[OC2OC]

Hello. This is my first post. I've spent a few days reading all the posts related to relocating to FL and found the site to be extremelly useful.

We'll be relocating to Winter Garden, sometime in April 2007 and have tons of questions about the area. After many trips going back and forth we've finally decided to pick a house in Winter Garden. We have 2 young boys and have been looking for that cookie-cutter feel of a suburban neighborhood. We settled for large home in a cul-de-sac in a nice new development. It's not gated but appears to be quite safe. There will also be a new shopping center in the area which will be very convenient.

We'd like to hear your opinions about the area like safety issues, places to go/avoid, level of xenophobia, and any info that may help us with our peace of mind.

We look forward to your comments!

[FLmomof2]

The developments going in in Winter Garden are very nice, and convenient. We drive by some of them on our way to Disney. You'll be very close to Disney, outlets, malls, Seaworld. Not sure about anything else since we have only been in FL a year!

Good Luck!

[jdaryl2002]

HI OC2O2, we live next door to Winter Garden in Windermere. Try to live as close to downtown as possible. You’ll love strolling down the main street (Plant Street) with unique restaurants and excellent walking / bike trail that travels right through town, called the West Orange Trail. There is a new development going in on the Westside that is a PUD. The developers are Castle & Cooke so it will be nice. It’s called Oakland Park. Should be very family friendly. Traffic will not be your friend in WG and it is getting worse everyday. Get your bucket of quarters out because to get anywhere outside WG is tolls. Just a note about the new lifestyle center they are building on the Southside called Winter Garden Village at Flowers Groves. This thing is going to be a nightmare to anyone living or driving south of SR 50. They are dropping it right in the middle of rural upscale homes. Winter Garden officials said they needed this to bring upscale shopping to Winter Garden. This is what they call upscale shopping. Supper Target, Best Buys, Lowes Home Improvement, Marshall’s and Ross Dress of Less. We already have those stores within 5 miles of WG plus a mall 3 miles east of WG. Poor planning will be Winter Garden’s downfall and what a shame it has to happen to such a lovely town

[OC2OC]

Thanks for the replies.

As for the comment about the Fowler Grove Mall, we also fear the impact of traffic in the area. Apparently the original plan was a lot worse which included a megaplex movie theatre. The current plan doesn't seem so bad actually.
http://www.wintergardenvillage.com/index.html

By the way, how's the crime rate in the area?

Regards,

Just read about a shooting in Winter Garden this morning...

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/new...ot_killed.html

Isn't this supposed to be a very "safe" neighborhood?

[OC2OC]

Hello. Just bumping this thread up and hoping to get some fresh feedback from anyone.
Thanks!

[LittleMommao2]

OC2OC,

My family and I are relocating to the Central Florida area as well. I have 2 young children too and also looking at the Winter Garden area. We are going down this weekend to take a closer look. We currently live in Jacksonville, FL so we are no strangers to traffic and building everywhere. We will be moving next month, so Good Luck to you as well in finding a great place. When we get back I will definetly post some comments and feedback for you to.

[Prichard]

Now, that's a little unusual. I don't usually see people from Jacksonville moving to Orlando. Jacksonville is a growing area, and most people who move out of Jacksonville move to Georgia. Just wondering what about Central Florida would get you to move in this direction from Jacksonville?

[LittleMommaof2]

My husband is being transferred down here. Also we love the Orlando area. My husband and I are true Jacksonvillians. My husband have lived in Jacksonville his whole life and I have only lived outside of Jacksonville 6 years out of my life. We love the look and feel of Winter Garden. We love the downtown area with West Orange Trail and parks. Jacksonville is turning into Atlanta, they are building on every strip of land left. We are also avid Disney fans. We have the annual passes, so on the days we get bored, we can jump in the car and go see the fireworks one night. We don't mind the traffic part, because thats all Jacksonville is getting to be now. Takes me almost an hour to get home anymore, when it use to be about 20 minutes. We are moving to Winter Garden this weekend. I cant wait to get started on another chapter of our lives with our two young children.