Considering a move to Clermont, Florida

[Ricky's Girl]

Hello! I know I've seen threads in the past about folks who are relocating to Florida and I remember reading responses from a lot of DISer's that live in Clermont.

My dh and I are planning a trip down in March to check out the Clermont and Lakeland areas, with plans for a possible move in early 2012 unless we find our dream home, then things could move a lot faster. I would appreciate any and all help and suggestions you might offer.

A couple things I'm wondering about is pool home vs. a community pool; insurance rates and weather issues, I love gardening and would love to hear from gardeners about what wonderful things you can grow there.

Thanks is advance. I look forward to hearing from some future neighbors. .

Susie

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Me again! I've read a lot about downtown Clermont and I'm excited about the Farmer's Market and other activities. I would love to hear your take on the downtown area. Also, does anyone know if there are scrapbooking stores in the area?

 

[Muffy]

Central Florida is great and now is the time to buy compared to prices a few years ago. I've heard that Clermont is very nice but have not visited as of yet. Definitely come down and check out the area. That's how we did it back in 06 when we first bought in FL. We ended up in Celebration and couldn't be happier. Good luck to you!

 

[minnie56]

We are heading down next month to look at both Clermont and Davenport..we like Highlands Reserve there. Will be interesting to see your feeback

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Central Florida is great and now is the time to buy compared to prices a few years ago. I've heard that Clermont is very nice but have not visited as of yet. Definitely come down and check out the area. That's how we did it back in 06 when we first bought in FL. We ended up in Celebration and couldn't be happier. Good luck to you!

Thanks Muffy!

 

[Ricky's Girl]

We are heading down next month to look at both Clermont and Davenport..we like Highlands Reserve there. Will be interesting to see your feeback

I'll Google Highlands Reserve to find out more about it. Thanks!

 

[PigletsPal2]

Clermont and Lakeland are quite far apart (about 1-1/2 hrs); Clermont is nice, getting built up, in Lake County, high taxes. Lakeland is in Polk County (go figure!), more established neighborhoods, some nicer than others. Home to Florida Southern College, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed college and current home of DGD, studying to be next Dr. G.!

Queen Colleen

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Clermont and Lakeland are quite far apart (about 1-1/2 hrs); Clermont is nice, getting built up, in Lake County, high taxes. Lakeland is in Polk County (go figure!), more established neighborhoods, some nicer than others. Home to Florida Southern College, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed college and current home of DGD, studying to be next Dr. G.!

Queen Colleen

Thanks Queen Colleen! We have been to Lakeland and a few other areas of Florida in the past. When we were in Lakeland before it was just for a spring training game and so we really didn't look around too much. I did not know abou the college being there. I do need to do some more research on it. I've read a lot about Clermont and like what I've seen so far.

I think we're going to try and rent a place in each location for about a week to give us a little feel of the areas. Once we have a better idea then we'll go back to spend more time there and hopefully find our dream home.

A few years ago we looked in the Homassasa area and really liked it but it's a little to far from Disney and other things that are important to us.

 

[minnie56]

That's what we did--rented in Clermont this past March and are renting in Davenport (Highlands) in July...you get a good feel for the neighbourhoods that way...

 

[Ricky's Girl]

That's what we did--rented in Clermont this past March and are renting in Davenport (Highlands) in July...you get a good feel for the neighbourhoods that way...

I Googled Davenport and Highland Reserves. All I found was a golf course but no info on homes. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Could you provide a little more info on the area you're looking at in Davenport? Could I ask where you rented in Clermont of if you could suggest some place? If you don't want to post it here please feel free to send me a private message or e-mail.

TIA

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't live in the Clermont area, but have been there many times. It is an area that is growing rapidly. Since I moved to Florida six years ago, a lot of stores have been built in the area. It is a reasonable distance from WDW and has easy highway access via FL Turnpike to other highways in the area.

My only complaint about Clermont is Highway 50. It seems to always be under construction. If they ever finish it, it will be very nice, but they've been working on it forever. Driving through the area can be a real pain.

You asked about gardening and scrapbook stores. I am not a gardener, so I can't help you on that. There is a scrapbook store in the old downtown Winter Garden area. It is a reasonable drive from Clermont. The best scrapbook store I've found in Orlando is located next to the Florida Mall. That would be a good drive from Clermont, but something you could definitely do.

Good luck!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Not a fan of Clermont, but I do live in the Central Florida area (a touch further east).

Be absolutely sure you like the area before you buy anything. Renting and living in a space for a year or so is a good way to be sure you will like it for the long haul.

Be sure you check the tax base, the impact fees, the county requirements/laws, ect. before making a final choice.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

I don't live in the Clermont area, but have been there many times. It is an area that is growing rapidly. Since I moved to Florida six years ago, a lot of stores have been built in the area. It is a reasonable distance from WDW and has easy highway access via FL Turnpike to other highways in the area.

