$795,428Average Value$265Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes 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
Susan Cook,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Gotha, FL sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Gotha, FL over the last 12 months is $600,000, up 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully maintained 3-Bedroom, 2.5-Bath home in desirable Gotha, Florida. Step into this charming two-story home, which offers a bright, open layout with a spacious kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and ample storage space. Major updates include a brand-new roof (2024) and a newer water heater (2021), giving you added peace of mind. Enjoy the outdoors with a spacious, well-manicured
Nestled in Windermere's exclusive lakefront community, this over-acre estate offers private access to the Butler Chain of Lakes. Recognized by K+BB Magazine as Bathroom of the Year, the spa-inspired primary suite features dual rain showers, a freestanding stone tub, sauna, and outdoor shower. The resort-style pool and grotto—crafted by Disney's Animal Kingdom designer—feature a waterfall, slide,
Beautifully maintained 3-Bedroom, 2.5-Bath home in desirable Gotha, Florida. Step into this charming two-story home, which offers a bright, open layout with a spacious kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and ample storage space. Major updates include a brand-new roof (2024) and a newer water heater (2021), giving you added peace of mind. Enjoy the outdoors with a spacious, well-manicured
Come see a truly exceptional single-family residence nestled in the highly regarded Roberts Landing enclave of Windermere. With 4 bedrooms and 21⁄2 bathrooms, this home offers all the space needed to comfortably fit a family looking to stretch out. Located on over an acre of land, this home sits on an elevated lot providing beautiful views of the neighborhood, and a glimpse of Lake Olivia from
LOOKS LIKE NEW!!! This single-family residence features a unique design with a detached in-law suite above the garage, perfect for guests or extended family or a big quiet home office. Situated on a desirable corner lot within a vibrant, newly developed community, this home offers both elegance and practicality. Property Highlights: Spacious Layout: 4 bedrooms including two master suites, one
SPECIAL! $300 OFF THE 1ST MO RENT- terms apply Discover this beautifully renovated, spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home located in the charming community of Gotha. The expansive family room features stunning laminate flooring that adds warmth and elegance to the living space. The open-concept kitchen is equipped with sleek stainless steel appliances and a cozy breakfast nook, perfect for casual
This spacious 5 bedroom 3 bathroom home is located in the gated community of Windermere Chase. The kitchen has 42-inch wood cabinets with gorgeous quartz counter tops and farmhouse sink. The home features a formal living and dining room as well as a separate great room. Access the oversized covered and screened lanai from the 3 panel sliding glass door in the living room or from the family room
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.
