Anyone from the Minneapolis area in the Orlando Suburbs? (Winter Park: neighborhoods, public schools)

[MNheadingsouth]

Hoping you can save us some scouting time -
We are a family of 3 looking to relocate and currently live in the MPLS western suburbs. Our son is 10 and we are touring Lake Highland Prep in a few weeks. We also plan on driving through some of the neighborhoods to try and get a feel of what would be a potential right fit. From what I gather, Winter Park is similar to a Wayzata/Excelsior. Windemere is like maybe Medina? And Dr. Phillips could be like Plymouth? It's hard to commit to an area across the continent and I thought I would take a chance and see if anyone cold help us compare. Thanks in advance!

[drive carephilly]

Originally Posted by MNheadingsouth

Hoping you can save us some scouting time -
We are a family of 3 looking to relocate and currently live in the MPLS western suburbs. Our son is 10 and we are touring Lake Highland Prep in a few weeks. We also plan on driving through some of the neighborhoods to try and get a feel of what would be a potential right fit. From what I gather, Winter Park is similar to a Wayzata/Excelsior. Windemere is like maybe Medina? And Dr. Phillips could be like Plymouth? It's hard to commit to an area across the continent and I thought I would take a chance and see if anyone cold help us compare. Thanks in advance!

I don't know much about the Twin Cities and it's been about 20 years since I've been there.

But it seems to me, just comparing household incomes and looking at the geography - that Doc Phillips/Windermere are more like your Wayzata/Excelsior area except that rather than being on the opposite sides of a lake in Minnesota, the area here is a chain of smaller lakes that are connected by canals and the DP and Windermere zip codes are contiguous. (Windermere is it's own city. Nearly all of Dr. Phillips is unincorporated Orange County and the addresses are written as "Orlando, FL 32819")

Winter Park is a lot closer to Lake Highland and together with Maitland is more or less part of the urban core of Orange County. This area also has demographics similar to Wayzata/Excelsior but seems to be a lot closer to Orlando than the latter towns are to Minneapolis.

Doc Phillips/Windermere are organized around the Butler Chain of Lakes while Winter Park/Maitland are organized around the Winter Park Chain of Lakes.

It's difficult to narrow it down because you didn't really mention a budget or any preferences. My suggestion would be to start with the area closer to the school. 32803, 32789, 32751 and specifically the neighborhoods around Lake Rowena, Lake Sue, and Lakes Virginia, Berry, Mizell, Osceola, Maitland, and Minnehana. This is all generally 1/2 a mile up to 5 miles from the campus. Doc Phillips/Windermere is generally 12-15 miles from the school.

Again not knowing any of your requirements, check out Delaney Park. It's a great neighborhood with some fantastic housing stock that often gets missed on here.

[Arcenal813]

Considering the desire to send kids to Lake Highland Prep, I’m assuming OP has a budget that should allow for most places you mentioned.

[drive carephilly]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

Considering the desire to send kids to Lake Highland Prep, I’m assuming OP has a budget that should allow for most places you mentioned.

I guess my question in a statement was more - "are you looking for 2,000 square foot, mid-century Winter Park or are you looking for 6,000 square foot, lakefront Winter Park?"

or are you looking for gated, waterfront, Windermere?

[Spicey477]

Originally Posted by drive carephilly

I guess my question in a statement was more - "are you looking for 2,000 square foot, mid-century Winter Park or are you looking for 6,000 square foot, lakefront Winter Park?"

or are you looking for gated, waterfront, Windermere?

And if that is the case, I'd set up a tour at Windermere Prep while you are visiting. Windermere public schools are all mostly good as well.