Safe family neighborhoods near Disney?

[staceyeileen]

We relocated to the Orlando area last year and settled on Clermont. We really like it here. Small town feel but close enough to the major metro area. Good schools, relatively inexpensive housing prices, the area is growing rapidly with new stores and restaurants popping up weekly it seems. It's rare that I need to leave Clermont for any actual errands, but if I need to go to the mall the Winter Garden Village area is a short drive. It's an outdoor mall with all the stores you'd expect. Clermont also has a world of beer, if that is in the criteria :laugh:

We are on the north side of Clermont, near SR 50. I do have quite a commute because I work on the East side of Orlando but it's not horrible -about 45 mins taking the 408. And always driving on the opposite side of the road as all the rush hour traffic. It could be worse, I could have to take I-4 and spend 45 mins to go 5 miles. DH works at home most days so it's less of an issue for him. We take the "back way" (either 429 south or 535 to the Reams Rd/Center Dr entrance behind MK) into Disney, which gets us there in about 30-35 mins.

 

[vcgirl925]

Thanks all! I spoke with said relative later and she said she was speaking of pine hill. Also my husband and I were talking about our current neighborhood and we really love that it's a "neighborhood". For instance we actually have relationships with our neighbors. People grow up here and stay and raise their own families. My son crashed his bike the other day and two different neighbors/friends stopped to help and call me. I want that in where I go. I want a real neighborhood. Meaning I don't want it to be a town of vacationers or a temporary renter town. Is this too much to ask of being close to a major vacation area?!?!

 

[delmar411]

Thanks all! I spoke with said relative later and she said she was speaking of pine hill. Also my husband and I were talking about our current neighborhood and we really love that it's a "neighborhood". For instance we actually have relationships with our neighbors. People grow up here and stay and raise their own families. My son crashed his bike the other day and two different neighbors/friends stopped to help and call me. I want that in where I go. I want a real neighborhood. Meaning I don't want it to be a town of vacationers or a temporary renter town. Is this too much to ask of being close to a major vacation area?!?!

There are plenty of 'real' neighborhoods. I actually live in a vacation neighborhood but there are plenty of permanent residents here with children. Many of the other neighborhoods are permanent residents though. Even with the vacationers, we know the owners on both sides of us as they vacation here several months a year. So we still have a pretty good neighborly relationship with them even if it is on a PT basis.

You just need to research your neighborhood. Also be careful of areas with added taxes. I can't remember the term for it, maybe someone else knows what I'm taking about. But some locales have this tax thing where you have to pay for all public services. It is like a permanent debt load and adds thousands to your tax bill.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Thanks all! I spoke with said relative later and she said she was speaking of pine hill. Also my husband and I were talking about our current neighborhood and we really love that it's a "neighborhood". For instance we actually have relationships with our neighbors. People grow up here and stay and raise their own families. My son crashed his bike the other day and two different neighbors/friends stopped to help and call me. I want that in where I go. I want a real neighborhood. Meaning I don't want it to be a town of vacationers or a temporary renter town. Is this too much to ask of being close to a major vacation area?!?!

If you live in Orange County, there will be no short-term vacation rentals. They're pretty sure they're actually illegal here. That's why all of the vacation communities are in Osceola, Polk and Lake counties. Look into settled communities. Dr. Phillips and (old) Windermere are two of them. There are also some really lovely neighborhoods downtown, like Thornton Park, Delaney Park, College Park, Lake Eola Heights and Winter Park.

Orlando is a relatively new city, so you aren't going to find generations of people who have grown up here (I'd even venture to guess that a majority of the adults are transplants), but it is gaining its own identity as a city and (to me) it's an exciting place to be.

 

[Feralpeg]

Winter Garden has some very nice areas and it is a short commute to WDW.

 

[vcgirl925]

I can't tell you how much your input means! I've never lived outside nj. All my friends and family are here. I am not at all worried for myself or my girls who are younger. But my son who will be starting middle school with no friends. I'm hoping if we have the summer in a neighborhood he might make a friend or two before school starts.

