what do you think of Davenport? (Orlando, Kissimmee: relocate, real estate, hoa fees)

[lcn2b]

Hi, I am a new RN graduate and wanted to relocate to central florida. I was looking online at homes in Davenport that I liked. I have three boys and I am concerned about the school district and the area. Could anyone who lives in the area give me some information on this. Thank you very much. P.S. Do places with HOA fees really boss you around? We have three large trucks and three dogs.

[poodlestix]

You might want to check out my earlier post on the subject since you have kids:
Why so many sex offenders in Davenport/Polk City?

[pianogal]

Davenport seems to be full of vacational rental properties. The few times I been there, I've seen very few full time residents. In fact, builders went in and developed entire communities which they sold to investors strictly for the purpose of vacation rentals. As a result, you can drive through many of the communities and the homes look abandoned - not lived in, because there're not.

[HammockDreamer]

We moved to Davenport last year--originally from WI. We spent a year there---very lovely community---we handled our home rental via the internet/phone and failed to realize that we would be living in a vacation community. Even though we were in one of the most high-end communities, there was SO much crime: constant property crime (day and night) and eventually turned into personal crime (armed robberies, etc).

That area of FL (called the 4 corners) has been built up so quickly with vacation homes, but unfortunately lacks the infastructure to support the growth. Problem area for us were public schools, fire/rescue and water limitations...........

Many HOA's limit how many pets and vehicles you can have. They can also limit what type of vehcile repair can be done on-site. We were even limited to what we could sit out at the curb for garbage. Check specifics first!

The most difficult aspect of living there was the feeling of detachment. We moved here and wanted a sense of community.......but living amongst vacationers (primarily from the UK), gave us a feeling of lonliness. All depends on what you are looking for--others love that privacy.

Hope it all works out for you.

[bouxan]

I have owned a home in Davenport, FL since 2003 and love where I live. It is in the actual "City of Davenport". I have never felt safer anywhere else. We have the feel of a small town just a few short miles outside of the big city. It use to be very rural however over the last few years it has been growing. Just a few minutes away is Posner Park, a unique plaza that will include a mix of national and regional retailers (Target, BestBuy, Michael's, etc), entertainment, cultural venues, fine and casual dining and much more. There is a new elementary school "Horizons Elementary" being built behind the new Publix shopping center just south of Interstate 4 off of Highway 27, slated to open in August 2008. Just north of Interstate 4 there is a new mall being built. It is an up and coming area and I can't wait to be a part of it all.

Homes for sale... I am a Real Estate Broker in the short term rental market. There are so many houses for sale (in short term rental communities) because the short term rental market is over saturated and vacancies are up. It is costing vacation homeowners alot of money to maintain their investment, so many are trying to get out of the business by selling their homes. Highlands Reserve is probably the nicest of the communities to buy in. Lennar Homes did an awesome job with that community. There are some really good deals in there right now.

Traffic? You are kidding right? What traffic... This is nothing, try getting around Kissimmee or Orlando anytime of the day and then we can talk about traffic.

Davenport is in the "Heart of Florida". Right smack in the middle of the state and the same distance to east and west coast beaches. Close to Interstate 4 and Tollroads 417 and 429. It is a great place to LIVE!