Planning a FUTURE condo purchase near Orlando (New Smyrna Beach, The Villages: rent, HOA)

[From SE WI]

Hello,
We are probably a typical buyer. We APPRECIATE your ideas!

My wife and I are near 60 years of age and are beginning planning a purchase of a $100-$200k Condo within 1 hour of the northern Orlando suburbs.
We have family there and have visited them for 15 years.
We have worked very hard all of our lives and want soon to be snowbirds. It is currently ZERO degrees here now, but the sun is shining.

We'd like a SAFE, LOW crime community. In order to maintain a low HOA not necessarily a "gated" community.

Perhaps a 55+ community? Near a city w/ some shops, cafes, Mt. Dora is a nice example, but on the outskirts.

Block, solidly anchored homes, not mobile style units. Not a wet, rotting home.

Non-Urban setting, we enjoy rural. We'd like some private land around the unit. For storm safety not overly vegetated "it's a jungle down there" and nature wins.

Within 2-3 miles of grocery shopping, perhaps movie theatres (also low crime), i.e. not right by a bad community.
HELP! I am wondering if this exists.
Stats generally show smallish towns that distort the true reality.

God willing, our plans are to stay in the community and FIRST either rent (safe, clean, quiet) first or get a motel/hotel somewhat near to confirm our choice.

Other MINIMUM unit specific info would be:
Lower HOA's, fiscally sound (with reserves and a low "special assessment" history!
2-3 BR, prefer MBR split from other BRs
Prefer 1 floor.
1+ bath
Dog friendly (under 20 lbs)
Attached, private garage (non shared).
No units above or under us.
In-unit laundry.
We only need minimal onsite options (no pools, game room, playgound, tennis court, etc.) except outside maintenance.
We would like a unit built after 1980 to avoid lead paint, poor insulation issues.
SOUND deadening shared walls is nice because older people at times BLARE their tv's. We have both had condo's years ago.

Many thanks!

[MrKnight]

Have you considered Downtown Orlando? There is an abundance of condo towers and communities in the downtown area.. I would recommend areas around Lake Eola and Thornton Park, these are the more historic areas of downtown and are also more residential.. Best of luck!

[orlandoyankee]

Originally Posted by MrKnight

Have you considered Downtown Orlando? There is an abundance of condo towers and communities in the downtown area.. I would recommend areas around Lake Eola and Thornton Park, these are the more historic areas of downtown and are also more residential.. Best of luck!

Sounds like OP prefers rural setting and not urban. Not sure but maybe something in/around The Villages. It's a huge development. Maybe they have a section of townhouse type dwellings that would fit most of the requirements. I would contact a RE agent who specializes in The Villages area.

[qdogfball]

MLS # O5178261 , 102 MERLOT ST Deland FL

MLS #G4701998, 30321 LIPIZZAN TER Mt Dora FL

MLS # O5205604, 541 MOUNT OLYMPUS BLVD New Smyrna Beach

If you need to know more about these, contact a realtor.

[From SE WI]

Thanks for the reply but we prefer more rural.

[From SE WI]

I know of the Villages it is "HUGE." I'll consider it and look into them. Perhaps others near the Villages are not as large? I would imagine that with the size the villages perhaps safety and Police patrols are more effective?