Orlando-bound! (Winter Park, Windermere: 2014, homes, neighborhood)

[mutsky]

My wife and I, new "empty-nesters", are relocating to Orlando at the end of 2014 (new job, NOT retirees). Office is in 32811 zip code. We'd like to find a place to live that is highly walkable, preferably no more than 45 minute commute. Chic, hip urban would be great, as would small-town charm. Not looking to purchase a McMansion, know that prime locations will be pricey, price not our major concern. 2-3BR, 2 baths should do it. We both are active, fit adults, would love to find a place that's dog-friendly, where we don't have to drive five miles to find healthy, local food (local groceries and local eateries!)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[kyle19125]

There aren't a whole lot of options that fit your criteria in the Orlando area. I'd say check out Delaney Park, Vimi (Virginia & Mills area) or Audubon Park in Orlando and the Lakemont & Aloma area in Winter Park.

[Fancy-Schmancy]

Look on the other side of the Turnpike in and around Dr. Phillips. You have plenty of shopping options, including Whole Foods and Restaurant Row. There's also Windermere which has plenty of 'charm' no matter how you define it, but is more expensive and not the easiest commute (narrow streets with lots of lakes to work around). Moving north of your job is a thought as well...say Winter Park.

You aren't likely to find a whole lot of areas that are 'walkable' because most of Orlando simply wasn't set up like that. It's a 'car-centric' town, though the newer developments (like the ones part of the Horizons West) are trying to create more walkable/bikeable zones.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Fancy-Schmancy

Look on the other side of the Turnpike in and around Dr. Phillips. You have plenty of shopping options, including Whole Foods and Restaurant Row.

I wouldn't call Dr Phillips hip, urban or walkable. It's pretty much standard-issue suburban.

[Fancy-Schmancy]

Yeah, but it offers the 'healthy, local' food options the OP is asking for. So much of Orlando is chain-groceries, chain-eateries.

[brinkofsunshine]

Thornton Park, Winter Park, Audubon Park and College Park. The first two are the most walkable. Old Windermere has a very small, quaint downtown but it is only walkable from the immediate homes.

[FloridaNative35]

Thornton Park and Lake Eola Heights (the residential neighborhood just outside TP) would be my first choice for what you describe. Also, look just south of downtown/408. If you live within a half mile or so of the 408, downtown and Thornton Park remain well within walking distance.

College Park is another good choice, IF you live close enough to the neighborhood's shops and restaurants. Same with Winter Park. Much of it is walkable, but it depends on exactly where you live.

[Jonah1979]

Originally Posted by mutsky

My wife and I, new "empty-nesters", are relocating to Orlando at the end of 2014 (new job, NOT retirees). Office is in 32811 zip code. We'd like to find a place to live that is highly walkable, preferably no more than 45 minute commute. Chic, hip urban would be great, as would small-town charm. Not looking to purchase a McMansion, know that prime locations will be pricey, price not our major concern. 2-3BR, 2 baths should do it. We both are active, fit adults, would love to find a place that's dog-friendly, where we don't have to drive five miles to find healthy, local food (local groceries and local eateries!)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What's your price range?

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I wouldn't call Dr Phillips hip, urban or walkable. It's pretty much standard-issue suburban.

It's a well heeled suburb of Orlando with a nice park, pretty lakes and a decent selection of high end grocery and both chain and local eats

It's well known that Orlando has only a few pockets of walkability. It will be hard for the op to find everything in the same locale

[Crane's Rooster]

Thornton Park.