Deciding between 4 Seminole Towns (Winter Springs, Oviedo: budget, landscaping, rental)

[ItsAboutTime]

We used to live in Florida, moved back to NJ where we are originally from, and are now moving back to Florida in mid November. We are deciding between 4 places, which all seem similar to each other. What I need it some advice on which to choose from someone who has lived in one of these areas:
Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary or Longwood.
My husband already has a job in the construction industry there (going back to his old company 10 minutes south of Oviedo) and I am a teacher (I know about the hiring freeze, but I will have to cross my fingers on that one). We will be renting and are looking for a 3000 sq. ft. home with a pool. Rents seem to be between $1900 - $2500 and that is doable for us.
Any advice on where to concentrate on or stay away from (I know it is just a matter of opinion, but that's what I'm looking for!)?

Thanks!

[Wilshire81182]

Given your husband's job location, I would pick Oviedo or Winter Springs for convenience. All 4 are nice locations, Longwood being the oldest feeling of the 4 to me and thus a different vibe than the others. There are older parts of the others too, but just less newer areas of Longwood. There are a lot of great rental properties along 434 in Winter Springs that are attractive and probably should not be as overran by students as rentals in Oviedo. Lake Mary and Longwood will have even less students but they have some older and cheaper properties that would be sketchier. I would least want to rent in Lake Mary.

[ItsAboutTime]

That's so interesting, thanks Wilshire. I did feel that Longwood homes were older, in general. Oviedo scares me a little because we don't want to be around all of the students (that could create many sleepless Saturday nights!). But, ALL of the schools in Oviedo seem nice, as opposed to the other neighborhoods where a few schools have lower test scores for the FCAT.

Why, in your opinion, would Lake Mary be your last choice?
On another note, I love what I have seen of Tuskawilla, especially the communities that have almost an acre of land. They seem more peaceful.

[Wilshire81182]

Longwood is older, but the homes are pretty kept up. It has that 70's vibe though. I still like it though, the right home can be very peaceful and safe there.

Lake Mary would be my last resort to rent, but once you look at buying it is a very nice area. It seems that a lot of the rentals in that area are cheaper and even though they look nice, some of the tenants may be on the less desirable side. Within your budget, you should be able to find a nicer property, but the properties in Winter Springs for rental would be nicer. Oviedo is another option to avoid because of the student population around your family and the issues that can result.
Tuskawilla is beautiful, but I lump that in with my description of Winter Springs. Oviedo is more eastward North and East of where the actual UCF campus is.

[ItsAboutTime]

OMG, Wilshire, THAT 70's VIBE had me picturing people driving in pink cadillacs with driving caps and side burns! That's too funny!

[Wilshire81182]

I really like a lot of the older homes in the area in that 50s-70s era. I am only 25 so I do not even remember the 80s, but there are really cool homes in the Audubon Park and Lake Como areas, as well as throughout that area of Longwood and Altamonte that reflect those styles. With fresh paint and cool landscaping, they are really groovy and they were built to withstand much worse weather than newer homes.

[ItsAboutTime]

The older homes, to me, and built to last, and that is what originally attracted us to Longwood. I like the tree lined streets, and the wildlife.
Winter Springs seems so nice, also, I am hoping to get some more opinions of it. Maybe there is something that I am not seeing about it, but it seems that the rental homes we are looking into are spread out and in friendly communities.

Any insight into these 4 towns, or their communities is more helpful that you can imagine.

[Metallisteve]

If a former Oviedo-ian may add to this...

I grew up in Oviedo...went through all of public school there, ended up going through UCF, even worked for the City for almost 5 years as an engineer. Within the city limits of Oviedo, you're not going to run into much of the "student" crowd you're worrying about. that is mostly in the unincorporated area that people reference as Oviedo...mostly around the Seminole/Orange County border. I've been away from Oviedo for about a year now, but last I knew, there wasn't much a college student crowd that had infiltrated into the city.

To directly answer your question, I recommend Oviedo, if you can afford it. The new city has a good direction to it right now with the new downtown and future planning. House values will certainly rise once the region pulls out of the housing nose dive. The city's parks and facilities are top notch as are the programs that Parks & Rec offers.\

To comment on the older homes of Longwood (and Winter Springs has its fair share of them as well)...
The problem with these homes is that they are generally very inefficient with AC systems. Shallow attics, low amounts of insulation, and just an overall "older" application of technology make the homes rather expensive to make comfortable. I had many friends and family who lived in older homes (pre 1980's) and it was always warmer than "comfortable." the one advantage that you be luck enough to have with an older home is larger trees on the lot since the clear cut method of development is the popular way to do things. For example, Live Oak reserve has some great new homes, but find me a tree larger than 6" on someone's property!

[pianogal]

I know people who live in all four areas. They all enjoy their communities and have never mentioned any problems to me....in fact, quite the opposite....all seemed convinced their community is the best place to live in Central Florida! Wilshire gave you good advice....all I can add is that Tuskawilla (while it has SOME newer communities) and Longwood are overall older areas. Most parts of Oviedo and Winter Springs are much newer overall. However, you can find wonderful homes in ANY of the four. Oviedo and Lake Howell (Tuskawilla) are the A high schools, the other 2 are B schools if that matters to you.

[ItsAboutTime]

Thanks to all who are posting answers.

Metallisteve... Thank-you for pointing out about the a/c system. That actually didn't occur to me, and of course, it makes perfect sense. I am really happy to here that you grew up in Oviedo and didn't see the college/teen thing being an issue. I guess I assumed that because many of the homes for rent in Oviedo say "students welcome", and I imagined they may live there to be near the college (though I know Oviedo is spreadout). I feel good about all of the planning that you say they have in store. That will also bring more families to the area. Sounds like a nice place!
Funny you should mention Live Oak Reseve... we love that area, and Partin Elementary seems to be a wonderful school!

Pianogal... This is what I am hoping for. I hope that whichever we end up in, we say that it is the best place to live! And, yes, we will only live where the designated Elementary, Middle, and High Schools are 'A', so Thank-you for listing those.

Thanks for all of the advice, I'm taking it all in. I know that all of these facts and opinions will help me make a solid choice. Getting to see how people feel about their town, is giving me a clearer perspective.