Lindfields area...

[karmutt]

It looks like I'm going to be relocating to FL next year. My job allows me to work from anywhere, my only care-taking responsibilities are three cats, and I've reached the age of 40 without living anywhere but the LA suburbs, so I've decided to have a mid-life adventure and uproot myself (and kitties) from SoCal (unloading an underwater house in the process) and give Orlando a try.

I'm planning to rent a house in an area that I would consider buying in. After seeing my HOA go from $260/month to $435 over the course of 7 years, I'm looking for a place without that HOA burden. Looking around online, I discovered a little neighborhood called Kensington, which is in the Lindfields, area that seems to fit my needs. The location appeals to me, being close to WDW (moving to a new place on my own and working from home, I'm going to need something to get me out of the house), yet it looks a bit remote. I did a Google Earth drive through the area and the homes seemed to be reasonably nice and well cared for, not much different from any non-HOA neighborhood in the area where I live. And there appears to be some hills... itty bitty ones, but they'll do for me (I'm going to miss the hills and mountains of CA). I'm also considering the Indian Ridge area, but there are community pools and that means there's probably an HOA.

I did a search here and came up with some hits about short term rentals. Apparently the area is littered with them. In some respects, that concerns me. I like quiet and having 10 people stuffed into the house next door probably isn't going to be conducive to that. I won't be happy with kids playing in the pool at 6am and I can't imagine anyone will be happy with me knocking on the door asking for quiet while they're trying to enjoy their vacation. But I also know that most people will be at the parks almost every day and will return all tuckered out and I think that most people who seek out a vacation home are a bit more savvy than the typical tourist and will understand that the rental is in a residential neighborhood where people live full time and will be considerate of that. Hopefully.

So, any input from locals or people who have stayed in the area? I would like to fly out and rent a place for a week or so to see what it's like for myself, but I don't know if I'll be able to. I'll be a 40/41-year old girl living on her own. Allergic to dogs, so no canine protector. The first thing I'd do if I bought a house would be to fortify it by fencing the perimeter - that's as much for my sake as it is for anyone who doesn't want to see me naked - but I'm going to be renting until I can undo whatever damage a short sale is going to do to my credit, and I'm looking for a place I can feel safe and secure, a place that is also quiet and feels like it's out of the way from the crowds and congestion of the more touristy areas.

 

[JANNYANS]

You are looking in an area where most of the communities are str so wherever you end up there is a fair chance of getting holidaymakers next door but having said that you have hit upon about the only one around there without a HOA.There are communities close by that have low HOA fees -Lake Davenport Estates for example is just $440 a year so have a good look round at other places before committing yourself .

 

[disneysteve]

We've rented in Lindfields numerous times and have never had a problem with noise. Even if you do get a noisy renter next door, at least you know it's only for a week or so, not nearly as bad as having someone rowdy move in permanently.

 

[kidsister]

There are a lot of good deals to buy in Lindfields. But it was 'created' as a short term rental community...lots of peeps from England...so there will be less of a neighborhood feel. The subdivision is pretty old in comparison with others nearby.
While no HOA is very attractive and I admit that I looked there for a home last year and found some amazing deals, the place is looking kinda worn and neglected. A lot of the overseas owners were counting on income from renting and that hasn't been very positive the last few years....so there are foreclosures and unattended yards and things like that.

There are otehr subdivisions if you don't have to be quite so close (4 miles) from Disney. I think the best thing is to rent until you get a feel for the area. Rentals are plentiful and fairly inexpensive. I found a house that I loved on a golf course, with a pond and sunset view and a gorgeous pool/spa ..the HOA was $100 per year; the golf course was public so no HOA funds were used to pay for it. But it was a short sale and ...well, I came up short. I'm still looking but my ideas of privacy and views are hard to find: zenbu ****ai (I want it all)


While you will find lots of negative pov re Orlando relocations, I think the great deals on housing speak loudly. Good luck to you!

 

[karmutt]

There are communities close by that have low HOA fees -Lake Davenport Estates for example is just $440 a year so have a good look round at other places before committing yourself .

One thing about HOA's is that they can always raise their fees or force an assessment on you. That's the way it is in CA anyway; I'll have to research the laws in FL. I also don't want to have rules imposed upon me any further than what the city permits (my HOA won't let me re-landscape my front yard into a water-wise garden, which would save sooo much water, not to mention the cost of paying for it).

It'll probably be 3 years until I'll be able to buy a house again, so I'm thinking that I can spend that time trying out a few neighborhoods before I settle on something. Ideally, I'd buy some land and building a shipping-container home or a monolithic dome home, but the cost is probably out of my means.

Even if you do get a noisy renter next door, at least you know it's only for a week or so, not nearly as bad as having someone rowdy move in permanently.

I almost wrote this in my post, but it was already too long. I'm also going with the thought that it will probably sit empty for weeks at a time.

 

[JANNYANS]

Yes they can raise the fees but only by a max of 10% I believe each year and they do have a say in what goes on with what you can and can't do but most of the HOA in STR communities aren't that bad .If a home is empty for weeks at a time the owner may be struggling and may not be paying the man co to keep the lawn and pool tidy so you may end up to an e mpty but untidy home.An str that is well rented will most likely been in good condition too so although you will have different people in evey couple of weeks as you say they will most likely be out most of the time and not disturb you.As a neighbour -you could be an invaluable source to an out of state or country owner too.
Good luck with your search