Whats up with Apopka Florida oh yeah also Sanford (Orlando: relocating, apts)

[tasdad4701]

Houses seem to be reasonable, is this a nice town to move to?

[pianogal]

I really like Deland. In fact we considered purchasing a beautiful home there on the golf course that was Sooooo much cheaper than what we could buy here in Orlando. Our problem was our jobs and commute time. I know some people who live in Deland and they leave their home between 5:00 and 6:00 AM in order to miss the traffic and get to work on time. I work in downtown Orlando - there is NO WAY I could do that. Well, I guess I could....but I decided to take less home in a regular subdivision and get more sleep!

If your jobs don't make you commute to Orlando OR if you work on the north side of town - I think it would be a great place to live. I don't know anything about the schools. Deland is definitely more of a small town feel.

[spunky1]

I have always found driving through downtown Apopka depressing. Even when I was a kid and found myself there it just had that run-down depressing feeling. Recently when I found myself passing through again I was surprised to get that same depressing feeling. I had heard that it had really come up and that they were building a lot of newer expensive homes. But for me how the downtown area feels sets the tone for how I feel about the place. . And I agree Sanford is supposedly trying to improve but I still hear a lot about crime/drug trafficing etc. So I agree you have to be careful.

[Rhett_Butler]

Just like any town, Sanford has it's red light district. Much like the description of the bad area of Apopka, if you were to take your view of Sanford from a jaunt down 13th street you'd run for the hills.....

It's getting better up there..

[sherrio]

Apopka Middle School earned an "A" last year from the state. So did Dream Lake Elementary School. Apopka High School earned a "C." The schools are far from the worst in Orange County. That's just not true. In fairness, though, as a group I would say the Apopka schools are average -- some better than others. But excellent teachers and opportunities at all of them, if you are an involved parent.

[Nomoresubways]

Does anybody happen to know the time frame on the new high school in Apopka? Our daughter will be going to Wolf Lake Middle school this year and next, and I've heard there is a new high school in the works. Just wondering if it will be done in time for her to attend.

[sherrio]

Downtown as depressing? That seems a bit extreme. Yes, there's traffic, and yes there's a pawn shop. I don't like either of those. But the rest of downtown is fast food joints, a couple of gas stations, an ice cream shop, dry cleaners, pedestrian bridge, drug stores and city hall. A quick turn on the side streets gets you to churches, a museum, the city's "central park," and the fire/police stations. The sidewalks have brick pavers and they are lined with antique lighting. At Christmastime, the lights on the lamp posts are festive. It's a very pretty sight. Other times, is it congested? Yep. Busy? Absolutely. But depressing? I disagree.

[sherrio]

Construction has already begun on rebuilding the old Apopka High School. It is to be finished within the next three years and will include a YMCA with swimming pool as part of the joint-use campus. Should be really cool!

[Nomoresubways]

Cool that's good to know. Does that mean there will be two high schools in Apopka, or just the new one?

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by sherrio

Downtown as depressing? That seems a bit extreme. Yes, there's traffic, and yes there's a pawn shop. I don't like either of those. But the rest of downtown is fast food joints, a couple of gas stations, an ice cream shop, dry cleaners, pedestrian bridge, drug stores and city hall. A quick turn on the side streets gets you to churches, a museum, the city's "central park," and the fire/police stations. The sidewalks have brick pavers and they are lined with antique lighting. At Christmastime, the lights on the lamp posts are festive. It's a very pretty sight. Other times, is it congested? Yep. Busy? Absolutely. But depressing? I disagree.

Well, I guess we disagree then. . . I guess I find pawn shops, traffic, fast food joints, and gas stations on the main strip as less than attractive. Besides it all has a run down quality. They need to paint, spruce up, and get rid of some of the signage or do something to make it look more inviting. Just my opinion.