$792,587Average Value$279Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Rural township beginnings
The historic settlement of Gotha is planted among peaceful waters and happy trees. The established Orange County community happens to be the final resting place of famed artist Bob Ross. Gotha was founded by H.A. Hempel in 1885 and named after his hometown in Germany. "The original settlement had a country store and a church, which are still standing," says David Myers, a former resident of Gotha and Realtor who runs the Florida Neighborhood Realty team. "Nowadays, Gotha is kind of seen as an accessory to Windermere." Gotha is no longer an official town, but a protected rural settlement named a historical preservation district in 1995. While there is no representation by any municipal government, Gotha has retained much of its historic appeal, with a couple modern twists.
Beautiful aerial view of Gotha.
Historic Gotha's neighborhood sign.
1/2
Historic outdoor spaces in Gotha
Although the surrounding area contains many green spaces, Gotha Park rests inside the community. Here, locals can enjoy the playgrounds as well as a tennis and beach volleyball match. Among Gotha's several attractions, the grave of Bob Ross is the most well-known. The painter, famous for his personable TV style and made "happy trees" part of the cultural lexicon, is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Open to the public, his grave draws visitors from all over the country and is typically decorated with flowers and items left by those who come to pay their respects. Also buried in the cemetery is Dr. Henry Nehrling, a horticulturist and botanist who arrived in Gotha in the year of its founding to build a garden for experimenting with tropical and subtropical plants. Nehrling's Palm Cottage Gardens is a hidden jewel of its own. "It's one of the coolest things nobody talks about," says Myers. The Nehrling Gardens continues to conduct experiments and workshops. Visitors can spot sandhill cranes among the plants during tours featuring the original Nehrling family home.
Two cement statues of Sandhill Cranes in Gotha's beautiful Henry Nehrling's Palm Cottage Gardens
Sign of Gotha's beautiful Henry Nehrling's Palm Cottage Gardens.
1/2
Picking up from Publix or Yellow Dog Eats
The community's primary gathering place is Yellow Dog Eats, which occupies the historic Fishers Country Store; Myers describes the colorful café as the heart of Gotha. Additional dining and retail options are available at the Publix-anchored Plantation Groves shopping center.
Yellow Dog Eats Bistro & Wine Store in historic Gotha.
Residents of Gotha can benefit from close proximity to Publix Grocery store.
1/2
From century old homes to million dollar estates
Over the years, Gotha's housing market has expanded. "Right now, you can't find land in Windermere, so Gotha is going through a bit of a building boom," Myers says. Most of Gotha's housing consists of colorful custom single-family homes and New Traditional styles with large yards and private driveways. The community's largest estate-style homes dot the community's lakefronts.
Lots near Gotha's many lakes may experience mild flooding during severe weather. Some of the newest construction includes Fire Creek, a small development featuring a collection of homes on oversized lots. "It's nice if you want to live near Windermere without paying the Windermere taxes," says Myers. "You've got older homes that are original, over 100 years old, but there's also multimillion-dollar homes in the Gotha area." Housing prices often range from $375,000 to upwards of $2 million.
Large mansion-style waterfront home on Lake Olivia in Gotha.
Aerial view of Gotha looking over Lake Olivia.
1/2
Toll road are provided throughout Gotha and make for easy commuting.
Separated by Florida's Turnpike
The 408, also known as the East-West Expressway, connects directly to downtown Orlando about 10 miles away. "You live in this area that feels very rural, but you're literally minutes from a major city. You've got the 408 and the Florida Turnpike that intersect in Gotha, so it's very easy to get anywhere in Central Florida from there."
Learning in and near the community
Gotha's school-age students can attend Thornebrooke Elementary School, which has received the state's highest performance grade for 17 consecutive years and has an A from Niche. Gotha Middle School is centrally located within the community and has a B grade. According to Niche, Nearby Olympia High School receives an A and the No. 6 spot for Best Public High School in the county.
Gotha Middle School is a public school that serves 1,125 students in 6-8 grades.
Olympia High School is a public high school which was opened on August 2001 in Orange County.
1/2
Bringing Gotha's past to present
After advertising Gotha's subtropical climate to northern metropolitan areas and European cities, founder Hempel attracted an influx of German-Americans and German immigrants who found work in the burgeoning citrus industry. Today, preservation efforts are centered around its many historic buildings. The Gotha 1916 Schoolhouse now houses the Gotha Community Center, which hosts a popular two-day rummage sale every February, with proceeds benefitting the efforts of the Gotha Rural Settlement Association.
Colorful row of homes in Gotha's Almond Tree Estates.
A row of older ranch-style homes in Gotha's Lake Rose Pointe.
1/2
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christine Hayden,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Gotha, FL sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Gotha, FL over the last 12 months is $602,500, up 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 9640 Lake Hugh Drive, an exceptional custom-built Mediterranean estate located in Gotha's highly sought-after Braemar community - a private enclave of just 53 homes surrounded by mature trees and three picturesque lakes. Built in 2009 with timeless design and meticulous attention to detail, this residence offers over 5,000 square feet of air-conditioned living space (6,372 total) on
Welcome to this extraordinary estate, gracefully positioned on one of the desired lots in the community, offering unmatched privacy and exclusivity. Strategically located with no neighbors on the right side and a serene green area that will never be developed, this residence provides a rare blend of tranquility, seclusion and prestige. In an exclusive gated enclave of just 34 custom-built homes,
Carolina Mariano Da SilvaPREMIER SOTHEBYS INT'L REALTY
Discover refined living in this fully renovated pool home, perfectly situated in the highly desirable Saddlebrook community of Gotha. Blending timeless elegance with modern sophistication, this residence offers 5 spacious bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and a flexible floor plan designed to accommodate today’s lifestyle. The home’s unique layout features two luxurious primary suites, an in-law suite
For Rent- 3/2 with large fenced backyard in Gotha. Huge living room with fireplace, tile and hardwood floors throughout, jacuzzi tub, big kitchen with granite countertops, large covered porch. Rent includes lawn maintenance. Pets OK. Available Nov 15th. Good credit, background check, and good rental history required. $2600/month. $2000 deposit. $40 application fee per adult.
Discover this charming 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome nestled in the Citrus Oaks community in Gotha, offering quick and convenient access to the 408 and Turnpike. This spacious residence features an open-concept family and dining area with tile flooring throughout, complemented by carpeted stairs. Upstairs, each bedroom boasts its own private bathroom for added comfort and privacy. The main level
Lease this home and get more from Invitation Homes professional property management. This home comes fully loaded with quality amenities, must-have services, high-end tech and ProCare® professional maintenance. Your estimated total monthly payment is $3063.90. That covers your base rent, $2799.00 + our required services designed to make your life easier: Air Filter Delivery Fee ($9.95), Internet
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
