Sanford-MIDWAY section-Seminole County need your opinion PLEASE (Orlando, Winter Springs: real estate, wages)

[NJ91]

The thing is that I'm looking to buy a vacant lot now to build a house in few years, in the Sanford area the only one that I liked, based on size and price is the one in the Midway section. So, based on everybody's comments here, I think I'll pass on that one. I found two in Mount Dora that I like and I heard that is a better town than Sanford.

Thank you to everybody for your opinion.

[Prichard]

Yep, Mt. Dora is a better town than Sanford. No doubt about that.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

Mt Dora is alot better AND soon it will be more accessible because 417 will be extended to go all the way around Orlando and that will open up that area.

This will also probably cause the real estate prices to go up there as well.

You couldn't PAY me to live in Sanford.

[Nirvana-Guy]

Sanford is still Sanford. Local people NEVER buy there, because they know how bad the town really is, despite paiting a few buildings by the counrthouse and having some new construction nearby.

Mt Dora is nicer, ut also a bit farther north and a bit more expensive. Quality people living there too.

I am telling you... ask some of the people who have been in Orlando for a while and ask about Sanford, and you will get a nice "yuuuuuuck" from them! I kid you not.

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by Nirvana-Guy

Sanford is still Sanford. Local people NEVER buy there, because they know how bad the town really is, despite paiting a few buildings by the counrthouse and having some new construction nearby.

Mt Dora is nicer, ut also a bit farther north and a bit more expensive. Quality people living there too.

I am telling you... ask some of the people who have been in Orlando for a while and ask about Sanford, and you will get a nice "yuuuuuuck" from them! I kid you not.

This is because many locals know the reputation but haven't bothered to actually go to Sanford over the last 15 years as it's been improving. Not going to try to claim it's an awesome area now or anything, but some parts of it are very nice.... I'd much rather live in Sanford than many areas of South Orlando...

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by VAFury

This is because many locals know the reputation but haven't bothered to actually go to Sanford over the last 15 years as it's been improving. Not going to try to claim it's an awesome area now or anything, but some parts of it are very nice.... I'd much rather live in Sanford than many areas of South Orlando...

Oh no doubt about that. Sanford (the newer areas) have been improving while certain areas of south Orlando have gotten worse. A LOT worse!

Even if Sanford is nicer than certain areas of South Orlando, it is still not that nice.

Ultimatelly, you buy into Sanford, you are stuck with the "Sanford stigma" when it's time to sell.

[Dalt10]

I say we all move to Lake Mary, it's the only safe place near Orlando. I'm moving there.

[Nirvana-Guy]

That is not the only place.

How about these safe areas (which are nice and clean too):

Windermere
Lake Mary
Deltona
Oviedo
Winter Springs
Longwood
Lake Nona
Davenport
Maitland
Heathrow

And the list goes on.....

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by Nirvana-Guy

Ultimatelly, you buy into Sanford, you are stuck with the "Sanford stigma" when it's time to sell.

Yeah, this is where educating people comes into play and to the heart of what I believe this site to be about.... That "Sanford stigma" is perpetuated by locals who don't know how much better it's gotten. Well, consequently the prices stay lower because of that "stigma" and when people from out of state look for a decent, yet affordable, place to live we can point at areas in Sanford and go, "It's cheaper, it's relatively safe and there are many clean and newer areas within the preferrable Seminole County school system..."

We don't live there anymore, but my wife and I bucked the "stigma" and moved to Sanford and thought it was fine. The only effect the "stigma" might have is if you're one of those who would actually be embarrassed to admit you live there happily...

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by VAFury

Yeah, this is where educating people comes into play and to the heart of what I believe this site to be about.... That "Sanford stigma" is perpetuated by locals who don't know how much better it's gotten. Well, consequently the prices stay lower because of that "stigma" and when people from out of state look for a decent, yet affordable, place to live we can point at areas in Sanford and go, "It's cheaper, it's relatively safe and there are many clean and newer areas within the preferrable Seminole County school system..."

We don't live there anymore, but my wife and I bucked the "stigma" and moved to Sanford and thought it was fine. The only effect the "stigma" might have is if you're one of those who would actually be embarrassed to admit you live there happily...

VA, your posts are usually very good, but you are way out of touch with the reality in Sanford.

You bucked the "Sanford stigma" and now you came back. How could you?!? I feel bad for you, man. You will end up losing $ when trying to re-sell your property AND you will have to tell employers and people you know you live in Sanford and get that look (you know what I am talking about).

I was in Sanford (Seminole county courthouse) a few days ago. The way from Lake Mary to Sanford is staggering. You leave Lake Mary and you immediatelly begin seeing abandoned cars on the side of the road, these old, rotten down shacks, junkyards and trailer parks on every corner. The area close to the courthouse was repainted and all, but hey, guess what? You leave the courthouse and go up 2 streets and you are in the hart of the ghetto. Shantytown, if you will.

Sanford kids go to a crappy school. In fact, Sanford schools keep Seminole county from being #1 best schools in the state of FL. The Seminole schools are awesome, but please, the Sanford schools suck. Kids have drugs in school, teachers are constantly verbally attacked by the angry local kids, and please.... SANFORD IS NOT SAFE. Let's get that straight. It is the most dangerous city in Seminole county.

I know you are happy in Sanford, that is wonderful. I know there is new contruction in Sanford and you can get a house there cheaper. But really, Sanford still is very rundown. It still has the taint of poverty from generations of oppression of low wages and the anger in the long-time Sanford residents causes the violent and angry crime we see from the town.