Avenue of the Groves in Winter Garden? (Orlando: HOA, homes)

[JustinsMama]

Thanks again for the information!

[JustinsMama]

I couldn't find anything on Keene's Pointe Elementary but I did find something about a Sunset Park Elementary would it be the same thing?

Wait I did find Keene's Crossing https://www.ocps.net/lc/west/ekc/Pages/Default.aspx is this it?

[cfIfan]

I have to say for me i like the fact that it is off the beaten path, although your right some may not like that. It is away from alot of the hustle and bustle which i find quite peaceful. Also, you are right about having to use the toll roads but in all honesty anyone will tell you I4 is best avoided at anytime, particularly in rush hour because if you want to get nowhere fast, then I4 is the road to take...lol

Originally Posted by TehB33nz

The only draw back I have about the community is it is kind of off the beaten path, so to speak. I tend to travel toward downtown Orlando quite a bit and it takes at least 20 minutes to get to I-4 and the only other option is the toll roads 429,408, and the turnpike and that can get quite expensive. This is unless you cut through Windermere toward the Millenia area or take 50 all the way down to I-4 which takes forever! But the area itself is great and I really do love living in the community. You might look into maybe renting a townhouse if you are truely interested in the community. The HOA includes High speed internet and basic cable which I do not know if Falcon Square also includes. The HOA also includes lawn care but there as been quite a few complaints about it so I do not know if they are going to renew the contract. Also there is a shopping center about 3 minutes down the road that has a Publix, Subway, a chinese, italian, and pizza restaurant, and a few other business' I can't think of.

[JustinsMama]

Would you say being off the beaten path would lend itself to being a safer community and less crime overall?

That is my number one concern, I can deal with traffic and not so great schools, but my number one priority in life is keeping my child safe.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

[cfIfan]

Well in all honesty there are arguments for and against. In my experience we have never experienced a problem and are very happy. I would recommend that if you are going to be making a trip for a vacation or something of that nature to check it out. If you do let me know and i would be happy get you the info you need and if you want me to show you the area and the amenities just ask and i would be more than happy to do so. Of course what one person likes isnt neccessarily going to be what another person likes. But as i say in my personal experience we have never had a problem. Its in an area where the only time you would use the road is if you live in the area or work at Magic Kingdom as it leads to the cast member entrance so its not actually that busy. As a realtor i would have to direct you to look at crime stats online but in all honesty it only really gives you them for the county not the actual area, and Orange County covers an enormous area including downtown Orlando so it isnt really going to give you a true representation of the actual neighbourhood. In terms of schools we do have some great schools and both Elementary and Middle are rated A schools. The new school only opened 3 weeks ago, and it is a little too early to tell but so far so good and there is an emphasis on adding music and drama apparantly which is good as our daughter loves the arts. Also i believe the principle is excellent and many are saying he may go onto being a high up in the governing of all schools which is reassuring and he has a fantastic resume behind him, but as i say the proof is in the tasting so we will wait and see.

One thing i would say particularly on these boards is there is a great bias to Seminole county schools and if you believe everything you read then you will only find good schools there. Seminole is rated extremely well but the criterian used to rate schools in all honesty is flawed. There are good and bad schools everywhere. Orange county has some bad schools but it has some good schools and Seminole county is exactly the same. It has bad schools aswell as good schools and if you move to a property in Seminole county you could just as easily be zoned for a bad school. In our area with the exception of the new school we have 2 other Elementary schools neighbouring and i believe they are both A rated schools.

I hope this info helps.

Originally Posted by JustinsMama

Would you say being off the beaten path would lend itself to being a safer community and less crime overall?

That is my number one concern, I can deal with traffic and not so great schools, but my number one priority in life is keeping my child safe.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

[JustinsMama]

It does, thanks!

[JustinsMama]

Is this really at the entryway into Independence or is it just an artist's rendering that might one day be?

[annerk]

That's got to be a rendering, the reflection in the pool wouldn't be as bright if it was dark enough that the streetlights were on and casting shadows.

[cfIfan]

That is the actual entryway and although that pond is extremely clean and is cleaned on a weekly basis, i suspect in that picture the water has been computer enhanced, but when you enter the community you never see it from that angle anyway so would never get that amount of reflection.

[JustinsMama]

Nice Every other picture I've found online has shown only a long grassy area (like maybe they decided not to put the pool in) but I guess maybe they were just older/pre-construction pictures.

I also read on some real estate site that there was supposed to be two large gas-lit monuments at the entryway. Are those there somewhere or did they scrap that idea? (Plus I read there was a bald eagle sanctuary, trails, etc., etc.). It really sounds like a fantastic area if they actually have what I read was supposed to come to fruition (or will be one day if all that is still being added).