My only complaint about Clermont is Highway 50. It seems to always be under construction. If they ever finish it, it will be very nice, but they've been working on it forever. Driving through the area can be a real pain.

You asked about gardening and scrapbook stores. I am not a gardener, so I can't help you on that. There is a scrapbook store in the old downtown Winter Garden area. It is a reasonable drive from Clermont. The best scrapbook store I've found in Orlando is located next to the Florida Mall. That would be a good drive from Clermont, but something you could definitely do.

Good luck!

Thanks! I feel better knowing I can get my scrapbook "fix" when needed. lol

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Not a fan of Clermont, but I do live in the Central Florida area (a touch further east).

Be absolutely sure you like the area before you buy anything. Renting and living in a space for a year or so is a good way to be sure you will like it for the long haul.

Be sure you check the tax base, the impact fees, the county requirements/laws, ect. before making a final choice.

Wow! Lots of good ideas and suggestions. What is an impact fee?

 

[minnie56]

I Googled Davenport and Highland Reserves. All I found was a golf course but no info on homes. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Could you provide a little more info on the area you're looking at in Davenport? Could I ask where you rented in Clermont of if you could suggest some place? If you don't want to post it here please feel free to send me a private message or e-mail.

TIA

We rented in Orange Tree which was an area we were considering..we still are, sort of. Last time we went there, I don't know, it was a little weary looking? Might have just been the dog days of summer.....

If you look at vrbo.com ..put in Central Fla then Davenport and then Highlands Reserve, you will see many Villas/Homes for rent and get a good idea of the neighbourhood. I am signed up with Zip reality and they send me new listings in HR as well as Clermont.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

We rented in Orange Tree which was an area we were considering..we still are, sort of. Last time we went there, I don't know, it was a little weary looking? Might have just been the dog days of summer.....

If you look at vrbo.com ..put in Central Fla then Davenport and then Highlands Reserve, you will see many Villas/Homes for rent and get a good idea of the neighbourhood. I am signed up with Zip reality and they send me new listings in HR as well as Clermont.

Thank you! We're signed up with Zip realty also! Have you ever worked with a realtor? I was wondering how it works if we contacted a realtor to schedule a couple of days to look at homes and different neighborhoods in Clermont? Is this something they generally do? Just curious.

Thanks for the help on Davenport, I'll check it out.

 

[minnie56]

Oh yes, they do. We have a Realtor with them..last trip we didn't have a lot of time but she took us around to about 6 homes one afternoon. This time we are coming for 4 days strictly to look at homes so we will firm up our list with her about 10 days prior and also see what she has to suggest we see.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Oh yes, they do. We have a Realtor with them..last trip we didn't have a lot of time but she took us around to about 6 homes one afternoon. This time we are coming for 4 days strictly to look at homes so we will firm up our list with her about 10 days prior and also see what she has to suggest we see.

That's excellent news! That will make a big difference in learning more about the different neighborhhods. Just curious . . . is your realtor with Zip, Leisa?

 

[caribear]

We rented a house in Clermont for a year while our house was being built in Lakeland. I would have preferred to live in Clermont, but we bought during the housing boom when prices where skyrocketing...and a 1300 sq ft house in Clermont was pricier than a 2800 sq ft house in Lakeland (new construction). I live in a gated subdivision and like my neighborhood, but the schools were I am are terrible. My DD7 has been on the Magnet/Choice school wait list for 3 years now and it looks like she will finally be going to a good school next year...although she has done wonderful in school ( Student of the Year in her class for 3 years in a row!!) and her teachers have been great.....the school system leaves much to be desired. While there are many middle class neighborhoods interspersed throughout my area....there are also poor areas. Many children come to school in rags....parents could care less about their education...and this is reflected back into the schools. If you are planning on a private school then there are several church based schools that I have heard great things about.

It actually takes me a shorter amount of time to get to Disney (although mileage is longer) than it did when I lived in Clermont. Going up Hwy 27 to Hwy 92 to get to Disney is one big traffic jam....now I just go up I-4. We are 1 1/2 hours from the beach...and about 30-45 minutes from Busch Gardens, Tampa Aquarium, Lowery Park Zoo.

We do have a great scrapbook store though!! There are also a couple within an hours drive that I really like in the Tampa area.

School wise I would choose Clermont......I think the rolling hills are so pretty too! With the way the housing industry is now...I would take advantage of the buyer's market and live where you really would prefer to be.

PM me if you have any questions about either area! Clermont has grown since we lived there, but I still visit friends in the area.

 

[minnie56]

No our agent is Rosalie...