Possibly moving to Orlando (Winter Springs, Oviedo: for sale, apartments, rental homes)

[Coast2CoastFun]

Hello.

My spouse and I are possibly relocating to the Orlando area for a job at UCF later this year, so we are trying to get an idea on areas to look at possibly renting/buying a place. We haven't decided if we would rather rent or buy at this poing, but one of the areas we have been recommended is the Waterford Lakes area. I think this is a draw for the short commute time, although commuting isn't an enormous factor right now (we live in southern California and before this lived in the D.C. area... long commutes are a way of life) although a short commute is a perk. We do not have kids right now although that is always a consideration. We are looking for an area that is safe (we realize there are a few bad "seeds" everywhere) and that has a lot going on. Family-oriented would be desirable as well. We are both around 30. I haven't read anything good or bad about the Union Park area, although I have seen that listed as an area near UCF. Any insight or suggestions are appreciated.

[Wilshire81182]

I personally prefer Oviedo/Winter Springs over Waterford Lakes. The road that leads out of the Waterford area is still 2 lanes, there is a lot of traffic around the big shopping center, and the homes are a little cheaper than Oviedo. They have had some issues recently with crime, and I have always thought the homes were less nice than Oviedo in general. It is not a bad option, but you should also look at Tuskawilla and Oviedo areas too that are close to and conventient for a UCF area commute.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

I live in Waterford Lakes and some of what you say is true... but....

The two lanes comment is between Curry Ford Rd. and Avalon Park and not considered all of Waterford Lakes. Anyone who lives in Avalon Park and has to travel through the nightmare traffic on Alafaya Trail has my condolences. It's terribly congested but hope is on the horizon. They are going to begin widening that stretch sometime in the next year and then will connect to the 528 in the next two years.

Access to the greater Waterford Lakes area though is all 3 lanes on Alafaya Trail and we have an exit to the 408 which is very convenient to get out of Waterford Lakes. One of the benefits we have is all the major conveniences to shopping, dining, movie theaters, services and we now have a new entertainment complex called Firken Kegler. Waterford Lakes has been on the news lately with some random crime but it has been spotty and not the norm and is happening in all parts of town so don't single out Waterford Lakes for that.

Waterford isn't perfect, no place is. But you have other choices like Wilshire says that may or may not suit your liking. If you want more action and things to do, Waterford Lakes may be for you. I think Winter Springs and Oviedo are wonderful communities and if I had known about them I would have considered living there before moving here from PA. They seem to be more quiet and suburban which could be perfect if the OP is considering starting a family in the future. Everyone says the schools are better than Orange County.

Hopefully you can come for a preview before moving from CA. We have a weekly publication named the East Orlando Sun that you can view online to see some of the community events and news from the Waterford Lakes area. www.eosun.com.

Good luck with your move!

[Wilshire81182]

It is not a bad option. I do like it too and may have sounded more negative about it than I am. I think it will be a big improvement once they widen Alafaya all the way down to Avalon Park. East Colonial is also very bad westbound from Avalon Park to Alafaya in the mornings. Waterford Lakes is the largest outdoor "mall" in Florida and I think it is quite a cool place myself. I think it depends on your lifestyle. Both are suburban, Oviedo is just a little quieter and more family friendly.

[Jacklynn]

Originally Posted by Coast2CoastFun

I haven't read anything good or bad about the Union Park area, although I have seen that listed as an area near UCF. Any insight or suggestions are appreciated.

My uncle lives in the Union park area and he likes it. We visted him a few weeks ago, because we are also relocating to the Orlando area (West orlando, in mid-june) and it seemed like a nice area-- at least the street that he lived on.

[Coast2CoastFun]

Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it. We do hope to get out there to visit before moving. While we would like to buy eventually I would probably like to assess the areas before buying, so maybe renting a place for a little bit will be more likely. Are there many homes/townhomes to rent in the WL/Avalon/Oviedo areas? It sounds like they may be more "settled," which may mean that the houses are more likely for sale than rent but with the market who knows. From what I have read/seen online it seems that Oviedo housing prices are a little higher than the WL/Avalon area, but I was recently told by an acquaintance in the area that the opposite is true - Oviedo is a little more affordable. Is this accurate? I suppose you can find "deals" and exceptions anywhere. Thanks again for the comments so far.

[MJME]

You might take a look at the lake underhill area near the eastwest expressway. I get to costco in less than 20 minutes on semoran which has several stop lights then university. The only thing I don't like about the expressways here are the toll plazas but you can buy a pass. I'm sure you could get to UCF in less than 20 minutes using the expressways from this area, it's not LA at 7am around here. Since you're familiar with so cal big city traffic.

MJM

[Coast2CoastFun]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[michael c]

Originally Posted by Coast2CoastFun

Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it. We do hope to get out there to visit before moving. While we would like to buy eventually I would probably like to assess the areas before buying, so maybe renting a place for a little bit will be more likely. Are there many homes/townhomes to rent in the WL/Avalon/Oviedo areas? It sounds like they may be more "settled," which may mean that the houses are more likely for sale than rent but with the market who knows. From what I have read/seen online it seems that Oviedo housing prices are a little higher than the WL/Avalon area, but I was recently told by an acquaintance in the area that the opposite is true - Oviedo is a little more affordable. Is this accurate? I suppose you can find "deals" and exceptions anywhere. Thanks again for the comments so far.

We are moving to the Orlando area soon. We came and checked out the different areas that we thought we would like. We have family in different parts of Florida so we are somewhat familiar with the different areas of the state. I don't know your price range but the houses that we looked at in Oviedo were 350 and up but very nice. Loved the area and not too far away from anything as far as we were concerned. That is where we are moving to. We looked in Avalon park and no disrespect to anyone who lives there, we did not like it. the homes were no where near as nice nor the neighborhoods. We liked Dr Phillips but it was a little crowded and the HOA fees were pretty high. I hope this helps you, good luck......

[GregTraub]

I definitely recommend renting if you are just moving to the area, before you buy.

To have a short/easy commute to UCF the waterford lakes is the obvious choice (I live in this area). However I have to agree with alot of people before me that the Oviedo area seems more family oriented and has less college students. Winter Springs is also nice. Not quite in the Waterford area but close enough is the Cypress Springs area with alot of great homes.

For some online rental searches of these area's check out Rentals.com - Home Rentals, Apartments, Houses for Rent, Condos and Rental Homes. Zip codes 32825 (Cypress Springs area), 32828 (covers waterford lakes and Avalon Park area) 32765 (oviedo), 32708 (Winter Springs)