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So where would be a good area to reside to where I can easily drive to Orlando for events etc. , but yet be close enough to commute to deland/orange city?

Was looking at Sanford as a possible destination. 30 min from orl and work. Good area?

Any other suggestions?

For context.. I'm 30,single, and young professional. Thanks!

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I like Sanford or Longwood. It all depends on your interests and what you like to do. Howard Mass is in Longwood while I worked in that area for 5 years. Nice area. Same with Altamonte Springs. Sanford would be a nice stop gap in between downtown Orlando and Orange City.

If you choose Longwood, the traffic during rush hour on SR434 is slow all the time.

It is best to commute toward Deland from Orlando than from Deland to Orlando. You will save yourself much time in traffic. I remember when I was in Detroit, I worked in a factory in the suburbs but lived in a house downtown Detroit. Thus, I missed all rush hour traffic both ways and was still able to enjoy the nightlife.

If you intend to go to Magic games, I used to work until 6pm in Longwood and still make it to 7pm games on time including parking and grabbing a quick happy hour beer at Ember. (sometimes they have 3 for 1 drinks/beers)

Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs

Can't beat Lake Mary near Lake Mary Blvd/I-4.

Nemesis21 wrote:Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs

I second this.

NEM wrote:Can't beat Lake Mary near Lake Mary Blvd/I-4.

If he can afford it, just turn right off the highway and move into Heathrow or anywhere off Markham Woods road!!!

Sanford or Lake Mary...don't go any further toward town off I4 than Reinhart road or the other side of I4 and you are good.

Lake Mary and/or Longwood is pretty even between Deland and Downtown. Altamonte is too busy with traffic for my tastes, and Sanford is hit and miss. They have some nice areas, but they also have a lot of poor areas. It's a lot better than it was 10-15 years ago, but it's still far behind Lake Mary IMO.

Heathrow is the most expensive area to live in if you can afford it, though I think there are some apartment complexes off International Parkway that may be affordable (not sure if they're considered part of Lake Mary or Heathrow).

Something to consider: Proximity to the Sunrail. Being a young single it'd probably be a great option for you to get downtown and not have to worry about driving.

Longwood/Winter Springs, maybe even Oviedo. 417 is accessible for the most part, which helps to get around the city without having to deal with I-4. And for the most part the areas (streets, shopping areas, places to eat) are kept clean.

Lake Mary is okay, not really a fan of Lake Mary blvd and the roads that intersect with it (Lake Emma for example). Sanford you have to know the areas (it's all about location there), Altamonte is a cluster.

Lake Mary would be my first place to look.

Thanks for all the responses! I will look into all the places you've guys have suggested. In fact, I'll probably back to bother you guys with follow up questions on your suggestion.