how is Orlando's Metro west area? (Pine Hills, Windermere: for sale, apartments, renters)

[Ayicho]

we are deciding on buying a second home in Orlando, however, we are finding most of the homes we like are from Orlando's metro west. How is that area? Will we find potential renters when were are not using the home?

many thanks for your feed back.

[volk2k]

Originally Posted by Ayicho

we are deciding on buying a second home in Orlando, however, we are finding most of the homes we like are from Orlando's metro west. How is that area? Will we find potential renters when were are not using the home?

many thanks for your feed back.

It depends on what you mean by "home"

All of the Single Family Homes in Metrowest are quite nice and you shouldn't have a problem finding renters. Metrowest belongs to the Olympia High School district and shares Middle schools with Windermere and and Dr. Phillips. You can find a number of bargains in the area as most people who want a home in Dr. Phillips/Windermere neglect 32835... and if they don't know the area well, they are missing out on some great homes.... in fact, parts of Dr. Phillips are still part of 32835 as opposed to 32819.

If you are looking at condos in Metrowest, you will want to be a little more selective. Try to look closer to Hiawassee as opposed to Raleigh and Kirkman and you should be ok.

[sp2007]

There is a reason so many housing options exist in MetroWest. Between 2004-2010 they had a massive crime problem (so bad that the master developer tried to get the City to rename the area, since MetroWest had become synonymous with crime).

I have heard the City increased police in the area and since 2011 its gone down.

[volk2k]

Originally Posted by sp2007

There is a reason so many housing options exist in MetroWest. Between 2004-2010 they had a massive crime problem (so bad that the master developer tried to get the City to rename the area, since MetroWest had become synonymous with crime).

I have heard the City increased police in the area and since 2011 its gone down.

Yes, crime has played a part in Metrowest's "demise," but that's not the whole story. They attempted to change the name to Veranda Park because there were so many areas that people "associated" with Metrowest that gave it bad name.

There are a number of reasons why the Metrowest area lost alot of it's cachet and why there are a large number of properties for sale.

- Walmart - They closed the one in Pine Hills.... so which one did those folks end up going to?
- A ton of Condo Conversions..... Investors galore that bailed
- High Priced NEW Condo Developments that CRASHED with the housing market..... Investors/speculators galore that just bailed.
- Proximity to locations that people perceive to be Metrowest, but really aren't

I have lived in the Metrowest area for almost 20 years. As a HOMEOWNER, I have never felt unsafe..... Families walk up and down Hiawassee, Metrowest Blvd, and Westpointe all day long. Homeowners here take pride in their homes. You will not find any run down properties in Metrowest. Love them or not, HOAs are very involved here and will utilize their self-help provisions if necessary.

When you have heard about crime in the Metrowest AREA, it has typically been limited to spots close to Kirkman/Raleigh, and some of those areas are not even part of Metrowest proper. Also, you will notice that the ONLY people who complain about crime problems in Metrowest live in apartments/condos.

Don't discount Metrowest simply because you have heard there were crime problems. Evaluate each development individually and you will be able to make a good decision... There are some much nicer developments located in Metrowest than there are in sections of Dr. Phillips or Windermere.

As long as you stick to the Hiawassee side of Metrowest or are looking at a Single Family Home, you will probably find a great place to live!

If you are interested in finding out whether or not the property you are looking at actually belongs to the Metrowest Master Association take a look at:
http://metrowestmaster.com/

Good luck!

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

You don't want to live in Metro West.

[Ayicho]

OK I guess I will keep out of Metro West since I am not from Orlando. We are looking for a second home so now is not a good time for metro west. thanks for all your honest responses.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

I mean for your money you can get a nicer home in a nicer area. That being said the hiawassee part of metro west is great, the kirkman part No I would not do that to a non orlando resident

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by Ayicho

OK I guess I will keep out of Metro West since I am not from Orlando. We are looking for a second home so now is not a good time for metro west. thanks for all your honest responses.

The only post(s) you need to pay attention to in this thread are the ones from volk2k. Metrowest along Conroy-Windermere is perfectly fine as are parts of Metrowest on Hiawassee.