What are these gated communities? May be moving from Philly to Orlando area... (Oviedo: HOA)

[Parrotrosie]

Hello everyone! The hubby may have a good job offer down there...and I have been researching homes there. The job would be in Winter Park, so it seems like I may be looking to buy in Winter park, Winter springs, Lake Mary, or Oviedo from what I can tell....all good schoo districts here??

And what the heck are these gated community things? I currently live in the Philly suburbs with yards and streets and traffic and congestion...We have no such thing as a gated community. Can someone explain to me what these are, benefits and drawbacks? What should I look for in one and what should I expect from one?

Thanks so much!!! And any other opinions on towns would be helpful...am I on the right track?

[PBCboy]

Gated communities are bordered neighborhoods that you can only enter or exit if you live there or have legit business there. They are quite generic and boring, and nearly every home looks the same.

The benefits are that they're safer than most communities, and there are those that like HOAs because they make people keep their yards in shape. Of course, it can also be argued that they have too much influence.

Also, you will have to pay a monthly fee for the HOA, but your neighborhood will have a community pool, park, and possibly even a club house depending on how fancy is.

[cfIfan]

You will find that unless you live in a downtown area etc that mose communities are gated, even if they are not gated they do offer community ammeneties so you will have to pay HOA dues. The only time you wont have to pay these are if you live on a main road or buy a piece of land and build on it or can find a property where the previous owners have done this.

good luck with your move.

[Parrotrosie]

That is what I was finding...almost everything I looked at said Gated Community....eh....

There does not appear to be too many options. As far as here...I never wanted to be a part of those 'cookie cutter' housing developments. I hate places that all look alike. I am a suburb gal with a South Philly flair....well that HOA is gonna love me.....oh boy! Wait till they see my Christmas window!! Hahaha..... Looks like the department store windows...snow and all! Altho I did read that one HOA cuts the grass...that is nice...do they all do that? Because I hate cutting grass and shoveling snow...oh , wait...I won't have to shovel anymore snow!!!!

[GregTraub]

Not every HOA will cut your grass, in fact it's rare for a single family developement to do this. Townhomes and condo's of course this is very common. I'm surprised your not finding homes that are not in gated communities, there are quite a few here, but there are even more that are not.

If you don't want even a little HOA you may have to stick with Winter Park as that area is older and much less cookie cutter. It will all depend on your price range of course.

And yes in the area's you mentioned almost all parts are zoned for excellent schools.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by Parrotrosie

That is what I was finding...almost everything I looked at said Gated Community....eh....

There does not appear to be too many options. As far as here...I never wanted to be a part of those 'cookie cutter' housing developments. I hate places that all look alike. I am a suburb gal with a South Philly flair....well that HOA is gonna love me.....oh boy! Wait till they see my Christmas window!! Hahaha..... Looks like the department store windows...snow and all! Altho I did read that one HOA cuts the grass...that is nice...do they all do that? Because I hate cutting grass and shoveling snow...oh , wait...I won't have to shovel anymore snow!!!!

You answered my question. Gated means, there is usually one way in/out. You have to pass through a gate with a key or code. You may like Longwood better which boarders Lake Mary. Try sleepy Hollow, The Woodlands, Tiberon, The Landings, Longwood Hills, Lake Mary Woods, and Wuldon.