Safe areas in Orange Co. For Single Women (Orlando, Winter Park: HOA fees, insurance)

[Springready]

Greetings all, Our daughter is a first time homebuyer having to purchase a small reasonably priced condo in Orange Co. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on safe areas for her to consider. Thanks much!

[Arcenal813]

We need WAY more information than that. Orange County is quite large, and has neighborhoods of all types.

What is "reasonably priced?"
What kind of amenities? Urban? Walkable? Suburban?

You say "safe." Define "safe."

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Springready

Greetings all, Our daughter is a first time homebuyer having to purchase a small reasonably priced condo in Orange Co. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on safe areas for her to consider. Thanks much!

Most of Orange County is very safe for women. Orange County covers a huge area, so where does she want to buy or where will she be working? Without knowing this... I'd say Lake Baldwin... it's very safe, walkable, peaceful, near everything, and has a ton of young single professionals and families living there.

https://youtu.be/KleR1_j06XA?feature=shared

[Arcenal813]

I second Baldwin, if she can afford it. I lived there for two years not too long ago, and am moving back there next month. I liked it that much. By far my favorite part of Orlando.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

I second Baldwin, if she can afford it. I lived there for two years not too long ago, and am moving back there next month. I liked it that much. By far my favorite part of Orlando.

Better than Winter Park?

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

Better than Winter Park?

I prefer it, as it is overall more walkable, in part due to having several nice trails, and the entirety of it surrounds the little "downtown" area. It also is right in between Downtown Orlando and Winter Park, so it borders the busier parts of Colonial and Mills, which are filled with ethnic shops and whatnot. Basically, you have everything one can need is easily accessible on foot, bike, scooter, etc. It also has more pedestrian activity throughout at all times. It also seems to be more diverse.

I guess it really depends what one is looking for. Winter Park is better for families as it has an abundance of larger homes on bigger lots. Baldwin Park is perfect for single professionals or small families -- in my case, single dad with two teenage boys. Smaller homes and townhouses on tighter lots. I feel safer with the kids going outside at any time on their own to any of the multitudes of parks to play some pick up soccer or something. Less "outside noise" if that makes sense.
It's one of the few areas of Orlando where one really doesn't need a car for day-to-day activities and needs. I guess it all just depends on the lifestyle one is seeking. For me, it's ideal. Winter Park does have the advantage of having a Sunrail stop, as well as MUCH better bus coverage, so there is that. If one needs it. (I do like Sunrail.) They're both great areas that pretty much back up to each other.

The only downside I can think of is that stupid airport that essentially breaks up the connectivity to Downtown Orlando and the neighborhoods East of it.

[Springready]

I greatly appreciate the responses. I’ve just found out that my daughter can only get help with the down payment for a condo if she locates in Orange County but not in the city of Orlando. I really don’t understand why that is the case but she says that her loan officer said that it is. Since a teacher’s aid salary isn’t all that much, we are searching on Redfin for a condo whose total monthly costs incl. mortgage, insurance, taxes and HOA fees does not exceed $1,750. I’m grateful that such a filtered search is possible. So any recommendations re. municipalities within Orange Co but not having an Orlando address are appreciated. Thank you.

[Arcenal813]

So the next question would be where in Orange County she will be working. This will make a huge difference.

At that price range, my first thought would be Maitland. But again, if she's working in, say, Lake Nona, that's going to be a horrible commute.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

So the next question would be where in Orange County she will be working. This will make a huge difference.

At that price range, my first thought would be Maitland. But again, if she's working in, say, Lake Nona, that's going to be a horrible commute.

I agree, but the safe areas are few/far between at that price point. There are a couple listings in Winter Park in an older community on Melrose Avenue that are worth a look at and one off of S. Lakeview in Winter Park that could be a good option too.

https://www.redfin.com/FL/Winter-Par...home/145499131
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Winter-Par.../home/46727044
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Winter-Par.../home/46793890

There is one in the north end of Maitland (barely Orange County/bordering Seminole County) that's a decent option too. https://www.redfin.com/FL/Maitland/2...home/173706179

[brinkofsunshine]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I agree, but the safe areas are few/far between at that price point. There are a couple listings in Winter Park in an older community on Melrose Avenue that are worth a look at and one off of S. Lakeview in Winter Park that could be a good option too.

https://www.redfin.com/FL/Winter-Par...home/145499131
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Winter-Par.../home/46727044
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Winter-Par.../home/46793890

There is one in the north end of Maitland (barely Orange County/bordering Seminole County) that's a decent option too. https://www.redfin.com/FL/Maitland/2...home/173706179

Those first two listings are in a 55+ community btw. I agree that at that price point choices are limited. I’d also worry about HOAs going up. My friend bought a townhome a couple years ago and his HOA has doubled since then.