Safe family neighborhoods near Disney?

[Malrothien]

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.

Hey now, 9th generation Central Floridian here. That are quite a few of us left.

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?

Love Winter Garden, though the southern portion - Stoneybrook, Summerport, Summerlake areas.

For those that live there, may I ask the cost of utilities? I've been told electric is much cheaper than where I live but water is a lot more expensive.

We live in an apartment, 2/1. Our electric bill is about $100 a month, cable is $110 for internet/tv/phone, and water is about $6 a month. Seminole county tends to have the highest price for water.

Hi! I thought I'd resurrect this thread to ask a question regarding Winter Garden. We are looking at the area and found the shopping center called Winter Garden Village. As far as shopping and dining, this looks like a great section to be in, but I wanted to get input from the pros. Is this a good area to LIVE in? There are quite a few neighborhoods right there, is there any one in particular that's better or worse? We don't see a grocery store in that immediate area, is the Super Target the grocery option unless you drive 5 miles to Publix? Thanks for any input anyone can provide!

It is a great place to live. Winter Garden has some of the best schools in Orange County from elementary to high school. Anything south of WGV is safe, nice, and much newer than surrounding areas. There is a Publix near Target, on Colonial. It's only about a 5 minute drive. We go to the Publix at Lakeside Village and utilize the Target/WGV area almost every weekend.


Overall, OP, WGV/Clermont (50 & 27 area)/Windermere are all great options. I would avoid Davenport (Polk County side) because their schools are not that good and Celebration - too many tourists and the HOA fees are a little obnoxious. If we decide to stay in Orlando we will most likely purchase in Summerlake.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

ITA...Feralpeg was extremely helpful to me when we were researching the area from out of state! The supertarget is very convenient, but there is also the Publix 3.5 miles south. We are near that as we are renting short-term in Independence while we build a house in a new development right next door called Orchard Hills (off Tiny road near Bridgewater Middle). They also just broke ground on a new elementary school in Independence. We moved here 6 weeks ago and we love it!!!!

We thought about buying a home in Orchard Hills. It's a nice neighborhood. We went with a different Beazer neighborhood to be closer to MK. I love being able to hear the MK sounds. We have been here since the end of May.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We thought about buying a home in Orchard Hills. It's a nice neighborhood. We went with a different Beazer neighborhood to be closer to MK. I love being able to hear the MK sounds. We have been here since the end of May.

Would you be open to sharing what neighborhood that is? There are so many close to the MK. I feel like that would be so amazing, but then, I wonder how annoying the banging of fireworks every night would get?

 

[vcgirl925]

Hi all! OP here. I figured after all the fantastic replies that I would update on where we settled. We really appreciated all the great info we got here, it was so helpful. After lots of research, an amazing realtor (can provide her info if anyone needs a realtor), and some trips to Florida, we finally settled. We decided on a community called independence in winter garden. Windermere is literally at the end of my street. A rated schools. My kids actually attend school in windermere. We love the close proximity to disney, seaworld, and universal (my husband 10-15 minute commute to work). The area is quiet and safe. Love winter garden village and the publix in windermere. We do not need to take I - 4 so traffic has been a non issue. There are a lot of renters here (we bought a new construction) but no short term vacation rentals. We've only been here six weeks but so far are happy with our choice. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Thanks for getting back to us OP!! Sounds perfect!

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Wow, sounds so awesome! You're living my dream

 

[Feralpeg]

Hi all! OP here. I figured after all the fantastic replies that I would update on where we settled. We really appreciated all the great info we got here, it was so helpful. After lots of research, an amazing realtor (can provide her info if anyone needs a realtor), and some trips to Florida, we finally settled. We decided on a community called independence in winter garden. Windermere is literally at the end of my street. A rated schools. My kids actually attend school in windermere. We love the close proximity to disney, seaworld, and universal (my husband 10-15 minute commute to work). The area is quiet and safe. Love winter garden village and the publix in windermere. We do not need to take I - 4 so traffic has been a non issue. There are a lot of renters here (we bought a new construction) but no short term vacation rentals. We've only been here six weeks but so far are happy with our choice. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We're looking at moving down in about 3 years - this thread has been very helpful!! Thanks OP and everyone who contributed!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hi all! OP here. I figured after all the fantastic replies that I would update on where we settled. We really appreciated all the great info we got here, it was so helpful. After lots of research, an amazing realtor (can provide her info if anyone needs a realtor), and some trips to Florida, we finally settled. We decided on a community called independence in winter garden. Windermere is literally at the end of my street. A rated schools. My kids actually attend school in windermere. We love the close proximity to disney, seaworld, and universal (my husband 10-15 minute commute to work). The area is quiet and safe. Love winter garden village and the publix in windermere. We do not need to take I - 4 so traffic has been a non issue. There are a lot of renters here (we bought a new construction) but no short term vacation rentals. We've only been here six weeks but so far are happy with our choice. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

We have a vacation condo in FL right now but will be moving down permanently in 4 yrs. when my DS graduates. Thanks for starting this thread and letting us know where you ended up. We've heard from friends that Winter Garden was nice and we were considering looking into it when the time comes.
This just confirms that.

 

[jmb912]

Would you be open to sharing what neighborhood that is? There are so many close to the MK. I feel like that would be so amazing, but then, I wonder how annoying the banging of fireworks every night would get?

