Job Transfer with Family - Where would you live in Florida? (Tampa: new home, safe area)

[rickyba]

I am relocating with my company soon and can live almost anywhere in Florida from the Tampa/Orlando area on down to West Palm Beach (either side of state or central FL). Housing price range is around $300,000 - $350,000 (would prefer a newer or new home in a planned community).

Our number one priority is finding the best public schools (2 kids ages 8 and 10).

I even looked at Sarasota, Naples, and Ft Meyers.

If you could move almost anywhere in Florida for the best schools and decent housing where would you go? I could really use the advice as this will be happening fast. Thanks!

[movinonuptotheeastside]

I tell everyone this moving to FL, even if it's not in the area they are looking for because it's the only place I'd live here is Lake Mary, about 30-45 min. (including traffic) east of Orlando. I'm actually waiting to move out of FL for several reasons, but like I said this is in my opinion and many others one of the best areas because of these reasons: it's been on money magazines best place to live more than once, wonderful and safe area with A+ schools, family oriented neighborhood yet modern with everything super close to you, we never travel more than 8 minutes for anything...supermarket, restaraunts, mall, school etc...
My #1 priority when moving is schools and safety as well, so that's why I reccomend this city and you will be able to find a wonderful neighborhood for that price range. My favorite area is around the Lake Mary Middle School and the park there. We don't live in that neighborhood but always go trick or treating there because everyone is always at the end of the driveway with tons of decor and candy, very family friendly. Good Luck!! The only down side is that it's (to me) kind of snooty, but maybe that's because I'm overly friendly Get ready for the heat too!

[Crane's Rooster]

With the housing market the way it is now, you would have your pick as to areas you could live in within your budget. That being said, I would start researching the top High Schools and start looking in those areas. The general trend here is that if the High School is good, the middle and elementary feeder schools are also very good. After you find which districts you like, look at the intangibles. Community, amenities, convenience, recreation, leisure, sports programs, etc. Some schools, although great academically, do not have great athletic programs. Some have both, some have great magnet programs, etc.

Based on your criteria for housing the first place that comes to mind in the Orlando area is Baldwin Park. It's in the Winter Park High School district which is very good as far as I know.

[qdogfball]

The Seminole County area is a great one for schools, and there are Orange County schools that are great too.

Personally, our family chose the Lake Brantley HS area in Longwood, Altamonte Springs.

Will you be driving all over Florida? Or just between Orlando and Tampa?

Do you like small town atmosphere? or need the suburbia or city life?

[Parrotrosie]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Based on your criteria for housing the first place that comes to mind in the Orlando area is Baldwin Park. It's in the Winter Park High School district which is very good as far as I know.

Oviedo has been beating Winter Park High's academic butt lately in the FCATS Winter Park High has had B, B, C, and Pending this year.
Haggerty High has B, A, B, and Pending, and Oviedo High has A, A, B, and Pending...Lake Mary has B's across the board)...!

Now, I don't suggest, of course, that fcats be the only criteria. Just some info for ya. Winter Park has had a stellar reputation in the past, but there are other schools that have equal academic footing if you ask me.

[Spookmeister]

I second the Longwood areas...

[kabike]

I don't know any completely reliable way to judge exactly who is beating whose academic butt. However, the Sentinel claims that as of 2008, the avg SAT score at Winter Park High was 67 on a 0-100 scale (what?) compared to 64 at Oviedo. So there might be some reason to think Winter Park is still beating Oviedo's butt. The academic quality of a high school will depend in part on what track/program your child is in. That's a tough thing to predict when they are 8 and 10, however.