Winter park and/or Volusia relocating questions (Edgewater, Maitland: houses, transfer)

[northernmommy]

Hello! I know it must be so annoying answering questions from people that want to move but I would appreciate any feedback We are a family of 4 interested in either Winter Park (if we can afford this area) or Volusia County because my grandparents live in Edgewater. I'm leaning towards Winter Park if possible and I know these areas aren't close to each other but responses to either or would be so helpful. We are 25 year olds with two children and my parents who are in their 40's would also be relocating with us. We would like a hometown feel since we are from Maine and a family orientated place where we will be able to meet new friends. Thank you so much for any advice! Any other helpful information is also so appreciated because I am horrible at doing research and prefer personal opinions

1. My children are going to be 2 and 5 this summer and are half white/half Cambodian, do you think there would be any issues in Volusia county or Winter Park because of this?

2. I'm a Medical Assistant (Associate's degree) but will have my bachelors degree in Health Science before we move down- I have done research on the pay rate for medical assistants but always find such different results so what is the pay like in these areas?

3. My boyfriend works at a warehouse and may be able to transfer down but if not are there many warehouse jobs available and how is the pay there?

4. In Winter Park, are the areas where people live very distinctly based on their income? For example, in Maine we have areas that are mixed with lower class, middle class, upper class and sometimes you can't tell which is which by looking at their house. Of course this isn't true for all areas but if we aren't making much money there is it going to be so obvious or would we still get by in a nice area? Many of the houses we have looked at in Winter Park are about the same prices as the house up here but the pay down there seems much lower.

5. Do children play outside with each other in Volusia County or Winter Park or do they typically stay in their own yards? I would like them to be able to play outside with neighbors and to be able to get to know other people.

6. Are there any bad area codes we should avoid or any specific schools we should avoid? Are the preschools free or do parents pay?

7. This may be a dumb question but are kids able to actually play and sit in the grass or is there a fear of red ants or snakes or any other bugs attacking them?

[rcascaddan]

Not sure if you still need information, but I'm from Winter Park and just moved away last year (28 years old). I can speak to most of your questions:

1. My children are going to be 2 and 5 this summer and are half white/half Cambodian, do you think there would be any issues in Volusia county or Winter Park because of this? Not in Winter Park, it's is pretty open racially, especially towards Asians.

4. In Winter Park, are the areas where people live very distinctly based on their income? For example, in Maine we have areas that are mixed with lower class, middle class, upper class and sometimes you can't tell which is which by looking at their house. Of course this isn't true for all areas but if we aren't making much money there is it going to be so obvious or would we still get by in a nice area? Many of the houses we have looked at in Winter Park are about the same prices as the house up here but the pay down there seems much lower. Parts of Winter Park are very obviously upper class and some are very obviously lower class, but there are a lot of neighborhoods that are very mixed. It really depends on the school district - Orange County is the best. You'll want to look for neighborhoods that are district-ed for Edgewater High, Maitland Middle, Glenridge Middle, Dommerich Elementary, Winter Park High School. I grew up in a neighborhood that had homes going for over half a million and homes going for sub 200's, so it can be pretty mixed. A lot of the developments from the 90's and 2000's that are a little outside of the main part of WP are super budget friendly and house all types of people.

5. Do children play outside with each other in Volusia County or Winter Park or do they typically stay in their own yards? I would like them to be able to play outside with neighbors and to be able to get to know other people. I was outside CONSTANTLY growing up in Winter Park, as were all my friends. The neighborhoods tend to be small, so people get out and meet everyone.

6. Are there any bad area codes we should avoid or any specific schools we should avoid? Are the preschools free or do parents pay? Some preschools are free, some are private and cost money. Avoid most Seminole County schools.

7. This may be a dumb question but are kids able to actually play and sit in the grass or is there a fear of red ants or snakes or any other bugs attacking them? Red ants, yes. Snakes, no not really - unless you are living in an unkempt area or near water, you're not going to have much of a problem. Again - I was outside all the time growing up and was perfectly fine. Kids need bug spray for mosquitoes and to be taught how to avoid ant hills and wasp nests, but otherwise as long as you are taking care of your yard you won't have a huge issue.

[kyle19125]

[quote=rcascaddan;35319988]
6. Are there any bad area codes we should avoid or any specific schools we should avoid? Are the preschools free or do parents pay? Some preschools are free, some are private and cost money. Avoid most Seminole County schools.

In which parallel universe? Seminole County is ranked #3 out of 67 counties in Florida in terms of school districts and Orange County ranks #27. Sound advice..

Best School Districts in Florida - FL District Rankings

[ByeByeLW]

[quote=kyle19125;35327631]

Originally Posted by rcascaddan

6. Are there any bad area codes we should avoid or any specific schools we should avoid? Are the preschools free or do parents pay? Some preschools are free, some are private and cost money. Avoid most Seminole County schools.

In which parallel universe? Seminole County is ranked #3 out of 67 counties in Florida in terms of school districts and Orange County ranks #27. Sound advice..

Best School Districts in Florida - FL District Rankings

Yeah, people go out of their way to buy in Seminole County because of the great schools.

I've heard Volusia is terrible, but don't quote me. I haven't looked at the list smh.

[MrKnight]

[quote=kyle19125;35327631]

Originally Posted by rcascaddan

6. Are there any bad area codes we should avoid or any specific schools we should avoid? Are the preschools free or do parents pay? Some preschools are free, some are private and cost money. Avoid most Seminole County schools.

In which parallel universe? Seminole County is ranked #3 out of 67 counties in Florida in terms of school districts and Orange County ranks #27. Sound advice..

Best School Districts in Florida - FL District Rankings

This is correct, Seminole County does in fact has some of the best schools in the area so I am not sure why the poster stated that. However, Winter Park also has good schools, Winter Park High School is one of the best in the county and has a good reputation. I would recommend avoiding Volusia county as the schools are not very good in that area.