Looking for "small town" feel near parks (Orlando: house, neighborhoods)

[tracy9]

I'm looking for advice on where to buy in Orlando. My husband and I would ideally like to be close to Disney and Universal, but we're looking for a small town feel (Celebration is a little out of our price range though). I'm from the Carolinas and would really like to find a more traditional-looking neighborhood as opposed to what I'm calling the standard "Florida house." For example, I'd prefer a brick house versus stucco, we'd like at least a small porch, etc. Right now we live near Lake Hart and I hate having to get on 417 or 528 and pay tolls no matter where I need to be. We've only been here about a year and we're still not familiar with much of Orlando. Is there anywhere remotely like what I'm describing?

[bmw335xi]

I was going to suggest Windermere, but it might be too pricey, worth checking out, it's a very quaint small town with tons of character.

[chopchop0]

St cloud or harmony might fit the bill

[Arcenal813]

Mount Dora. Without a doubt

[brinkofsunshine]

I second Windermere. Downtown Winter Garden is also very charming with a lot of character.

Honestly downtown Orlando's neighborhoods (like Audubon Park, Thornton Park, Delaney Park) are more like traditional neighborhoods in the sense that they don't have subdivisions. I don't know if that's too urban for you, but there's a bunch of charming streets around there with a variety of housing styles.

[bmw335xi]

Winter Garden is also good too as the other member mentioned and definitely cheaper than Windermere or say Winter Park

[RedneckRebel]

Oakland, Tangerine, Eustis, Tavares, and Mt. Dora would all be good fits.

Oh, Sorrento too

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by RedneckRebel

Oakland, Tangerine, Eustis, Tavares, and Mt. Dora would all be good fits.

Oh, Sorrento too

Especially with the new 429 extension.

[jwcane97]

Those are all nice places but Mt. Dora to the parks is a hike. As is Harmony.


Also, she said no to toll roads so Turnpike, 429, 408 are all out.


Honestly, if Celebration is too expensive so is Windermere. I would agree with saying Old Winter Garden as your best option. You will be close to Disney, but not Universal. You will need to travel I-4 to get the Universal.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by jwcane97

Those are all nice places but Mt. Dora to the parks is a hike. As is Harmony.


Also, she said no to toll roads so Turnpike, 429, 408 are all out.


Honestly, if Celebration is too expensive so is Windermere. I would agree with saying Old Winter Garden as your best option. You will be close to Disney, but not Universal. You will need to travel I-4 to get the Universal.

New Windermere could work though and it's basically next door to Disney World property without being so far south as Celebration. Winter Garden is still a good contender though.