Empty Nesters buying home in Orlando area--advice on communities? (Pine Hills: condos, crime)
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We are looking to buy a second home in the Orlando area in 2024, after housing prices go down and our last child graduates college. We are looking for a neighborhood that is walkable, near water for paddle-boarding and I'd love for the house/condo to have a water view and or private pool. We do not need a community with top rated schools, just something we will feel safe in, is not far from restaurants, Disney, MCO and regular shopping places like grocery and other stores. I've been to Dr. Phillips and that's too pricey (but very nice)! I've also been out to the Stoneybrook area but would rather be closer to the city/Disney. I've looked at posts on this site but they seem to skew towards people with families which, in turn, guides them to top-rated schools.
On my list to consider now (after perusing this site and questioning friends in the areas I mentioned above): Lake Mary, Windermere, Winter Springs, Lake Nona, Horizon West area...a I leaving any other places out?
While 2024 seems a long way away, I research the heck out of things and would also like to go visit some of these areas when I'm down in Orlando again to get a "feel" for them.
You have a good list but would add given your criteria Maitland, Wekiva Springs and Casselberry-Lake Howell. Unless you plan on spending an inordinate amount of time at the theme parks I think you'll find being "close enough" adequate, and much less stressful for day-to-day getting around. Knowing an anticipated budget and whether a single-family home or condo/townhouse would help narrow as well.
You have a good list but would add given your criteria Maitland, Wekiva Springs and Casselberry-Lake Howell. Unless you plan on spending an inordinate amount of time at the theme parks I think you'll find being "close enough" adequate, and much less stressful for day-to-day getting around. Knowing an anticipated budget and whether a single-family home or condo/townhouse would help narrow as well.
I did forget to mention that..I'd say ideally in the 300's but up to $425K (hoping the housing prices go down over the next 2 years). 20 min. drive to Disney would be ideal...and away from tourist traffic is a plus!
I did forget to mention that..I'd say ideally in the 300's but up to $425K (hoping the housing prices go down over the next 2 years). 20 min. drive to Disney would be ideal...and away from tourist traffic is a plus!
I am curious about this... Within 20 minutes of Disney is almost guaranteed to be in "tourist traffic."
In your first post, you mention wanting to be close to "the city/Disney..." The issue with that is that Disney and the City are two very different things, and are quite removed from each other. "The City" is basically North of the Turnpike (general rule of thumb.)
Are you going to be spending every day at Disney?
Otherwise, I would highly suggest following this advice:
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyle19125
Unless you plan on spending an inordinate amount of time at the theme parks I think you'll find being "close enough" adequate, and much less stressful for day-to-day getting around.
You can find a good condo for that price virtually anywhere in Seminole County, particularly in the areas Kyle mentioned. Issue will primarily be "walkable." Although there are a few spots scattered here and there that might work, for the most part, Seminole County is VERY car-centric.
"Walkable" in the Orlando metro primarily limits you to Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods (Lake Eola Heights, Thornton Park, South Eola, Colonialtown North and South, Fern Creek, Ivanhoe, Baldwin Park, Audubon Park, and Winter Park... I may be forgetting a handful.)
You CAN find condos in your price range in said areas, so if you're fine with living near downtown, it's worth looking at.
Paddleboarding... Hmm... There are few popular spots around... Wekiva Springs, Lake Killarney, among others... The latter is in Winter Park, in a fairly walkable area, and there are some nice condos nearby. It's "close to the city," and has everything you pretty much need within walking distance.
I think this would be the ideal location... But unless you buy a fixer-upper house, it's expensive. Just keep an eye out for that one price drop.
We are looking to buy a second home in the Orlando area in 2024, after housing prices go down and our last child graduates college. We are looking for a neighborhood that is walkable, near water for paddle-boarding and I'd love for the house/condo to have a water view and or private pool. We do not need a community with top rated schools, just something we will feel safe in, is not far from restaurants, Disney, MCO and regular shopping places like grocery and other stores. I've been to Dr. Phillips and that's too pricey (but very nice)! I've also been out to the Stoneybrook area but would rather be closer to the city/Disney. I've looked at posts on this site but they seem to skew towards people with families which, in turn, guides them to top-rated schools.
On my list to consider now (after perusing this site and questioning friends in the areas I mentioned above): Lake Mary, Windermere, Winter Springs, Lake Nona, Horizon West area...a I leaving any other places out?
While 2024 seems a long way away, I research the heck out of things and would also like to go visit some of these areas when I'm down in Orlando again to get a "feel" for them.
Thanks!
Look around the newer part of Windermere and Winter Garden if you want to be near the parks, still in a nice area, but more affordable than say Dr. Phillips.
