$420,519Average Value$345Average Price per Sq Ft24Homes For Sale
Cozy living around Bear Lake near Orlando
Based around a scenic recreational lake, Forest City might not actually be a city, but nonetheless has much to offer for folks looking for a home in Central Florida.
Forest City is close to the suburban municipalities of Altamonte Springs and Apopka. Once a center of Florida’s signature citrus industry, the Forest City area has since become a residential haven serving commuters near more populous commercial city centers, including downtown Orlando, less than 10 miles away. “It’s an established community that really started coming together around the 1970s,” says Todd Schroth, a real estate agent with eXp Realty based in Altamonte Springs. “It’s kind of like a city within a city with Altamonte Springs there. It’s got top-of-the-line schools, lots of shopping and a community feel. Once we move in we don’t move out.” With Bear Lake at the center and spanning more than 300 acres, the natural feature makes Forest City an even more appealing place to live, offering opportunities for swimming, boating, jet skiing and other fun, exciting and relaxing activities.
A magnificent aerial view of Little Bear Lake and Bear Lake.
Local kids love to skate board down the streets of Bear Lake.
A beautiful aerial view of I4 leading to downtown Orlando near Bear Lake.
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Midcentury bungalows and modern traditional homes
As an almost exclusively residential area, Forest City has a plethora of condos, family homes in subdivisions, gated communities, retirement homes and ranch-style houses, with prices reflecting the architectural diversity. Home prices start at around $150,000 for condos in gated communities near one of Altamonte Springs larger shopping centers. Closer to Bear Lake and the smaller ponds and lagoons scattered throughout the community, older bungalows and ranch-style homes range from around $250,000 to $350,000. Still with ample space for development and growth, the community also features some spacious, contemporary builds with homes around 2,500 to 3,500 square feet. Prospective buyers can expect to pay between $400,000 to $800,000 for those properties.
A beautiful row of modern ranch style homes with garages in Montclair in Bear Lake.
A beautiful stone faced ranch-style waterfront home on Bear Lake.
A beautiful row of 70 homes with car ports in Bear Lake.
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High-grade schools in the Seminole County school division
Forrest City includes the public Bear Lake Elementary School and Teague Middle School. Niche gives both schools in the Seminole County school systems a B-plus. From there, students can advance to Lake Brantley High School, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche. At the high school, students can choose from 35 different Advance Placement courses and participate in in various clubs and activities, including dual enrollment in the Academy of Construction Technology, the Academy of Finance and the Aerospace Science JROTC program. Additionally, the Altamonte Springs campus of Seminole State College is adjacent to the neighborhood.
Bear Lake Elementary School is a public school serving the Apopka and Bear Lake communities.
Teague Middle School is located in the Bear Lake community of Altamonte Springs, Fl.
Lake Brantley High School in Spring Valley boasts a 96% graduation rate.
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Ski-lake fun and other activities
Bear Lake is partly accessible through the Bear Lake Clubhouse, a family-friendly recreation area with covered picnic areas, docks for boats, lawn chairs on the beaches, playground areas for small children and even pool tables. Hanging out in the water swimming or jet skiing is also exciting but Schroth advises caution. “I’ve been on that lake since 1990, and I haven’t been bit by a gator yet,” he says. “You just need to be careful.” For fun out of the sun, the community also has a large number of indoor athletic venues, from The Athlete Factory training facility and the Altamonte American Karate Academy to the batting cages at the All Stars Sportsplex and the indoor trampolines at Rebounderz Orlando. These entertainment options give casual exercisers and athletes-in-training access to workout space and equipment, each with a different flavor of activity.
Residents love to socialize at the private Bear Lake Club
After schools activities is abundant in Bear Lake with Altamonte American Karate Academy.
After schools activities is abundant in Bear Lake with All Stars Sport Complex.
