[PeteU]

I live in South Florida, specifically Palm Beach County.

My parents are planning on moving to the north/central portion of Florida for their retirement. They are not looking for beach condo or big city living, but rather a small to mid-size town with a good cultural center, preferably a college town. Right now, Gainesville is a strong candidate, especially given the fact my sister works at UF.

However, I am a Stetson graduate and have good memories of my four years in DeLand. I would love for my parents to consider a move to DeLand. The big question is where are the nicest parts of DeLand to move. While I did live four years in DeLand and know about all about the Stetson campus, the downtown area, and all the businesses in town, I'm not as familiar with the residential parts of town.

Obviously, my parents want a nice neighborhood. The only thing I know they do not want is new construction (as they aren't a fan of all the sprawl eating up the area) or gated communities. Something either newer yet established or maybe something in an older yet attractive area of town would be best for them.

Based on my limited knowledge of the area, I do know that the Northeast portion of town down Plymouth Avenue had some nice, older yet attractive houses, a lot of shady trees and small lakes. (I had gone to several of my professor's houses in that area). I also know the Glenwood area north of town seemed like a nice place. My parents like natural looking surroundings--places with nice trees, places that don't have zero lot lines or look as though they've been clear cut.

Based on that criteria, any residents or anyone familiar with DeLand have any good ideas as to which neighborhoods are best in DeLand? They are coming to Florida this week, and I am planning to show them around DeLand. Thanks in advance!

[PeteU]

Just a bump to see if any new ideas on this. Planning to go to DeLand on Saturday August 4th, so if anyone has anything, I'd sure appreciate it.

[FLgirl1]

I grew up in Orlando and have lived in 5 other states due to job transfers. We came back to FL a few years ago to be near family and settled in Ormond Beach.

I completely understand your parents' desire to get out of South FL - it's a huge trend. My husband grew up in Plantation, one of 8 kids, and all have left south Florida - they say it's a zoo. Even though we live in Ormond, we go to DeLand a lot to eat and go to the wine bars in the downtown area - we love DeLand's downtown. We've been really disappointed in Ormond. While it is beautiful, the demographic is too linked to Daytona, which means the culture is dominated by NASCAR and bike week - not just during those events, but all the time.

Two wine bars have just opened in Ormond, but DeLand has had them for years. I can't directly speak to your housing question, but when we've met so many people in DeLand from Ft. Lauderdale. Go to the Elusive Grape, a wine bar on the east side of Woodland, downtown. There's a local, older crowd almost every night and we've found it easy to meet people. Anyone could probably give you info. Also the owner is almost always there - very friendly. If you tell him what info you want, he knows everyone in the place, and can surely introduce you to some people who can help.

On the west side of Woodland a little farther south is a restaurant called Cecils. The hostess/manager (JoAnn) is from Ft. Lauderdale. They have a small cozy bar - we sit and talk with her a lot. She'd have info.

Also, we met a man at the Elusive Grape last week who retired to DeLand from Boca. He writes a column for the Beacon, a small local paper. You could call the paper and ask for him - I'm sure he'd talk with you.

I personally like the historic district west of Woodland, and the area behind Stetson, as you mentioned. But I'm not familiar with any surrounding areas.

Good luck!

[PeteU]

Thanks!

Actually to clarify, only I live in South Florida. My parents are coming from Maryland (where I was born and raised). South Florida is okay, but very congested and built up. If not for the fact my wife's parents live two miles from our house in Boca, I would be strongly pushing to move to North or Central Florida, as I've always liked that part of the state the best. But with our first on the way come January, she wants to be close to her parents, you know for babysitting and such.

DeLand has some great little businesses. I will be sure to check out the Elusive Grape and Cecils. I'm guessing those are new, as I don't think I remember them from my college years (about six years ago).

[PeteU]

Just on the FYI for anyone else who is interested in DeLand.

