Central Florida Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Olive Garden HQ
Hey Ladies. I'm actually from the NC board. I have a second phone interview for a position with Olive Garden at their corporate HQ in Orlando. Just thought I'd see if anyone else works there and can let me know what the environment is like or any insights they have on Olive Garden. I'd be working in their Consumer Insights department. Its a job that I really really really want...so wish me luck 
Re: Olive Garden HQ
The location of their office is by the Florida Mall - which is a great area for shopping, not so much where you'd want to live. But you would probably luck out and at least live somewhere that you don't have to commute on I4 (the busiest interstate in Orlando) since the area of OG is closer to the airport side of town.
I have heard they are a great company to work for as far as fairness and equality and truly holding their employees in high regard, from servers to VPs.
Good luck - sounds like a great opportunity!!
Their headquarters is down the street from my office. They are building a brand spanking new building for you guys (that's right - I am thinking positive and saying you have the job! hehe!).
I would live in Hunter's Creek or look in that area if I were you. It's a nice area and about a 10-15 minute drive from the headquarter office.
I had a friend that did temp work there - she seemed sad to leave after her temping was over - which is a good sign.
Gooooood Luck!
I had a friend that lived in Hunter's Creek once...so that's good to hear a second good opinion of it.
Thanks all for the well wishes!
I would also consider the Lake Nona Northlake area. Its cute, quiet, and has great schools, community. I live here and I love it. We're renting now but want to buy a place here and raise kids.
I've heard good things about Hunters Creek too but its also near Metro West if I'm not mistaken and that's crime central. Not that all of Orlando isn't that way these days but Metro West has a reputation. They had to hire full time cops patrolling to keep down the car jackings.
Oh ok. I'm wrong. I just associated it with Metro West because I get a lot of transcripts from crimes in that area as well as Metro West. (I do transcripts and translations for a living)
They remind me of each other because they are really nice areas with lots of shopping centers and nice neighborhoods but with an outer border of crime that's always trying to get in.
Unfortunately Orlando isn't as sweet and safe as it used to be.
Lauraperks, I don't want to deter you from Hunters Creek because it is a great place. Its just in Orlando right now crime is up and unfortunately the nicer the area and the more populated, the greater the temptation for criminals.
Yes, there are Olive Gardens here....and they're one of my favorite restaurants which is great! Maybe I'd get free dinners as well...lol....I can only hope
My mom worked for Darden for like 15yrs before she left to go back to school to get a degree. Couldn't have been too bad if she stuck around that long
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I second living in the Lake Nona area. Its more expensive then the Hunter's Creek area but IMO its a much nicer area. Hunter's Creek does have easier access to shopping right now but the Lake Nona area is having a huge VA hospital and UCF's medical school opening right there so give it a few years and you will have everything you need withing your reach.
Hunter's Creek is a cute area and would be close to your work (about 15 mins or so). And there is nice shopping there. But my hubs works near there and we've noticed that a LOT of places are closing and we assumed it's because of the economy. It could also be that there is a LOT out there (shopping, restaurants, entertainment) but I'm not sure there are enough residents there yet to support it.
I live in Lake Nona and my husband commutes to work near the Florida Mall. He really likes where we lived and says he doesn't mind the commute. I would say to expect a 20 min drive or so from Lake Nona. I like that it's quiet out here and very nice. The downside it that there is not a whole lot of retail stuff but it's definitely growing. Right now we drive about 20 minutes to get to the nearest Target, for example. But less than a mile to Publix. I have seen 3 new businesses open in the shopping center next to me in the last 3 months. And they are building two HUGE shopping complexes within a mile or two of us in opposite directions. I predict within a year or two there will be anything you could want out here.
As far as Darden, I had one friend work for them (through Red Lobster) and he loved it! I also second a yummy Nestie GTG at OG!
I have met (and keep meeting) many people that currently work at Darden and they seem to really like working there!! BTW, their new HQ is going to be SO great when its finished!!
Good Luck!! Do you already know who you'd be reporting to?
Hunters Creek is NOT near Metrowest. Hunters Creek is a very nice area. The new headquarters is going to be located on John Young and 528. Its moving closer to Hunters Creek.
Good Luck! Our wedding reception was at a local O.G.
I will second the Lake Nona area as well as Hunters Creek areas. I live near the airport which is say somewhat between both areas. Let us know how you did.
Yeah you're right. I got confused. Read pp.
I had a phone interview with the director of the department I'd be working in. I don't think I'd would report directly to her but through a manger that reports to her. She was fabulous! She said they want to bring me down to Orlando to meet everyone so I will hopefully hear back from HR today to find out when they can schedule the trip!