Safe family neighborhoods near Disney?

[OKW Lover]

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?

We just moved to Winter Garden in February. Still finding our way around. We are retired so school system wasn't even in our list of criteria. We are very close to the MK.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

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?

I'd stay south of SR 50 (West Colonial Dr.) if looking at Winter Garden. The downtown, which is north of 50, is very cute but the area around it can be sketchy, and it borders Pine Hills on the east side.

 

[staceyeileen]

I've seen people here mention winter park, how is winter garden?

just a note, it took me a while to get my "winter" cities straight. Winter Garden and Winter Park are not near each other or similar at all really. Then there's also Winter Springs, yet another Winter city!

3 separate areas/cities with their own characteristics.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

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

1) Lots of Super-Wonderful-Cheerful-Kind-Handsome people work at WDW and live in Clermont.
2) Hey, that fits me, too.

 

[SillyFamily]

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.

Um yes you can do tests to tell you if there are sinkholes or the possibility of sinkholes on your land. That said they are pricey, between 3-7k. The test takes about a day to run and its usually a few weeks to a month before you get the results back.

If you absolutely love a house that has the possibility of sinkholes there is something you can do about it. IMHO pinning the home is the best bet. Also if you are building a new home they have a new way of building the foundation that helps in the case of moderate sized sinkholes. I dont know what its called but i watched them do it.

 

[momof2n2]

Not reading all the replies I suggest Clermont &/or Davenport. I'd stop north of Haines City, however as the traffic on 27 south can get horribly congested if you hit it the wrong times of the day.

A good agent should help you sort out the more rental heavy communities from the permanent resident communities.

 

[Luvchefmic]

FL has a reputation of hurricanes and then along came Sandy People fear sinkholes Google will remind people of several in NYC & Brooklyn & Long Island very recently


Anything can happen anywhere Just so much we can control Yes knowledge is a good thing but don't let an irrational fear hold you back that these things are common

 

[kapoof]

We live near chicago and often think about moving down to Florida of course near disney...for those who do live down there have you any issues with bugs, ie palmettos.

 

[OKW Lover]

We live near chicago and often think about moving down to Florida of course near disney...for those who do live down there have you any issues with bugs, ie palmettos.

Yes, its Florida and there are bugs. Keeping the house clean helps minimize this, as does a good pest control system.

 

[kapoof]

Yes, its Florida and there are bugs. Keeping the house clean helps minimize this, as does a good pest control system.

We have bugs here as well but also a horrible winter that keeps extra horrible bugs from thriving. I have heard different stories...yes it is Florida so everyone has palmettos bugs and some say they have never had them. I think I would faint if I saw a palmetto bug in a house...outside the viewing area at akl almost did me in.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . for those who do live down there have you any issues with bugs, ie palmettos . .

1) A decent pest control service (about $300/year) controls the bugs well.
2) Out biggest problems are litter bugs.

 

[kapoof]

1) A decent pest control service (about $300/year) controls the bugs well.
2) Out biggest problems are litter bugs.

You are right, the worst kinds are litter bugs

 

[delmar411]

1) Lots of Super-Wonderful-Cheerful-Kind-Handsome people work at WDW and live in Clermont.
2) Hey, that fits me, too.

I concur! LOL

I also wanted to say that a huge portion of disney employees commute well over an hour each way. It is really just a matter of what is most important to each family and what is affordable.

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

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.

Hi! I am so jealous you are moving to Florida! I just had the opposite happen to me and lived in Florida my whole life and recently moved up to Indiana. I miss it! Anyways, I know you said you like Oviedo. That is where my husbands parents live and from their house it only takes 35 minutes to get out to Disney. Depending on the day/traffic/time you can take 417 to 408 to I-4 (best route during good traffic times) or you can take 417 all the way out there (yes it's a longer route but traffic never seems gets as congested as I-4). I grew up in Winter Park and that is where my parents live still. It only takes about 25 minutes to get onto Disney property from their house but that is not during peak traffic hours. If you're traveling in rush hour it could take much longer. I went to both Park Maitland and Trinity Prep which are amazing schools but they are very expensive! If you live in a good community the public schools will be fine. I actually taught in Orange County but in a high poverty area downtown so I can't recommend that neighborhood to you (I still really miss teaching there though!). Each city surrounding/close to Disney World really has it's own personality so I know your family will be able to find a great fit!

 

[Alice Royal]

just a note, it took me a while to get my "winter" cities straight. Winter Garden and Winter Park are not near each other or similar at all really. Then there's also Winter Springs, yet another Winter city!

3 separate areas/cities with their own characteristics.

Don't forget Winter Haven! I've got a friend who comes from there...and now we live and go to college in Winter Park. It's seriously crazy how many 'Winter' towns there are in the 'Land of Eternal Summer' or whatever the tourists call it...

Putting in a good word for Winter Park myself...I know it's a little more upscale in places but the proximity to WDW is awesome.

 

[livndisney]

Don't forget Winter Haven! I've got a friend who comes from there...and now we live and go to college in Winter Park. It's seriously crazy how many 'Winter' towns there are in the 'Land of Eternal Summer' or whatever the tourists call it...

Putting in a good word for Winter Park myself...I know it's a little more upscale in places but the proximity to WDW is awesome.

Since Winter Haven was mentioned and concerns about sinkholes a few posts back.....

Large sinkhole has just opened in Winter haven, it is currently eating a shopping center.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/25640316/possible-sinkhole-opens-near-winter-haven-publix

 

[vcgirl925]

So I have nothing to worry about besides schools, traffic, palmetto bugs, prostitution rings, and sink holes.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

So I have nothing to worry about besides schools, traffic, palmetto bugs, prostitution rings, and sink holes.

 

[Feralpeg]

So I have nothing to worry about besides schools, traffic, palmetto bugs, prostitution rings, and sink holes. �� loving all the information!

I moved to Central Florida exactly ten years ago today. I have never regretted it! I absolutely love it here.

Everyplace has its problems. When you live some place, you learn to take it all in stride. I don't worry about bugs, prostitution rings or sink holes! Having an exterminator treat your home periodically makes the bug problem not a problem. I can honestly say that prostitution rings are not even on my radar! I don't fret over sink holes. If something should happen, I am insured. The chances of it happening to me are slim.

Traffic isn't a huge deal either. Once you live here, you figure out ways to avoid the congestion. You can't totally avoid bad drivers. They are everywhere...not just in Florida.

Schools are hit and miss, but I believe this is true in other parts of the country as well. The schools in my area seem to be pretty good.

In short, I'd do the move all over again!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Anyone have a good resource that explains the construction of Walt Disney World? I'm curious about how they built and continue to build on the type of soil they have, and to have the corridors running underneath. I'm sure it's an amazing feat of engineering. Not trying to be 'off topic,' just curious with the sinkhole situation.