Seminole vs Orange county to raise kids

[compelled to reply]

I can't believe nobody has steered her towards Oviedo...check out the stats for Oviedo HS and visit the area yourself and you will see that is most definitely the nicest area to raise children in central Florida. Unlike most of the Orlando area you are (For the most part anyway) a fair distance from "Bad" neighborhoods out there as well.

[THASPECIAL]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

I can't believe nobody has steered her towards Oviedo...check out the stats for Oviedo HS and visit the area yourself and you will see that is most definitely the nicest area to raise children in central Florida. Unlike most of the Orlando area you are (For the most part anyway) a fair distance from "Bad" neighborhoods out there as well.

You're right about Oviedo.....I was just thinking of Altamonte Springs and Maitland because it is closer to the city and doesnt have as much of a rural feel compared to Oviedo......and her being from NYC i was just thinking that she would feel better in an area that was safe and close to her work and that had easy access to being closer to the actuall city of Orlando...that was my mindset on it, but Oviedo does sound good from your perspective too.......maybe she will just come here and look at each area that everyone has suggested and end up moving to a different one...who knows

[Carmelite]

The Country Creek subdivision is in zip code 32714. You will find it on a map between Eden Park Road, Bunnell Road, and Lake Lotus. If you go out of the back gate of the subdivision (Eden Park) and take Maitland Blvd (414) toward I4 you will dead end into hwy 17/92 which is Casselberry. The houses are various sizes with various lot sizes and various prices. This subdivision is very unique for the ones in the Orlando area. We have lots of trees and a very nice path for walking or running. Just outside the front entrance around the corner you will find Target, Walmart, Costco, Sports Authority, Pets Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, Koles, and a lot more. It's a great area.

[AONE]

Queensgal,
I like both areas in specific parts. some of Oveido is great, others ...not so. the schools are good though. Winter Park good schools and friendly areas, very nice, Avalon Park , nice schools, nice area, but a bit remote. depending what part you are in. Waterford, Eastwood, nice areas. decent schools.
It's pretty hard to drive areas and get a feel fro them and remember what you see. there is too much to take in form a visitors point of view. Us agents can email listings of areas so you can get a feel of what is in an area that will provide you what you are looking for. I'm sure i;'m not alone when I say we try to eliminate all that you won't want. There are some great homes around in areas you will really love. I think either Winter Park, Winter Springs, Oviedo might be the best option from a limited knowledge of your likes and dislikes. Don't hesitate to call upon us for help, we really do want to make it an easy process and help. Keep in mind of where you work is too as Im a strong beoiever of keeping the commute short for maximum happiness. Good Luck in the search , and welcome to town.
ken

[beckycat]

Seminole....Lake Mary! Had to throw that it in. Try Timicuan, Woodbrigde Lakes, Huntington off Lake Emma. Excellent schools and everything you need as far as shopping. Sanford is close-by for the mall, movies, reataurants and shopping. Casselberry is about 10-15 minutes away. Good Luck!

[KrisCole]

I teach and coach basketball at Seminole High School. I used to teach and coach at Winter Springs High School. Both are great schools. If your children are your primary concern, I would go to the Florida Department of Education's Home Page and compare the test scores of each school you are looking at. I know you can go to the Seminole County Public School Home Page to find out which addreses go to specific schools. My children & I have been very happy with the schools in the Heathrow/Lake Mary area.

Lake Mary just finished #4 in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live. Lots of things for young people to do. For more information, feel free to send me a private e-mail.

[GregTraub]

Originally Posted by QueensGal

Thanks. I drove by Avalon and they have zero lots. Need min. 5/3.5 with good yard, but only want tops $450K. In waterford chase communities, I noticed some have no gates to community and some do - I prefer the ones with gates into the community. Also what attracted me was that it was close to shpg, schools, etc. the lot sizes are ok too approx. 9K sf . How is the mgmnt's and communties track record, what I mean is relative to the hoa fees, their reserve - guest what I am trying to say is how reputable is the mgnt companies that run these communites. Though since you lived there & promote it you would know. The only issue is commute to work in Casselberry, how bad can it be.

Can't beleive I missed this question. You can find very large nice homes for under 450K in waterford chase in one of the gated communities. The communities HOA's are usually not very expensive, maybe a few hundred a year. As for which particular neighborhoods have great management vs not so great, There are too many to keep track of and they seem to change management co's all the time around here. The biggest factor in how the HOA will be can be guaged by how much community involvement there is. The board of directors will be doing most of the work and management companies are ususally just there to handle the administrative aspect of the HOA.

The commute to casselberry will be at least 30 minutes to 45 minutes hoping on the 408 to 417 then take 434 all the way down would be your best bet to avoid traffic and lights. But there are local roads you can also take.

If I were you I would really check out the Tuskawilla area in Winter Springs. Much closer to where you would be working in Casselberry. Older homes on large lots can be purchased for under 450K and the schools are very highly rated. There are also newer homes in the area surrounding The golf community. I'll DM you a quick search of both area's by tomorrow.....hopefully you still check out the forum, it's been a few months!

[Floridabrit]

We live in Winter Springs and the children go to A rated schools. We live just over one mile from both Elementary and Middle schools and many children bike and walk to school. We have been very happy with schools here and even before the children started school we heard nothing but positive about Seminole County schools in general. We are about 10-15 minutes from Casselberry. Moderator cut: comment

[Rhett_Butler]

Definately Seminole if schools are the most important thing to you.... As mentioned Oviedo and Winter Springs would probably be my top choices for you.... Winter Springs I'd say steer toward the Tuskawilla area (as previously stated) and Oviedo it's hard to go wrong. They're even developing further out toward Chuluota and there are new schools out that way... (Walker Elementary, Hagerty High and I can't remember the name of the Middle School out there.... but...).

I'm a former Seminole County Schools employee and would have felt great having my kids go to school there (compared to surrounding options) had we remained in Florida.