Clermont FL (Orlando, Oviedo, Minneola: sex offenders, crime, houses)

[redroker77]

So, recently discovered the city of Clermont. Are there any major problems one should be concerned about for a family? Particularly related to crime, sex offenders and anything else that would drive away a family. Any neighborhoods to avoid living/purchasing? Not concerned about age or cost but more so the safety of my property and family. Thanks!

[bmw335xi]

May I ask why Clermont? I’m no expert on Clermont, I think another member here lives there so maybe he or she will give their opinion. As far as I know, there is nothing majorly wrong. It’s a bedroom community. It’s too isolated for my taste, but it actually has some hills in Florida... little ones, but still! There are good and bad parts, I can’t give you the details on that. If schools and safety are your number one concern, I’d move somewhere like Oviedo.

[Miskolci]

Redroker, I live in Clermont, though I am sure I am not the poster BMW335XI is thinking of. If you don't mind, I will weigh in anyway.

First, where are you moving from? And are you interested in the subdivision area of Clermont or the hills/rural? I ask because I find the two vastly different.

My family moved from the Chicago area almost 2 years ago to the rural area near Minneola/Ferndale. We have 5 acres, and we mostly love it here. It is quiet, our neighbours, though spread out, are very friendly, and while it does take me about 12 minutes to drive down the hill to the main shopping area on 50, every time I drive it and see palm trees and flowers I am reminded how grateful I am to finally live in Florida. I could do without the bike riders every weekend riding their bikes down the middle of the road, holding up traffic and being rude about swerving out when you are trying to safely pass. Too many rude bicyclists, but if you can't avoid that when you live in the hills.

The major drawback to the area I live in, which we did not have in the suburbs of Chicago, was that you will have a very nice couple of homes, then right next door a meth/very run down house. I don't believe this applies so much to the subdivision areas of Clermont, but it is here in the rural hills. If you are looking out here, make sure to look at the homes close by.

From what my neighbours tell me, the meth problem is not as bad as it was a few years ago, and they haven't had any problems. Sure, you get the local youth that do stupid things, but that will be anywhere. We have a security system and two large Shepherds. Had the dogs in IL, not the security system, but with the land we have here and lack of street lighting, the security system is just an added peace of mind.

As to schools, I am afraid I can not help you with that as my children are grown. I do know we have a newer high school here, but I can't speak to the quality. However, in IL, my children went to public school, and though the high school was always failing due to the test scores (where we lived, the elementary and middle were stellar, but they all fed into one high school), it held 4000 students, which meant that the opportunity to excel was also there.

The size of the school offered the benefit of many different types of classes, a fantastic band and art program, and if you had a student that was driven, the opportunity to start college with one year of courses taken in high school. As a result, I have learned that test scores don't always tell how a school will be for your child, rather I would look at what classes are offered, what the extracurriculars are, and what type of student your child is. Sorry though that I can't provide a better answer for your school inquiry!

One more thing - if you are thinking you may be commuting, the new Turnpike entrance opened on Hancock about 6 months ago, and it is so much nicer than driving into Oakland to hop on it. There are alot of nice subdivisions around Hancock, if you prefer that, but it also goes out to the Sugar Loaf Mountain area, which would give you many choices to look at if an easy commute is important.

Good luck with your search!

[redroker77]

Perfect and thank you both! So I currently live in the panhandle at the moment. However, I have recently lived in Orlando (East side- Avalon Park). The primary reason for selecting Clermont was for the slower pace of life and hopefully less criminal activity. We would much prefer to be about 30-45 mins out from the more substantial city feel, with the hopes of returning a more friendlier and quieter life. I also understand the commute thru Orlando could be of concern due to the traffic/toll lanes. As far as specific subdivisions, we are not certain yet.

How is the area between both Lake Minneola and lake Minehaha (I believe Colonial/50 split the two)? Thanks for your input.

[StillRoaming]

We've been in Clermont for 20 years and love the area. We built in a subdivision near Lake Minnehaha and have never worried about crime. With an HOA, there will be no rundown homes. We have always felt safe here. The only crime we have been exposed to is last year a couple of houses had some delivered boxes stolen from their front door. That was only one hit and run with no repeat.

The Clermont zip code is a large area. We're within three miles of the Rt. 50 and Hwy. 27 intersection. Clermont extends south on Hwy. 27 down to Rt. 192, what is known as the four corners area. Housing is cheaper there, but I prefer our area for many reasons. You'll find a different feel according to whichever area you look. Going west on Rt. 50 toward Groveland takes you into more of a country feel, although subdivisions have been popping up there over the past few years.

It's very pretty out here with the lakes and hills. We have more than enough shopping and restaurants now, and there's a hospital and tons of specialists here now too. We're about 45 minutes to the top hospitals of Orlando.

For someone looking for a quieter life but close to amenities, Clermont is ideally situated.

[Msorrent59]

Would you recommend staying away from Rt 27 on Sawgrass Bay Blvd? I have been considering homes in this area. Rt 27 seems very commercial the closer you get to 192.