The Central Florida community of Horizon West was born out of a catastrophe. When a deep freeze in the 1980s destroyed 23,000 acres of citrus crops in West Orange County, officials decided that rather than continue the agricultural route, they would turn to real estate. The result of that decision is evident today in what has become one of the largest planned communities in the Orlando area. About 58,000 people call this area home, allowing them to enjoy convenient suburban living so close to Walt Disney World that they can see the theme park’s nightly fireworks from their backyards.
Horizon West is home to 58,000 residents in a convenient suburban setting.
Approximately 58,000 residents of Horizon West enjoy nightly Disney World fireworks.
Walt Disney World opened in 1971, sparking Orlando's tourism and hospitality scene.
Horizon West features mixed-use villages, with Hamlin being the most renowned.
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New construction throughout the community
Horizon West consists of mixed-use commercial and residential subdivisions called “villages,” the most well-known of which is Hamlin, a popular northside location home to retailers and restaurants. Other north side villages include Bridgewater, Lakeside, and Seidel. On the south side are Waterleigh and Ovation, two villages still under development.
The median price for single-family homes in this community is $655,000. Homes in this community include Craftsman-style bungalows, tall Colonial Revivals and sleek modern styles with asymmetrical roofs. Large luxury estates are also available, often exceeding 5,000 square feet and priced at $2 million or more.
Two- and three-bedroom condos are also available, ranging from the low $200,000s to the low $400,000s. Townhouses are more abundant and clustered in complexes throughout the community. The median price for townhouses is $445,000. Horizon West also offers a variety of housing options for residents 55 years of age and older, from active communities to assisted living facilities.
While everyone can watch Disney’s nightly fireworks from their backyards, some choose homes closer to the community's outskirts. “You get a view of the fireworks without the noise and feeling like there’s an earthquake,” says Elaine Garcia, a broker who sells throughout the Orlando area and the owner of Garcia Realty Group.
The median price of a single-family contemporary home in Horizon West is $655,000.
Modern condos in Horizon West are available, priced from $200,000 to $400,000.
Luxury Estates in Horizon West often exceed 5,000 square feet and exceed $2 million or more.
Some Horizon West residents choose homes on the outskirts to view fireworks with no noise.
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Locals have many opportunities to get outdoor recreation
Golfers play at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Hamlin. The center offers two championship courses, a nine-hole course, a driving range and a practice facility. Each village has recreation options, including community pools, fitness centers, tennis courts and playgrounds. Multiple public parks are located throughout the community, offering hiking trails, boat access and green space. Lake Hancock offers fishing and boating.
Families with kids can head to Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Hamlin for indoor recreation. The park offers a rock-climbing wall, trampolines and a climbing hill. Residents of all ages can also join various clubs, organizations and fitness classes, from a community theater group to soccer to a club for car and truck enthusiasts.
Disney World is next door to the community, and Universal is about 20 miles away, so many residents get their fresh air and exercise at the parks. “Everyone has an annual pass to Disney and Universal,” Garcia says.
Golfers enjoy playing at Orange County National Golf Center in Horizon West.
Horizon West residents enjoy fishing on Lake Hancock.
Horizon West residents enjoy a beautiful day playing at Independence Park.
Horizon West residents play lacrosse at Deputy Scott Pine Community Park.
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Highly rated Orange County Public Schools serves the community
Orange County Public Schools serves the community and rates an A-minus on Niche. It is the fourth-largest school district in the state and offers 210 schools. The district offers school choice, but the community has highly rated schools. Alternatives to public school include nearby Cranium Academy, which offers private elementary education, and Cornerstone Charter Academy, an A-minus-rated charter school serving kindergarten through 12th grade.
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private, for-profit medical school in Hamlin. The University of Central Florida is located about 35 miles away and is one of the more popular public universities in the area.
Horizon West Middle School fosters academic growth and personal development in every student.
Horizon High School is a highly rated public school in Horizon West.
Cornerstone Charter Academy High School has an emphasis on Bio-tech and Life Sciences.
Cranium Academy is a completely unique preschool through fifth grade experience.
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Locals shop and dine at nearby town centers; Orlando is about 20 miles away
Hamlin Town Center is the main shopping center in the community. Residents run errands at Walmart and Publix and dine at various restaurants, from fast food to locally owned favorites. Similar shopping centers are in Lakeside, Seidel and Waterleigh. Residents also run errands in nearby Winter Garden and Windemere. Orlando is about 20 miles away, close enough for a day of shopping at the Mall at Millenia, dinner along International Drive and an Orlando Magic game at the Kia Center.
The closest medical centers are Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital, off Porter Road, and AdventHealth Winter Garden, located just outside the community. Multiple houses of worship are throughout the community, some located within the subdivisions and walkable for many residents.
Hamlin Town Center features a large Publix store for Horizon West residents grocery needs.
Hamlin Town Center offers a variety of shops and restaurants for Horizon West residents.
Home State Brewing Company, located in Hamlin Town Center, is a local favorite.
The Orlando Magic play at the 20,000-seat Kia Center.
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Regular events bring residents together
Residents attend various annual, weekly and pop-up events, usually in Hamlin. Christmas at Hamlin: A Festival of Traditions takes place at Hamlin Town Center and celebrates the holiday with live music, food and letters to Santa. Hamlin Town Center is also the location of Homegrown in Horizon West, a twice-monthly event that mixes a traditional farmer’s market with food trucks and a drop-in yoga class.
A Horizon West performer serenades a young fan at the local farmers market.
Horizon West resident shop locally at the bi-monthly Homegrown Market.
A friendly parrot greets residents at Homegrown in Horizon West.
Carve Studio hosts a yoga session at the local Homegrown in Horizon West Market.
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Hurricane damage is rare; crime rates for Winter Garden and Windermere
Horizon West has hot summers and mild winters. Due to its location inland, it’s usually protected from hurricanes. However, residents track storms as they develop, as wind damage and flooding can occur. In 2024, Windermere and Winter Garden sustained mild damage from Hurricane Milton.
The community encompasses parts of Winter Garden and Windermere. In Winter Garden, the FBI Crime Data Explorer cites 815 property crime cases in 2021, down from 1,115 in 2020. There were 572 violent crime cases in 2021, down from 693 in 2020. According to the Windermere Police Department, the town saw 70 arrests in 2023, down from 181 in 2022. There were 223 incident reports in 2023, up from 161 in 2022.
Route 429 keeps locals moving
Route 429 runs through the community and offers access to Downtown Orlando, about 20 miles away. The Orlando International Airport is about 30 miles away.
Written By
Sara Huffman
Photography Contributed By
Rodrigo Betancor
Video By
Scott Wiggins
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Myers,
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 Horizon West, FL sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Horizon West, FL over the last 12 months is $585,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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