45-60min Commuting range to downtown (Orlando, Winter Park: zoned, work, new home)

[bostontoorlando]

Hi Folks, would appreciate any input on the following: I am planning a move to Orlando and would be working in Downtown near the intersection of 408 and I-4. I currently live in the Boston area and commute 26 miles to downtown (west to east). I leave at 6:30 am and arrive at 7:15. On the way home I take 50-60 mins if I leave in rush hr or less if later (excluding the occasional unusual delay).
I commute this far so that I can have a nice neighborhood,big yard and house. The prospective employer has brought me down a couple of times and I've had a look at Windermere, Dr Phillips, Alaqua, Heathrow, Winter Park and Lake Nona. Alaqua looked really nice to me especially with the bike trail near by which would be great for me and the family. I do like communities with recreation such as tennis courts etc. and have 2 young kids.
If I were to leave for work at 6:15 or 6:30, are these areas within 45 mins of downtown? What about on the way home, what should one expect?
Any other suggestions on areas? Would like to have a commute of <1hr
thanks very much!
BTO

[Fnix]

Alaqua, Heathrow, and Lake Nona are further away. Winter Park is a bit closer.

[Alphaman]

Traffic on I 4 can be pretty bad but you should be able to get to and from work from any of those areas inside of an hour. Winter park would be really quick you could probably leave at 655 and get to work downtown on time from there.

The longest commute I think would be from lake nona but you could still do that inside an hour.

I go from near avalon park on the east side all the way to JYP by the county jail in les then 30 mins at 630 am.

[bostontoorlando]

Thanks Alphaman, Fnix
so if I understand correctly, even the evening commute would work in an hour or less to all those destinations? If so that would be great news, Alaqua, Lake Mary or Windermere, here I come !!! Winter Park is nice but for the house we want it is about 50-75% overpriced at this point. Are looking for homes in 5500-6500 sf range
thanks
BTO

[Alphaman]

Depending on what time you get off work around downtown at 5:00 is really bad in the afternoon. Probably slightly longer on the ride home. But still should be in that time frame.

[Fnix]

Originally Posted by bostontoorlando

Thanks Alphaman, Fnix
so if I understand correctly, even the evening commute would work in an hour or less to all those destinations? If so that would be great news, Alaqua, Lake Mary or Windermere, here I come !!! Winter Park is nice but for the house we want it is about 50-75% overpriced at this point. Are looking for homes in 5500-6500 sf range
thanks
BTO

Put it this way. In the morning any traffic going into the city is going to be bumper to bumper and in the afternoon any traffic leaving the city is going to be bumper to bumper. It all depends on the hours you work. But I like Alaqua and Windermere best.

[cfIfan]

I would say Winter Garden/Windermere. They are very nice, family friendly areas with alot of ammenities. I4 will be bumper to bumper, but if you are at the intersection of 408 and I4 you can just jump straight on 408 till it hits the turnpike, then get off the turnpike at 429(which is the next exit) and then get off at WinterGarden vineland rd which is the next exit. Your probably talking about a 30 min commute, i wouldnt have thought it would be more that 40 min in rush hour and i have used that route in rush hour.

There are actually some areas which are zoned as Winter Garden, but in reality if you look at the map ar epart of Windermere and have some great homes.

If you have any questions feel free to ask

[bostontoorlando]

Thanks, sounds like an east-west commute to Windermere/winter garden will be easier, but that a commute to Alaqua would work also in that time frame- Great to have choices! Ideally would do winter park but the prices in areas like Windsong are pretty hefty- wonder if there will be much drop over the next few months.

also looking to find the locations of the best private schools (elementary) in town but that will be the subject of another thread.

[Wilshire81182]

As Orlando develops outward, I can only assume that nice areas in the older centrally located neighborhoods like Winter Park will go up. They are already building huge new home in every vacant lot and demolish unsightly homes to build a huge new one on the lot. While the rest of Orlando seems like it is frozen with the market, Winter Park is still doing some development.