Please help! Historic place to buy and live if you work at Disney (Orlando: rent, HOA fees)

[America097]

I have searched the threads for hours to try to find an answer, but have had no luck.

We recently moved to Orlando, and rent off John Young in Hunter's Creek. I like that I am close enough to walk/ride to restaurants or stores, but the houses are too expensive and the HOAs are high.

I recently discovered College Park, and can find good deals on a small house. I love the feel and the small downtown that has unique stores and restaurants, but the drive to Disney will make my husband crazy with the I4 traffic.

It seems like there are only cookie-cutter places near Disney. Are there any areas similiar to College Park near Disney? Or maybe something near one of the toll roads that will not make his daily commute a bad experience? If I cannot find something historic then perhaps something similiar to the Hunter's Creek Town Centre with restaurants and shops?

BTW, I am working in Holden Heights area, but am more concerned with my husband's commute than mine; however I would prefer to not drive more than an hour or so. Whereas he would not want to drive more than 30 minutes and definitely not in horrible traffic like the 4.

Oh, and price range is about 100K for a 2/1 or 2/2. Its just the two of us, so we don't need a big place.

[annerk]

Other than maybe in downtown Kissimmee (not anywhere I'd suggest living) I doubt you'll find what you're looking for any closer than the Lake Eola/Thornton Park area. But you're probably way out of your price range around there.

[Broker Dave]

How 'bout Celebration, most buyers balk at the HOA fees but you can find under 100,000 if you are persistent with searching or best to have an auto email setup through an agent so the moment a property is listed you see it in your email.

Hope this helps,

[annerk]

They were looking for a historic place. Celebration doesn't quite fit that bill. Plus they think the HOA is too high in Hunters Creek, no way they'll want to pay for Celebration!

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by America097

I have searched the threads for hours to try to find an answer, but have had no luck.

We recently moved to Orlando, and rent off John Young in Hunter's Creek. I like that I am close enough to walk/ride to restaurants or stores, but the houses are too expensive and the HOAs are high.

I recently discovered College Park, and can find good deals on a small house. I love the feel and the small downtown that has unique stores and restaurants, but the drive to Disney will make my husband crazy with the I4 traffic.

It seems like there are only cookie-cutter places near Disney. Are there any areas similiar to College Park near Disney? Or maybe something near one of the toll roads that will not make his daily commute a bad experience? If I cannot find something historic then perhaps something similiar to the Hunter's Creek Town Centre with restaurants and shops?

BTW, I am working in Holden Heights area, but am more concerned with my husband's commute than mine; however I would prefer to not drive more than an hour or so. Whereas he would not want to drive more than 30 minutes and definitely not in horrible traffic like the 4.

Oh, and price range is about 100K for a 2/1 or 2/2. Its just the two of us, so we don't need a big place.

Have you checked out the Lindsfield area of Kissimmee. Close to Disney without getting on I-4. Sort of a 1990s cooky cutter community but my son loves it there. Seems safe, no fear walking the dog even at midinght. Some homes there are being sold in the 100,000 range.

[hgebel]

I've never been to College Park so I can't compare them; but have you looked at Winter Garden? It's a historic community about 10 minutes from Disney and Zillow has homes in that price range there. Have your husband ask about it from people at work; every fourth coworker will live there.

-Harry

[GregTraub]

I was just about to chime in. Your best bet is to look at the older parts of Winter Garden. The historic downtown is nice to walk around with some local restaurants, is very close to highway 429 or you can take 535 all the way down to disney's back entrance, AND for all your shopping needs like you have in hunters creek you have the winter garden village outdoor shopping mall just down the road. This would be the only place that fits the bill that you might be able to find something in your price range.

Other than that, Downtown Windermere is great and not a bad drive to disney....but not going to find anything there in your range.

[America097]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I am going to check into Winter Garden. I think I have read that some parts are not very good to live in. Do you have suggestions as to which parts I should stay away from?

[Mr Idealism]

Originally Posted by America097

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I am going to check into Winter Garden. I think I have read that some parts are not very good to live in. Do you have suggestions as to which parts I should stay away from?

The rule of thumb according to most people is to stay south of 50. Unfortunately, the downtown winter garden (historic area) is north of 50. I've driven through there plenty of times and have patronized a lot of the local stores/restaurants and love it. There are some blocks that look a little unstable, but most of the area is beautiful, especially closer to Lake Apopka. We have friends that live 2 blocks from Dillard St downtown and they enjoy it. I would do your research and see what you're comfortable with. If you don't have children, it might not be as much of an issue. You can definitely find homes cheaper there than neighboring Windermere.

[annerk]

I would not live in the historic parts of Winter Garden. Too close to some really scummy streets for my taste.