Looking to move to Orlando Area

[jazcatsnh]

OK after another 2 1/2 week annual trip to WDW we have finally decided to give up on NH and move down. Question for those of you who live in and around the Orlando area - we have 7 and 4 year old boys, what towns have good schools and are still say <45 minutes to WDW and similar say to the beaches. Thanks

Also any advice, comments, thoughts etc. on how the area is would be a great help.

 

[JaynMACP96_97_9]

Good Schools:

Dr. Phillips High School, this is located directly behind Universal's property in a section of Orlando called Metro West. If you're on I-4, get off at Kirkman Rd. and you'll see signs.

Windemere, i honestly know nothing about their schools in particular, however its one of the more wealthy areas in Central Florida and that tends to say something. Take a look into their system.

Winterpark/Casselberry/Longwood: These are all nice towns located above downtown Orlando. Winterpark is home to Rollins College.

As far as the beaches, Clearwater, Ft Desoto etc along the gulf are about 1.5 hours away down I4. I'm not too fond of Cocoa Beach but that's about an hour east on 528.

 

[TravisMT81]

I live in Dr. Phillips. I have heard good things about our Schools. And it is a very nice area.

 

[RozFan]

Ohhhhhh, I envy you!

For some reason I have a hard time leaving my hometown. I have mustered up enough courage to try a semester at UCF in the Spring of '04. Even then I'll most likely be living with extended famil that I've been around my entire life.

Who wants to be my friend! ...Anybody? :lol:

 

[mkt]

I used to live in Windermere.... nice area, very nice. The schools aren't bad, for most of Windermere, the zoning falls as Windermere Elementary/Gotha Middle/Olympia High, none of which are bad schools.

I now live in Hunters Creek, which I personally like. It's a bit more centrally located than windermere (Hunters Creek is in South-Central Orlando, Windermere is in Southwest Orlando), I'm closer to the highways, and a LOT closer to downtown.

 

[jazcatsnh]

One last question, anyone know anything about Clermont, Apopka or Ocoee (which I have been told are near WinterGarden) and Lake Mary, Heathrow area.

Thanks in advance

 

[LeaveALegacyGuy]

The schools I have been to are good. Southwood Elementary is a nice school. Meadow Woods Middle is good too. They have good grades on the FCAT(Florida Comprehension Assessment Test). Last year they got a B rating and the year before they got an A rating. Right now I am attending Cypress Creek High School, and so far within the two weeks of school, I have not seen any fighting within the halls. The Beaches are about an hour from Orlando. Sorry, but I do not have any info on about Clermont, Apopka, Ocoee, Lake Mary and the Heathrow Areas. I hope this helps.

 

[Figment1986]

"cough Tampa region, Cough"