 

[phorsenuf]

Thanks all! I spoke with said relative later and she said she was speaking of pine hill. Also my husband and I were talking about our current neighborhood and we really love that it's a "neighborhood". For instance we actually have relationships with our neighbors. People grow up here and stay and raise their own families. My son crashed his bike the other day and two different neighbors/friends stopped to help and call me. I want that in where I go. I want a real neighborhood. Meaning I don't want it to be a town of vacationers or a temporary renter town. Is this too much to ask of being close to a major vacation area?!?!

It's not. Even though I live in a County that allows vacation rentals it doesn't mean the entire County and neighborhood is that way (sometimes people lead it to be everywhere, like there are no real residents.). The subdivision I live in is wonderful! I live on a cul-de-sac and know all my neighbors. We get together regularly for BBQ's and Christmas parties and on Thanksgiving we have a street-wide meal. Tents and tables and chairs are set up, everyone brings a dish and we celebrate together. It's awesome. We watch each others houses and pets, and in the sub-division they have Easter Egg hunts, Santa will come to visit and we have community wide yard sales a few times a year.
If we were to ever buy a house again (which we have no desire to do) it would be in this neighborhood.

 

[Luvchefmic]

It's not. Even though I live in a County that allows vacation rentals it doesn't mean the entire County and neighborhood is that way (sometimes people lead it to be everywhere, like there are no real residents.). The subdivision I live in is wonderful! I live on a cul-de-sac and know all my neighbors. We get together regularly for BBQ's and Christmas parties and on Thanksgiving we have a street-wide meal. Tents and tables and chairs are set up, everyone brings a dish and we celebrate together. It's awesome. We watch each others houses and pets, and in the sub-division they have Easter Egg hunts, Santa will come to visit and we have community wide yard sales a few times a year.
If we were to ever buy a house again (which we have no desire to do) it would be in this neighborhood.

Maybe you better explain the " meth addicts and cowboys" remark near your user ID I remember when & why you put it there but you may be scaring the OP away from our great Polk county

 

[phorsenuf]

Maybe you better explain the " meth addicts and cowboys" remark near your user ID I remember when & why you put it there but you may be scaring the OP away from our great Polk county

Good point!

OP- the reasoning behind that is because on another relocation thread someone said to stay away from Davenport because the people that live their are meth addicts and dislocated cowboys. Just an ignorant statement someone made.

Davenport is a lovely area. As mentioned before we are off Ronald Reagan, in the Champions Gate and Reunion area.

 

[SMorgan711]

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.

This is so awesome!! May I ask what your husband will be doing for Disney? The only reason I ask is because our family is looking to relocate to the Orlando area this fall and I would love, love, love to work for Disney! I would like an office job more so working in the parks or hotel (I'm currently a financial analyst but I have a degree in both finance and marketing). I will apply for some jobs before I go but it was my understanding that Disney will only hire people who already live in the area and have an Orlando address. I figured I'd have more luck finding a job once I move to Orlando, however I would prefer to have a job prior to moving! Although with Disney, I'm sure it's more of a "who you know" not "what you know" kind of thing.

Thanks for starting this thread! I love to hear all the locals input on where the best places to live are! We will most likely rent for 6 months before buying. We're coming from PA

 

[Luvchefmic]

This is so awesome!! May I ask what your husband will be doing for Disney? The only reason I ask is because our family is looking to relocate to the Orlando area this fall and I would love, love, love to work for Disney! I would like an office job more so working in the parks or hotel (I'm currently a financial analyst but I have a degree in both finance and marketing). I will apply for some jobs before I go but it was my understanding that Disney will only hire people who already live in the area and have an Orlando address. I figured I'd have more luck finding a job once I move to Orlando, however I would prefer to have a job prior to moving! Although with Disney, I'm sure it's more of a "who you know" not "what you know" kind of thing.

Thanks for starting this thread! I love to hear all the locals input on where the best places to live are! We will most likely rent for 6 months before buying. We're coming from PA

Totally false information you have there First step is applying on-line Then go from there After you get through the hoops and finally get invited for an interview ( or somewhere in the application add a cover letter when attaching a resume perhaps ) tell when you intend to be a FL resident Best of luck

 

[Bluegrrl]

One more thing about Polk county (and it's just a current news story, not anything against it, just a news story) - we recently had the largest prostitution sting there. Apparently, its a county where prostitution stings go down very frequently. But then again, my grandma lived in Polk county and never had any issues. With regards to schools, I still think Seminole county is the best, with many A+ schools. Park-Maitland is one of the best private schools around, and it "feeds" into schools like Trinity Prep. Orange county is not know for the best schools. And avoid Pine Hills - around the area it's known (badly) as "Crime Hills". Does not have a good rep - doesn't mean there aren't good people there, just that there is a lot of crime there.
Winter Park is a lovely, if pricey, place.

