Orlando: Relocation First Impressions (Winter Park, Conway: condo, townhouse, neighborhood)

[ChicagoExpatriate]

Hello all! I have previously posted about a potential relocation and now it is actually moving forward. My husband and I are in our early 30s and spent over a week there recently. We rented an AirBnB in the SoDo area--near Michigan and Fern Creek. Anyway, we spent a ton of time touring different areas including Ivanhoe, Winter Park, College Park, Baldwin, Audobon, Conway, etc. We pretty much loved all of the areas. We even checked out Dr. Phillips, which was just a little too close to the tourist action for our taste. We also checked out Celebration just for ****s and giggles (it really creeped us out).

That being said, we want to keep our housing purchase under 200k if possible. We're fine w/ two bedrooms/one bath if we can get into some of the nicer areas. I am really leaning toward the area near Michigan/Curry Ford and around Bumby. OR Conway. Can anyone familiar w/ the area give me an insider's opinion on these general areas? I spoke to people around our AirBnb rent, restaurant servers, the lady who owns the corner bakery, etc. but would be interested in any more opinions as well.

Thanks for reading and for all of your help thus far!


edited to add: Wow, you guys have so many through streets and amazing traffic. We even did some mock commuting and it was so reasonable!! Even on i-4.

[Pocker14]

Hi ChicagoExpatriate, the Michigan/Curry Ford/Bumby area is a nice area. Close to downtown and several transportation options (expressways, Sunrail). However most of the homes priced under 200K in this area are only 2 bedroom homes. 3 bedrooms and up will cost you more than 200K.

[Arcenal813]

Are you looking strictly at houses, or will you consider a townhouse or condo? That area has some really nice ones.

[boy3365]

I second that the area you are considering is great. However, in addition to being smaller, most homes under 200K will also be dated as well. If that's your thing, go for it! But if you're looking for something newer that you won't have to do a complete upgrade on once you buy, you may have to look really hard.

[Crane's Rooster]

I agree with everyone else, I lived in that area for a short time and it's a great area. My advice would be that whatever you decide on, try to stay in the Boone/Blankner school district. If you ever have kids it will good for them or if you ever decide to sell that school district is a great selling point. From my experience the house east of Ferncreek tend to be more affordable.

[kyle19125]

I would also recommend looking at the Audubon Park/Colonialtown North neighborhood which has a good bit going on in terms of shops/restaurants, the only legit farmers market in the city (Monday nights), tends a good bit quieter traffic/congestion wise than further south and is largely within the Winter Park school district which is outside of the better districts in Seminole County probably the most highly regarded in the metro area. It's also quite close to Winter Park which has a Whole Foods (soon to be two) and a Trader Joe's which may (or may not) be an attraction for you along with tons of restaurants, nightlife and shops. It's a well-established area that's pretty safe and continues to attract interest in terms of new residents along with renovation.

[tinytrump]

get a rehab-- older home and make it new