Life in Clermont? (Orlando, Winter Garden, Montverde: 2011, cheap house, landscaping)

[FLbeachdawg]

Can anybody tell me what it's like living out in Clermont? I will be on the north end in a new development.

We are building a new home in Clermont soon. We currently live in the Avalon Park area on the East side and I admit I'm going to miss our Waterford lakes towncenter. I'm glad to see some new things have developed in Clermont recently though! I saw someone mention something about a Montverde Plaza. What is that?

Also, Can anybody tell me if there are any dog parks nearby and what sort of things do people do for recreation on weekends?

[annerk]

Montverde Plaza is also known as Plaza Collina. It was originally supposed to be a very upscale shopping center (think Park Ave in Winter park/Millenia) and was originally supposed to be finished in the fall of 2005. Here we are nearing fall of 2009, and they ahven't broken ground. Part of the problem was a long, drawn out fight after the owners decided to elase to Wal-mart, local citizens didn't want Wal-mart and fought it tooth and nail on the basis that Wal-Mart did not reflect the type of store the plaza plans were originally approved for.

Anyhow, it's on 50 near 455 where they have been widening the road. I expect that the first stores might open in spring 2011 or so at the rate they are going.

You'll enjoy Clermont, it's got a friendly, small town feel. You'll be about 15 minutes from the wonderful dark park in Winter Garden near the high school, off Marshall Farms Road.

We've got everything you need, the only reason I leave Clermont is to go downtown to see live bands--there are some that play in Clermont, but not really what I'm into.

[FLbeachdawg]

Thanks so much for the info! I am soooo excited to be moving out there! Its the only other area I really liked besides the Waterford Lakes area. We will be very close to where that new plaza was supposed to be. A new neighborhood off of old 50 up 455. I was wondering what was going on there. Glad to hear there will NOT be a WalMart!

[cheypepper]

The dog park in Winter Garden is NOT wonderful. Ii is fair for small dogs but there are very few amenities compared to others like the one in Dr. Phillips that has a very large area for both large and small dogs. My dogs wouldn't even drinkout of the community water buckets. Many owners don't even clean up after their dogs so be aware of where you walk. It is fenced but honestly not good at all for any type of running. Go to others ....just type in dog parks in Orlando area. It is shaded but no water area to play in or obstacle courses as some have.

[annerk]

I guess you've never been to the Winter Garden dog park early on Sunday mornings when the greyhounds are there then if you don't think dogs can run there. (And that's a sight to see!) Not all dogs like water or obstacle courses. Mine would rather play in the dirt and doesn't like the water at all. And I've never seen an owner not clean up after their dog there, but I've seen feces left at Pear Park and Fleet Peoples.

[Jacklynn]

Originally Posted by FLbeachdawg

Thanks so much for the info! I am soooo excited to be moving out there! Its the only other area I really liked besides the Waterford Lakes area. We will be very close to where that new plaza was supposed to be. A new neighborhood off of old 50 up 455. I was wondering what was going on there. Glad to hear there will NOT be a WalMart!

There is a Walmart, just not at 50 and 455. The Walmart is down on 27, there is also a pretty new movie theater there, as well as BJ's, Kohls, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and various other stores.

[FLbeachdawg]

too funny Jacklynn, my name is Jaclyn. Not a very common name! thanks for the tip!

[Dick_Buttkiss]

We moved from Clermont at the peak of the housing bubble. I sold a $118,000 house bought in 2002 for $238,000 in 2006. The big paycheck was not the only reason we left. Clermont got WAY overdeveloped. In my mind I actually considered it unlivable. There are subdivisions with THOUSANDS of houses in them. It's insane unless you like 3rd world conditions. The houses kept coming....but no not enough new schools, no new roads...it became a hell hole. My commute to work got about 5 minutes longer each 4-6 weeks as droves of commuters flooded towards Orlando every morning (clermont has no jobs or industry to speak of). Anyone planning to live in Clermont and commute to Orlando is BEGGING to feel pain. All the new subdivision houses are cookie cutter crap anyway....thousands of stucco boxes. The quality? Lets just say my house was built in 6 weeks flat by a 100% illegal alien Mexican crew. Moving from Clermont was the best move we ever made financially and also for quality of life. At least the lakes were nice....just watch out for gators and drunk boaters.

[FLARimRocka]

Commute? Horrible.
Nice Air And Scenery As Far As Being Able To Se Downtown orlando From some of the hills. People are nice and stores not as crowded as the metro itself.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Dick_Buttkiss

We moved from Clermont at the peak of the housing bubble. I sold a $118,000 house bought in 2002 for $238,000 in 2006. The big paycheck was not the only reason we left. Clermont got WAY overdeveloped. In my mind I actually considered it unlivable. There are subdivisions with THOUSANDS of houses in them.

What subs have over 1000 homes in them? The only one I can think of is Kings Ridge, and that's been there longer than most of the rest.

It's insane unless you like 3rd world conditions.

You're kidding, right?

The houses kept coming....but no not enough new schools, no new roads...it became a hell hole. My commute to work got about 5 minutes longer each 4-6 weeks as droves of commuters flooded towards Orlando every morning (clermont has no jobs or industry to speak of).

Interesting considering that over half of the residents of Clermont are employed IN Clermont.

Anyone planning to live in Clermont and commute to Orlando is BEGGING to feel pain. All the new subdivision houses are cookie cutter crap anyway....thousands of stucco boxes.

You obviously don't know the area very well. The "cheap" houses like the one you owned, maybe, but there are many gorgeous subs with custom homes that are far from cookie cutter.

The quality? Lets just say my house was built in 6 weeks flat by a 100% illegal alien Mexican crew. Moving from Clermont was the best move we ever made financially and also for quality of life. At least the lakes were nice....just watch out for gators and drunk boaters.

So you bought a cheap house built by some crappy production builder, you get what you pay for. My house to almost two years to build and the only "Illegal Mexicans" that were involved were the guys that put down the landscaping.