Help with Relocation Decision Please (Orlando, University: neighborhoods, new construction, high school)

[2Csandme]

My family is planning a relocation to the Orlando area at the end of the month. We have two school aged children and we both work from home. We have been having a debate between new construction in Dr. Phillips (Ruby Lake) and the Winter Garden (Hamlin) area and would love some help with our decision.

We would like to live close to shopping, entertainment, restaurants and good schools. I know that the Hamlin area is up and coming, but it doesn’t seem like there has been a lot of progress and I fear that it will be an empty town center.

Does proximity to amenities justify the cost of living in Dr Phillips? Are there any benefits to living in Winter Garden that we are not thinking of?

[firmbizzle]

Are you planning on going out a lot or would you prefer a more remote suburban feel? I think the schools are rated better in Dr. Phillips than Winter Garden.

[2Csandme]

Thanks for your response. Currently we are in a somewhat remote areas where we have to travel 20 minutes or so to any sort of shopping or entertainment so we are looking for the opposite.

[kibblenbitz]

I'd pick Dr. Philips over WG in a heartbeat. Closer to everything, and overall, just a much nicer, cleaner place.

[2Csandme]

Originally Posted by kibblenbitz

I'd pick Dr. Philips over WG in a heartbeat. Closer to everything, and overall, just a much nicer, cleaner place.

Thank you for your insight!

[firmbizzle]

Agree. Dr. Phillips is better, more to do and the schools are better. It is also more expensive.

[movetoorlando1]

Depends what you are looking for.

Dr Phillips is convenient and offers a lot, but you also have to deal with a lot of traffic.

I worry about the Hamlin Town Center and it may never catch on (I lived on East side of
Orlando in a place like that where the "Town Center" has been a flop).

However, up 535 closer to downtown Winter Garden there are a lot of up and coming
neighborhoods and convenient to most everything.

If you haven't already check out Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Very quaint
downtown feel and always events going on.

While Dr Phillips schools may be "rated" higher, West Orange High School is a very good
school. A family member graduated from there and got into University of Florida (probably
toughest in FL), as well as other schools. He was well prepared for UF and did well there.

Good luck,
@movetoorlando

[2Csandme]

Originally Posted by firmbizzle

Agree. Dr. Phillips is better, more to do and the schools are better. It is also more expensive.

Yes. This is my issue. While we can afford it I’m just not sure if it’s worth the extra expense.

[2Csandme]

Originally Posted by movetoorlando1

Depends what you are looking for.

Dr Phillips is convenient and offers a lot, but you also have to deal with a lot of traffic.

I worry about the Hamlin Town Center and it may never catch on (I lived on East side of
Orlando in a place like that where the "Town Center" has been a flop).

However, up 535 closer to downtown Winter Garden there are a lot of up and coming
neighborhoods and convenient to most everything.

If you haven't already check out Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Very quaint
downtown feel and always events going on.

While Dr Phillips schools may be "rated" higher, West Orange High School is a very good
school. A family member graduated from there and got into University of Florida (probably
toughest in FL), as well as other schools. He was well prepared for UF and did well there.

Good luck,
@movetoorlando

Thank you. Yes I have been to plant street. It’s really cute and I like that area a lot as well. I may take a second look.

[Bamaman1]

Dr. Phillips has far better socioeconomics than Winter Garden, and family incomes there area 170% of W/G.

It would be preferred, and the Orange Co. schools in that town would be superior.