Decision Time.... (Orlando, Kissimmee, Ocala: relocating, hoa, gated)

[Chavez720]

So our family has made the final decision to relocate to the Orlando area:

Relocating from Charlotte, NC

We have narrowed our home search to twoareas:

West - Winter Garden, Fl - Stoneybrook West or Independence
East - Orlando, Fl - Stoneybrook East, Avalon Park, or Waterford

We plan a trip to finalize our housing at the end of this month. I have been to the Winter Garden area two times. We like it but it seems overpriced. This trip we are going to focus on the East Side of Orlando. The houses seems more affordable. Any comments on any of these developments, East or West? Shopping? Child Care is important to us? Schools? Any comments would help us out.

[Crane's Rooster]

The East Orlando schools are better than the Winter Garden schools from what I've heard. They're all nice areas though.

[GregTraub]

StoneyBrooke East and West are both a bit more expensive than the other area's you mentioned.

Avalon Park has come down in price quite a bit, same with Waterford Lakes; Both are nice area's....I live there! There are Deals abound in both developements, Avalon Park still having homes available from new home builders as well.

Like Crane's Rooster said, schools on the east side are rated better than West side area's you mentioned.

As far as shopping, Winter Garden recently opened up their new shoping center off the 429, and they have their historic towncenter which is nice, but I'd say it's still in the process of revitalization. East Orlando, is better IMO with shopping and I know of several day care's in the area. Waterford Lakes shopping center with the movie theatre, across the street Waterford Towers, and Avalon Park has their towncenter as well (not historic but Neo-urbanistic theme).

Just contact me and I'd be glad to show you all around this side of town when you get into town.

[nickindependence]

Well i specialise in Winter Garden and actually the Independence area and there are grea deals to be had at the moment. I actually recently purchased our home in Independence and our 7 yr old daughter attends the local elementary school as well. Stoneybrook west is slightly higher priced and if im being honest, for my taste i prefer the floor plans Independence have.

Winter Garden have great schools but i like the fact it is a nice quiet area. I actually showed 6 houses today in just independence and we put an offer in on one. There is so much to choose from both on resale and from the builder, but i do recommend using someone who has alot of experience in this area as there are some great deals to be had, and the market over this end is great at the moment, in my experience, Independence offers a better price per sq ft if you know what your looking for than other areas. The only thing which Stoneybrook west has which independence doesnt have is a golf course and its gated. Stoneybrooks golf course is good as i use it myself a couple of times a month. Yet my game still hasnt improved....lol ill blame my clubs....;-) if you need any more info just let me know and i can send you links to various schools in the area

Hope this helps.

Nick

[doctorbrandi07]

avalon park is really starting to grow until thier own community. there is a YMCA, restraunts, daycares, multiple elementary schools, middle schools and high school. There is quite a few little parks in there too. There is a walmart grocery store, publix, gas station, CVS, etc etc.. the only thing i heard bad about Avalon is the traffic!. Exp if your leaving around the time the high school starts.. But anyways. you will see soon for yourself! you can also look into Eastwood. It has its own elementary school. Also has a gated community, golf course, etc. its by avalon and waterford lakes.!

Hope this helped you out some more!

[AONE]

Here are the areas high school ratings.

Oviedo High School #34 ranked the highest in the area
Winter Park High Schoo comes in a 3 way tie for # 37
Crooms Academy Of Information Technology - in Sanford , #40
The Villages Charter High - #43
Lake Mary High School = #56
Lake Brantley High School - Altamonte Springs - #60
Winter Springs High School =#77
Professional & Technical High - Kissimmee - #83
Vanguard High School - Ocala -93
Olympia High School - Orlando -98 ( 3-way tie)
Lyman High School -Longwood -98
Dr. Phillips High School - Orlando -98
Timber Creek High School - Orlando -105
Boone High School - Orlando -106
Seminole High School - Sandford -108
Lake Howell High School - Winter Park -111
Forest High School - Ocala -121
University High School - Orlando - 135
West Orange High School - Winter Garden -139
Cypress Creek Senior High School - Orlando -168
Robert Hungerford Prep. High - Eatonville -171
Marion Technical Institute -Ocala -183
Eustis High School --187
Edgewater High School - Orlando - 193 (3 way tie)
East Ridge High School - Clermont -193
Mt. Dora High School -197
Harmony High School - St Cloud -199
Apopka High School -201 (6 way tie)
Freedom High School -201
New Dimensions High School - Kiss -233
Ocoee High School = 236
South Lake High School - groveland -243
Gateway High School - Kiss - 288
Osceola High School - Kiss -294
St. Cloud High School -297
Celebration High School -217
Colonial High School -328
Northstar High Charter School - Orlando -341
Jones High School -Orlando -358
Poinciana High School - 366
Oak Ridge High School - Orlando -373
Evans High School - Orlando -381
Mid Florida Tech - Orlando 417
Rosenwald Center - Altamonte Springs -420
Alternative Education Center-Yop - Orlando - 431

The lowest rank is 436 in the state.

[tiggergolf3]

nickindependence,

Do you know the HOA/annuals of Stoneybrook, Independence, and Summerport? Also, if you pay HOA in Stoneybrook do you get a discounted golf rate? How much does it cost to play Stoneybrook?

[nickindependence]

I would need to know specifically which property so i could do an indepth search, however generally speaking for single family homes Independence is approx $170 per month (this does include basic cable....70 channels) and high speed internet), Stoneybrook ranges from $200-500 per quater so i would have to check this out, and Summerport seems to be approx $125 per month.

Now in terms of golf, i can give you the Florida resident price which is for weekdays from open to 1pm $69, and from 1pm 0 close $55. Then weekends and holidays open -1pm $79 and 1pm - close $65. They are subject to change however, but this should give you an idea.

I would be more than happy to discuss any other question you may have so feel free to let me know.

Nick

[Chavez720]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Just wondering. Some of the homes we have looked at on the MLS listings have no Lanai. What would be the cost to build a screened or covered lanai? Also the cost for a fence? Most of the properties in our price range are less than 1/4 acre. Average size home is <2000 sqft. Trying to narrow down the choices and give a good bid.

We are on our way by the end of the month to make a bid on a house!

[Keeper]

You might want to ask this in the house forum. The cost of a lanai would depend on if you already have a covered patio already.
A privacy fence depending on the size of the lot and if you use wood or vinyl , would probably run you around $2K maybe a little less for a 1/4 acre.

We priced a sunroom several years ago and it was VERY expensive ($15K) and we had a covered patio.