Some more extended thoughts on Orlando

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Boarderline77

What does this mean? Planning to move to that General area and trying to figure out if it's going to be the right fit for my family or not.

Streetsmarts is a perfect example that Windermere's name has been tarnished. I imagine he/she hasn't lived in the Orlando area for long if she thinks it's just an okay area lol.

Windermere was an exclusive area to live. You pretty much had to have a lot of money to be able to buy there. The neighborhoods had a lot of charm and weren't cookie cutter planned developments. The original part of Windermere is still like this, but Windernear is dragging down the name.

With that being said, WinderNEAR is still a fine middle-class area to live, so don't worry about moving your family there. It was just laughable when I saw Streetsmarts comments and I realized Windermere's name is no longer prestigious.

[EditorJul]

I think Windermere/Windernear still has prestige (evidenced by housing prices, local amenities, having desirable schools, etc.), but it doesn't necessarily have the exclusivity in all parts that it once did. If you're in downtown Windermere or in Isleworth, or even in Keene's Pointe, it is still very exclusive. Otherwise, it is possible for anyone with sufficient funds to get in and feel welcome, even if you aren't a certain race, family name, background, or career path. You don't have to pay an extra $100,000-150,000 to get the exclusive Windermere address, but the prestige of the area still means that you're paying a $50,000 surcharge for a Windermere mailing address in Windernear compared with houses down the street in "Orlando" (the houses on the other side of Reams Road, Mabel Bridge, Royal Estates, Royal Cypress, etc.) or around the bend in "Winter Garden". (Although some parts of Winter Garden, being part of Horizon West, are adding the prestige fee--Hamlin, for instance. That's why there was so much shock that a WalMart is opening in Town Center, because no one wants to boat from their house to a WalMart. As someone mentioned, though, it's still Winter Garden, and the overall demographics of Winter Garden can support a WalMart…)

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Streetsmarts is a perfect example that Windermere's name has been tarnished. I imagine he/she hasn't lived in the Orlando area for long if she thinks it's just an okay area lol.

Windermere was an exclusive area to live. You pretty much had to have a lot of money to be able to buy there. The neighborhoods had a lot of charm and weren't cookie cutter planned developments. The original part of Windermere is still like this, but Windernear is dragging down the name.

With that being said, WinderNEAR is still a fine middle-class area to live, so don't worry about moving your family there. It was just laughable when I saw Streetsmarts comments and I realized Windermere's name is no longer prestigious.

I have lived in the Central FL area for probaably 1/3 of my life, I was born in FL but not in the Orlando area. Like I said, Windermere is a decent area, the old Windermere is very nice. But nobody here is talking about that part of Windermere, they're talking about the new Windermere, which, like I said, is decent.

There is no "Windernear." Its either Windermere or its not. The older, established part is very nice.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by EditorJul

I think Windermere/Windernear still has prestige (evidenced by housing prices, local amenities, having desirable schools, etc.), but it doesn't necessarily have the exclusivity in all parts that it once did. If you're in downtown Windermere or in Isleworth, or even in Keene's Pointe, it is still very exclusive. Otherwise, it is possible for anyone with sufficient funds to get in and feel welcome, even if you aren't a certain race, family name, background, or career path. You don't have to pay an extra $100,000-150,000 to get the exclusive Windermere address, but the prestige of the area still means that you're paying a $50,000 surcharge for a Windermere mailing address in Windernear compared with houses down the street in "Orlando" (the houses on the other side of Reams Road, Mabel Bridge, Royal Estates, Royal Cypress, etc.) or around the bend in "Winter Garden". (Although some parts of Winter Garden, being part of Horizon West, are adding the prestige fee--Hamlin, for instance. That's why there was so much shock that a WalMart is opening in Town Center, because no one wants to boat from their house to a WalMart. As someone mentioned, though, it's still Winter Garden, and the overall demographics of Winter Garden can support a WalMart…)

Exactly. Big difference between the two. Again, nothing wrong with the "new" Windermere, its fine, schools are good and its pretty safe.

[Salt&Lime]

Windermere is great. I chose to live here because the schools are excellent and it's close to my husband's workplace in Dr. Phillips. I live in Keene's Pointe & love my neighborhood. People go out of their way for each other here. We have lots of family & holiday events, tons of green space, playgrounds, lakes and lake access for boats, 18-hole golf course, and a country club with restaurant, pool, and fitness center. (Social country club membership is $2k/year for KP residents.) I love running here. It's like a huge, beautiful park. The children ride their bikes around freely like I did when I was a kid.

The newer area of Windermere, Horizon West, is very nice too. From my short experience renting there, they have tight knit neighborhoods with down to earth, friendly people who care about their neighbors. I do most of my shopping and socializing there. I think it makes the Windermere name less exclusive but more fun and young. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the planned schools and shopping go up.