Young, fun living near Oviedo? (Jacksonville, Tampa: broker, neighborhoods, theater)

[shadow9d9]

We are looking to get out of the snobby, unfriendly area that is Boca Raton. We would like a more exciting lifestyle as well. How friendly and young is the community in and around Oviedo? Is there much of a community? What do you all think? Thanks!

Young= around 25-30 btw.

[Wilshire81182]

I would not characterize it as young, except the area is close to the University of Central Florida. If by young, you mean newer development than yes that area is young. I think Oviedo is more family and retiree oriented. Winter Springs is even moreso retiree oriented.
I think that younger people demographically tend to live closer to downtown around Thornton Park, College Park, Winter Park, etc. and the Altamonte Springs and Millenia/Metrowest areas.
I think there are very few areas in town that will be as stuffy as Boca Raton, but some pockets of Winter Park and Windermere could come off that way.

[shadow9d9]

The median age is around 33-34 according to what I have read(oviedo). Is orlando generally a fun place to be?

[Wilshire81182]

There is definitely a lot to do and the great weather helps making outdoor activities an option. I find it very fun and young, like you originally asked. That is why I think it is funny you ask about Oviedo. It is definitely nice there, but more sleepy and suburban than energetic and fun.
There are a lot of venues, live entertainment, nightclubs, theme parks (duh, right ?!?), divey bars, ethnic restaurants (but more than average chain restaurants), shopping (both high end and factory outlet variety). I think our tourism base supports more variety and number of options available than a metropolitan area our size would normally have. There are about 8 major malls. For the more plush, like what you may be used to in Boca, options are located in the Mall at Millenia, Restaurant Row, and Park Avenue in Winter Park.
There are several beautiful older neighborhoods on treelined streets overlooking lakeside parks that give parts of Orlando more of a Southern vibe like Jacksonville than South Florida or Tampa Bay.
I love living here. What type of things do you do for fun?

[Crane's Rooster]

Oviedo is generally more family oriented area except right around UCF. If you're looking for a younger vibe on that side of town I would look in Waterford Lakes or Avalon Park. If you're not tied to the East side of town try looking in Downtown, Millenia Area and Altamonte.

[shadow9d9]

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

There is definitely a lot to do and the great weather helps making outdoor activities an option. I find it very fun and young, like you originally asked. That is why I think it is funny you ask about Oviedo. It is definitely nice there, but more sleepy and suburban than energetic and fun.
There are a lot of venues, live entertainment, nightclubs, theme parks (duh, right ?!?), divey bars, ethnic restaurants (but more than average chain restaurants), shopping (both high end and factory outlet variety). I think our tourism base supports more variety and number of options available than a metropolitan area our size would normally have. There are about 8 major malls. For the more plush, like what you may be used to in Boca, options are located in the Mall at Millenia, Restaurant Row, and Park Avenue in Winter Park.
There are several beautiful older neighborhoods on treelined streets overlooking lakeside parks that give parts of Orlando more of a Southern vibe like Jacksonville than South Florida or Tampa Bay.
I love living here. What type of things do you do for fun?

Hobbies- computer gaming, board gaming, sports(volleyball, softball, tennis, ping pong, football), Music(phish, pink floyd), reading, sci fi fan.

Wife plays piano, does theater, and shares my interests.

[Wilshire81182]

Sounds like you are down to earth, bohemian?
I think you would like College Park or Thornton Park a lot.
Big assumption, but these areas and Winter Park are more artistic.
There are some outdoor volleyball nets and a skate park around Robinson and Crystal Lake that are well attended with people playing half the sports you listed. If you prefer suburbia, there are areas out by UCF and Waterford that you may like. I get a more SUV/family vibe from over there. Nothing wrong with that though.

[shadow9d9]

Aye, going up Sunday-Monday and checking out aviedo, baldwin park, and I asked the broker to suggest a third place to look. I'll report back after!