Is Clermont a nice place? (Orlando, Winter Haven: homes, camp, living)

[annerk]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

see what you started?

Clermont has one problem-- there is the city and then there is the rest- like step children, south Clermont area still carries the name -but has no benefit except the kids can attend the schools- I give A-plus to the school which they are- but the rest not for anyone who lives out from the center.- 30 mi to downtown by helicopter, the traffic is fierce, specially in what part you live in. Just consider everything --specially if you are in-house or a step child community.

Problem?

The schools are county run and have nothing to do with the City of Clermont. There are City owned amenities which are only available to City residents--the people whose taxes paid for them. It would be foolish to open them to those who didn't pay for them when they are already reaching their capacity.

By the way, you live at least 12 miles from 34711, so you have no idea what you are talking about in terms of travel time to Orlando.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by annerk

It is diverse, but 34711 is primarily middle class with pockets of upper middle and wealth. There are also pockets of working class and a small bit of poverty. We don't have low income housing projects or welfare motels, and the crime rate is generally low. My specific neighborhood is like the UN with families of many nationalities/races including white, black, Hispanic, Asian Indian, Middle Eastern, Fillipino, Chinese, and I'm sure I am forgetting someone.

Yea looking at the census date it very diverse area and I think that is nice. I would love in area like that caters to everyone and is accepting of different cultures.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by ComSense

Sugarloaf was the best thing about Clermont. I just hate that its all roof tops and cookie cutter homes atop the "hills" it has. It was unique to FL until then. Why not build in the flat areas and leave the "hills" as unique for the area and left alone?

Again, Sugarloaf was never part of Clermont. In fact to get to it you need to drive through another town from any point in Clermont. Why it shares an address is beyond me. Astatula is closer.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by GAtoFL

Thanks for the input everyone. Are there any particular bad areas/crime/run down in Clermont to avoid? What is considered the best part of the 34711 zip to live in?

I've seen from other threads that crime isn't that bad.

There are a few areas around the downtown area that are less desirable, particularly right around Bloxom and 50 for a few blocks in any direction. It's pretty obvious driving around that area that it's not someplace to live if you have a choice. Best part for apartments would be Ones I mentioned earlier. For single family homes, Legends will have the most going in for families with a lot of recreation amenities and activities. There are a ton of other neighborhoods that are Good, a lot will depend in your price point.

It seems like there is quite a lot going on and a lot of amenities for a 30-40 minute extended suburb of a large city. I live in what would be a rough equivalent in the Atlanta area (although probably more like half the population of Clermont) and the types of stores, restaurants and events just pales in comparison. Probably what Clermont was like before the spike in growth. I don't like insulated towns/small cities though so just needed to find out if Clermont was one of these generic towns with not much going for them other than they afford cheap housing for commuters, or a town that is isolated (whether geographically or by choice by the populous), or one of those old towns wary of outsiders.

Because so many people here are transplants and more progressive people took control of the City Council a couple years ago, the area has really come along with all sorts of great changes. We are really excited about all if it. Newcomers are very welcomed, as about half of the residents are originally from other areas. I've been seeing a HI license tag in a car a lot the past few weeks.

We also have a community theater run by passionate people who take great pride in their productions and usually produce 1-3 family oriented shows a year.

I do value having the day to day stuff nearby which Clermont seems to have. I work from home so don't have to worry about commuting and we are not worried about schools right now other than wanting to be in an area that attracts families. I'm trying to find a place within 30 minutes of Disney or so as we wanted to spend some time there and I imagine anything further away will just mean us not visiting much. Of course there are plenty of other things we like to do but we don't mind traveling to those for infrequent "days out" like to the beach , interesting festivals or to the downtown/Winter Park areas.

There are many Disney employees living in this area, and the parks are about 30 minutes give or take.

let me know if you have any other specific questions.

[StreetSmarts]

i remember when clermont was a cool, rural town with "hills." now its still kinda nice, overall its still safe, etc. but like anything, it changed a lot and its kind of ur typical FL suburban town with shopping, cookie cutter homes, more shopping centers, gas stations, etc.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by ComSense

i remember when clermont was a cool, rural town with "hills." now its still kinda nice, overall its still safe, etc. but like anything, it changed a lot and its kind of ur typical FL suburban town with shopping, cookie cutter homes, more shopping centers, gas stations, etc.

That is called sprawl. People bailed out of Orlando but wanted to keep their jobs. Clermont - nice place.

[StreetSmarts]

yea, its alright.

[GAtoFL]

Okay thank you everyone again.

If you could do/see just 3 things in Clermont to get a good idea of what it is like and sell the area to me what would you see/do. I'd like to see one of the main parks/water areas.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by GAtoFL

Okay thank you everyone again.

If you could do/see just 3 things in Clermont to get a good idea of what it is like and sell the area to me what would you see/do. I'd like to see one of the main parks/water areas.

Start at Waterfront Park and walk along the Lakeshore all the way to Lake Hiawatha Preserve park.
The Arts and Rec Center (on the southbound side of Route 27 about three miles S of Route 50)
Third really depends on your other interests... Maybe have a meal at one of the locally owned restaurants?

[bridie88]

I just accepted a job offer in Clermont. Spent 4 days there last week. Drove around North to South to East and West. Mt. Dora and Tavares were a little too small town for me. Windemere was nice. Was not impressed with Winter Haven at all. Clermont has it all for me. Small town feel without small town lack of resources. I love having all the lakes in the area, the rolling hills, the genuine "niceness" of all the people I encountered.

I am relocating from very very northern Illinois and will be glad to have no more cold, snow, ice!! One question I have is what lakes are the best for fishing? Can you swim in any of the lakes?