Best Places for Me in Orlando (i'm being specific here!) :) (Winter Park: real estate market, established neighborhood)

[tabbva]

I've done some searches on here but haven't really found any good recommendations.

We're two 30 year olds. We have three kids, ages 9, 6, 2. Spouse will be working for Disney in one of those rare good paying jobs there. I don't know where I will be working yet, probably downtown.

We prefer urban/high density/"new urbanism" to suburban. In other words, we want a neighborhood were we can walk to park, shops, restaurants, ect. (or at least a couple of these)

Shorter commute (to Disney) the better.

We need good public schools.

Need a 4 bedroom and are looking to keep it under the $350k area.

Added bonus if there is a lake in the neighborhood that we can take kayaks out on!

Yes, I know about Celebration, but what else is there? Thanks for your help!

[DailyJournalist]

Check out the College Park area of Orlando, it seems to have everything you are looking for and its not to far from Disney:

MyCollegePark.com - College Park's Online Newsletter
College Park Neighborhood Association - Welcome

[Wilshire81182]

I would suggest College Park, Thornton Park or Baldwin Park.
They are all within 2-3 miles of downtown and are more urban and have good schools.
The commute to Disney will be in the opposite direction of the general traffic flow provided that your husband avoids the freeways in the area immediate to downtown on the 408 and I-4.

[Guntersville Boomer]

Not sure what $350k will buy there but be sure to go visit Winter Park, I think it is what you are wanting. Maybe in this real estate market you could find something but as the last poster said, College Park is real nice and probably more affordable.

[tabbva]

Wow! I've never had this many responses so quickly-you Orlando folks are great!
(actually it's my wife that has the job with Disney-she's the techie in the family):-)

[Wilshire81182]

Sorry for assuming =)

[Crane's Rooster]

College Park is probaly your best bet for that price. I would also look into Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Delaney Park, the Colonial Town Neighborhoods and Thornton Park. With the later recommendations you may not get as much bang for your buck as College Park but with the housing market the way it is now you never know. All the other posters are also very knowledgeable and I would second any place they suggested also. By the way, Celebration is great but these areas we've recommended are older more established neighborhoods with a more true community feel to them.

[Granny Sue]

Dr Phillips area.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by Kali's Grandma

Dr Phillips area.

Thats not urban

[Guntersville Boomer]

One point on Celebration that you need to know is the taxes are far more there than other places, be sure if you look in Celebration to get a good estimate of your tax bill including what the Celebration Community Development District (CDD) charges.