.com