I’d recommend looking at the neighborhoods around downtown (and downtown itself, if interested in a condo): Lake Eola Heights, Thornton Park, Lawsona/Fern Creek, Milk District, Mills50/Colonialtown, Ivanhoe Village, College Park, Audubon Park, SoDo/Delaney Park. These are some of the only truly walkable neighborhoods in Orlando (zip codes 32801, 32803, 32804 and 32806). I’m in the Lawsona/Fern Creek and Milk District area, super walkable with lots of great restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops around, yet I can get to Disney property in 20 minutes without traffic (though I do tend to go pretty fast on I-4
You won't be walking around much in 95 degree heat 7-8 months out of the year in Orlando. In the summer it always rains in the afternoon and Central Florida is the lightening capital of North America. I used to be terrified to get caught in it, even walking to my car in the parking lot. Then there are the June bugs, no-see-um-bugs, fire ants, snakes, scorpions, palmetto bugs, gators, geckos etc. Don't bother getting much property with your home, you won't be able use your lawn because the fire ants will sting you to death, you need a screened-in lanai.
Just get yourself a place with a pool to cool off, you will need it, and walk around Disney and Epcot all you want, that's what I used to do when it wasn't too hot when I lived there since my area wasn't walkable. A poster on the Disney thread was just saying Orlando isn't safe around the Disney area near the hotels not on Disney property, and I read tourists are warned to stay out of certain sections of Orlando, so you might want to live away from all that mayhem. My friend lives in Winter Garden near Windermere and she's likes it, I see someone already suggested that area to you.
You won't be walking around much in 95 degree heat 7-8 months out of the year in Orlando. In the summer it always rains in the afternoon and Central Florida is the lightening capital of North America. I used to be terrified to get caught in it, even walking to my car in the parking lot. Then there are the June bugs, no-see-um-bugs, fire ants, snakes, scorpions, palmetto bugs, gators, geckos etc. Don't bother getting much property with your home, you won't be able use your lawn because the fire ants will sting you to death, you need a screened-in lanai.
Just get yourself a place with a pool to cool off, you will need it, and walk around Disney and Epcot all you want, that's what I used to do when it wasn't too hot when I lived there since my area wasn't walkable. A poster on the Disney thread was just saying Orlando isn't safe around the Disney area near the hotels not on Disney property, and I read tourists are warned to stay out of certain sections of Orlando, so you might want to live away from all that mayhem. My friend lives in Winter Garden near Windermere and she's likes it, I see someone already suggested that area to you.
Brought to you by the Tourist Development Authority? Why such a downer, wp169?
You won't be walking around much in 95 degree heat 7-8 months out of the year in Orlando. In the summer it always rains in the afternoon and Central Florida is the lightening capital of North America. I used to be terrified to get caught in it, even walking to my car in the parking lot. Then there are the June bugs, no-see-um-bugs, fire ants, snakes, scorpions, palmetto bugs, gators, geckos etc. Don't bother getting much property with your home, you won't be able use your lawn because the fire ants will sting you to death, you need a screened-in lanai.
Just get yourself a place with a pool to cool off, you will need it, and walk around Disney and Epcot all you want, that's what I used to do when it wasn't too hot when I lived there since my area wasn't walkable. A poster on the Disney thread was just saying Orlando isn't safe around the Disney area near the hotels not on Disney property, and I read tourists are warned to stay out of certain sections of Orlando, so you might want to live away from all that mayhem. My friend lives in Winter Garden near Windermere and she's likes it, I see someone already suggested that area to you.
I spend more time outdoors during the summer than in winter. I also don't have a screen-in lanai, but spend a lot of time reading books on my lounge chair by the pool. I'm not sure where you live, but something doesn't add up here. I have no idea what a June bug is, never seen one. I get more mosquito bites when I lived in San Francisco. I don't see fire ants because I have my lawn treated every other month. I've never seen a scorpion. I once in awhile see a Black Racer (harmless cute snake), but then again I have a pet Ball Python. I do see Palmetto Bugs occasionally (look like cockroaches, but they are harmless). I love seeing gators when I paddle board, they are chill 99% of the time as long as you don't try feeding them. Geckos are adorable and my dogs love hunting them. Orlando's crime is pretty concentrated to specific neighborhoods, so unless you can only afford to live in Pine Hills for example, I feel very safe here. I've lived overseas as well as in California, Alaska, Washington.
I spend more time outdoors during the summer than in winter. I also don't have a screen-in lanai, but spend a lot of time reading books on my lounge chair by the pool. I'm not sure where you live, but something doesn't add up here. I have no idea what a June bug is, never seen one. I get more mosquito bites when I lived in San Francisco. I don't see fire ants because I have my lawn treated every other month. I've never seen a scorpion. I once in awhile see a Black Racer (harmless cute snake), but then again I have a pet Ball Python. I do see Palmetto Bugs occasionally (look like cockroaches, but they are harmless). I love seeing gators when I paddle board, they are chill 99% of the time as long as you don't try feeding them. Geckos are adorable and my dogs love hunting them. Orlando's crime is pretty concentrated to specific neighborhoods, so unless you can only afford to live in Pine Hills for example, I feel very safe here. I've lived overseas as well as in California, Alaska, Washington.
I've been told about the June Bugs but have been in FL enough that I have not encountered the fire ants or scorpions. Geckos, yep. And I always get mosquito bites no matter where I am; my husband does not so I'm used to it! He'd love to see a 'gator while paddle boarding (as long as they don't bother him) so I'm glad to see you said they leave you alone. My friends have seen Palmetto "bugs", albeit rarely, inside their homes but said they do have an exterminator come every month. I guess that helps?
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Why such a downer, wp169?
