[ana m]

Thank you all for all the responses, I really appreciate it!!

rcnkat:

Let me know if you find out if with your friend who lives in
Celebration if there are any negatives to consider, and why
they are moving out.
Thanks

[rcnkat]

Hi Ana
I spoke to my friend and she wants to move because Celebration is very expensive....her backyard is like 16 x 20--- very small lots....she said you can
get a little bigger but it will cost you....the houses are going for 600 to 800,000 for a 4 bed 3 bath home....she said the crime is mostly petty theft
and burglaries.....as far as the bank robbery that happened outside of
celebration down on 192....everyone pretty much pays for a social atmosphere within the area....so if you want a big yard for your kids
and privacy then Celebration would not be for you.....good luck...

[ana m]

rcnkat:

Thanks for the information on Celebration any new information you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

Ana

[rcnkat]

your welcome....ana..
if I hear of anything else I will let you know..
Kat

[HammockDreamer]

We live approx 8 miles from Celebration, but we have many friends that actually live there. It truly is a beautiful community. Disney was the original designer behind it all, and many of their offices for the Disney Vacation Club and other departments are in Celebration.

The High School is a nice facility. From what I have read and been told, they have a new Principal---have experienced quite a bit of teacher turn-over--and to my surprise, the school received a C Rating, which I thought a school in Celebration would be higher than that.

Real Estate is VERY expensive. The architecture is all modeled after Charleston, SOuth Carolina: lots of gingerbread trim, front porches, white pickets fences, etc. The houses ARE beautiful, but are situated very close together. The HOA there has considerable control---such as all window treatments that can be seen from the road must be white---that kind of stuff.

They do work hard to have the "community" feel---the Harvest Fest is coming up---they even have "Snow" on mainstreet from Thanksgiving thru Christmas!

It is located just a few miles from Walt Disney World-which can be good or bad, depending on your perspective. They have provided very good road infastructure---easy to hit I4, 192 and others.

Of course it's in a touristy area---Mickey Mouse is your neighbor! It is NOT a gated community. However, crime remains very low there. We considered Celebration when we were making our decision to relocate here (just a month ago). We finally decided that we could get alot more house for a lot less money elsewhere---having said that, however, we have found that we may very well have given up the "community" in trade.

Hope you find just the right spot for you and your family.

[lulu]

I knew it!!

When I was walking around there I told my husband..." I don't know but I get the feeling Mickey is going to pop up around any corner...". Walking around there makes one feel like one is in fantasy land - really pretty.
I agree that the homes are too close together, at least for me. Plus, I don't know about living in such a pristine place. I think I'd feel guilty just going outside w/shoes w/dirt on 'em after gardening or something.

[ana m]

HammockDreamer:

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. We figured there were
restrictions on the blinds and window treatments. I guess sometimes restrictions are good. Here in Miami, there are no restrictions and this place looks like a third world country. I guess that's what caught our attention.

If you don't mind me asking, what community did you choose?

Again, thanks for the information.

Ana

[ana m]

Lulu:

Hi! I hope you are well. I feel as if I know you already, through your
posts. I don't know where you live, but I know where I live and that is Miami.
I'm 37 years old and I have lived here all my life. Let me tell you, this has changed, changed so drastically, it's scary. Not only in terms of affordability, but also the quality of life. We have two boys, 10 and 6.
By staying here, I feel that in a way I am hampering their future. There is no future here for them. Children here are prisoners of their own home. I don't know if you have kids but I can tell you unless you are able to take them to organized activities, they are at risk even riding bicycles in your own neighborhood. Not only are they at risk because of the amount of sexual predators we have rising in our community, but people don't respect the
speed limit anymore. I actually think people don't know how to read the
signs. I am a very active parent in my childrens school, and the schools are just getting overly overly crowded, as our hospitals. Our police is even
protesting, because they are underpaid and overwhelmed. I even witnessed teachers in my kids school protesting today, shocking!!! Sorry to drag on and on but I rather be worried about walking around with my shoes full of dirt after gardening, than looking around this community and seeing how deteriorated and how dirty Miami communities look. People don't take care of anything here anymore. I don't know what is going on. Either people are too buisy working and don't have time to maintain their property in decent conditions, or people do not have the money to. I have nothing against Miami, in fact I never before had thoughts of moving from here, but I don't like not one bit what I have been seeing lately not one bit.

Not to offend anyone, I know there are people who cannot leave due to
their own personal reasons may be work related or family ties, or whatever the case may be, but let me tell you I have work related, family ties and everything that goes with it, but it is time to make a decision for my children not for myself or my family or my job it's about my kids now!!!

Take care Lulu,

Thanks for hearing me out.

Ana M

[HammockDreamer]

Ana,

You are very welcome. I understand about the positives of HOA---we have lived with them and without them........and I have to admit that I much prefer to live somewhere that does set some parameters.

We are in Legacy Park-Highgate Park to be exact, which is just south of the HWY 27/192 intersection. It is a brand new development-just finishing up now. It was originally intended to be just for vacation villas, but more and more people are moving in long-term.

In Legacy Park there are approx 6 other separate developments--Highgate is the only gated community and all of the homes here have screened in pools. It's quiet here and we love the location.

The school system in FL seems to be a bit challenged....but we homeschool, and are enjoying the ability to take in all of the area attractions.

[lulu]

Hi Ana...

Oh sure...I totally agree Miami has changed drastically as I was born here a while back & have gone thru all the pains of growth & have nothing against you wanting what is best for your kids. Absolutely nothing wrong with wanting rules and a decent lifestyle for your family. I know first hand living with rules, as I live in Coral Gables which needs permit's to paint ones house, cutting trees & a trillion of other things. Plus, no sheds and no pickups are allowed. The good thing here is we don't have HOA assoc.breathing down our necks & it's still a beautiful & safe place.
Though, I can understand the issue of bringing up kids when one steps out of certain boundaries.
No, unfortunately I have no children. Though, sometimes even my mom says I was lucky in a way, cause none of us would be able to sleep & she was dying to have grandkids! So, I can understand in trying to find a different safe place to bring up children. I'm sure I would have done the same. It's a shame...cause I went to public schools here. Now I find most of my friends that do have children, have them in expensive private schools or have moved elsewhere and have their children in the public school system & their choices have paid off all around.
Anyhow, my comment on the dirt on my rubber garden shoes... was meant not to put down Celebration as it's gorgeous & seems like a safe clean happy place & of course much preferable than some places down here to bring up kids - no arguing there. I know it's impossible, but let's say if all of Florida were 100% safe, for some reason I'd still feel guilt (of course, this is just me) living there and dirtying up the place with my rubber garden shoes if I had to step out to get the mail or something...I'd probably feel guilt if my dog would tinkle (not the other which one of course had to pick up-I saw a lady doing just that) on a patch of grass and the next time I'd walk by the grass turned brown or something? That's how pristine the place seemed to me.