Safe Areas to Live Near WDW 15-25 Min Away

[21stamps]

When I come down for work I keep seeing Lakeland as being the perfect city for someone looking for an inexpensive home in fl while avoiding hurricanes and excessive tourism. Not to mention one of the best vietnamese restaurants in FL.

I have a friend in Lakeland, he enjoys living there. I don't understand it . I can barely understand Orlando. Then again, I don't understand anyone who chooses to live year round in Florida but doesn't live East of I95 and South of Jupiter. So I'm a little biased

 

[bhg469]

Whats the name of it?

Saigon Bistro. Its in the lakeside village.

 

[bhg469]

No one has mentioned the Champions Gate area (off of Exit 58 of I-4). It is about 15 minutes from Disney, and there are grocery stores, restaurants, and other shops in the immediate area. Lots of real estate development going on in the area.

On my last trip I went through there. I took back roads from Lakeland to champions gate due to an accident on i4 near Lakeland. It was a neat drive, I'm a sucker for smelling orange groves close to the road and they were really close. The onramp to i4 in champions gate was no fun!!

 

[pilka214]

Saigon Bistro. Its in the lakeside village.

HEY I've known the owners of that place for years! awesome restaurant great people!!

Also as far as lakeland goes, it's seen a great deal of growth in the past 5 years, a a couple breweries (brew hub of i4 is downright incredible, they brew beers for other breweries so their selection is the literal best), a handful of new bars and restaurants. It's still not where i want to be living right now (I'm 27) but it's way more fun there now than it was when I was 21. Also willingness to drive to orlando or tampa regularly is a necessity for any lakelander, lots and lots of driving.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

This blog made me want to look at Golden Oaks website again...Now I just need to go find a mine and dig for gold

 

[larryz]

I grew up in lakeland, it took me about 40-45 minutes to leave my house and be at one of the parks. It's a full on city with everything you want but also the accessibility of Orlando and Tampa since your right between the two.

I recall a sign along I-4 close to Lakeland that said "Welcome to Orlampa."

 

[bhg469]

HEY I've known the owners of that place for years! awesome restaurant great people!!

Also as far as lakeland goes, it's seen a great deal of growth in the past 5 years, a a couple breweries (brew hub of i4 is downright incredible, they brew beers for other breweries so their selection is the literal best), a handful of new bars and restaurants. It's still not where i want to be living right now (I'm 27) but it's way more fun there now than it was when I was 21. Also willingness to drive to orlando or tampa regularly is a necessity for any lakelander, lots and lots of driving.

That restaurant has become a regular stop for me as it is the only place I have been to that rivals my favorite place up here. Staff is super friendly and the food is great.

 

[mj2v]

I recall a sign along I-4 close to Lakeland that said "Welcome to Orlampa."

That's at the old Fantasy of Flight location. Lakeland is what Orlando would be like if Walt Disney did not build here.

 

[pilka214]

That's at the old Fantasy of Flight location. Lakeland is what Orlando would be like if Walt Disney did not build here.

My Grandpa always gripes about how Disney changed the florida landscape. He moved down there in the 50's and got into real estate pretty early around polk county, just outside disney properties, he owned a lot of orange groves. Once Disney came in promising to build the city of the future, not theme parks, the future of florida's landscape shifted away from agriculture... However, as well all know, that city never showed up. So he's seen a lot of change, but he's done well for himself, he still owns some land off i4 and 27 that's worth a pretty penny. Also he was smart and invested in Disney stock early on.

 

[WelshBatman]

Problem with that area is traffic. We lived out there before Reunion and Champions Gate and it was awesome, although not convenient.

They have widened 27 now to three lanes and Champion's Gate does have an entrance on to 27 now. The traffic still sucks but it's not as bad as it was like 2 years ago.

And for people suggesting Lakeland... it might not seem a long way from Disney to Lakeland but it's a long boring drive on I-4. Pretty much 4 is the only real way between the two and if there's the smallest accident 4 becomes a parking lot for hours. Then again, many roads around here become a parking lot when there's a small accident but 4 is horrible.

Looking for a place in Florida near Disney is a grab bag. I live maybe 6 miles or so and I can see the fireworks. It's far enough away from all the insanity but still close enough. If you're looking for a house any development on 27 between 192 and 4 is kind of ideal. Likely you'd be able to get a great deal because so many of these areas have lots of houses for sale and the owners are motivated to get out.

