Chuluota blends rural lifestyle with Central Florida convenience
The community of Chuluota sits in east Seminole County and offers a relaxed, rural atmosphere amid Orlando’s hustle and bustle. “You have proximity to downtown, to Sanford International Airport, you’re close to Winter Park, the theme parks, you’re about an hour or an hour and a half from St. Augustine. Yet you feel like you’re in the country—and you are,” says Karan Wienker, a Realtor and luxury property specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty who sells throughout Central Florida. “People move there because they want to live in a community where they don’t feel anonymous. Everyone knows each other there.”
Modest homes near town and luxury estates by the lake
Close to the center of town, modest ranch-style and New Traditional homes are most common. They sit on quarter-acre lawns landscaped with grass and mature trees. Residential streets are quiet, and more rural than on the outskirts of town, where there is a more suburban feel; homes are larger and sit close together, and the streets are lined with sidewalks. Prices range from around $300,000 to around $600,000. In The Estates at Lake Mills and Mills Cove, two upscale neighborhoods near Mills Lake, prices range from $1 million to nearly $3 million for custom estates on acres of land, with private boat docks. Seaplanes are allowed to land in the lake, a perk Wienker says draws wealthier residents. “You can take off from your dock and go to the Bahamas for the weekend,” she says.
Choice, clubs and A-ratings at Seminole County Public Schools
Seminole County Public Schools serves the community, offers school choice and has an A rating on Niche. The schools assigned to the area are A-rated Walker Elementary, A-minus-rated Lawton Chiles Middle and A-rated Hagerty High. Hagerty High offers clubs and organizations, including an American Sign Language club, a culinary club and a women in STEM club. Families can also consider Double R Private School, which serves elementary and middle school students.
Outdoor spaces include trails, stables and scenic forests
Lake Mills Park is on the community’s southwest side and offers ADA-accessible paved trails, campgrounds, a playground, and fishing pier on Lake Mills. The lake is a popular spot for canoeing and other paddle boats. Hikers can pick up the Florida Trail Panorama Trailhead on the east side and, from that trail, access the Florida National Scenic Trail, which spans over 1,300 miles across the state. The Chuluota Wilderness Area is a few miles from the heart of the community and features hiking and horseback riding trails through acres of flatwoods, swamps and wildlife habitats. Riders can board their horses in luxury stables at Arabian Gallop, which also has riding space and an arena. Little Big Econ State Forest is about 3 miles away and offers a wealth of recreational options. “There’s canoeing, there’s kayaking, hiking, horse trails,” Wienker says. “It’s a place for people who appreciate nature.”
A few local spots offer food, essentials and fresh produce
Chuluota is mostly residential, and locals usually head to nearby Oviedo for shopping, dining and entertainment. However, they pick up assorted grocery items in the neighborhood at Chuluota Grocery. The large convenience store also serves freshly made subs, milkshakes and chicken tenders. Another dining out option is The Hitching Post Bar and Grill, a laid-back spot on the west side that serves burgers, pizza and strong cocktails. Lake Mills U-Pick is on the east side and is where residents go to pick citrus fruit, persimmons, peaches and blackberries. Oviedo Medical Center is one of the closest hospitals, located about 7 miles from the community.
Locals gather for produce and crafts at weekend farmers market
The Chuluota Farmers Market takes place next to The Hitching Post Bar and Grill on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, where residents pick up fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and other locally made items.
Chuluota sees high winds but fewer direct hurricane hits
While hurricanes are possible, the community is typically protected from them due to its location inland. It can, however, be susceptible to high winds during major storms.
County Road 419 connects Chuluota to nearby Oviedo
Due to the lack of a fixed route bus line in Chuluota, residents get around by car. Seminole County Road 419 is the community’s main thoroughfare and connects to Oviedo. Sanford International Airport is about 20 miles away; Orlando International Airport is about 30.