We'll even over here in Orchard Hills we can see and here the fireworks each night! We love it!

 

[jmb912]

Hi all! OP here. I figured after all the fantastic replies that I would update on where we settled. We really appreciated all the great info we got here, it was so helpful. After lots of research, an amazing realtor (can provide her info if anyone needs a realtor), and some trips to Florida, we finally settled. We decided on a community called independence in winter garden. Windermere is literally at the end of my street. A rated schools. My kids actually attend school in windermere. We love the close proximity to disney, seaworld, and universal (my husband 10-15 minute commute to work). The area is quiet and safe. Love winter garden village and the publix in windermere. We do not need to take I - 4 so traffic has been a non issue. There are a lot of renters here (we bought a new construction) but no short term vacation rentals. We've only been here six weeks but so far are happy with our choice. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Hi all! OP here. I figured after all the fantastic replies that I would update on where we settled. We really appreciated all the great info we got here, it was so helpful. After lots of research, an amazing realtor (can provide her info if anyone needs a realtor), and some trips to Florida, we finally settled. We decided on a community called independence in winter garden. Windermere is literally at the end of my street. A rated schools. My kids actually attend school in windermere. We love the close proximity to disney, seaworld, and universal (my husband 10-15 minute commute to work). The area is quiet and safe. Love winter garden village and the publix in windermere. We do not need to take I - 4 so traffic has been a non issue. There are a lot of renters here (we bought a new construction) but no short term vacation rentals. We've only been here six weeks but so far are happy with our choice. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Independence is a great neighborhood. We stayed there while we built our house in Orchard Hills right next door! I love this whole area and am so happy we moved here! I hope you love it too! Welcome! My daughter is now working at Magic Kingdom as well and it's so convenient!

 

[OKW Lover]

Hi all! OP here. I figured after all the fantastic replies that I would update on where we settled. We really appreciated all the great info we got here, it was so helpful. After lots of research, an amazing realtor (can provide her info if anyone needs a realtor), and some trips to Florida, we finally settled. We decided on a community called independence in winter garden. Windermere is literally at the end of my street. A rated schools. My kids actually attend school in windermere. We love the close proximity to disney, seaworld, and universal (my husband 10-15 minute commute to work). The area is quiet and safe. Love winter garden village and the publix in windermere. We do not need to take I - 4 so traffic has been a non issue. There are a lot of renters here (we bought a new construction) but no short term vacation rentals. We've only been here six weeks but so far are happy with our choice. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Congratulations! We are right around the corner from you in SummerLake.

Agree completely with you about the convenience of Winter Garden Village and we love the Publix right around the corner. The people that work there are so friendly.

About our only frustration with the location is that its a bit convoluted to get to other parts of the greater Orlando area. Often we find ourselves driving through WDW to get to other places.

 

[clc053103]

I just read through this entire thread- so helpful! We are moving down for DH's job by June, and have been down to try to find a house. We are focusing on Keene's Pointe in Windermere, but this thread makes me want to check out Winter Garden area! We did look in Winder"near" areas but it was not our style. DH is commuting to Celebration.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Posting to follow

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I just read through this entire thread- so helpful! We are moving down for DH's job by June, and have been down to try to find a house. We are focusing on Keene's Pointe in Windermere, but this thread makes me want to check out Winter Garden area! We did look in Winder"near" areas but it was not our style. DH is commuting to Celebration.

What are "Winder near" areas? We're looking at moving down in 3 years so I'm sort of looking into everything now. Thanks!

 

[staceyeileen]

I just read through this entire thread- so helpful! We are moving down for DH's job by June, and have been down to try to find a house. We are focusing on Keene's Pointe in Windermere, but this thread makes me want to check out Winter Garden area! We did look in Winder"near" areas but it was not our style. DH is commuting to Celebration.

Winter Garden is right next to Windermere. Winter Garden Village is pretty much right near the Windermere/WG border.

 

[clc053103]

From what I understand, Winder "near" as I have heard it referred is the south and west outskirts of Windermere proper- they are in the Windermere zip code, but not part of the town officially. LOTS of new construction.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

From what I understand, Winder "near" as I have heard it referred is the south and west outskirts of Windermere proper- they are in the Windermere zip code, but not part of the town officially. LOTS of new construction.

yikes I think I need a detailed map! Somehow I don't think even Robo has this covered...

 

[OKW Lover]

Hey now, 9th generation Central Floridian here. That are quite a few of us left.




Love Winter Garden, though the southern portion - Stoneybrook, Summerport, Summerlake areas.




We live in an apartment, 2/1. Our electric bill is about $100 a month, cable is $110 for internet/tv/phone, and water is about $6 a month. Seminole county tends to have the highest price for water.




It is a great place to live. Winter Garden has some of the best schools in Orange County from elementary to high school. Anything south of WGV is safe, nice, and much newer than surrounding areas. There is a Publix near Target, on Colonial. It's only about a 5 minute drive. We go to the Publix at Lakeside Village and utilize the Target/WGV area almost every weekend.


Overall, OP, WGV/Clermont (50 & 27 area)/Windermere are all great options. I would avoid Davenport (Polk County side) because their schools are not that good and Celebration - too many tourists and the HOA fees are a little obnoxious. If we decide to stay in Orlando we will most likely purchase in Summerlake.

Sounds like we are neighbors Mariothein. We live in Summerlake.