 

[rufio]

I second Lakeland! I recently moved about 2 minutes north of the Lakeland line (slightly cheaper) and I think it's an adorable town and it is less expensive than Orlando. It also feels far less touristy. It takes me 30 minutes to get anywhere on Disney property as long as I don't go during rush hour. Just bear in mind that if you DO decide to go between the hours of 4 and 7 you will be sitting in traffic for quite awhile.

 

[rufio]

They have widened 27 now to three lanes and Champion's Gate does have an entrance on to 27 now. The traffic still sucks but it's not as bad as it was like 2 years ago.

And for people suggesting Lakeland... it might not seem a long way from Disney to Lakeland but it's a long boring drive on I-4. Pretty much 4 is the only real way between the two and if there's the smallest accident 4 becomes a parking lot for hours. Then again, many roads around here become a parking lot when there's a small accident but 4 is horrible.

Looking for a place in Florida near Disney is a grab bag. I live maybe 6 miles or so and I can see the fireworks. It's far enough away from all the insanity but still close enough. If you're looking for a house any development on 27 between 192 and 4 is kind of ideal. Likely you'd be able to get a great deal because so many of these areas have lots of houses for sale and the owners are motivated to get out.

As someone who lives here, the traffic on I-4 isn't bad as long as you know times to avoid and the drive isn't any different than any other drive. I didn't see the traffic by Champion's Gate before but now if you try to drive through during rush hour you're guaranteed to sit still for at least 30 minutes.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

I-4 is the bane of our existence for most Orlando area residents. One of the things I like about the Champions Gate area is ready access to four restaurants (not counting the Omni Hotel), six fast food places (more coming), Publix, drug store, two gas stations, UPS, barber shop, liquor store - all without the need to get on the Interstate. Plus, from Exit 58 of I-4, it is less than two miles to the 429 bypass (toll) and less than four miles to the 417 bypass (toll).

 

[pilka214]

Plan a trip to florida, and visit some of the local communities to get a feel for them, stay near clearwater/st. Pete and then go to the other coast and try cocoa beach/titusville/jacksonville. Some people love living in orlando, but some people like to keep play and work separate. By never living in Orlando I still find it a magical vacation land that's less an hour away. Depends on your personal scene. There really is something for everyone.

 

[Eric H]

We have a home in the Marceline neighborhood of Golden Oaks. It is a wonderful area to be in, if it is in your budget. I never tire of the parks, although I tend to go less in the height of summertime when it is blazing hot.

Epcot is nice to visit for dinner and a stroll in the evenings when the crowds thin out some so we do that quite often.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

The drive to Disney is a breeze, you basically come out make a left and you are on the main road to the entrance. I live in the north village but all of the different villages are unique. It really depends on the type of home you are looking for.
The homes range from condo's to town homes to estate homes. If you love golf there is a great rated course that snakes through the community. Make a visit and have someone give you the tour so you don't miss anything including the town center.

What's your opinion of the Celebration Hospital? My wife and I work in healthcare - she works as a nurse and I work in the field of rehabilitation services - physical therapy and didn't know if that's a nice hospital to work at. Thank you

 

[OvertheHorizon]

What's your opinion of the Celebration Hospital? My wife and I work in healthcare - she works as a nurse and I work in the field of rehabilitation services - physical therapy and didn't know if that's a nice hospital to work at. Thank you

It is a great hospital. I was a patient there for two weeks in 2015. Wonderful facilities and the staff was great. I also visited a friend who was a patient there in 2016, who had a similar experience.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

It is a great hospital. I was a patient there for two weeks in 2015. Wonderful facilities and the staff was great. I also visited a friend who was a patient there in 2016, who had a similar experience.

Great! Thank for the feedback.

 

[rufio]

We have a home in the Marceline neighborhood of Golden Oaks. It is a wonderful area to be in, if it is in your budget. I never tire of the parks, although I tend to go less in the height of summertime when it is blazing hot.

Epcot is nice to visit for dinner and a stroll in the evenings when the crowds thin out some so we do that quite often.

I am currently a lovely shade of green.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

If you like to live very close to your neighbors with no land at all (yard), then Orlando is for you. The houses in the area are more expensive 280,000$ up to 585,000$ plus. It is like living in the city, especially around the airport areas.
We are also moving to Florida, but we're thinking more like an hour outside of Orlando in Ocala ( The Horse Capital of the World) ( country-like). The houses are a bit more affordable, and you're still close to WDW.
There are communities such as Clermont, Winter Garden, Apopka, and so many other surrounding areas that would also be nice to live in.
We just had interviews and went house-hunting.
Good luck to you. I would also suggest to avoid Kissimmee.

Did you end up in Ocala?