Safe family neighborhoods near Disney?

[vcgirl925]

Please remove or move if this post is not allowed here. But, I know there are many fl residents here and therefore a wealth of information. Since my husband will be working for Disney and we will need to relocate to the Orlando area. We need info on good safe neighborhoods within a half hour of disney. Of course safety and schools are our biggest concerns. So, for those of us disers that are moving to Orlando or would love to one day. Where to start looking? I'd live to move to Oviedo bug it's too far, 1 hr is more than my husband is willing to commute.

 

[mesaboy2]

Please remove or move if this post is not allowed here. But, I know there are many fl residents here and therefore a wealth of information. Since my husband will be working for Disney and we will need to relocate to the Orlando area. We need info on good safe neighborhoods within a half hour of disney. Of course safety and schools are our biggest concerns. So, for those of us disers that are moving to Orlando or would love to one day. Where to start looking? I'd live to move to Oviedo bug it's too far, 1 hr is more than my husband is willing to commute.

I'd start in the Clermont area, though it's more like 40 minutes away.

 

[Itinkso]

Windermere is a nice community situated not far from the MK CM parking lots. Clermont, on 27, has some nice housing areas. Davenport is next to Clermont. Your husband can take back roads off of 192 to get to MK in about 30 minutes or less from Clermont and Davenport... if he drives Iike my DD!

 

[vcgirl925]

I'd start in the Clermont area, though it's more like 40 minutes away.

Thank you!

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Dr. Phillips and Windermere are two of the best neighborhoods in Orlando, and they are both very close to Disney! Both are about 10-20 minutes away, depending on where you are.

They are both well-established, beautiful communities with great schools (some of the best in Orange County). Dr. Phillips is a middle class to affluent community. It has a multitude of grocery stores (Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and soon Trader Joe's), lots of great restaurants as is convenient to I-4.

Next door is Windermere, although it's a little further out from downtown Orlando and therefore a little quieter. Old Windermere is very affluent (Tiger Woods and Shaquille O'Neal have both lived there), but it's gorgeous. Huge, mature oak trees sprawl over the streets and there's a ton of lakes. The newer part of Windermere is much cheaper, but you'll be living in bland (in my opinion) mass-construction subdivisions. Some people like that, though. New Windermere backs all the way up to the back side of Magic Kingdom. Some can even see/hear Wishes from their homes.

I've lived in the area for most of my life, so if you have any questions I'll try to answer the best I can!

 

[vcgirl925]

Windermere is a nice community situated not far from the MK CM parking lots. Clermont, on 27, has some nice housing areas. Davenport is next to Clermont. Your husband can take back roads off of 192 to get to MK in about 30 minutes or less from Clermont and Davenport... if he drives Iike my DD!

Ok great!

So far:

Clermont
Davenport
Windermere
Winter Garden
Dr. Philips

 

[vcgirl925]

Dr. Phillips and Windermere are two of the best neighborhoods in Orlando, and they are both very close to Disney! Both are about 10-20 minutes away, depending on where you are.

They are both well-established, beautiful communities with great schools (some of the best in Orange County). Dr. Phillips is a middle class to affluent community. It has a multitude of grocery stores (Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and soon Trader Joe's), lots of great restaurants as is convenient to I-4.

Next door is Windermere, although it's a little further out from downtown Orlando and therefore a little quieter. Old Windermere is very affluent (Tiger Woods and Shaquille O'Neal have both lived there), but it's gorgeous. Huge, mature oak trees sprawl over the streets and there's a ton of lakes. The newer part of Windermere is much cheaper, but you'll be living in bland (in my opinion) mass-construction subdivisions. Some people like that, though. New Windermere backs all the way up to the back side of Magic Kingdom. Some can even see/hear Wishes from their homes.

I've lived in the area for most of my life, so if you have any questions I'll try to answer the best I can!

Thank you!!!! Keep hearing great things about windermere! I keep doing searches for homes and there aren't many with pools. Is the his because most are in gated communities with community pools? I am saving your info. We have a year to relocate but I want to do my research and have a home as soon as school gets out next year. Want to make sure the kids are settled in a neighborhood before they start new dchools.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Thank you!!!! Keep hearing great things about windermere! I keep doing searches for homes and there aren't many with pools. Us this because mist hind we in gated communities with community pools? I am saving you info. We have a year to relocate but I want to do my research and have a home as soon as school gets out next year. Want to make sure the kids are settled in a neighborhood before they start new dchools.

If you're looking at new construction homes, they may not have pools because typically builders don't include them. However many choose to build their own. In more established communities you'll find plenty of homes with pools. Also, don't worry about a neighborhood being gated or not.. in Dr. Phillips and Windermere it really isn't necessary (although it can be a nice bonus), as both are very safe.

Personally I wouldn't look at Davenport. Lots of vacation communities around which means it's going to be more transient. Plus, Polk County (and Osceola County) schools do not have a great reputation.

