Moving to Celebration-looking for a family neighborhood (Orlando, Gainesville: work, house)

[jdealvarado]

Hi! My family is moving to Orlando (Celebration) for business purposes. We have looked at many places in Orlando to live and ended up liking Celebration, but to afford the house we would like, Celebration does not give you much of a house or yard for the price. We live in a neighborhood that was modeled after Celebration in Gainesville, so apparently that is the type of neighborhood that we are trying to move into permanently. We have looked at Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Lake Nona, Avalon, Windermere("so called" WIndermere), Dr. Phillips, Oviedo and I can go on. We think maybe we are missing a neighborhood or missing something within these neighborhoods. We have a 2 and a 4 year old, so we are looking for good schools, but do not want to spend a fortune for an old house(as in Winter Park). We thought we liked Oviedo(Live Oak) and then when we decided to test out where we would like to eat, did not find an array of great places nearby. So, we are looking for a family- friendly neighborhood with good schools, educated people, nice places to go eat (more than a Sonny's)and shop, and a house at least 2100 sq ft, (preferably new) with decent prices. Any suggestions or does it not exist?

[info please]

did you try winten garden .there getting a new mall over that way going to be really nice check that area out. good luck. oh what was the area called where you live my friends looking up that way.

[AJ67]

have you tried Harmony ? thats about a 40 minutes drive from Celebration with nice homes and a little bit bigger of a yard

[cmj_fla]

Originally Posted by AJ67

have you tried Harmony ? thats about a 40 minutes drive from Celebration with nice homes and a little bit bigger of a yard

Just what I was going to say! Harmony's prices are pretty good right now (much cheaper than Celebration) and they are getting a new elementary school and have a great High School (that is kicking butt in their sports program). Stay away from their "so-called" charter school. It is no more than a few portables with a fancy arch (that looks good in pictures) but has major problems.

Also, closer to Celebration is the four-corners area that includes Davenport, South Clermont and the Formosa Gardens area (Indian Ridge and Indian Oaks). There are many nice neighborhoods there that have nice yards and good schools.
Good luck!

[yane]

Oviedo (live oak) is very nice. That's where my family and I are heading. Plenty of professionals/hard working families in there. It can be a bit pricy. They are developping a new community and you can pay 450,000 for a 3500 sq Monterey brand new. The school they say is very good. Taking 417 Orlando is 15-20 minutes away. New restaurants and things will be coming soon as they are in the process of building a new downtown. (Read past comments). Keep in mind that you probably will not find everything that you need in one area.I live in New City NY, it is pretty safe yet a bit boring. We drive 20 minutes for excitement into Manhattan and other boroughs.
You can always try Winter Springs and Lake Mary(heathrow), watch for the school that feeds heathrow unless you do not mind private school. All of the neighborhoods that you mentioned plus Lake Mary(heathrw and Winter Spring are the best you might get around The Orlando area. Be careful not to miss on the best. It does happen.

Best of luck.
Yane.

Originally Posted by jdealvarado

Hi! My family is moving to Orlando (Celebration) for business purposes. We have looked at many places in Orlando to live and ended up liking Celebration, but to afford the house we would like, Celebration does not give you much of a house or yard for the price. We live in a neighborhood that was modeled after Celebration in Gainesville, so apparently that is the type of neighborhood that we are trying to move into permanently. We have looked at Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Lake Nona, Avalon, Windermere("so called" WIndermere), Dr. Phillips, Oviedo and I can go on. We think maybe we are missing a neighborhood or missing something within these neighborhoods. We have a 2 and a 4 year old, so we are looking for good schools, but do not want to spend a fortune for an old house(as in Winter Park). We thought we liked Oviedo(Live Oak) and then when we decided to test out where we would like to eat, did not find an array of great places nearby. So, we are looking for a family- friendly neighborhood with good schools, educated people, nice places to go eat (more than a Sonny's)and shop, and a house at least 2100 sq ft, (preferably new) with decent prices. Any suggestions or does it not exist?