Orlando/Central FL People: Need Info on Communities.

[Virgo10]

First a thank you to all of you already living in the area. Without fail, when folks on this board ask, you are there to answer our questions about moving. To those of us who are planning to make the Orlando area our new home, your help is invaluable!
THANK YOU SO MUCH.

We were recently told about a community called Buena Ventura Lakes in/near (?) Kissimmee. Moderately priced homes, no Association and close to Disney. It sounds like what we're looking for. However, I'm sure there's more to the story and I'm wondering what else people know about that location and others.

A thread on the various neighborhoods in and around Orlando would be priceless to those of us who are getting ready to move. Anyone with information on specific towns/communities because they live or lived there, know someone who lives there or checked it out when they were looking at homes, we need your information.

I'm sure I won't think of everything but data on the following comes to mind:

AVERAGE Housing costs for the area.
Associations: Yes or No
Ease of getting to stores: Time and Distance
Reputation of the schools: From people who's children are actually enrolled.
Crime rate

and, of course...
Distance and ease of getting to WDW.

Anyone with other questions, just add it to the list.

I've got my fingers crossed that all you Orlando people will take the time to reply. TIA!

Roberta

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, my DH and I *just* moved to Orlando, so I'm certainly not an authority on the area. I'm really just bumping this to see if anyone else can help you out.

We purchased in MetroWest, in Orange county. I can tell you that housing is escalating big time down here. Our initial search area included Hunter's Creek, which is down by Kissimmee. I was looking at prices on-line last night on realtor.com and can't believe how much the homes have gone up in there! When we first started looking, there were pretty nice homes in there, for 210K-215K. Now it seems there's nothing under 250K.

As for us, we're 15-20 minutes to DTD using back roads and not I-4.

 

[jana]

dvcgirl, I'm so glad you started this thread.
DBF and I are also planning on moving to the Orlando area. We are looking at Pioncianna and Harmony if anyone has info on those places I'd like to hear it also. Thank you.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can just tell you that from people who live in Celebration, the schools didn't have the greatest reputation, at least a few years ago. We had 2 boys from there who went to the private school I taught at here in Texas (at a cost of $18,000/yr-EACH!) rather than the public schools in Celebration because the parents claimed the schools there weren't good.

 

[sorcerormickey]

We are in the process of building in Saint Cloud (Almost done!) We looked at several different areas around Orlando before we found this beautiful neighborhood, it is called Indian Lakes.

Prices have really skyrocketed from when we first started looking. Our house is now priced at $30K more than we paid - same lot size and everything. It's just supply and demand.

There are so many communities going up in the Orlando area, I'm sure you'll find the perfect one for you! Good luck!

 

[jk1]

bumping for more info!

 

[olena]

You're moving, Roberta?

My parents close on a house in St. Cloud next week.

Best of luck!

 

[issa]

Bought a house in Altamonte springs...just north of orlando..easy commute and about 25 mins from disney. Love it here..everything is close and our communtiy is wonderful

 

[DisMN]

I know I've mentioned it before but I haven't seen much about condos in that area. Everyone seems to be buying or building homes......we've been looking for information on condominium housing in the central Florida area.

Any info on that front would be very welcome as well.

 

[Virgo10]

Bumping this up for the evening crowd.

Roberta

 

[tinaluis]

issa,
Can you tell me more about Altamonte Springs? How far is it from downtown Orlando? How are the schools? If you know, what is the average price for a 3bed/2bath home now? What is the name of your community? Feel free to PM me if you'd like. TIA
Tina

 

[Otimon]

Something to consider for you folks planning to move down here. It was advice given to me by a couple from Orando whom I met on the Auto Train on our way down here to look for a home. It was true then and even more so today!

If you plan to work and spend most of your time north of Orlando, then live in that area. If you plan to work and spend time in the Disney area, then live in a community closer to that area. The point being to avoid using I4 as much as possible as your main route back and forth to work. It can be brutal during the rush hours!

There are many nice communities to choose from no matter where you decide to live.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[kylara]

Okay, I just moved from Kissimmee and had a lot of co-workers and students who lived in BVL. BVL is a decent neighborhood that is within the borders of Boggy Creek and the Osceola Parkway. Everyone I know that lives there does like it. It is currently growing at an astounding rate with about 4 new developments going up (note that some of the new communities do have homeowners associations). It is convienent to WDW by taking Osceola Parkway. It has shopping within the area. However, if you have children you would really need to look at the ratings for the schools since Kissimmee doesn't have great FCAT scores.

To Jana: I don't know much about Harmony but I will say if you can stay away from Poiciana..do. I know a number of people who are moving out of that area...specially those with children. Although, an alternative to Poiciana is the new communities going up on Pleasant Hill....this is one of the roads leading to Poiciana. There are a number of developments that are much nices than some of Poincian...but the school grades are still a problem.

 

[PatriciaH]

Glad to see this thread! We are hoping to move to Florida by next spring. We have been touring areas every time we go down and met with a realtor.

We did not like Poinciana when we looked there. The homes were very cheap but it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere (lots of farms/cows on the way) and a bit poor looking. There was a 2 lane road most of the way there too. Otherwise the homes seemed nicely kept up. I would say it is at least 30 minutes from WDW without traffic. Further than we thought.

Celebration we loved but since we looked last year homes and townhomes/condos have gone up $80,000+ Listen to me kick my own butt from here! Wish we looked seriously back in 96/97 a lot of homes were under $200,000 then. Celebration is 5 minutes to WDW.

We did not love Hunters Creek. I don't know why-a lot of people on here love it. Maybe we will look again. It seemed to be in a very busy area.

We liked Windermere (close to WDW, upscale homes) but again $$. Much less than MA though! I would say 15 minutes to WDW.

We want to see/tour Dr. Phillips and Winter Park. We also keep getting info from Reunion and it looks beautiful but also $$$.

 

[Virgo10]

Another bump

 

[Feralpeg]

I moved to Windermere not quite two months ago. In my subdivision, the homes range from $220k to $350k. We have a homes association with dues of about $650 a year. Several people have compared the look of the homes in my area to those in Celebration only less expensive. We are close to Disney. It does take about 10 minutes to get just about anywhere. They are building a brand new elementary school down the road and several new strip malls are underway within 5 minutes. DD hasn't started high school yet, but we had no problem getting her registered and they have a broad cirriculum. Good luck to all of you plannin on moving!

 

[jana]

Kylara can you tell me why these people are moving from the Pioncianna area please. TIA

 

[chrismiss56]

Hi to All.......

We are also Northerners looking to move down to Orlando. My husband and I are hoping to work for Disney after his retirement. We are in our 50's......looking for new construction or existing home (3 or 4brd/2ba).....looking for a community where your neighbors like to talk to each other. Currently we live on a block where people don't talk too busy running back and forth to work and taking care of young ones.

Any thoughts for areas around Disney which would fit our needs?

Thanks