Conway (Conway Gardens & Lake Margret Area) vs Winter Park (Between Semoran and Lakemont) (Orlando: new home)

[Jbouzas]

Hey Everyone. Just got engaged, looking to purchase a first home together. We found two homes we really like in two pretty different areas.

One is located off a road right next to the intersection of conway gardens and lake margret

The other is winter park off a road west of semoran, close to the whole foods shopping complex.

Which would you say is a better location? Homes are both about the same age, condition, upgrades ect. The WP home is actually slightly cheaper. I know Conway is nice and Winter Park has a lot of prestige, but I don't know much about these area's specifically.

Any thoughts?

[tinytrump]

How far from where you work? the house is what makes you feel good- you just know it-then its a HOME_ think next question is traffic and accessibility- groceries, work- movie theater coming to Semoran and Lee Vista by Chilis- and then long term-- schools-

[Crane's Rooster]

You are right they are both very similar (actually you said different) and both have pros and cons but overall, I would say the Winter Park area has a slightly better reputation but more importantly, probably better resale potential should you ever decide to move. The cons are that the WP home has a much longer route to I-4. But the pros, you can market WP high school district, easy access to Baldwin Park, Park Ave, Audubon Park and Downtown. Also Conway area is little less cohesive than most WP communities. Pros of Conway, it has easy access to airport, 408, 528, I-4 and downtown. Directly to the west is Downtown South which is a really up and coming area, Boone HS is also pretty good. If I were lucky enough to be in your situation I would choose the WP home but both are good options.

[Jbouzas]

Thank you both for such quick responses.

I'm a teacher with OCPS. I currently work at Cypress Creek (off orange in south Orlando). Distance to travel doesn't bother me if I love where I live. As a football coach, I know I'll move schools from time to time. Both homes are just so similar in layout, size, ect. The deciding factor is the neighborhoods.

They are pretty similar, I meant different in locations. They're a good 20-30 mins away from each other. Resale could be big because I hope to move into a brand new home one day in the future.

I wasn't sure about the winter park home because it's not the rich, downtown winter park area that is so coveted. I hear some parts of it can be bad, so I wanted to make sure that specific area is alright.

[Crane's Rooster]

Generally speaking anything west of Semoran in WP is considered desirable and most areas west of Conway Rd, particularly south of Michigan are considered desirable in Conway area.

[Jbouzas]

Great to know, thank you!

[207cyni]

Originally Posted by Jbouzas

Great to know, thank you!

No one seems to mention the trains here. Over by Conway and Michigan you have the planes landing into Orlando, but here you have freight trains coming through 3 times a day plus the sunrail and Amtrak. It is really noisy and the freight trains come as early as 5 AM. Whistles blow almost continually to Altamonte Springs. I can't sleep, love it here, but can't sleep. Moved from Conway area...would never live there again. But not sure I will stay in WP.

[volk2k]

The train tracks are miles away from the location in WP that the OP is looking into.

It's a non-issue.