Took my parents through DeLand last Saturday. The Brandywine neighborhood just north of town is very nice--attractive, newer houses with shady lots and individual character. Also the prices for houses in Brandywine looks reasonable--in the $200k regions for 3 bedrooms (comparing this to Boca, where the same sort of house would probably run $350k-$400k).

[BUP41800]

I lived in the DeLand area years ago. I'm sure things have changed a bit since then, but I have many nice memories of living in Glenwood. l passed through there about 2 years ago. The houses there are not cookie-cutter, and the lot sizes varies from 1/2 acre on up to 5+ acres. Grand Avenue is the main route through Glenwood. It's a lovely, tree-lined boulevard. Glenwood used to be an actual town....I believe oranges were grown and shipped from there in the late 1800's. There are still a few Victorian homes there, and an old church (Presbyterian, I believe). There's also a little post office there that I used to bike to from my house. Glenwood is quiet, quaint, peaceful, and has many moss-draped oak trees. It's very easy to drive into DeLand from there.

[PeteU]

Originally Posted by BUP41800

I lived in the DeLand area years ago. I'm sure things have changed a bit since then, but I have many nice memories of living in Glenwood. l passed through there about 2 years ago. The houses there are not cookie-cutter, and the lot sizes varies from 1/2 acre on up to 5+ acres. Grand Avenue is the main route through Glenwood. It's a lovely, tree-lined boulevard. Glenwood used to be an actual town....I believe oranges were grown and shipped from there in the late 1800's. There are still a few Victorian homes there, and an old church (Presbyterian, I believe). There's also a little post office there that I used to bike to from my house. Glenwood is quiet, quaint, peaceful, and has many moss-draped oak trees. It's very easy to drive into DeLand from there.

We drove through Glenwood as well. Very nice area with great lots. Unfortunately we were sort of crunched for time, so we didn't have a chance to turn off on some of the side streets off of Grand. But all in all looks like a nice area. I saw the tiny post office--I wonder if it is still active?

[Florida_Gone]

I live 4 blocks east of the soccer field at Stetson in probably one of the nicer areas of DeLand. Any area North from New York Ave (SR 44) and bordered by Hill Ave to the East and Boundary to the West is very nice. There are many, many new subdivisons popping up in the area. I am the same way with staying away from these due to zero lot lines and rules that are unrealistic. I have lived here all my 46 years.
There are several nice streets to check by Stetson, Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas Ave, or N. Boston Ave to name a few. The only real problems recently have been the property crimes like car burglaries. Summer times so I figure the kids are out and about.
My folks live in Glenwood just off of Grand Ave and Im amazed at all the houses for sale in this area. Overall DeLand is a great area to live and close to the hustle of Orlando, but far enough away. Several good realtors are Debbie Dunn with Town & Country Reality or Bill Mancinik with Mancinik Reality. I know them both and they are some really nice straight shooting folks.

[Blondie710]

I live in Deland, as I have my whole life. I live near the High School which is an established area. All of my neighbors have lived here for 30+ years. =] Close knit.
As Florida_Gone posted: Pennsylvania Ave is a great neighborhood, they have more sophisticated homes in the area, we walk through that area from time to time and its quiet/peaceful but close to everything. Another area that is not gated but offers nice homes, a little pricy but they offer a clubhouse,etc is TrailsWest. A friend of mine lived there for a long time. If you live in the "back" its nicer, newer homes and I've never heard of there being high crime there. West Minnesota is a wonderful street!! They have older, historic, homes - they appear to be larger homes, but in a quiet area of town. It appears to me that it may be an area where retiree's go. Glenwood is very nice, its kind of out in the sticks, lol. Its farther out of "town" but it offers you the peace of not living in the city.
I hope this helps!! Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

[Casamia]

My husband and I are contemplating moving to Central Florida. We visited Saddlebrook in Deland. I would appreciate if anyone can give some information about that neighborhood and the Deland area. Thanks