Avalon Park Residents

You've gotten mostly very accurate advice so far!
I've lived in Avalon for about a year and 2 years prior to that I lived on the main drag (Alafaya) that leads to the main entrance. Everything you hear about the traffic is true unfortunately. However, I don't have any issues with it on account of my work schedule and the fact that I use the back entrance to get in and out.
What the others are saying about schools is true too. I totally agree that if you are going to live in Orange County, than Avalon Park has the best schools besides Winter Park. Very good schools. If you were judging primarily on schools though I'd suggest taking another posters recommendation and try Seminole County, preferably the Winter Springs/Tuskawilla area. I lived there too prior to having my kids and wished we could have stayed there for the schools but it just didn't work out that way. I agree that the Tuskawilla area is probably safer and less crowded.
The only thing I didn't agree with was one poster saying that Avalon is so remote and out in the boondocks basically. I love the ease of getting to and from work (I work downtown) on the 408. The fact that I don't have to take I-4 to get anywhere is a blessing! The Waterford Town Center is close by and has everything I need, but Avalon has all the basic necessities. Plus, it really is a unique family oriented community.
One more thing though- and I think this is very important: I would make sure you buy a house, NOT a townhouse. The townhouse areas have the most crime and noise issues.
Overall, Avalon gets my thumbs up! Good luck!

I don't live in Avalon, but it is great and they have lots of neighborhood activities. However, traffic is horrible during morning and evening commute. The High School is great but getting crowded, but don't know much about the elementary.
As far as the power plant goes it's an eye sore for sure and for me a little unnerving.

Lake Nona is an awesome up and coming area with great elementary and a brand new middle/high school. Traffic is not too bad and will not be an issue one they get the on and off ramp construction finished at 528 and 417.

Good luck with your move.

Hey M.-

I do live in Avalon Park and absolutely love it. I have a similar family make-up (5 year old girl and 2 year old boy). I will admit the 1 down side is the traffic that is present from 7-9am and about 4-6pm. When it is not rush hour, there is little traffic and you can get to the Waterford Lakes Plaza (which includes SuperTarget, other shops and many restaurants) in about 10 minutes.

As far as inside the neighborhood, there's everything you could need. There is a Publix supermarket, several restaurants and multiple parks (one with a splash pad). It is very family oriented with festivals, a farmer's market and lots of activities. My family is very happy and we feel safe there. My daughter is entering kindergarten this fall and I am extremely satisfied with the schools. I also want to let you know that the power plant is coal burning and not a health threat. It is an eye sore coming down Alafaya, but you cannot see it from most homes. It is true that the tree growth is new, but there is a large amount of established conservation area around the homes that block the view of the plant and make you feel nestled into a great place to live.

I have lived in Winter Park and Seminole County. Both are nice, but neither has both the neighborhood feel and the city access that Avalon has. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi M.,

I don't live in Avalon, but I used to live very near there in the Waterford Lakes area, I know people who live there, and I know the area well......I guess it depends what you are looking for in a neighborhood. Avalon is growing, but the whole Waterford area has grown much too quickly and rush hour traffic is horrendous on that stretch of Alafaya Trail - and the city is years away from widening it, or making an interchange for the Beachline. I believe the schools in the area are good, unlike most of the rest of Orange County (save Winter Park) but are quickly becoming overcrowded. I personally don't like the lack of trees as they tore out thick woods to create the neighborhood that is still partly under construction, but that's just personal preference. And yes, that is a nuclear power plant. I don't know whether there are any health concerns, but it would concern me. If you want to live in an excellent school district, Waterford/Avalon is good, but crowded. Otherwise, unless you want to look in Winter Park, where you don't get much house for your money, you may want to consider Seminole County - depending, of course, on where your jobs are and such. We moved last year to Winter Springs - Tuscawilla area - which in a well-established, safer, heavily-treed neighborhood with great schools. Most of Oviedo is nice and with good schools, too, and Longwood as well. But from Longwood to Avalon Park could take 45-60 minutes, so I don't know if you have a investment in living on the southeast side of town.

Hope this helped. Best of luck!
S.

I have heard it is nice to live there. i do not live there but if you are looking for the best schools then you need to be in seminole county we have the best schools i live in oviedo and i love it

I know you requested to hear from people who live there, so I'm sorry that I'm chiming in because I don't... But I can tell you I have been out there a couple of time because the cub scouts had a festival event out there. To give other people directions, I basically said, "drive until you fall off of the Earth, then keep driving some more, and eventually you'll get to Avalon Park!" If you blindfolded me and dropped me there from a helicopter, I would have to admit it's such a very nice area. However, unless you are a hermit I wouldn't recommend it. Yes, there are schools and some businesses out there, but if you want to venture away from Avalon Park on a regular basis for work or play, it's such a haul to get anywhere --- other places to shop, art museum, science center, theatres, etc...