Safe family neighborhoods near Disney?

[DOOM1001]

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.

W.Colonial Dr.(50) is not great by areas and with the north parts of Windermere being close by I would assume that's the areas they were referring to.It's kinda how a lot of Florida is,$800,000 homes can be a 5-10 minute drive from less desirable areas.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

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 think people out of state get really freaked out about the idea of sinkholes. I've never known anyone affected by one. I've never seen one that's just happened (some old ones are now lakes). I wouldn't worry about it, at least I certainly don't!

 

[Bluegrrl]

First, I know a great realtor - they helped us get our house and we are really happy with it. We live in Altamonte Springs, near the Altamonte Mall and we are in Seminole county. My drive to Disney is quite short, about a half an hour to an hour depending on traffic. It's not a walk across the street, but we are in a fairly "urban" and non-Stepford area. I'm originally from Oak Park, Ill; the home of Frank Llyod Wright, so I'm pretty picky about my neighborhoods.

In just five blocks or so around us we have:

A very good high school (seminole county is a high rated school district.
Orange County schools are pretty bad, depending on the school)
Very good elementary and middle schools
Some great private schools, like Park-Maitland, Orange Christian, and Annunciation private school
(With regards to public schools, look for "A-rated" schools)
Several churches of all denominations, including Greek Orthodox!
Florida hospital Altamonte (3 blocks away, which was great when I was pregnant!)
Altamonte Mall
Zillions of nice restaurants (Lots of non-chain ones, which is a big plus!)
a cute little park that has a mile long track for running
A running store
A Games Workshop store (for the Warhammer gamers in your life)
A awesome independent theater that shows all sorts of revival movies (Jaws, James Bond Festivals, Independent movies - movies at night on the lawn, etc.)
An AMC movie theater
My dentist (who is my husband's high school friend!)

Plus, our house is located in a neighborhood, not a housing development, and we don't have any silly HMOs!!! Watch out for those, b/c they can really sneak up on you. Our house is also an "old" Florida house, and we have an 11 foot deep pool!!! (which is either a blessing or a curse, b/c you have to clean it )

Oh, and the local police captain lives two streets away from us, and the fire dept/police dept and city hall are 3 blocks away from us.

So, yeah, we like Altamonte. And sinkholes cannot be predicted, they just are. But I do recommend looking at already built houses in well-established independent communities and buying them. The house is usually built more solidly, and you can always make adjustments or rehab the house. There are some lovely ones in our area, and again, the drive is not bad. Do keep in mind that no matter where you end up, I-4 traffic is ALWAYS horrible!!!

Oh, and did I mention we also have a World of Beer bar here?

 

[neffernie]

Another vote for Clermont. Taveres is nice too though a bit farther.

 

[OKWJan]

I live in Celebration and love it. It may seem "stepfordish" at first, but it is a great community, with lots of activities, trails, and good things happening. Lots of Disney people live here.

Windermere and Dr. Phillips also have some very nice areas. Make sure you take the time to check all the places out before you make the decision. Sometimes renting for 6 months is a good idea, to get to know the areas.

Good luck with the move!

 

[nkereina]

I live in Celebration and love it. It may seem "stepfordish" at first, but it is a great community, with lots of activities, trails, and good things happening. Lots of Disney people live here.

Windermere and Dr. Phillips also have some very nice areas. Make sure you take the time to check all the places out before you make the decision. Sometimes renting for 6 months is a good idea, to get to know the areas.

Good luck with the move!

I actually really like the "Stepford" feel of Celebration. It's really clean, upper class looking and probably helps keep property values up. We moved to an HOA in Western NY about two years ago (from the city), and have come to appreciate the rules of an HOA - not only does it keep the neighborhood nice, but it helps keep our property values where they should be.

Is Celebration the closest area to WDW that you can live in? I'm talking physical proximity. From maps, it appears to be a stone's throw to some WDW resorts. I'd imagine you pass some of the resorts just going to the gas station or grocery store, which is exciting to think about!

 

[delmar411]

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 did a TON of research on neighborhoods near Disney and we settled on Clermont by the four corners area. It is within 30mins to Disney, has a back door access to Disney really near by, you don't need to ever get on I4 to get to Disney, the schools are better than most (outside of Windermere...we couldn't afford there) and it is a pretty safe area.

You can have a new house built in the community where the elementary school is or buy any number of really nice houses.

Keep in mind to be within 30mins of the parks you need to be within an approx 10mile radius of the parks.

 

[delmar411]

I actually really like the "Stepford" feel of Celebration. It's really clean, upper class looking and probably helps keep property values up. We moved to an HOA in Western NY about two years ago (from the city), and have come to appreciate the rules of an HOA - not only does it keep the neighborhood nice, but it helps keep our property values where they should be.

Is Celebration the closest area to WDW that you can live in? I'm talking physical proximity. From maps, it appears to be a stone's throw to some WDW resorts. I'd imagine you pass some of the resorts just going to the gas station or grocery store, which is exciting to think about!

No, it isn't and you don't go onto Disney property anyplace in Celebration. It is on the other side of a highway from Disney and is self contained.

You may be thinking of Golden Oaks which is right by MK.

 

[DOOM1001]

I actually really like the "Stepford" feel of Celebration. It's really clean, upper class looking and probably helps keep property values up. We moved to an HOA in Western NY about two years ago (from the city), and have come to appreciate the rules of an HOA - not only does it keep the neighborhood nice, but it helps keep our property values where they should be.

