Best place to raise a 12 year old- Lake Nona, Lake Mary, Dr.Phillips, etc..HELP!! (Orlando: apartments, low crime) - Florida (FL) - City-Data Forum

Sherini · 07-23-2010, 03:29 PM

Like most people we're looking to move into the best fitting town/area/neighborhood in the Orlando vicinity. While I realize there are pros & cons to all areas- I don't want to sacrifice the things that are important to us. We currently live in very nice, safe suburb of NY with fantastic schools. Our careers are leading us to the Orlando area & we've heard that Lake Nona, Lake Mary and Dr. Philips were all good places to consider however, we're open to all towns. I was told to be aware that a Florida school could have an A rating but if it were here- it could be considered a B-. My daughter is 12 years old: does very well in school, is involved with a local children's theater, takes voice/piano lessons, participates in pop warner cheerleading & loves riding her bicycle with friends. My husband is Catholic (Italian) while I'm Jewish & although we don't belong to a church/temple- I would like to have my daughter in an area where it's not uncommon to see a menorah & Christmas tree in the same house. We're just trying to find the best all around fit...some guidance would be helpful & GREATLY appreciated!

GLS2010 · 07-23-2010, 04:06 PM

Lake Nona is a great area but it is new so its not that established compared to Lake Mary and Dr Phillips. Dr. Phillps is nice, its the most busy out of the three areas, right next to Universal Studios and also close to some not so good areas. If I were you I would pick Lake Mary, or even Oveido, both are great suburban towns with A rated schools, and low crime.

Honestly, I'm not sure if that whole "A schools in FL = B schools in NY" thing is true anymore, I have cousins who live in the NYC metro and when I was in 10th grade I was rading the same novel in my english class as my cousin on Long Island was reading in his 11th grade english class. Its all relative.

Parrotrosie just moved to Oviedo from up north about a year ago, so I'm sure she can help you out with concerns you may have about making the move. and Beckycat is the Lake Mary expert on here.

Booya · 07-23-2010, 04:34 PM

Lake Mary hands down. Lk. Mary is a nice, cute, quaint, upscale area.

Seminole County schools are far superior to Orange County and other county school systems.

Lake Nona is far away from everything except Lake Nona! It feels isolated to me. If you want to get to downtown Orlando it is quite a drive.
Dr. Phillips has some nice homes but you are surrounded by a bad area with high crime.

Of your three choices if I had to pick, with or without children and schools to think of Lake Mary is far and away the one I would chose. For every reason including resale value, crime, schools, quality of life etc etc.!
Plus it sounds like Lk. Mary is the closest fit to what you describe as your current town in N.Y.
Good luck.

nativefla · 07-23-2010, 06:37 PM

Lake Mary without a doubt!!

Sherini · 07-23-2010, 10:40 PM

You're all SO kind & I'm grateful for the input! I'll put Lake Mary on the top of our list. What are your thoughts on the differences between Markham Woods & Greenwood Lakes Middle schools? Is there a better neighborhood associated with either one? Lastly, what’s your opinion on Lake Mary Prep vs. Lake Mary High? Again, any suggestions are appreciated

brinkofsunshine · 07-23-2010, 11:46 PM

I would hands down choose Dr. Phillips over the other two areas. Look into Windermere as well. They are both beautiful, very safe areas with good schools, close to amenities, shopping, and of course the theme parks. I don't find them to be too busy- personally I like the pace and you don't feel as isolated as you would in other, farther suburbs. Since your daughter is into the performing arts, for down the road there are two high schools in the area that feature incredible theatre. One is Dr. Phillips HS, which has the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (with programs for theater, dance, and chorus, plus band and orchestra), and West Orange HS (Windermere is partly zoned for this school) has a great theatre department as well.

chopchop0 · 07-24-2010, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinkofsunshine

I would hands down choose Dr. Phillips over the other two areas. Look into Windermere as well. They are both beautiful, very safe areas with good schools, close to amenities, shopping, and of course the theme parks. I don't find them to be too busy- personally I like the pace and you don't feel as isolated as you would in other, farther suburbs. Since your daughter is into the performing arts, for down the road there are two high schools in the area that feature incredible theatre. One is Dr. Phillips HS, which has the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (with programs for theater, dance, and chorus, plus band and orchestra), and West Orange HS (Windermere is partly zoned for this school) has a great theatre department as well.

I agree. Dr Phillips is definitely the most interesting out of the choices, with good schools also.

Booya · 07-24-2010, 03:38 AM

I don't mean to put down your area or schools however West Orange High and Seminole County schools are not comparable.
Now Windermere is a very nice upscale area, if you get real Windermere and not some pseudo subdivision with Windermere in the name. The OP did not list Windermere as a choice. And even if she did she would have to send her children to private school to get a similar education.

Dr. Phillips has had quite a bit of crime and some of it violent, rapes etc. It is surrounded by a bad element. It is almost like there is beautiufl Dr. Phillips with a wall around it that was built next door to a vey bad area. There is no way Dr. Phillips is a "very safe area." Also Kirkman road is a nightmare. A traffic congested stretch of road with many apartments and businesses. Yes, it is close to Disney. And with that comes all the traffic, congestion etc.
And to the person who lives and likes Dr. Phillips please don't get upset and I am glad that you like your area. But I just think people have the right to know the facts .
But I also sugeest the OP does her own research on school systems, crime etc before making the final decision.

brinkofsunshine · 07-24-2010, 07:46 AM

^^^ I realize what you're saying about West Orange, I forgot that it was a lesser-rated school. I mentioned it because if her daughter is really theatrically inclined, she may want to look into it. Although she didn't list it as a choice, why not mention Windermere? It's a nice area she may not have known about. And there are good public schools in the area- Olympia HS is often one of the higher ranked schools in the county.

May I ask where you get the information that there has been violent crimes/rape in Dr. Phillips? I'm not upset, I simply can't recall hearing of any notable crime here. I feel completely safe always, even in areas close to Kirkman. The only iffy areas that border Dr. Phillips are the Metwrowest/Millenia areas.. it's certainly not surrounded. The other borders- Lake Buena Vista and Windermere, are safe.

cfIfan · 07-24-2010, 08:44 AM

Brinksofsunshine, did you not know that there is crime everywhere except for the Seminole County area/Lake Mary....lol. A former Altamonte springs officer was just charged with child abuse, but there is no crime in Seminole county according to some people....lol

I hate to break it to you folks but there is crime everywhere, and every area has its more desireable areas and its not so desireable areas. What you should be trying to do is find areas which match what you as a family are looking which includes commute distance, schools, and recreation.