Best family area to live with commute to Baldwin Park? (Orlando: relocating, motel)

[foxlore]

Our family is relocating to Orlando this summer. DH will be working in Baldwin Park and we're looking for possible areas to live. Private school is a must for our 6 yo and we're considering several schools - including Orangewood and Orlando Christian (input welcome!). Is there any place to live that's going to be an easier commute to Baldwin Park than say Lake Mary? We would like a little elbow room - thinking Baldwin Park may just be too "in the city" for us. However, an hour commute isn't appealing either. Oviedo is a thought, but what about schools? How horrendous would the drive be from Oviedo to Maitland if we went that direction? What about the Avalon Park area or Rio Pinar? Also, what's Winter Garden / Windermere like compared to say Lake Mary or Winter Park? We were in Orlando last winter and spent a few hours driving through Heathrow, Lake Mary, Winter Park etc... So, I have a bit of a feel for those areas - small bit. My initial preference was for Lake Mary and Heathrow. I didn't particularly care for Casselberry or Sanford. I prefered Altamonte to Winter Springs BUT I did not really get to see Winter Springs - just the area right off I-4 - which I now gather is not the area... Maitland seemed okay, but I had a very brief glimpse of it. We never made it to Apopka - gave up about halfway there - seemed like FOREVER... I don't really like to drive, I don't like traffic - my ideal world honestly would be to do everything right in Baldwin Park, but have it out in Lake Mary! LOL So, since that's not happening I'm open to suggestions from those who have lived in the area. I can't afford Trinity Prep or Lake Forest - $15K a year in tuition is out of my ballpark. I can afford half that. Our child is a very gifted student and we are looking for a Christian school for a variety of reasons - so that makes this a little more convoluted - it's not just finding a great neighborhood and good public school. Unless I'm missing something it doesn't seem like there are any schools in the Lake Mary area - well minus Lake Mary Prep... Any suggestions? Also, how safe (or unsafe) is the Azalea Park area? It seems Orlando Christian is right off Semoran... Thanks!!!

[cfIfan]

Well, i would say not only as a realtor in Winter garden/windermere, but also as a resident there, that this area should deffinatly be one that you look at when you are here. the schools are good, its a nice family area which is centrally located with good access to everywhere.

If you have any questions about the area feel free to ask

[Magnulus]

You should live in Baldwin Park if your husband is going to work in Baldwin Park. Especially if gas prices keep going up, you will be lucky to live so close to employment- you might be able to get away with having only one car (the grocery store is within walking distance of alot of the housing, for instance), which could save you alot of money. The houses may not be cheap enough for your liking but if you have a small family they should be OK. There aren't much in the way of yards at most of the houses there, but there is a nice park.

I know somebody who lives in Oviedo and works in Baldwin Park. They aren't close friends but all I can think of is... "why?" The commute out there is just getting worse and worse. They like big houses but they have no children at home that I've seen, it just doesn't make good sense.

[bdpop]

I would suggest Winter Park Pines off Aloma Ave in Winter Park. The Lakemont Ave area is also nice. The public schools in that area; if you do decide to use the public schools, are top notch. It is quite close to Baldwin Park. Winter Park is a great place to live.

[foxlore]

Thanks for all the input! We're definitely going to look at the Baldwin Park area. We're accustomed to having space, but honestly acreage is over-rated! We want to rent initially then purchase. We're not remotely interested in purchasing immediately. We want to get settled and be SURE this is where we want to live and that it's a long-term location for us. Considering the market there's no way we're going to purchase again right now - we consider ourselves very blessed to have sold our home so quickly. So, that's the one concern - finding a rental in the right area that will allow our dogs - Standard Poodle and a Toy Fox - we really want a fenced yard, but I suppose if everything else was perfect we could do a wireless fence... Winter Park is also of interest. We loved Lake Mary, but that seems a bit far... What about the Rio Pinar area? Is that safe? Also what about Semoran/408? I see Colonial is bad, but is it better down toward Azalea Park? One of the schools we're considering is located there - I'm a bit concerned about safety... Thanks!

[Magnulus]

There are lots of houses around Baldwin Park, in Winter Park, that's another option.

[jaimeblt]

I'd take another look at Maitland. If you're looking for a larger lot in a family-oriented neighborhood that's (slightly) cheaper than Winter Park, Maitland's the place. It's also close to Orangewood Christian while still having relatively easy surface street access to Baldwin Park (aka you don't have to get onto I-4). Of course, the public schools are top notch. I may be biased, however, as I grew up in Maitland.

[foxlore]

Okay so here's another question... What would the commute be like from Heathrow/Lake Mary areas to Maitland and then Baldwin Park? I've seen a number of homes in the Heathrow area that seem to meet our needs well, but I'm concerned it might be a bit far. I think we're pretty well settled on Orangewood - so I'm definitely looking in Maitland and Winter Park as well. I just can't get past the Azalea Park neighborhood for Orlando Christian. It looks like a great school, but the area leaves something to be desired. Granted I haven't actually seen it yet, but after reviewing the Sentinel's crime map I just don't think I can get past the crime in the area. Now, I've heard the drive from Baldwin Park to Maitland in the ams would be bad - that it would be easier to drive from Longwood to Maitland. Can someone explain this to me? It just doesn't make sense - I would think Baldwin Park to Maitland would be going against traffic. What am I missing? Also, are there HOV lanes on I-4? I'm thinking DH could take our child to school in the am using HOV - which would benefit him - and then take surface streets from Maitland to BP... Is that reasonable?
Thanks!!
Oh and Magnalus - I saw that hateful post on the other thread. I think the gal completely misunderstood what you were trying to say - maybe the chip on her shoulder got in the way...

[GregTraub]

Your initial thoughts on Azalea park area I concur with. All you have to do is look at the crime stats of the area to make your decision.

I would definitely check out Baldwin Park and Winter Park, as i think those two area's are going to be your best bet for a short commute and nice family oriented area. Winter Park Pines, mentioned earlier, Brookshire Heights, and the entire area west of Lakemont are very good neighborhoods.
Lake Mary and Heathrow are also some of the best cities to live in, but for your commute concerns, they aren't the best. I-4 has no HOV lanes and is a mess in either direction during rush hour. While Baldwin park is central, it's still hard to get too taking orlando's back streets or highways.
Maitland is just a little further away from Baldwin Park and pretty similar to Winter Park, but again your main commute will be on local roads that can get clogged depending on what time you drive them, taking any highways from maitland to BP wouldn't make much sense either.
Avalon Park is too far for you I'd think. Winter Springs and Oviedo are very good towns and you can get more house for your money there, but again the commute may be longer than you would like.