Moving to Orlando Area (Winter Springs, Oviedo: relocate, gated, housing)

[FL Bound]

Our family is looking to relocate to the Orlando area and we could really use some input from those of you who live in/near and know this area very well. Can you reply on the following categories for these communities: Avalon Park, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Windermere, Oveido, : 1. Quality of elementary and middle schools, 2. Safety / Crime, 3. Parks / Lakes, 4. Small town - close community feel, 5. Have a nice YMCA, Target, Publix, shopping, etc?, 6. Demographics - young families w/children?, 7. Distance to airport?

Thank you very much for your input, comments, and suggestions!

[Suzanne1945]

Originally Posted by FL Bound

Our family is looking to relocate to the Orlando area and we could really use some input from those of you who live in/near and know this area very well. Can you reply on the following categories for these communities: Avalon Park, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Windermere, Oveido, : 1. Quality of elementary and middle schools, 2. Safety / Crime, 3. Parks / Lakes, 4. Small town - close community feel, 5. Have a nice YMCA, Target, Publix, shopping, etc?, 6. Demographics - young families w/children?, 7. Distance to airport?

Thank you very much for your input, comments, and suggestions!

Avalon Park--SE Orange County; Timber Creek High--okay; fastest growing area in SE OC. Lots of shopping; close to Waterford Lakes; little crime

Winter Springs--Seminole County--great schools; depends which area of WS

Distance to airport--SC towns from 30-45 minutes; Windermere, maybe a little longer depending on traffic;

Lake Mary--Seminole County--more great schools; lots of shopping, mall; lots of housing developments; lower taxes than Orange County

Heathrow--SC and $$$$$; high taxes.
Windermere--OC and $$$$$$; where the pro golfers and pro basketballl players live

Oviedo--SC; some country; smaller city; mall;

If you can narrow your search to subdivisions, more help can be on your way.

[cfIfan]

If your looking at Windermere i would say take a look at Winter Garden. New shopping center with great shops (called winter Garden Village), great access, we are happy with the elementary schools our daughter attends. In our area hardly any crime and in our community we have lakes and a skiing and boating lake. Prices are great and because it is right next to Windermere but not Windermere, the taxes are lower as well.

Hope this helps

[Leaving Oregon]

Thank you for the input - we appreciate it!

[KrisCole]

I live in Heathrow/Lake Mary. I currently teach at Seminole High School (Great School). Lake Mary finished #4 in Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live". Winter Springs is another great place. It finished #31 in Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live". I taught at Winter springs High school for 7 years - Another Great School. Moderator cut: ..

P.S. Heathrow is terrific. Not only is the neighborhood gated, but the main entrance has a manned gate - not just some numbered code. Also security drives around the neighborhoods 24/7.