[Leaving Oregon]

Hello. My wife and I are moving back to FL where we lived for almost 12 years - in Daytona Beach and Ft. Pierce, two cities that we prefer not to return to raise our 4 children (between ages 5 and 12). Schools are most important to us! then a safe, clean, community that actually has a small town feel. We want to be near lakes, springs, shopping (Publix, Mall, Target, etc), and be with 30 minutes of beach and major airport. We have focused our search (starting with areas with A-Grade schools only) mainly on Windermere/Dr. Phillips area, Sarasota, Odessa (N. Tampa area), Cocoa Beach, and Heathrow/Lake Mary areas.

We would love and appreciate to hear any insghts that folks who live and know these areas very well may have. As well as, any other thoughtful recommendations that you can provide as to any other great FL cities that we should consider and visit as potential areas to relocate to and raise our kids. THANK YOU!!

[cfIfan]

well i specialize in the Winter Garden/Windermere area and live here also and i would strongly recommend looking around this area. Some of the builders are reducing their prices also. I have another client who was interested in a house last month from a builder with a build time of 4 months. It was listed for $340 and they have just reduced their price to just under $285,900 for a mid 2000 sq ft home. Im actually thinging about buying one which is 3128sq ft 4/3 which was listed at $375,000 but now selling for $319,990. On the resale front you can find smaller homes in the 2000 range both new build and new resale for mid $200,000.

A new mall has just opened up down the rd called the Winter Garden Village Winter Garden Village :: A Sembler Development This will show you all the shops there. There is also a Publix around the corner and we are very pleased with the standard of education our 7yr old is recieving.

Also with the excellent access to the 429 and turnpike, Winter Garden is Centrally located and has great access to everywhere.

If you need any further advice feel free to ask

[ACTS Mom]

The Windermere/Dr. Phillips and Heathrow/Lake Mary areas are not within 30 minutes to the beach ---well, possibly Lake Mary on a very good day to the closest beach. However, they are very nice areas. Heathrow is exclusive as is the small "town" of Windermere (Isle Worth of Shaq & Tiger fame, among others). Lots of developments in and around any of these areas.

Prices have declined rapidly in the past year. Property taxes and insurance have not declined as promised. You have the advantage right now...negotiate a lower price because it's a buyer's market. Offer your low-ball because some sellers are getting desperate to get out. Lots of foreclosures and the Orlando metro area (that covers 3 or 4 counties) has a 28 month supply of homes on the market NOW. Have you been to the realtor.com website? Better yet, come down and see for yourself because you definitely will have your choice.

[lovethebeach]

Brevard county has great schools. Cocoa Beach has Freedom 7 Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary, both "A" schools. Freedom 7 is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the state. Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr high was ranked as number 68 in the entire US by Newsweek. It also has a demanding IB program which turns out top students. As for family living here, it is great. Kids actually bike to school and to the library. Saturday night movies for the entire family are shown on the lawn of City Hall once per month. Speed limit is 35, so no rushing traffic. Bike paths are all over. A great community country club with golf, tennis and a swimming pool with water slide and splash park. If your kids like to skateboard, there is a nice skatepark next to the high school. And don't forget the beach and the river within a 5 minute drive, if not right out your backyard!

[SoFLGal]

All areas in Sarasota county are not more than 30 minutes from the beach. Our kids attend Pine View in Osprey (Sarasota county). It has grades 2nd-12th grades, it a public school and was rated the number 6 school in the US by US News. We love it!

Sarasota county has some of the highest rated schools in the state of Florida and if that's your priority, I would start here. Osprey, where Pine View is located is actually a pretty neat little town. It is less than 15 minutes from the beach and about 30 minutes from Sarasota/Bradenton airport.

[williboy]

From what you are describing, I would take a close look at Gainesville and Ocala.

[keiffer]

Odessa or Lutz Fl are excellent areas to raise your family. Your 20 miles from downtown Tampa and the beaches. Odessa & Lutz are relatively quiet along with SR 54 is now a 4 lane from ALT 19 to I-75. New stores and subdivisions are popping up everywhere. McKitrick Elementary, Martinez Middle and Steinbrenner High School are all located off Lutz Lake Fern Rd. Stein brenner H.S. is just being built and should be ready when school starts again in August.

Hope this helps..

[GLS2010]

look into oviedo