Want To Move To Orlando From SW FL-Need Advice (Altamonte Springs: for sale, foreclosures)

[FLBirdwatcher]

My family is living in sw FL and are considering a move to the Orlando area. We have been to Orlando many times as tourists, but do not know which areas are good for buying a home. Our budget is limited, but we would like to be in the nicest area for the money. Our budget is max $200,000, but preferably less. We need over 2,000 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Good schools are only important for resale value. We absolutely do NOT want an HOA home. What would be our best options? Are there any foreclosures for sale that would be worth looking into?

[kyle19125]

Your best option would be to visit as a local and not a tourist, since that is how you will be living. Beyond that in your price range you'll not be in an area with very good schools and in a neighborhood you might consider nice, especially since it sounds like you're planning to come in around 175K-180K. If your sole reason to moving to the area is to hang out in the theme parks you might look just outside the area at cities like Winter Haven, Auburndale, Polk City or Clermont which are 30-40 minutes from Walt Disney World and offer more house for the money.

[FLBirdwatcher]

I think the areas that you mentioned would be good. I have heard some good things about Clermont. What about Winter Garden--is that a good area? I did say Orlando area. I realize that on my budget we will not be able to afford the nice areas of Orlando. We are planning to ride up there in the next few days to look around.

[Crane's Rooster]

I believe your budget can get you into some nice areas with good schools. I would suggest Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Conway and Colonialtowne/Audubon Park.

[FLBirdwatcher]

Thank you Crane's Rooster. Is that the order of top choice to less choice that you would suggest as well? I appreciate your help.

[Crane's Rooster]

No it was just the random order they came to mind. My family made the same move years ago from Ft. Myers so let my give you my comparison. The first and foremost are that all these areas are fairly well developed and fairly well planned out. Nothing that resembles Cape or Lehigh, all these areas have city waters, sewer, utilities, sidewalks etc. Altamonte is busier suburb in Seminole County. The west side is a really good school district, Lake Brantley. Homes are older but large. Casselberry is similar but further east along 436 which is basically like the 41 of the Orlando area. Some parts may also be called Winter Park. Winter Park itself is very affluent but does have some affordable neighborhoods in the areas. The school district is good. Conway, Colonialtowne and Audubon Park are downtown neighborhoods. The home range from newer development to old historic bungalows. You would be in the bottom end of the housing price here but still could find a good home in good area. Finally Winter Garden and Clermont are on the west side of the metro. NOTHING like SWFL. Alot of rolling hills and completely different look and feel to it than anything in Lee County. Most of the homes in these two areas are new development. Used to be pretty undeveloped so everything is pretty new.

[FLBirdwatcher]

Crane's Rooster, that helps so much. I really appreciate it. We are in Naples, but moved from TN and we are actually missing the hills. That is one reason for the move. We are going to try to come to Orlando to look around over the weekend. We have been to Orlando many times, but never got serious about moving there until now. I can get around the tourist areas pretty well, but never ventured out much farther than that.

[Crane's Rooster]

I think you will like it here once you get outside the tourist corridor, which btw local rarely venture to. The areas I mentioned, although some of them busy, are nothing compared to the congestion in the tourist corridor. They are also much less commercial. Of course there are still alot of chain restaurants and national chains but you will also find more mom and pops establishments. You will not find any tourists trap 3 T-Shirts for $10 souvenir shops in any of those places. You may also notice a physical change in the environment at well. There's a fabricated "tropicalness" to some of the touristy areas, but once you get outside of it, most of Central Florida actually looks alot more like other parts of the south. Alot of old shady oaks trees as opposed to palms which really don't grow naturally here. If you want hills, Altamonte has some hills but not as noticeable as Clermont which is very hilly. Look up sugarloaf mountain. Life here is much different than vacationing here, but in a good way if you ask me.

[tricon7]

You may also want to look at Winter Springs and Oviedo. They're both very family-friendly areas in your price range, and they have more open spaces than further into town.

[FLBirdwatcher]

I am looking forward to a visit without being a tourist. I love the trees there. And I look forward to exploring the hilly areas. Oviedo is on my list to visit as well as some of the others that have been suggested.