Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park sitting pretty with retail, schools, roads


Waterford Lakes is a suburban, family-centric haven that’s probably best known for the Waterford Lakes Town Center, a formidable shopping center that spans both sides of State Road 434, known locally as the Alafaya Trail. Proximity to the University of Central Florida and Florida State Road 408 are also prime motivators for those considering a move to this east Orlando community.

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Waterford Lakes is a neighborhood, not a city; homes here have an Orlando address.Waterford Lakes residents want for very little in the way of major shopping and dining — huge big-box merchants (Old Navy, Super Target, Best Buy, etc.) are prevalent, along with popular restaurant chains, a massive Regal theater, and smaller but equally well known retailers. Despite a preponderance of big names, independent shops and cafes do proliferate, though you’ll need to search them out. Most blend into the architecture, most of which is new and attractive, but largely strip-mall/shopping center-style. Near the Waterford Lakes area is Avalon Park — a planned community designed with a walkable, small-town feel. Options here include apartments, live-work spaces, townhomes and single-family properties ranging from 1,100 to more than 5,000 square feet.

Public transport, as is the case for most of the Orlando metro area, is limited to bus service in Waterford Lakes; however for car commuters, particularly those whose work is related to the University of Central Florida, this is a super-convenient choice. Waterford Lakes is just a few miles south of the university. Florida State Road 408 offers simple, one-road access to downtown (there are a couple of tolls) and Interstate 4 or an efficient connection to State Road 417 toward the theme parks or a more northerly connection to I-4 that avoids the heavy traffic at the city center.

Did we mention the shopping? The sprawling Waterford Lakes Town Center, with its piped-in and sometimes holiday-appropriate music is the sort of place where retail therapy can be dangerous. Dining can be, too. Options range from Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant to Sweet! By Holly, an adorable cupcake/yogurt shop owned by “Cupcake Wars” winner Hollis Wilder, and Vespr, an indie coffee shop that’s often packed with UCF students.

The Waterford Lakes community itself boasts baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, a dog park, a playground and a host of other resident-only amenities. Over in Avalon Park, natural preserves and ponds are connected not only by roads, but purpose-built pedestrian walkways and more than 16 miles of cycling trails. Many public parks are nearby as well.

Health care

There are many outpatient emergency care clinics in the Waterford Lakes area, and the new Florida Hospital Waterford Lakes ER is slated to open in late 2017. Nearby, the new Oviedo Medical Center offers a 64-bed, acute care facility and a range of state-of-the-art medical services. It is just off of S.R. 417 on Red Bug Lake Road.

A.D. Thompson can be reached through her website amydrewthompson.com.

Households

10,721

2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

Average home sale by zip code

32828: $259,043

Average 2-bedroom rental

$1,277

School grades 20162017

Elementary

Andover BA
Avalon AA
Camelot BA
Sunrise AA
Stone Lakes AA
Timber Lakes AA
Vista Lakes CA
Waterford BB

Middle

Avalon AA
Discovery AA
Timber SpringsNot yet rated

High

Timber Creek AB

Discover other neighborhoods in Central Florida »

Copyright © 2017, Orlando Sentinel

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