 

[vcgirl925]

If you're looking at new construction homes, they may not have pools because typically builders don't include them. However many choose to build their own. In more established communities you'll find plenty of homes with pools. Also, don't worry about a neighborhood being gated or not.. in Dr. Phillips and Windermere it really isn't necessary (although it can be a nice bonus), as both are very safe.

Personally I wouldn't look at Davenport. Lots of vacation communities around which means it's going to be more transient. Plus, Polk County (and Osceola County) schools do not have a great reputation.

Thank you! This info could only be gotten from a local and is much appreciated.

 

[OKW Lover]

We just moved into a home in Winter Garden. The development is called SummerLake and its about 2 miles from the castle.

As far as the pool goes, you'll find that you can have one built once you own the house. The advantage of this is that you'll likely pay a bit less for the pool and get exactly what you want. The disadvantage is that you won't have a pool in your back yard for probably 5-6 months after you close.

 

[nkereina]

OP - not to hijack your thread, but looking for the locals opinions on the community of Celebration? From my understanding, it's a small community but the houses I have seen within the limits are beautiful, moderately priced, and look almost like a movie set. It also looks as though it's blocks from WDW. May also be a viable option for you, OP. Any thoughts from the locals?

 

[OKW Lover]

OP - not to hijack your thread, but looking for the locals opinions on the community of Celebration? From my understanding, it's a small community but the houses I have seen within the limits are beautiful, moderately priced, and look almost like a movie set. It also looks as though it's blocks from WDW. May also be a viable option for you, OP. Any thoughts from the locals?

You'll find the homes in Celebration to be 25-50% more expensive than the "same" home in other neighborhoods.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

OP - not to hijack your thread, but looking for the locals opinions on the community of Celebration? From my understanding, it's a small community but the houses I have seen within the limits are beautiful, moderately priced, and look almost like a movie set. It also looks as though it's blocks from WDW. May also be a viable option for you, OP. Any thoughts from the locals?

Celebration has always been considered overpriced for what it is, simply because of the Celebration name, so I agree with the above poster. It's a cute community, I've visited quite a few times and was there a few weeks ago for their annual pie festival. However, it's really Stepford Wives-y. It comes off as creepy to many. Look up the song "Celebration Florida" by Chumbawumba.. that explains it pretty well. The homes are built very close together and they don't really have backyards. Also I've heard mixed reviews of the schools.. I think they've been on a downward trend but I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

[freediverdude]

There's always Golden Oaks, lol. Well if you're a millionaire.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Ah Celebration always put me in mind ( and many others ) of the original Stepford Wives movie just sayin '

I have friends with nice homes in Kissimmee and Poinciana Like any towns we mention you will get good, great, and horrific neighborhoods like any other state I would look at different area websites/chamber of commerce to further investigate

I would avoid Orlando the utility co is very expensive I've been told

I'm mid way between Tampa and WDW About 35 miles to AK entrance Real rural though may not be what you're looking for We've got manufactured/trailer homes and $300,000 homes all in a few mile radius


Also there are too many variables to make a blanket statement of which school district for your children is best
Here is a great tool:


http://www.schooldigger.com/go/FL/schoolrank.aspx


Best of luck to you

 

[vcgirl925]

A family member just told us to be careful which part of Windermere you live in because it could be near the ghetto. What??? Someone tell me she's mistaken.

 

[nancipants]

I would avoid Orlando the utility co is very expensive I've been told

Duke Energy is the most expensive power company in the Central Florida area. OUC, which services Orlando proper, is less expensive. FP&L is the cheapest.

Davenport public schools aren't the best, but the homes are much less expensive than Dr. Phillips and Windermere, and it's much quieter. (I'd love to move to Dr. Phillips but would never be able to afford it.) Plus there are several good charter schools in the area.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

A family member just told us to be careful which part of Windermere you live in because it could be near the ghetto. What??? Someone tell me she's mistaken.

Windermere is probably the safest community in Orlando.. just check City-Data's crime statistics. They are incredibly low. The ghetto I'm guessing they are referring to is Pine Hills, which is north of State Road 50 (Colonial Drive) and east of Winter Garden. Yes, Pine Hills is bad, but there is enough of a buffer from the areas along 50 and in MetroWest that the crime doesn't seem to have affect the town.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I apologize if this sounds silly. We've thought off and on at different times about moving to Florida. One of my main concerns is the sink-hole issue. Is it really an issue? What types of things are done/can be done to avoid having one on your property? I've been under the impression that there isn't anything you can do about it, but figured this seemed like the right group to ask. I'm enjoying the information that's been given so far on safety and schools, as that is also important to us.

 

[Itinkso]

I apologize if this sounds silly. We've thought off and on at different times about moving to Florida. One of my main concerns is the sink-hole issue. Is it really an issue? What types of things are done/can be done to avoid having one on your property? I've been under the impression that there isn't anything you can do about it, but figured this seemed like the right group to ask. I'm enjoying the information that's been given so far on safety and schools, as that is also important to us.

I don't think there is anything you can do to prevent a sinkhole; you just have to hope the underground water supply doesn't eat away all of the limestone. Developers research areas before they build but they can't predict sinkholes... here in California, no one is able to predict earthquakes.