Places to live near maitland (Altamonte Springs, Apopka: mortgage, hoa, rent)

[daltonsdad]

hello,
i may be moving to the orlando area and working at an office in Maitland. Can you suggest some localaties to live where the crime rate is low and the commute would not be an hour each way.

For instance I saw Lake Mary mentioned as a nice area. How long of a drive is it to Maitland area in the m orning from Lake Mary? Are there any other similar areas with low crime rates that would be a quick trip? I'd like to steer clear of communities with outrageous HOA dues and have a home with a pool. DOes anyone have any information on Apopka? Is this a safe area and is it close to maitland? Thanks!

Maitland looks expensive!

[SouthernBelle3]

Either Lake Mary or Apopka would be about a 20 minute commute. If you have kids, you may want to check out the schools. Be prepared to pay $275K and higher for a decent home in a good neighborhood. The Weikiva area is nice also and not too far from Maitland. The Mt. Dora area in Lake County north of Apopka on 441 is a good choice for affordability and decent schools, but it is a 45 minute commute to Maitland given the traffic congestion. Depends on how much you can afford in rent or mortgage payments. Mt.Dora/Eustis area has a bit of a small town feel to it.

[Prichard]

I'd pass on Apopka. But, the following areas are near Maitland and are decent. First, don't forget that Maitland is a pretty nice town itself - I'd look there first. Check out the Domrich area - older houses that are being torn down or renovated. Also the Lake Sybelia area is pretty nice (and quite expensive). Longwood, Lake Mary, Heathrow - these are well within a 20 minute drive to Maitland. Altamonte Springs is fairly congested, but it's just north of Maitland - about a 5-10 minute drive, depending on where you live and work.

[daltonsdad]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle3

Either Lake Mary or Apopka would be about a 20 minute commute. If you have kids, you may want to check out the schools. Be prepared to pay $275K and higher for a decent home in a good neighborhood. The Weikiva area is nice also and not too far from Maitland. The Mt. Dora area in Lake County north of Apopka on 441 is a good choice for affordability and decent schools, but it is a 45 minute commute to Maitland given the traffic congestion. Depends on how much you can afford in rent or mortgage payments. Mt.Dora/Eustis area has a bit of a small town feel to it.

What is wrong with Apopoka? The prices seem very reasonable and it looks to not be too far from Maitland. I have not even been to the area yet, and I may be jumping the gun! LOL! I have a HUGE last interview Friday for a very good job. If I get it then I will be bopping around to find out the area. Thanks for all of your help. I like Lake Matry's look but it looks yuppified and procey for the same types of houses in Apopka. Is Apopka a bad area?

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by daltonsdad

What is wrong with Apopoka? The prices seem very reasonable and it looks to not be too far from Maitland. I have not even been to the area yet, and I may be jumping the gun! LOL! I have a HUGE last interview Friday for a very good job. If I get it then I will be bopping around to find out the area. Thanks for all of your help. I like Lake Matry's look but it looks yuppified and procey for the same types of houses in Apopka. Is Apopka a bad area?

Apopka has some really bad areas and some newer areas that are not so bad, but I don't know if it will be able to overcome it's reputation and the 'bad' areas that are so close to the good ones. I would pass on Apopka right now.

[THASPECIAL]

I was driving in Apopka one day and saw a Black dude driving with a nice car with nice big rims and he had a white girl in the passenger seat and they had a porno movie on the tv of his dashboard and i couldnt believe it.....i laughed but i am glad the kid that was in my car didnt look that way...that was some sick stuff man......i usually drive through there and there's alot of dirty parts

[SouthernBelle3]

If you are considering Apopka, stay north of 441. There are nicer areas between Plymouth-Sorrento road which is 437, Rock Springs road and north towards Mt.Plymouth heading towards Hwy 46. I would stay far away from downtown Apopka.

[Prichard]

There are some nicer areas north of Apopka, but I'd still stay clear. Schools are awful (in Orange county/Apopka). When schools are bad, housing values stay depressed. A bad element tends to take over. If you don't have kids and aren't too concerned about housing values, but want to live on a pretty piece of land near the Wekivia River preservation area, I can understand this.

[FLmomof2]

Apopka is NOT like people make it out to be. There is an older section of Apopka which is not so nice, but for the most part their are some beautiful developments, the new school Wolf Lake is beautiful. And I believe most of the schools, Clay Springs, Dream Lake, Rock Springs, even Apopka Elementary have gotten very good grades.

I have met people who live in all different places in Apopka and have nothing bad to say about it. So please take what you hear with a grain of salt. I am from MA and have been here 2 years and honestly I feel completely safe here, have 2 young children, and see so many positive changes taking place.