Relocating Family to Orlando near MCO (Oviedo, St. Cloud: real estate, apartments, condos)

[djones87]

I am looking to relocate to Orlando area from Michigan but know nothing about the various areas. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I need to be as close to airport as possible as I travel a great deal, but need a nice place to raise a family with small children. Looking for home price around $350k. Can anyone point me in the right direction in terms of traffic, safety, schools? Thank you!!!

[GregTraub]

Hands Down.....Lake Nona area.
A 5-10 minute drive to get to the airport. Not much traffic at all in the area as it is mostly open spaces right now, and it is a master planned community. All A+ rated schools, except the high school (Only one that isn't located within the master planned area, they will be finished building a new high school in the community within the next year). And for 350K you can find MANY very nice homes in that range and below.
Lake Nona also has a new Medical school coming to the area, VA hospital, and other various medical research labs. All these projects should be completed in the next several years.

Other than Lake Nona, there is Hunters Creek, Belle Isle, Lee vista, Avalon Park, Waterford Lakes, and Stoneybrook East. They all have their positives and negatives all not too far away from the airport.

When were you planning on moving?

[Brasstec]

You might also consider the Tivoli Woods subdivisions....Sanctuary, Oak Crest, Bella Vista. You can find some great deals in your price range - lots of square footage. Oh, and here's one you won't find much in Orlando....I woke up this morning to find a doe grazing just outside our backyard fence! She stayed there for about 15 minutes...then moved on into the woods. (I back up to about 200 acres of conservation) I am 10-15 minutes from MCO - depending on traffic.

[GregTraub]

I see deer all the time! When I lived in the Eastwood area (between waterford lakes and stoneybrook) there was a family of deer that I'd see every morning. It was only a few acres of conservation on a golf course, but sure as the sun would rise there was a family of 3 across the pond in the morning.

Driving around orlando you forget we are surrounded by wilderness, and there are still some animals around.

I see bald eagles every now and again as well. Most recent one out near Sorrento, but there used to also be one right off lake Underhill near Rouse Rd. Haven't seen him in a while though.

[rholborn]

Oviedo is also an alternative for you! You can then jump right on the 417 and be to the airport in about 20 minutes. great school district, fabulous family neighborhoods, and great shopping. pricewise for a home, you can also get a lot for your money there without having to spend a fortune.

[spunky1]

Oviedo is way too far away.
And it depends on what you like. Lake Nona is newer, however if you want a nice area that has mature trees and lakes (Conway Chain) check out Belle Isle, Edgewood area. It's also closer to downtown Orlando and the airport. It is a nice extablished bedroom community. I find Lk. Nona area very sterile, and everything except the airport is a hike.

[djones87]

Looking at the map areas like Oviedo, Lake Mary seem too far. I want to be able to get quickly tot he airport. Equaly important to me is having a safe place for my family with a community where there are alot of younger familes that are out and about. Where can I find more info on the areas you suggest? We cant move until our place in Michigan sells - thinking sometime within one year, hopefully soon as home has been on the market now for 5 months.

[djones87]

Any thoughts about St. Cloud for us? schools? time to airport? family area? What about planned developments such as Harmony or Celebration?

[rholborn]

There are some wonderful family communities in St. Cloud. In fact I got married on Lake Toho there! There are planned developments coming, and lots that are already built too. It is a very nice community, and we have family that we visit there several times a month too. Airport time (depending how close you live to the 417) can be anywhere from 15-25 min. drive time. There are 26 Osceola county elementary schools, and depending where you live will determine which one the kids attend. Sometimes you have a choice on which to choose from. Only 3 out of the 26 got a D rating in 2007. There are a lot of A and B rated schools.

[GregTraub]

Originally Posted by djones87

Looking at the map areas like Oviedo, Lake Mary seem too far. I want to be able to get quickly tot he airport. Equaly important to me is having a safe place for my family with a community where there are alot of younger familes that are out and about. Where can I find more info on the areas you suggest? We cant move until our place in Michigan sells - thinking sometime within one year, hopefully soon as home has been on the market now for 5 months.

Lake Nona
New Homes Orlando - Avalon Park Orlando Florida * Orlando Real Estate - Orlando Apartments, New Homes, Condos, Prime Commercail Real Estate and Townhomes
Stoneybrook East - Orlando, Florida Golf Community - Instruction, Golf Outings and Tournaments
Orlando Sentinel - Community WaterfordLakes -

Good luck with the sale in Michigan, there are still buyers out there! Don't be afraid to get aggressive with the price, if your area of Michigan is a depreciating market, and you wait to long to position it right, you will have to lower it even more when the market slides out from under.

Even in this market, I was just dealing with a multiple offer situation on one of my listings, ended up getting them to bid each other up an additional 20K from the start!

If you need additional help on your home up in michigan, I know alot of good realtors I can refer you too.

Good luck!