Know anything about Winter Haven?

[The Expert]

I know someone who is looking at homes in Florida. My family is from the Clearwater area, so we've been able to help her with neighborhoods and such there, but now she's expanding her search toward the Orlando area. She sent a bunch of homes she's found online in Winter Haven, but I don't really know much about the community.

Is anyone here familiar with Winter Haven, and also towns around Orlando? I'd love some input and to know what areas to avoid. Her budget is small, but so are her needs. She is older lady living on her own so we want to keep her in a safe neighborhood, even if it isn't the swankiest.

Hope somebody can help!

 

[The Expert]

:: bump ::

Anybody??

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I live fairly close to WH. It is not the easiest place to get to, but it is a nice community. And under the best of conditions it is about an hour from WDW.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Since she is older & living alone does it have to be a single family home? A friend of mine has a Mom that recently bought a beautiful condo in Orlando, I don't recall the name of it but it is gorgeous! Overlooks a lake, is across the street from a great steakhouse, Publix on the corner very "artsy/coffee house" feel to the neighborhood...as far as WinterHaven I live in Polk City and agree w/pp...it wouldn't be my choice for someone on their own

 

[Tiffanova]

Maybe you could try looking at Winter Park. It's about 20 min from Orlando and I found it to be quite safe and very nice to live in. Some areas are pricey, but not all. My fiance's family (and my fiance) used to live in Winter Haven. My fiance's biggest complaint about the area was that you always had to drive far to get anywhere.

 

[The Expert]

Thanks for the help - been offline for a few days so sorry for the delay!

Lovechefmic - Yes, it does need to be single family. She's only 60, and not at all feeble, and she has pets that need a fenced yard. The only reason I mention her being alone is that's what's driving the safety of the neighborhood.

Sounds like Winter Haven may be a bit far afield. She's mostly been looking in the Clearwater area and just north of there, which is where I have family and am familiar with the area, so it sounds like that's where she's going to end up.

Thanks all for the help!

 

[sbell111]

Maybe you could try looking at Winter Park. It's about 20 min from Orlando and I found it to be quite safe and very nice to live in. Some areas are pricey, but not all. My fiance's family (and my fiance) used to live in Winter Haven. My fiance's biggest complaint about the area was that you always had to drive far to get anywhere.

I'll second Winter Park. I went to graduate school at Rollins and loved living there.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Winter Park is expensive and not the best choice for a small budget.

Have her look in the Tarpon Springs area and areas just a bit east of Clearwater proper, since she has some family there.

 

[Mickey527]

My sister and her then hubby lived in a new development (gated community) in Winter Haven and they loved it. His parents lived in an older development (condo with attached homes) near one of the huge lakes and they were very happy too.
His brother and SIL lived not too far from the parents and they had little kids at the time. They didn't like the schools at all and sent their kids to a private school.
I don't like the area near Cypress Gardens but there are some other great areas. I wish I could remember the street names to tell you which areas they lived in and liked.
I am sure your mom will love the area, so I would recommend she check it out. I had planned on moving there myself, near to where my sister lived, but things happened and my son is now divorced and needs me to be with my grandson while he works and goes to school. So no FL for me other than visiting for right now.
PS Disney is about 45 min to 1 hour away depending on where you live and what the traffic is like on I-4.