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Where's your house?
- Thread starter Dan
- Start date
- Messages
- 17,521
- Points
- 55
Well, I don't live in the town where I work. Real estate is a bit expensive there; it's also a small town where everyone knows me, and I want to be able to really leave work at 5:00 -- or 7:00, as the case has been recently.
I live in Ocoee, which is about 1/3rd of the way between that small town and downtown Orlando. Ocoee is a western suburb of Orlando; it used to be known as a "hick town" of sorts, but it's rapidly developing into a desirable suburb. Tough design regulations, big houses ... it's not bad. It is a suburb, though.
The location of my job provided a lot fo challenges when it came to house hunting. If I lived where most singles tend to congregate, in Orlando's northern 'burbs, I'd be looking at a 50 minute commute to work. Not too far south is Dr. Philips and Windermere -- unaffordable on a planner's salary. Closer to downtown is Pine Hills, otherwise known as "Crime Hills" -- a once middle-class suburban area that is experiencing rapid socioeconomic change. Winter Garden is close to work, but the built environment there leaves a bit to be desired, and demographically it has a "traditional rural Southern working class" orientation -- friendly, but I wouldn't fit in. (The planners there are trying hard to turn things around, I'll give 'em credit for that.) If I want to get to work in a reasonable amount of time, not be so far from downtown that feel like I'm in the sticks, and live in a nice place I can afford, I'm pretty much limited to Ocoee.
I'll hold a Planfest when Cyburbia reaches critical mass, and there's enough Cyburbanites from Central Florida that'll fill my yard ... or at least be able to sit around the dining room table.
el Guapo
Capitalist
- Messages
- 5,985
- Points
- 29
El Guapo trancends his own tastes
El Guapo will not dignify that...Ok, he will. El Guapo likes the old neighborhood and his rustic, yet kindly, neighbors. But for some reason El Guapo is not in charge.
Mrs. Guapo wants to live next to the Glitterati. El Guapo is now looking for something in a McMansion if you talked to Mrs. El Guapo. Perhaps even a gated community; to keep out the civil servant types and those with just a bachelors degree.
"If a man tells you he is in charge at his home he will lie to you about other things also!"
El Guapo will not dignify that...Ok, he will. El Guapo likes the old neighborhood and his rustic, yet kindly, neighbors. But for some reason El Guapo is not in charge.
Mrs. Guapo wants to live next to the Glitterati. El Guapo is now looking for something in a McMansion if you talked to Mrs. El Guapo. Perhaps even a gated community; to keep out the civil servant types and those with just a bachelors degree.
"If a man tells you he is in charge at his home he will lie to you about other things also!"
mike gurnee
Cyburbian
- Messages
- 3,066
- Points
- 30
el Guapo, you could always put your trailer in the yard behind the McMansion...or repose in the servants quarters above the garage. But does the homeowners association have a prohibition on your vehicles?
Bullwinkle
Cyburbian
- Messages
- 176
- Points
- 7
I live in a heavily wooded subdivision with about 4 units/acre. Work is eight minutes away; the school is five minutes; and the grocery store is in-between. Small towns are nice.
There is a large aerial photo of the town on the wall in the lobby. Invariably when someone sees it for the first time, they look for their house. I'm glad to see that planners do the same thing.
By the way, Rocket J. Squirrel lives in a nearby tree.
There is a large aerial photo of the town on the wall in the lobby. Invariably when someone sees it for the first time, they look for their house. I'm glad to see that planners do the same thing.
By the way, Rocket J. Squirrel lives in a nearby tree.
- Messages
- 9,870
- Points
- 38
Don't feel so bad Dan...
My college roommate (a former planner turned computer consultant) lives in this lovely development. If you think it's bad, wait 'til you see the whole community (next post).
My college roommate (a former planner turned computer consultant) lives in this lovely development. If you think it's bad, wait 'til you see the whole community (next post).
Virtue City
Cyburbian
- Messages
- 52
- Points
- 4
What a mess!
All of those roads seem like that lead to no where. How do you not get lost in that neighborhood?
All of those roads seem like that lead to no where. How do you not get lost in that neighborhood?
Journeymouse
Cyburbian
- Messages
- 443
- Points
- 13
Re: What a mess!
Boy, you yanks like things on a large scale. I thought British suburbia and housing estates were bad enough. But then, you have the space.
(I can't think of a smiley for an evil smile, so you'll just have to imagine) You don't. Or rather you do. There are rust-bucket cars trapped at the end of cul-de-sacs with skeletons in and there are ghosts that endlessly search for home...
Boy, you yanks like things on a large scale. I thought British suburbia and housing estates were bad enough. But then, you have the space.
- Messages
- 9,870
- Points
- 38
Jen
Cyburbian
- Messages
- 1,704
- Points
- 24
The lake is iced over again!
Thanks for the link NH planner!
My neighborhood - just a topo here, no aerial views
My place is on the east side of Big Pine Island Lake We can see the island and public asshole access from our house. We have a sandy beach, yard is full giant white pines and oaks, and we sit high above the lake with about 62 steps down to beach - by the end of summer my legs are tight!
Notice our proximity to Grattan Raceway - that sealed the deal for us and I was dragging my feet on buying this house, too small and boxy but the location is gorgeous and there even is a small party store Green's Landing on the lake that sells anything you need, except for imported beer -
Thanks for the link NH planner!
My neighborhood - just a topo here, no aerial views
My place is on the east side of Big Pine Island Lake We can see the island and public asshole access from our house. We have a sandy beach, yard is full giant white pines and oaks, and we sit high above the lake with about 62 steps down to beach - by the end of summer my legs are tight!
Notice our proximity to Grattan Raceway - that sealed the deal for us and I was dragging my feet on buying this house, too small and boxy but the location is gorgeous and there even is a small party store Green's Landing on the lake that sells anything you need, except for imported beer -