Oviedo vs. Lake Mary (Winter Springs, Heathrow: home search, bankrupt, schools)

[Jazzy88]

Any significant differences between these two areas?

We currently live in upstate NY and are looking at these two areas to move to - mainly because of the schools.

Thanks!

[DailyJournalist]

You should also add Winter Springs to your search. But all 3 areas are excellent.

[beckycat]

If you do a search, you'll find your answers. It all depends on where you work. They are both good places.

[Jazzy88]

After all the research I've done and conversations with many of you folks I will agree that they both seem like great areas to settle our family. I guess what I was looking for is specific differences that you can't pick up on over the internet - things that only a local might know. For example - this area has more conservation areas, or that area has nicer parks.

[aneftp]

Depends on what you are looking for. Some parts of Lake Mary are considered very expensive.

[prettyinnj07]

I've just got back from my 2nd home search. I've looked in Oviedo twice and the Lk Mary/Heathrow area once. Personally I like the Lake Mary area better. As much as I've tried to find something nice about Oviedo it just doesn't appeal to me. It's kinda boring and ugly. But you have to see for yourself. My advice would be to check out as many areas as possible and then focus on the one or two areas that appeal to you and your family's needs the most
Good Luck

[mdesler]

We've narrowed our search to just Lake Mary. While Oviedo is nice, it doesn't feel like a town. With UCF close by, it feels sprawled and overdeveloped. Also, some people might consider the Oviedo downtown quaint, I just see a confusing intersection with ignored businesses. To each their own.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by mdesler

We've narrowed our search to just Lake Mary. While Oviedo is nice, it doesn't feel like a town. With UCF close by, it feels sprawled and overdeveloped. Also, some people might consider the Oviedo downtown quaint, I just see a confusing intersection with ignored businesses. To each their own.

I have to agree with you. Not much going on and kinda out there.

[Metallisteve]

Oviedo's real downtown got torpedoed by the "new" downtown...which has since gone bankrupt (if I understand correctly)...that is, the developers that the City erroneously handed full control to for the development of the new downtown. Now you've got a stalled incomplete downtown and a (as you've put it here) forgotten old downtown that had real potential.

All that aside, as someone has mentioned here, Lake Mary is generally more expensive than Oviedo. It's also got more hustle and bustle to it with I-4 running right through it, a major mall and shopping district, and several national companies based in it. Oviedo is definitely a suburban residential home with far more homes than businesses...if you catch my drift. In my opinion, Oviedo's parks are some of the best in the region. They spend a lot of money on their parks program and it shows. As far as conservation areas, you're not going to find much of that anywhere in Central Florida...at least not the expansive and secluded type you may hope for. There are pockets of a few tens of acres here and there, but those are far from true "conservation" areas, in my opinion.

Both areas are convenient with shopping and restaurants...with Lake Mary probably edging Oviedo slightly in that respect. In my opinion, Oviedo has a little less traffic.

Also consider access to the expressways. Lake Mary's only option is I-4...aka HELL! Oviedo has access to 417...a toll road, but you'll hate life a little less having to drive it instead of I-4. Of course, this only applies if you'll need to drive downtown anytime...but also access to the airport and the tourist parts of town (I-Drive, Universal, Disney, etc.).