Questions for Orlando residents

[dvcgirl]

Hi,

My husband and I are contemplating a move to the Orlando area within the next few years and are beginning to do a little research into the surrounding areas. Right now we think that we'd like to be southwest of Orlando in the area of Dr. Phillips/MetroWest/Bayhill subdivisions. Our thinking is that my husband's job will most likely be located near downtown Orlando and we'd like to keep his commuting time to a minimum.

Anyone here live in those subdivisions? If so, what can one expect to pay annually for association fees? Property taxes? Also, we have three dogs and while I see that most subdivisions accept pets, there's always a sentence in there about restricting number and size when they feel the need. Anyone know anything about this?

Also, which areas should we avoid with respect to short term rentals for Disney/Universal? I notice that there are certain subdivisions that seem to cater to weekly renters and we wouldn't want to live there.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[dvcgirl]

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[Feralpeg]

I am building a house in Windermere. Windermere is very close to Bay Hill and Doctor Phillips. We originally looked in both Bay Hill and Dr. Phillips, but we wanted to build and there is very little area available for development in either. Both Bay Hill and Dr. Phillips are well established areas. Dr. Phillips has an excellent high school with a great performing arts magnet program. Unfortunately, we will be in the West Orange High School area. Not bad, but I'd rather send DD to Dr. Phillips.

I don't know about taxes in Bay Hill or Dr. Phillips, but property tax in Windermere are 1.90601% on the assessed value of your home. Homes are assessed at 80 to 90% of their cost. My home will be around $250,000, thus my taxes will be $4,288.52 a year or $357.38 per month. If you use the Homestead Act, it takes $25,000 off the assessed value making my taxes $3,812.02 or $317.67 a month.

Each subdivision has different homeowner dues based on what the subdivision has to offer and the value of the homes. To give you some perspective, my dues will be about $650 a year.

I hope this helps!

 

[Lewski709]

Metrowest is a nice area, well developed and close to EVERYTHING. I lived off Kirkman and loved it. We are trying to move as well, but thinking more of the Ocala area. Too far of a drive from downtown Orlando, IMO.

A lot of areas in Orlando are transient areas. I would avoid Kissimmee by WDW and Winter Park near UCF. Metrowest is right near Universal.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

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