Celebration? Champions Gate? other? (Orlando, University: sales, HOA, crime)

[GatorGirl1991]

I am moving to the Orlando area this summer after my youngest goes off to college. I am in my mid-50s and my two sons will be in college at the University of Florida so it is just me.

I will be retiring, but hope to get a job at Disney World. I am a big Disney fan.

I want a community that is like "Cheers". I want to know my neighbors and have BBQs. I want a place where there are activities (like a travel club) that residents attend. I have never had that. Where I live now (in Georgia), no one knows anyone. Everyone stays indoors.

I know Celebration is more expensive and has a restrictive HOA and I am okay with that. Being part of a community is EXTREMELY important. Will I find that in Celebration? Champions Gate? Another neighborhood? I want to be within 20 minutes of Disney World.

THANKS!!!!!

[everythingatall]

Sadly, you are unlikely to find that anywhere in Central Florida because most people are not natives. Central Florida is a very transient place. If anywhere at all, it's going to be a place like Winter Park where the same people who are born there still live there. If you'd like to be a part of a community, it's unlikely you'll find that just by living somewhere in Central Florida. You'll have better luck volunteering, being a part of Cross Fit, joining a church/synagogue, etc.

If it means anything at all, I am far closer/involved in my neighborhood here in Chicago then I ever was in Orlando. We have block parties, frequently socialize and are pretty involved in the happenings here. I know every single person on my block.

[BrokerHarry]

For a single person in their mid 50s...I would suggest that you MIGHT want to consider Solivita, which is 21.7 miles from the security gate to Disney World resort, typically about a 35-40 minute drive.

It's farther than you said you want to commute. But...

You'd get a LOT more house for the money than you will in Celebration, & there are tons of social clubs & activities. There is a very strong sense of community, more so than you might find in many other areas.

There's plenty of nicely built inventory to choose from, anywhere from 1200 sq ft to as much as 3,000 sq ft, all single story (no stairs) & both new construction & resales.

I'd be willing to bet you'd be looking at price savings of anywhere from $100K -200K over what a comparable home might cost you in Celebration.

I've met several people who live in Solivita who commute to jobs at Disney. I suggest it might well be worth your further investigation.

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by BrokerHarry

For a single person in their mid 50s...I would suggest that you MIGHT want to consider Solivita, which is 21.7 miles from the security gate to Disney World resort, typically about a 35-40 minute drive.

It's farther than you said you want to commute. But...

You'd get a LOT more house for the money than you will in Celebration, & there are tons of social clubs & activities. There is a very strong sense of community, more so than you might find in many other areas.

There's plenty of nicely built inventory to choose from, anywhere from 1200 sq ft to as much as 3,000 sq ft, all single story (no stairs) & both new construction & resales.

I'd be willing to bet you'd be looking at price savings of anywhere from $100K -200K over what a comparable home might cost you in Celebration.

I've met several people who live in Solivita who commute to jobs at Disney. I suggest it might well be worth your further investigation.

Reading comprehension ... 20 mins of Disney World. Don't give up, do you ?

[EditorJul]

You might look in the Del Webb communities in ChampionsGate and Davenport. I have a friend who lives in ChampionsGate and always seems to be active with all sorts of community events. The commute to Disney isn't bad from there.

[BrokerHarry]

Originally Posted by leftee

Reading comprehension ... 20 mins of Disney World. Don't give up, do you ?

Take a hike leftee. You have nothing worthwhile to contribute.

Intelligent people might very well consider saving $100K+ in housing costs for an additional 20 minute commute.

I'm sure GatorGirl can make her own decisions. What's it to you?

[BrokerHarry]

Originally Posted by EditorJul

You might look in the Del Webb communities in ChampionsGate and Davenport. I have a friend who lives in ChampionsGate and always seems to be active with all sorts of community events. The commute to Disney isn't bad from there.

I agree that Del Webb in Champions Gate would also be worth GatorGirl's consideration.

However, I personally find the homes built by AV at Solivita to have slightly nicer architectural layouts, & possibly a little more competitive pricing.

And no, I'm not on their payroll.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPylFCHqLk

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by BrokerHarry

Take a hike leftee. You have nothing worthwhile to contribute.

Intelligent people might very well consider saving $100K+ in housing costs for an additional 20 minute commute.

I'm sure GatorGirl can make her own decisions. What's it to you?

Not going anywhere Harry ... keep up the good sales pitch though. Poinciana is another crime ridden area full of chusma. It's obvious you only care about the sale and padding your wallet.

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by BrokerHarry

I agree that Del Webb in Champions Gate would also be worth GatorGirl's consideration.

However, I personally find the homes built by AV at Solivita to have slightly nicer architectural layouts, & possibly a little more competitive pricing.

And no, I'm not on their payroll.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPylFCHqLk

But I'm sure you'd take the referral fee, wouldn't you ?

[GatorGirl1991]

I did think about Solvita, but I do want to stay closer to Disney (and the other theme parks) and I do not want a 55+ community. I do appreciate the suggestion though, BrokerHarry. Every little bit of information helps and you never know.

Any more input about the "community" feel of Celebration and Champions Gate?