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Suburban shopping malls and local eateries
Local shopping options include strip malls at Hunt Club Corners and West Town Corners, featuring major retailers such as Costco and Publix. For a wider selection of organic groceries, the Sprouts Farmers Market store is open 7 days per week at the Wekiva Riverwalk. In addition to a few national retailers and sit-down restaurants, the shopping center includes a Regal movie theater. While there are plenty of fast-food and casual franchise restaurants all around Forest City, folks can also patronize local family-owned eateries and shops serving international cuisines and goods, such as Sherry’s Trini Flavors and La Granja.
Residents of Bear Lake do their grocery shopping at Publix Super Market at Hunt Club Corners.
Residents of Bear lake also go the Sprouts Farmers Market.
Families of Bear Lake can take in a movie at the Regal Wekiva Riverwalk cinema.
Locals enjoy the foods of Trinidad at Sherry's Trini Flavors in Bear Lake.
Locals enjoy the ChickenRoti from Trinidad at Sherry's Trini Flavors in Bear Lake.
Locals love to eat at Argos Family Diner in Bear Lake.
Locals love the Greek flair of Argos Family Diner in Bear Lake.
Resident of Bear Lake have close access to Costco near by.
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Easy highway access to Orlando and surrounding cities
State Route 436, in the north of Forest City, links the area to both Apopka and Altamonte Springs. Interstate 4 in the east provides drivers with quick access to Orlando, so Bear Lake is well-situated for commuters looking for a quiet, sunny home in a bedroom community.
A beautiful aerial view of Hwy 441 and Hwy 414 in Bear Lake.
A beautiful aerial view of I4 leading to downtown Orlando near Bear Lake.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Heather Unger, PA,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Lake Lotus Park
Boating
Fishing
Grills
Westmonte Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Spring Valley Farms Play Park
Basketball
Fishing
Lake
Riverside Acres Park
Bike Trails
Fishing
Grills
Wekiva Club Playground
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Orlando Sanford International
33 min drive
Bus
S Orange Blossom Trl And Benbow Ct
Bus
Gateway Dr And Lotus Landing Blvd
Bus
S Sr 434 And Orange Ave
Bus
West Town Pky And Rainer Dr
Bus
S Orange Blossom Trl And Hiawassee
Bus
S Sr 434 And Hillview Dr
Bus
Us 441 And Center St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bear Lake
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bear Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bear Lake, Forest City sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bear Lake, Forest City over the last 12 months is $353,400, up 41% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This charming 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home sits on a spacious corner lot, offering plenty of yard space and curb appeal. Step inside to discover fresh interior and exterior paint, ceramic tile flooring throughout, and a built-in wooden bookcase that adds both character and functional storage to the living space. The home features a brand-new roof and a reliable HVAC system from 2018, providing
Welcome to Crescent Place at Lake Lotus, where you can own in a gated complex complete with clubhouse, resort style pool, hot tub, BBQ grill area with picnic gazebo, sand volleyball court, lighted tennis court, and fitness center. This updated first floor unit has a screened patio, granite counters in kitchen and baths, newer appliances (including washer, dryer and water heater), with recently
Great home for a medium-sized family! The property is recently renovated. The half-bath, masonry, & roof have been fully repaired. The primary suite (bedroom/ bathroom) has a walk-in closet & a garden tub with dual sinks. There's a fully renovated screened porch with AC. The landscaping was also recently maintained. There are two community pools, one of which is just a 2-minute walk
Lotus Landing Apartment homes feature 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment homes for rent in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Our community is close to prestigious schools in the Lake Brantley School District. We are just one-mile from the RDV Sportsplex, The Maitland Center and The Charles Schwab Center, and three miles from upscale shopping and dining. Some of our homes have been given a beautiful
1/2 Duplex in Altamonte Springs. 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms with a living room and Family room. Close to Highway 436, shopping areas and I4. Close to Highway 414.
Located in the top-rated Seminole County School District and next to Mirror Lake, our Apopka, FL apartments surround you with the scenery of lakeside living. Upscale features like granite countertops and lakeside views will make you proud to call any of our studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for rent in Apopka home. Convenience to grocery shops, retail, and restaurants makes
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Heather Unger, PA,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
19,263
Median Age
40
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,979
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$93,438
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.2%
College Graduates
39.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.6%
% Population in Labor Force
72.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
52°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
11/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
