Florida Residents please help

[motherhamv]

We need to make a move soon and our choices are Meblourne, Osceola. or Orange Counties. I would like to know if anyone can tell me about Osceola or Orange County. Are the rents higher in one county or location? Where are the best public school ratings? Where would be the best location that does not have too much flooding. Can you help??

[dnickels]

Of the 3 you listed, Brevard (Melbourne) county is far and away the best ranked school district. Of Florida's 67 school districts, Brevard is ranked 8th, Orange is ranked 34th and Osceola is ranked 38th. Of course there are better and worse individual schools within every one of those districts, but that's the view from 10,000 feet anyway.

When it comes to rent you can find cheap or expensive in all 3 counties, but of course keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for in terms of quality of the schools, neighborhood safety, neighbors and access to services.

[motherhamv]

After I posted, I continued to research and found more acceptable schools Brevard. I did not find a good site to help with rent though, seeing 1000/mo for a small apartment is way to high for a single mom of 3. Any suggestions??

[Disney4us2]

I don't know about the rent prices in those areas. I am currently house hunting in those areas as well as Polk Co.

Currently I am in Winter Haven (Polk Co). I too am a single mom and found an income restricted apartment. You have to qualify to get in. I am paying $547/month + ulilities for a 2 br/ 2bath.

While looking at some houses last week in Orange Co. I found out the high school is rated an 8 out of 10 on the Great Schools site. The house is a total gut job...moving on.

I am concentrating in Davenport which is about 10 miles from Disney. Close enough with out all the tourist traffic.

I found my current apartment on Rent dot com. there is also 4rent dot com. You can also try Zillow as there are rentals there as well.

Good luck with your search.

[Main Street Jim]

Davenport (Polk county)/south Clermont (Lake County) is pretty quiet...nice neighboorhoods...and only about 15 minutes from Disney :)

Look up the "Four Corners" area (the corner of Lake/Polk/Osceola/Orange counties).