Orlando suburbs (Miami, Tampa, Sarasota: apartment, insurance, condo)

[Jewels36]

When we last visited, the Lake Mary area looked awful nice. Not sure about housings, schools, etc. but you may want to check into it.

I lived in the Winter Springs area years ago, it was really nice. My parents lived in the Oviedo/Tuskawilla area as well and it was also nice. Of course, that was years ago.

[RedWingsFan]

Thanks, I'll look into those places.

[Jewels36]

RedWingsFan-

I am not sure if you have a particular side of Orlando you want to be but I have a couple of other areas for you to look. Along the same direction as Lake Mary, Winter Springs, etc. you could check out Maitland, Wekiva Springs, Geneva, Casselberry, Heathrow, and Eustis. These areas are fairly low in crime and fairly low minority pop. Heathrow was very nice and expensive when I lived in the area years ago. Not sure how it is now. Maitland was also a nice area, I used to work in Maitland. Eustis maybe a little too rural. There is also the Sanford area. Their crime rate was a little on the high side but appears to be coming down. It has a little higher minority pop. I would stay away from Apopka, I never much cared for this area. I lived in the Altamonte Springs area for a short period of time but was not crazy about it. I have friends in Longwood, it used to be a nice area but I think the crime for this area has gone up.

On the other end is Best Laundro, Buena Ventura Lakes, Windermere, Bay Hill, Magnolia Square, Kenansville, Silver Lake and Celebration. When I lived in Orlando, Windermere and Bay Hill were nice but expensive and traffic in those areas was horrible due to road construction, etc. I am not sure how it is now. Some of these areas may be a little too touristy as well.

You can do home search on realtor.com to get an idea of home prices in your range. You can check out American Home Guides to see where the new homes are being built and their price ranges. It will not show you all of the new homes going up, but it will give you an idea.

[RedWingsFan]

Jewels36 - thansk for such a lengthy reply. You have given me a lot of places to look into, I appreciate that.

[KathiT]

You may want to check out the St. Cloud area. It's more rural but you are still close enough to shopping and to the Theme Parks.

[richkat]

We lived briefly in Altamonte Springs - not bad - but Lake Mary is really nice. Now we're in Windermere and it's heavenly!

[backtofla]

windermere --- as in like shaq, ken griffey jr, jason williams and other pro athletes --- that windermere???

[sunshine girl]

You all are right. There is a place that suits all kinds in Florida. And I think that richkat is correct about the reason generally folks gravitate to the different sections as they tend to. My apologies to those who enjoy the hustle-bustle of orlando. I meant no harm or slam to those that feel comfortable with mickeyland. Nice place to visit, and all that. But no matter which area you end up in on the peninsula, it's all good. Sunshine, great weather, and lots of diverse opportunies.

[richkat]

Originally Posted by backtofla

windermere --- as in like shaq, ken griffey jr, jason williams and other pro athletes --- that windermere???

Yep - that Windermere! The good news for some of us not in that category is that they're building condos, townhomes, and single family homes that are not mansions and are not directly on the lake. But it sure is fun driving through those neighborhoods on my way to the post office.

[backtofla]

i'd pay just to see them, or get an autograph!!! much less live in the same area!! that's awesome!!!

as you can tell i am a kid at heart!!! i love sports and pro athletes !!!

the miami heat are in the nba finals!!! go heat!!!