Reviews & Comments
Oviedo, FL
Exceptional Town, Exceptional People! -
11/29/2021My family retired here from the cold north and have never been happier. We searched Arizona (didn't like the scorpions, lack of green, or air quality after sand storms), California (didn't like the taxes or home prices), the Carolinas (this would have been our second choice), but fell in love with our home the moment we opened the front door and saw over the pool to the golf course it backs up to. The home needed a lot of work and we've remodeled every inch, but it was well worth it because we were fortunate enough to purchase it in 2011 when housing prices were more reasonable. It's worth significantly more than the total investment, but we don't plan on ever selling.
Our grandchildren were very young at the time, and the close proximity to the attractions, beaches (both sides of the state are easily accessible), airport (our grandchildren have flown unaccompanied since they were 5), and other fun things to do for little ones allowed it to surpass the other areas of the country we considered. Our grandsons are getting old enough they will likely start bringing their friends to join them for summer fun, and having a pool certainly makes it an attractive stay for them as well.
The crime rate is very low because we have the best police department EVER! We also have and exceptionally tight neighborhood and we look out for each other.
The lack of shopping used to be a little disappointing, since we came from a metro area, but Amazon cured that problem.
Many here complain about traffic, but, being from a busy metro area, the traffic seems very mild here. Perspective is everything.
We didn't have a local hospital when we first came here, and the addition of the Oviedo Medical Center didn't solve that issue completely. Now that Advent Health has opened, we are very confident all our needs will be met locally.
There is an acceptable theater at the Oviedo Mall, and the mall has done an exceptional job finding fun things to fill the spaces vacated by merchants. They have a large child care area, a huge fitness center, and fun locally owned businesses that include a winery that also does painting parties, and theater training groups, as well as the District arcade. There are two grocery stores within close proximity to us, Publix and Winn-Dixie. Publix has the best produce and meat department, but Winn-Dixie has great prices and a much friendlier staff (no matter what the ads say). We also have Kroger delivery which we prefer above the other options! Fresh groceries and quick service brought to your door in a refrigerated truck.... what could be nicer?
The park system is exceptional here in Oviedo, and the town purchased the golf course and are doing a wonderful job of caring for it. It was a smart move, too, since it generates revenue and is extremely popular.
Not having to pay income taxes was a selling factor, as well as low HOA fees.
The schools are stellar, regardless of the comments made by northerners claiming the schools don't stack up to northern schools.
There is a reason Oviedo was named a top place to raise a family in the US, and it exceeds it's reputation.