Saint Cloud??????? Safe????????? Nice???? Please Help! (Orlando, Plantation: apartment complex, rentals, crime)

[ladydiss]

Ok, so can anyone living in Saint Cloud or that central area tell me if it's a nice, family oriented, safe town to move to? I don't care so much about who my neighbors are as far as ethnicity as much as I do they are nice, quality people who will care as my family does about living in a safe neighborhood. We are from NJ and planning on relocating this year. Does anyone have specific info on the apartments there? Summer Cove? Sawyer Estates? We'd appreciate it, some of these posts are very concerning. THANKS!

[cmj_fla]

A few years back we looked into Sawyer Estates and were very impressed. For the price it was great. St. Cloud has its fair share of problems but it is still a safe town. I would drive through the neighborhood on a Friday or Saturday night and see what kind of activity was going on and if it were quiet before making a decision. Here is a link to another thread about St. Cloud that you can get other people's opinions. https://www.city-data.com/forum/flori...-cloud-fl.html

[Alphaman]

St cloud around the old downtown area is nice and historical It`s safe some don`t like the area but it`s a nice little town it has a really nice park and lake if you have children.

I would move somewhere by the downtown or along that park not in the cookie cutter newer areas.

[dcabrer1]

To tell you the truth, as a visitor, i did not like it at all. It could be me though

[Surfdiva83]

I live in Saint Cloud and have for many years, so forgive me that I do not agree with those who have only visited here.
As a mother I definitely would not recommend the historic area as a previous poster advised. Since they have renovated the lake front with the new park there are many "visitors" who do not live here but come to use the lakefront so there are alot of undesirable types walking the streets in the area now where as 4 years ago it was very quiet and quaint. I personally do not even take my children there anymore. It is definitely on the decline in that area.
As for the apartment complexes most are income based so you have to make very little to qualify to live there and then they are not very desirable. Im not sure of your income level or if you are a one or two adult household, but most families with a two parent household would not qualify unless both are only making close to minimum wage. The rent also is around $900 for most 3 bedrooms and you can get a MUCH nicer house for around $1200. Again I would not recommend the apts for family friendly areas either. I tried to live in one before getting married and ended up breaking the lease and paying all the fees with it to get out!
We personally live in Stevens Plantation and LOVE it! Its still in central Saint Cloud convienent to everything. There is Publix, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and many restaurants all within minutes. I do personally know there are many rentals in the Magnolia Green subdivision here in Stevens Plantation ranging from $1200-$1500 a month depending on the size of the house. All are newer houses. It is also zoned for an St Cloud Elementary which is in walking distance and is an A rated school and has been for many years.
Another great area if you are looking for higher end homes is Bay Lake Ranch. These are custom homes and most lots have acreage. This is a little further from town center but is an awesome community. Rentals there start at around $1500 and go up from there.
If there are any more specific questions you have just let me know I would be happy to help you out.

[otown native]

Good ollllll' St. Cloud...I grew up there back in the late 80's-early 90's when it was still a small place and a bunch of country back roads. But it's definitely changed since then.

From what I've seen in visiting through there every once in a while, it seems like things have changed for the good. There's not a lot of jobs though (decent at least), so most of the people that live there will drive into Kissimmee or Orlando for work. The one thing I've always heard though concerning kids, more so older teenagers, is that in like most small towns without a lot to do, drugs & silly vandalism are issues. Don't get me wrong, I know Orlando & Kissimmee are bad, but that's what these kids in St. Cloud do..they get bored, drive up to the "city" to buy drugs and what not, and bring it back to S.C. As far as serious crime though, it's a better place. Except for cases when drunken old guys leave the bars late a night on a vengence...just sayin.

[Jonotastic]

I wouldn't recommend living in St. Cloud.

[blueoktober]

In 2004 I had a nice house in St. Cloud and the town was very "small town" feeling with nice people. 2 years later it was Kissimmee East. I don't mean that in a good way. It went downhill FAST. Kissimmee's downtown is actually nicer (no offense but how could anyone think SC's downtown is nice? It's nasty and worn out).

If you plan to work elsewhere that would have to take you on the turnpike each day, I would really think hard and do a LOT of research before I moved there.

[skyegurl21]

I have lived in Saint Cloud for 3 years now. I am married with 3 young children. We lived in Sawyer Estates for 2 years and liked it. The water bill is a joke though. The residents are getting riped off, that is the reason we moved. On the other hand it is the best apartment complex for the money. I recommed living there until you can purchase a house. I also recommend sending the children to Canoe Creek Charter Academy. I have met very few people who I would not like around my children.

[artsylady10]

I agree with all the positive input on the city....I do not know how it was before 2008 when I opened my business...now I am in the process of moving my home also....St. Cloud is one of those rare SMALL towns...country charm, friendly people - yes some old town drunks, but they are harmless...it is part of the "color"...SAFE...great to raise kids....if you were born there or visited before summer of 2008, you will VERY pleasantly surprised to visit Downtown with the many NEW GREAT cafe's with outdoor eating, Art Galleries, Trendy SHops & Boutiques, Antiques, Irish Pub, Old Town Hotel, Cigar SHop, Wine Tasting Events, STARBUCKS Coffee, Auction houses, Dance Studio, Karate Studio, Magic Shop, Duo-Plex Movie Theatre, Bingo Hall, art & craft shows, live music, Farmer's Market, etc.... even in this economy we are all doing fine & holding well... that is more than a lot of the shopping areas in Florida can boast.... so take a ride & stroll along the streets of our Historic town, full of Country Charm...speak to the NEW local merchants & make your decision then....