Orlando (Cape Coral, Winter Park, Winter Garden: relocate, real estate, income)

[help]

Hi...I am looking to relocate to orange county from NJ and wanted some advice on the best towns to live in. We've looked at Windermere, Waterford, Avalon Park, Maitland, Waterford, Dr. Philips, and Metrowest. Any thoughts? good or bad. Any other areas we should check out. I am a teacher and my husband is a publist. We want a clean, safe neighborhood, with good schools.

[pammi6]

Check out Lake County which is right next to Orange County. The city of Clermont in particular. You will be amazed by the hills! A-rated schools as well!

God Bless the Teachers!

[suzj226]

Definitely check out Avalon Park, I lived there for a year (rental) and thought it was great. It is a bit out of the way, down in SE Orlando but it is really its own community, kind of a throw back to when people actually sat on their front porch and chatted with the neighbors. Waterford is just a couple of miles away from Avalon, also a nice area.

Windermere is VERY nice, but with that can also come a hefty price tag. I live in Maitland, it is a nice area, but is also getting up there in price. The homes also seem to be a little older, but there are plans in the works for renovating the "city" area of Maitland.

I don't know too much about Dr. Philips, have only been in the area a few times and it seems nice. Metrowest seems to have taken a turn for the worse in recent years.

Good luck!

[suzmyers]

I moved here from Jersey (Moorestown/Cinnaminson) 4 years ago. A very big mistake. It will definitely be a culture shock for you. The average income for the area is only 55K. The cost of living is just as high. You have listed some really nice areas though. Windermere is very nice and has lovely lakes. Maitland is Great... but it also has "lower" side that you won't find in Windermere or Avalon (both are new areas). (I love the chain of Lakes in Maitland/Winter Park). Coming from the "Garden State", you may see Florida as Blah (I do). If you have kids... leave them in Jersey schools!!!!!! Compared, the schools here are a joke. Just watch the news... the FCAT is graded by a temp service, not educators. Burlington County, NJ produces more Ivy League bound graduates than any where else in the nation. Keep in mind, the higher class the area is - does not mean the schools are better. I recommend going private if you can. Clermont is definitely the prettiest area, but still pales next to Jersey. People down here have no idea...

[help]

bump...i need help finding an area...any other advice?

[SCHNABELTIER]

We moved from New York many years ago...we first went to Cape Coral (nice Place) but now live in Orlando. Downtown is a nice area. It is close to everything and it has some schools nearby. One is a private schools and i think it is supposed to be real good. The other ones, i am not too sure about.
Windemere and all those other places are nice, but very expensive and far from everything.

[mom2hn]

We like Winter Garden and are so happy we moved here 5 years ago. It's 20 min. west of downtown Orlando about 10 min East of Clermont ... the prettiest (restored 3 years ago)historic downtown around. (complete with local shops, brick streets, swings, and a big fountain!) Lots of community events in the downtown area ... family oriented. As for schools ... private is the way to go. There is a great bike trail that runs through town called The West Orange Trail. Property is expensive but still not as expensive as Windermere.

[hrhitter]

I'd take Lake Mary over any of those other spots. How much do you want to pay for a home and how large do you need it? That might influence your decision.

[Mybellegirls]

Even though we live in Seminole County, which does have a far better school system than Orange County (sorry, its true), the public schools are very lacking. From November on they teach to the annual FCAT test, and don't get on with real academics until FCAT is done in March. The prep for the test stresses the kids & parents out, its insane. The whole purpose is to court funds for the teachers who are grossly underpaid as it is. Its not any different than the 2 week warning about impending hurricanes. STRESS. I'm currently looking to go either back West (except I just hate California politics & taxes) or up north AND MAYBE EVEN TO JERSEY if the schools are that great. My focus is my family, and education for my kids, plus some culture...please. Housing prices were lovely, now they're trying to compete with CA, NY & IL, except as you've read, the job market doesn't keep up with the cost of living. You may want to give more info on what it is you're looking for in a community, whether or not education for your kids is of paramount importance, whether you want rural or urban, homes with golf course or brand new construction. AND, where do you wish to work? Usually I pick the best school district and take it from there. Good luck!

[Russell]

Windermere is a wonderful area, with all the new constrution going on out there you cant go wrong, it a very nice enclave of smart new subdivisions neslted alongside some of Orlando's most sought after real estate. With the new Winter Garden Village and all that Horizons West promises to be, thats where I would put my money!