Neighborhoods, areas with bars/restaurants within walking distance or short drive (Orlando: apartments, rentals)

[stablegenius]

Hello,
We are looking to move in the next month or month and a half. We have not decided on renting or buying just yet. I don't like renting, but I also don't want to buy because I hear the market in Orlando is a bit high right now.

So for now we are looking at rentals, but even they are kinda high. We really LOVE the Mills, Ivanhoe and Winter park areas. Basically we'd love to be north of Colonial, east of I-4 and west of Semoran.

But homes in those areas are either expensive or hard to find for rent. There are apartment communities, but I'm not super keen on apartments. I'd probably rather do a home. Baldwin Park is nice, but again expensive, and I'd really like a bit more space.

So that brings me here. Are there any other areas in greater Orlando that have nice downtown main streets and are clean and safe? We liked the Winter Garden downtown, but it's a bit out of the way for my work (near SeaWorld) and the neighborhood did not look all that kept up. We've heard of places like Lake Nona, Windermere, and Doctor Philips, but those don't really have a central main street with "stuff" nearby. We're really looking for that Winter Park, Park Ave vibe, but for less money. Do any surrounding towns have anything like that? I haven't ventured down to Kissimmee or all of the surrounding areas.

We don't need a huge house either, only 2-3 bedrooms max. Many of the newer communities only build BIG homes, so they don't really fit our needs....

[OTownKnight]

Originally Posted by garek007

Hello,
We are looking to move in the next month or month and a half. We have not decided on renting or buying just yet. I don't like renting, but I also don't want to buy because I hear the market in Orlando is a bit high right now.

So for now we are looking at rentals, but even they are kinda high. We really LOVE the Mills, Ivanhoe and Winter park areas. Basically we'd love to be north of Colonial, east of I-4 and west of Semoran.

But homes in those areas are either expensive or hard to find for rent. There are apartment communities, but I'm not super keen on apartments. I'd probably rather do a home. Baldwin Park is nice, but again expensive, and I'd really like a bit more space.

So that brings me here. Are there any other areas in greater Orlando that have nice downtown main streets and are clean and safe? We liked the Winter Garden downtown, but it's a bit out of the way for my work (near SeaWorld) and the neighborhood did not look all that kept up. We've heard of places like Lake Nona, Windermere, and Doctor Philips, but those don't really have a central main street with "stuff" nearby. We're really looking for that Winter Park, Park Ave vibe, but for less money. Do any surrounding towns have anything like that? I haven't ventured down to Kissimmee or all of the surrounding areas.

We don't need a huge house either, only 2-3 bedrooms max. Many of the newer communities only build BIG homes, so they don't really fit our needs....

Have you looked into college park? It's still close to Winter Park and mills area but it's probably a little less expensive. It's still going to be pricey but it has a small main street area and has that older charm feel that you're probably looking for.

[Arcenal813]

While this may go slightly against your location preference, it's still pretty much the same; Have you looked into Thornton Park (and surrounding?) Thornton Park has some older homes that aren't too expensive if you look around.

[brinkofsunshine]

If you want to still be near the interesting areas downtown but would want to pay less, I'd look south of the 408, between there and Michigan. It's definitely a mix of housing options and I think it would be cheaper than College Park or Thornton Park. There are some really pretty neighborhoods in there.

[stablegenius]

@OtownKnight, College park is ok. It's spotty. We are there now. Some areas are nice, some are not so great.

@Arcenal, I'll check out Thornton Park, thanks. That's nearby

@brinkofsunshine I'll do that too. thanks

All good suggestions, but I'm also just wondering if this is it, or if other areas way further south have these types of options. I know that Celebration has a great downtown too, but I've heard those units are not built that well.

[brinkofsunshine]

That's kind of it for cool walkable neighborhoods. Kissimmee has a little downtown strip (I haven't been there so I don't know how it is) but personally I wouldn't want to live in Kissimmee. Winter Garden is the only other option I can think of but like you said, it can be a little spotty around there. There are bettter neighborhoods south of Colonial if you don't mind a little drive to get to downtown Winter Garden. I live in this area and I can be in WG in about 10-15 minutes.. and actually it usually only takes me 18-20 to get to Bumby via the 408. I'm about 30 minutes from SeaWorld.

[stablegenius]

@brink I work near seaworld so south of colonial would be fine. I don't need to go to winter garden. I had mentioned that I liked the downtown, but it's far from my work (near seaworld).

[bmw335xi]

Downtown is a shorter commute than Winter Park though, so are you saying even if Winter Park was cheap, you wouldn't want to live there?

If so, your only other option would be somewhere like Dr. Phillips, which isn't a walk-able in the same way as Winter Park, but there are still plenty of areas near Dr. Phillips Blvd & Sand Lake Road where you can live and still walk or bike there easily, which as restaurants, bars, groceries, shops, banks etc all together. The commute would be super fast to Seaworld.

I'd skip Celebration, it's fine to take a stroll or ride bikes, but it is so beyond bland and boring, I can't even begin...

[kyle19125]

A little off of the original desired description, but you might also like the Audubon Park area and it's commercial district along Corrine Drive. It has a number of cool independent restaurants and shops plus the Monday Night Farmers Market (the only truly legit farmers market in Orlando) and the East End Market.

https://audubonparkgardens.com/
About | Audubon Park Community Market
https://www.eastendmkt.com/

[stablegenius]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

A little off of the original desired description, but you might also like the Audubon Park area and it's commercial district along Corrine Drive. It has a number of cool independent restaurants and shops plus the Monday Night Farmers Market (the only truly legit farmers market in Orlando) and the East End Market.

https://audubonparkgardens.com/
About | Audubon Park Community Market
https://www.eastendmkt.com/

Yes I do like Corrine Drive. There is not a whole lot there yet, but it's still close to mills and virginia.