Info on living in Orlando area

[sms]

Still considering moving to Orlando area and would like your opinions. I've been looking at Windemere, Oviedo, Winter Park, Dr Phillips etc. Many nice areas. Hear that Seminole County schools are much better. Schools and safety are VERY important. Looking for nice neighborhood for DS7 where there are lots of community activities. Thanks guys!!!

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

Well, my sister lives in Avalon Park in East Orlando. It's similar to Celebration as a planned community with stores, restaurants, etc. They just opened an exit off of SR 528 that cuts the drive significantly. They had fireworks on NYE. The schools are great. Both nephews are in the high school and middle and thriving.

 

[idieh]

Still considering moving to Orlando area and would like your opinions. I've been looking at Windemere, Oviedo, Winter Park, Dr Phillips etc. Many nice areas. Hear that Seminole County schools are much better. Schools and safety are VERY important. Looking for nice neighborhood for DS7 where there are lots of community activities. Thanks guys!!!

We seem to have the same thread going! Feel free to check my responses...hopefully we will both learn something.

Doug

 

[Kika]

Well, my sister lives in Avalon Park in East Orlando. It's similar to Celebration as a planned community with stores, restaurants, etc. They just opened an exit off of SR 528 that cuts the drive significantly. They had fireworks on NYE. The schools are great. Both nephews are in the high school and middle and thriving.

I agree that I would also check out Avalon Park, Stoneybrook East (which is right next to Avalon and is a gated community), and Eastwood (some of which is gated). Avalon Elementary, Timber Lakes Elementary, and Stone Lakes Elementary are all in that area and are all very good schools IMHO. The middle school for Avalon Park and Stoneybrook is Avalon Middle School, and the high school is Timber Creek.

You may want to also check out Lake Mary, Winter Garden (Stoneybrook West) & Maitland.

Other than that, I think you hit all of the other areas I would consider. All are decent areas w/good schools. Orlando is very spread out so you want to look at where you are working and the commute time. I would try to avoid commuting on I-4 during rush hour if possible.

(My biggest piece of advice to anyone moving down here is do NOT do it without a job lined up (unless you can cover all of your expenses w/out one). I have witnessed a few people do this in the last couple of years, and the outcome for them has not been favorable.)

Here are a couple of resources:

https://www.ocps.net/cs/services/accountability/improvement/Pages/SchoolAccountabilityandGrades.aspx

http://www.greatschools.org/

http://www.city-data.com/forum/orlando/



Good luck!

 

[Metro West]

Still considering moving to Orlando area and would like your opinions. I've been looking at Windemere, Oviedo, Winter Park, Dr Phillips etc. Many nice areas. Hear that Seminole County schools are much better. Schools and safety are VERY important. Looking for nice neighborhood for DS7 where there are lots of community activities. Thanks guys!!!

Where are you going to be working? You would need to find an area that's a reasonable drive from home to work. You wouldn't want to live in Sanford and work near Disney...for example.

 

[sms]

We seem to have the same thread going! Feel free to check my responses...hopefully we will both learn something.

Doug

I guess great minds think alike! I did check your responses. I've been on the city-data thread and its pretty helpful. I just always like to turn to you guys on the dis! Good luck and maybe we will be neighbors one day!

 

[idieh]

That would be great! My brother and his familiy live in Fuquay-Varina, NC. Anywhere near you?

 

[sms]

That would be great! My brother and his familiy live in Fuquay-Varina, NC. Anywhere near you?

Its a little over an hour away.