locals or owners

[spiceycat]

which county would you pick - Lake or Polk?

was stuck on Lake and only wanted it - but their finances is sounding more like Jefferson (AL) to me and might avoid it.

do not want Orange, Osceola - because they are too close to Disney - now love Disney - but want enough distance between it and me.

 

[JANNYANS]

Polk is lovely-as a county it has such a lot to offer in the way of countryside ,wildlife and arts.It's sheriff is one of the best too.

 

[spiceycat]

thanks Jan.

you are making this decision hardier,

 

[tednvon]

Hi Pat, from a 3 month perspective, I get a completely different feel going north from Disney vs. South. North seems to get crowded very fast once you get to Clermont. Lots of traffic, always hopping on and off tollways or interstates to get around. No question it feels more populated and crowded even in the smaller communities like Mt. Dora.

South gets rural very quickly and Polk County is about the largest county in Florida in terms of square miles. I referee high school basketball in the January and Februrary so have been to many communities both north and south. South have been to Winter Haven, Lakeland, Eagle Lake, Frostproof, Lake Wales, Aurburndale and Haines City. North have been to Mt. Dora, Eustis, Clermont, and a few others.

Both spouse and I have had great vibes from Lake Wales, Frostproof, and some good but not great vibes from Clermont. Not bad vibes from the others, but especially Lake Wales and Frostproof are quiet, beautiful small towns with lots of lakes, orange groves everywhere. The big city Orlando effect and the Disney World effect are pretty much non existent but yet less than an hour to Disney up new four lane highway 27.

If you are looking for an unbelievable deal on a two or three bedroom condo, there are some real deals south of Haines City in a big older community called Grenelefe. It has been through some tough times since it was a premier golf community in the 60's and 70's but is trying to come back. We looked at some nice places for under 50K!

Hope this helps...good luck on your search...Ted

 

[codingkw]

Polk county is way to rural for me. There are plenty of areas on the outskirts of Lake county that is very nice.

 

[spiceycat]

the town I like is Minneola - it is a small town between Clermont, Groveland and Leesburg.

it feels like a small town. so get pretty close to US 27 and it to me still feels like a small town. Now have not looked at Lake Wales, Frostproof, Eustic or Mt Dora.

in Polk county only looked at Davenport - liked that it was close to I4. Sounds like a need to branch out at little more

have looked at Winter Garden or Park - not sure - it was close to 429 and having to pay for a toll road was not on my list. - which is why I like US 27

have a condo now and don't want one in Florida - those maintence fees that kept going up each year can be as bad as renting.

 

[Jason71]

Trying to generalize any Florida county is tough, but Polk and Lake more than most.

Lake stretches from Clermont--which is basically becoming a bedroom community for cast members--all the way to DeLand, would take an hour to drive it. Clermont v. Mount Dora v. the unincorporated swamp land over by DeLand (nicknamed "Snake County") are three different places. Not to mention the corner that's part of the Villiages.

Polk is similar. Parts of it are very rural, but parts of Haines City and Davenport feel like Orlando West (and parts of western Polk are essentially suburban Tampa).

 

[Jason71]

have looked at Winter Garden or Park - not sure - it was close to 429 and having to pay for a toll road was not on my list. - which is why I like US 27

Winter Garden, becoming another cast member bedroom community (as well as a number of retirees), part of Orange County. As is Winter Park (on the eastern end of the county)--which might as well be 100 miles away from WDW if you ask the locals. Orange and Osceola are also huge, and large swathes of each do not "feel" like Disney.

 

[spiceycat]

thanks - tednvon, codingkw and Jason71

time to make a decision and get one - been looking since 2009.

will definitely add Lake Wales and Frostproof to my list - thanks

do not want Osceola or Orange county - Kissimmee was on my list but talking to locals has made me reconsider - some of them hate Disney.

really don't want to hate my favorite place.

did not like Davenport at least the area near US 27 because it seem to lack parks, lakes, walking area close to homes.

Minneola has walking path around most of the places - and definitely around Lake Minneola (one of my favorites). It also has hills - which Davenport and Kissimmee seem a little short of - since I live on what AL calls a mountain would appreciate a few hills.

looks like both US 27 and US 192 will get new names - anyone know why???

 

[tednvon]

Pat, enjoy the journey that is your search. Let us know what you decide.
When are you planning the big move?

Ted

 

[spiceycat]

Pat, enjoy the journey that is your search. Let us know what you decide.
When are you planning the big move?

Ted

when I buy something

my big problem found a little house in Minneola that for me was great - okay needed a heck of alot work. but something in this place spoke to me - and nothing since has. the problem the bank who was selling the property - did NOT own it. Did not find that out until I had send it my money and did not heard back from them. they still don't own it - because the house is still sitting there. the bank is paying the taxes but can't sell it until they own it. that was in Jan 2010.

 

[tednvon]

Pat, I confess I do not understand the ins and outs of the forclosure process in Florida. The specifics of "bank owned", "short sale" or free and clear are still not really clear to me in Florida. Sounds like your new home is somewhere between short sale and bank owned.

Advice is cheap, but hoping you have a really good attorney in Florida who understands the forclosure process inside and out, and a highly recommended home inspector to go over every inch if the home is being sold "as is."

Good Luck...Ted