North of winter park - any reason to choose say altamonte over maitland or longwood over casselberry? (Lake Mary: 2013, apartments)

[GAtoFL]

Could someone provide a detailed explanation of the differences between the areas north of winter park - maitland, longwood, casselberry, Weikva springs, altamonte, winter springs, lake mary? I've heard that these areas are all good but what are the real differences between them? Any preferences? I will only have a short period of time to look at the area before moving so need to narrow it down a bit.

I'm looking for an apartment to rent (no more than say $1500-1600 for a 3 bed). Safer the better. I'm not looking for a rural feel and I'm not keen on suburbia with cookie cutter houses but may consider it. I have a 2 year old who is very active. Schools are not a priority at the moment and I work from home so can pretty much go anywhere. I'd like to be able to travel to disney without being stuck in traffic for more than 1 hour (less than 45 minutes would be better). Being near good restaurants is also a plus.

So which area would you suggest looking at first? Any areas to avoid? Any particular apartments anyone would highly recommend or highly avoid?

Thanks!

[EditorJul]

Just speaking on the Disney aspect, all of those places listed are places that you will need to allot at least an hour to get to Disney, but many of them you can avoid quite a bit of traffic if you're willing to pay tolls and drive a longer distance (so it becomes a case of spending less in tolls and spending an hour driving in traffic or spending more in tolls and spending an hour driving with less traffic).

[GAtoFL]

Okay thank you.

[Crane's Rooster]

You've listed a very large area with very different characteristics. None of these places are really cookie cutter communities except small pockets here and there. Based on your Disney criteria you should stick to Maitland, Altamonte and Wekiva springs where you can use the 429 to get to Disney. Wekiva is somewhat rural, we'll wooded but has great schools. Altamonte and Maitland are more suburban/urban. Traffic is heavy in these areas. Maitland is in Orange county which is more blue and Altamonte and Wekiva in Seminole which is a red county if that matters to you.

[GAtoFL]

Yes I know it is a large area - I'm trying to narrow it down. Trying to get my head around the differences between them. You tend to see people recommending them all so trying to find something to distinguish them. I know it would be best to take a good look myself but I will be limited in how long I have to look and am already going to spend time looking at the Windermere area which has already piqued my interest.

Thanks for the insight. I probably will put Wekiva off the list as I am not looking for a rural/woodsy area.

So what is there to separate Altamonte and Maitland? or are they pretty much the same?

[Crane's Rooster]

Other than the county line they're pretty similar but Altamonte is generally more affordable. I don't know if you're from the Atlanta area but wekiva reminds me of Peachtree city and Maitland and Altamonte would be communities within the perimeter.

[GAtoFL]

I'm just outside Atlanta so that helps a lot - thank you!

[MovingtoFL2014]

Look into Lake Mary. It's beautiful, safe and close to many great restaurants. There are parks close. Y for your active 2 yr old as well.

Look into the Colonial Grand apts or Bell Timacuan (that's where we lived for a bit).

We go to Disney often and it's a smooth 30-35 min ride on a toll road 417. $4.25 each way but well worth it. Always try to avoid i-4 if you can.

Best of luck!

[GAtoFL]

I remember reading your story a while back!

So how are you liking Lake Mary?

Did you experience any or hear of any crime at the Bell Timacuan apartments whilst you were there?

Which of the Colonial Grands did you like the best? I think there are 3 or maybe more in the area.

[MovingtoFL2014]

We love love Lake Mary! Our neighbors, the schools, the weather, the eateries, distance to Disney .. We're pretty happy! And no matter how many times our friends from up north say "well isn't it too hot in the summer" we said "no way"! Technically it was hot but we swam all day! I think it's all a matter of perspective .. Since the snowstorms of 2013 are so fresh in our mind, we love the sun!

Crime in Bell Timacuan .. None! Lake Mary in general is very nice.

All of the Colonial Grands were nice but we would have chosen Heathrow because of the schools.

Originally Posted by GAtoFL

I remember reading your story a while back!

So how are you liking Lake Mary?

Did you experience any or hear of any crime at the Bell Timacuan apartments whilst you were there?

Which of the Colonial Grands did you like the best? I think there are 3 or maybe more in the area.