Reviews & Comments
Oviedo, FL
Great place for kids and chickens -
7/6/2006We moved to Oviedo about two and a half years ago and have found it a warm (climate, too) and welcoming community. Of course in Florida everyone is from somewhere else (almost) and so transients are made most comfortable here. Oviedo has held onto its roots, but not for much longer. The developers have built and built and built developments and are hovering on the verge of revamping the downtown and taking away its old Florida charm.
Oviedo's roots are in agriculture -- at one time named the celery capitol of the world, I'm told. The city boasts about its free-range chickens that inhabit the downtown and run freely. Traffic signs and penalties have been installed to alert people that chickens have the right of away. There's something endearing about a town that protects its domestic fowl. But, the same ones who hope to renovate the downtown have cried "Bird Flu" and are doing their best to get rid of the chickens.
Oviedo is a safe place and Seminole County works hard to be the best they can be. Their safety and fire and emergency services are among the top in the state and their library system, although needing an influx of money to maintain and build its collection, is excellent. The people are friendly and helpful and service is five star. The whole community is friendly.
The center of town is a traffic hair puller, but in Florida nothing should be hurried. So if you get into the Southern rhythms, even the traffic won't be a problem. Just don't hurt the chickens! And the Townhouse diner in downtown Oviedo serves a delicious down home breakfast. I particularly like their biscuits and gravy.