Like any place, there are bad areas and good, but some are more known for the bad.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Bluegrrl that's because we have Sheriff Grady Judd here in Polk A real no nonsense kind of Sheriff He has much admiration across the nation We knew about him when I worked for a PD in NY He sets up these stings all the time with sexual on-line predators too I say good for him and all of us here Personally I wish he would run for a higher and higher office

 

[phorsenuf]

One more thing about Polk county (and it's just a current news story, not anything against it, just a news story) - we recently had the largest prostitution sting there. Apparently, its a county where prostitution stings go down very frequently. But then again, my grandma lived in Polk county and never had any issues. With regards to schools, I still think Seminole county is the best, with many A+ schools. Park-Maitland is one of the best private schools around, and it "feeds" into schools like Trinity Prep. Orange county is not know for the best schools. And avoid Pine Hills - around the area it's known (badly) as "Crime Hills". Does not have a good rep - doesn't mean there aren't good people there, just that there is a lot of crime there.
Winter Park is a lovely, if pricey, place.

Like any place, there are bad areas and good, but some are more known for the bad.

Oh for goodness sakes. You honestly think this doesn't happen in Orange County or Seminole County or any County for that matter? At least Polk County is doing something about it. It's not like their are streetwalkers on every corner. Pick any County in any major city (especially a tourist one) and tell me it doesn't go on.
I would lean more towards a County that is cleaning up any crime versus one that's not. Where do you think they will relocate to? Yup- one that does nothing about it.

 

[vcgirl925]

Maybe you better explain the " meth addicts and cowboys" remark near your user ID I remember when & why you put it there but you may be scaring the OP away from our great Polk county

Ha! Didn't even notice that! But read her explaination and that hilarious. I know that'll cities are good and bad.

 

[vcgirl925]

This is so awesome!! May I ask what your husband will be doing for Disney? The only reason I ask is because our family is looking to relocate to the Orlando area this fall and I would love, love, love to work for Disney! I would like an office job more so working in the parks or hotel (I'm currently a financial analyst but I have a degree in both finance and marketing). I will apply for some jobs before I go but it was my understanding that Disney will only hire people who already live in the area and have an Orlando address. I figured I'd have more luck finding a job once I move to Orlando, however I would prefer to have a job prior to moving! Although with Disney, I'm sure it's more of a "who you know" not "what you know" kind of thing.

Thanks for starting this thread! I love to hear all the locals input on where the best places to live are! We will most likely rent for 6 months before buying. We're coming from PA

He is in IT engineering. They are giving him up to one year to relocate to Orlando. He'll work from home in the meantime with the occasional trip into NYC.

 

[SMorgan711]

Totally false information you have there First step is applying on-line Then go from there After you get through the hoops and finally get invited for an interview ( or somewhere in the application add a cover letter when attaching a resume perhaps ) tell when you intend to be a FL resident Best of luck

Thank you! I will definitely try that!

and thanks vcgirl925! I'm sure with the MB and FP+, Disney definitely needs some more IT guys!! Good luck with your move!!

 

[Dawson'sMom]

Great thread!! We are also beginning our search into the greater WDW area. Our plan is to move somewhere close by WDW within 3 to 5 years. DS will graduate high school in 3 years and I will have 20 yrs in education in 5 years. DS has Asperger's Syndrome (high function autism) and will be making the move with us. He loves Disney and I hope that he will be able to work at WDW. All this information is great and I will be looking closely into the areas that have been talked about.

 

[natalieguy]

My aunt and uncle live in celebration. My uncle was one of the developers of the community. It's very nice and safe!

 

[Disneylovingdad]

Great thread! How is winter garden? I've heard good things before and the prices on line look reasonable. Anyone live there? I've seen people here mention winter park, how is winter garden?