Is Celebration the closest area to WDW that you can live in? I'm talking physical proximity. From maps, it appears to be a stone's throw to some WDW resorts. I'd imagine you pass some of the resorts just going to the gas station or grocery store, which is exciting to think about!

Celebration is close as well as the neighborhoods behind MK on Reams rd and Winter Garden Vineland rd,I hear from these neighborhoods you can see Wishes every night.

 

[OKW Lover]

Is Celebration the closest area to WDW that you can live in? I'm talking physical proximity. From maps, it appears to be a stone's throw to some WDW resorts. I'd imagine you pass some of the resorts just going to the gas station or grocery store, which is exciting to think about!

No you wouldn't. You'd actually just be in the midst of a lot of over-done touristy places along 192 when you go anywhere.

I did a TON of research on neighborhoods near Disney and we settled on Clermont by the four corners area. It is within 30mins to Disney, has a back door access to Disney really near by, you don't need to ever get on I4 to get to Disney, the schools are better than most (outside of Windermere...we couldn't afford there) and it is a pretty safe area.

You can have a new house built in the community where the elementary school is or buy any number of really nice houses.

Keep in mind to be within 30mins of the parks you need to be within an approx 10mile radius of the parks.

We looked closely at all sections of Clermont. The area by 4 corners is close, but after several trips up and down 192 we decided to avoid at all costs. The northern section of Clermont was nice too, but it took something over 45 minutes to get to WDW.

Celebration is close as well as the neighborhoods behind MK on Reams rd and Winter Garden Vineland rd,I hear from these neighborhoods you can see Wishes every night.

This is the area we decided to build in. Yes, you can see the fireworks over the trees.

 

[BebopBaloo]

OKWLover, can you hear the fireworks (not the soundtrack, just the fireworks themselves) ?

 

[OKW Lover]

OKWLover, can you hear the fireworks (not the soundtrack, just the fireworks themselves) ?

Yes, easily. Even in a well insulated house with the windows closed and the AC running.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Yes, easily. Even in a well insulated house with the windows closed and the AC running.

Good to know! I think it's neat, but I have a family member that would disagree, lol.

 

[delmar411]

Good to know! I think it's neat, but I have a family member that would disagree, lol.

We can hear the fireworks here every night too. It's my reminder that it is 10pm. LOL

 

[delmar411]

No you wouldn't. You'd actually just be in the midst of a lot of over-done touristy places along 192 when you go anywhere.

We looked closely at all sections of Clermont. The area by 4 corners is close, but after several trips up and down 192 we decided to avoid at all costs. The northern section of Clermont was nice too, but it took something over 45 minutes to get to WDW.

This is the area we decided to build in. Yes, you can see the fireworks over the trees.

You can avoid 192 by cutting over to Disney on a back way. It takes you to Western Way which is the road that runs along Coronado Springs,

 

[palavra]

We are moving to this area next month and are looking at areas in Lake County-Clermont, Eustis and Tavares, as well as areas near Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Ocoee and Hunter's Creek. My husband will be working at Disney,and I am a school teacher, so we are looking at schools carefully. My sister lives in the Lake Mary area in Seminole County which has great schools, but my husband's drive would be about an hour each way. If I were to get a job in that area, he would be willing to drive, but I hope he doesn't have to.

Good luck! There are many nice areas with family neighborhoods. I hope we both find what we are looking for!

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

We are moving to this area next month and are looking at areas in Lake County-Clermont, Eustis and Tavares, as well as areas near Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Ocoee and Hunter's Creek. My husband will be working at Disney,and I am a school teacher, so we are looking at schools carefully. My sister lives in the Lake Mary area in Seminole County which has great schools, but my husband's drive would be about an hour each way. If I were to get a job in that area, he would be willing to drive, but I hope he doesn't have to.

Good luck! There are many nice areas with family neighborhoods. I hope we both find what we are looking for!

Any particular reason you're looking at Eustis and Tavares? Those are both going to be an hour's drive from Disney as well. They also have poorer schools, especially compared to Lake Mary. Mount Dora is a much cuter town than both of those, if you haven't checked it out already, but again- you'll be looking at a long commute.

 

[palavra]

Any particular reason you're looking at Eustis and Tavares? Those are both going to be an hour's drive from Disney as well. They also have poorer schools, especially compared to Lake Mary. Mount Dora is a much cuter town than both of those, if you haven't checked it out already, but again- you'll be looking at a long commute.

I currently live in Citrus County and am familiar with the Mt. Dora area-so cute! I am looking in this area because I have job interviews in this area. I hope to be closer to WDW for my husband's sake, but I have to go where the jobs are. I also have an interview in the Ocoee area and in the Kissimmee area, but we wouldn't live in Kissimmee. My daughter may be attending a private school if we aren't happy with the schools in the county we end up in.

 

[Feralpeg]

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!

I live in the "bland" part of Windermere. lol! I love it! Very convenient to WDW, Universal and Sea World. It is a short drive to Winter Garden. The area has built up a lot since I moved into the area, but my neighborhood is very quiet and well maintained. You'd never know that we are so close to WDW other than being able to hear and see the fireworks from MK each night. (By the way, after awhile, you don't even notice the sound of the fireworks!)

The old part of Windermere is very quaint, although much pricier than the homes on the exterior.

 

[phorsenuf]

I'm in Davenport, right off Ronald Reagen. Quite a few subdivisions and really great neighborhoods. I absolutely love ours! It takes us 15 minutes to Disney property using back roads, and we hear the fireworks too.
Most of the homes in this area have pools as many were built as vacation rentals but so many have either been sold to permanent residents or put in long term rental.
Don't know much about schools as all our kids are grown. I just know I love it here!