Longwood

Longwood Lakes blends a country feel with suburban living and access to big-city amenities. Located in the city of Longwood, a northern suburb of Orlando, which is ranked the eighth-best place to raise a family in Seminole County. Thirteen miles from downtown Orlando, the neighborhood is convenient to the area’s best dining, shopping and entertainment. Although, that’s only part of its appeal for longtime locals and newcomers. “This area is all about the outdoor lifestyle," says Dawn Taylor, Realtor with Coldwell Banker with over 18 years of experience in the Orlando area. "There are so many opportunities for water activities.” Surrounded by lakes, a beloved historic park, nature preserves and green spaces, residents have any outdoor activity a short drive away. The 8-acre Shadow Hill Park within the neighborhood offers fishing, two playgrounds and pathways surrounding two lakes. Highland Hills Park in the southern area of Longwood Lakes is a quaint green space where residents can play basketball or have a picnic. The emerald gem of the city is Big Tree Park, named for its landmark and main attraction, the remains of a 3,500-year-old cypress tree that was lost to a fire in 2012. Dubbed “The Senator,” the tree lives on through a memorial with interpretive signs along a boardwalk, a playground structure of a bald cypress tree stump and another ancient tree known as “The Phoenix,” approximately 2,000 years old. “Big Tree Park is a huge deal around here,” says Katie Hamilton, Center Director at Kiddie Academy of Longwood-Lake Mary and longtime resident. “A lot of people go there.” The park is part of the 1,500-acre Spring Hammock Preserve along Lake Jesup, which is covered in a forest of ancient cypress trees. Big Tree Park is also located along the Cross Seminole Trail, a 23-mile hiking and biking path that travels through Seminole County and connects with the Seminole Wekiva Trail. The preserve borders the shores of Lake Jesup, one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, and is popular for boating, bird watching and hiking. Paint the Trail is another Longwood Lakes landmark courtesy of a local painter. The trail was once railroad tracks but now welcomes hikers and bikers to roughly a mile of fencing painted with pop culture icons and film characters like Audrey Hepburn, Jack Skellington, Michael Jackson and Chewbacca. The local artist regularly adds to and updates the paintings, featuring inspiring quotes, endangered animals and a set of wings. Greenwood Lakes Park sits above the northern edge of the community. The 14-acre park offers three tennis courts, two playgrounds and a roller hockey rink. Greenwood Lakes Park also provides a trailhead to reach Cross Seminole Trail. Outdoor enthusiasts who want a deeper trek into nature have Wekiva River Buffer Conservation Area and Wekiva Springs State Park 4 miles west, as well as Lake Monroe and its surrounding parks 11 miles east. Longwood Lakes is filled with coastal contemporary, Spanish-influenced, ranch-style houses and Craftsman-style homes. Townhouses are also available within the Hanover Pointe and Westlake Manor subdivisions. Most single-family homes were built in the mid-2010s and range from the high-$300,000s for a three-bedroom home of 1,700 square feet to the high-$900,000s for a five- or six-bedroom home over 3,000 square feet. Townhouses range from the mid-$200,000s for a two-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot home up to the high-300,000s for a three-bedroom. Once homebuyers are in, they tend to plant roots. “We have a very small-town feel around here. Probably because the people who live here have been here a really long time,” says Hamilton. Residents enjoy multi-car garages, resort-style pools with lanais and large lot sizes, with most starting at a quarter acre to 5 acres. Towering palm trees, mature oaks, and lemon, avocado and grapefruit trees line yards and sidewalks. Screened-in patios and covered porches are also common in this quiet neighborhood. Most shopping and dining options are along State Road 434 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard. In the morning, residents can fuel up at Claro’s Coffeehouse with a latte and bagel. Bayridge Sushi is a popular spot for its spicy salmon rolls and all-you-can-eat specials. Empanadas, carne fritas and plantains are the most popular dishes at the Latin American restaurant Mi Casa Kitchen. For a night out, Enzo’s on the Lake is a 4-mile drive south. The restaurant, which earned a spot on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America in 2018, offers diners upscale Italian dishes with views of Lake Fairy. Publix off Longwood Hills Road takes care of essentials, and Longwood Village Shopping Center offers a variety of other local shops, eateries and businesses. Altamonte Mall is 4 miles north, providing brand-name retailers, restaurants and a movie theater. Longwood Lakes residents are 2 miles from the city’s Historic District. The area is filled with small businesses like Nan & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop, specialty stores like Judy’s Dolls and 37 historic homes and buildings. The district includes the 1879 Christ Episcopal Church and the 1885 Bradlee-McIntyre House, a Queen Anne-style home, is the only remaining winter cottage of its size. Downtown Lake Mary is 5 miles in the other direction, offering unique stores, diverse dining and entertainment. Seminole County Public Schools serves the community, which is the top district in the Orlando area, according to Niche. "The area has an excellent school system that's highly sought after. Most schools have very high ratings on Niche," Taylor says. Local students can attend Woodlands Elementary within the neighborhood, Greenwood Lakes Middle School and Lake Mary High School, both within the Greenwood Lakes community. Woodlands, which offers a before- and after-school enrichment program called KidZone & Beyond received an A from Niche, and the middle school received a B-plus. Earning an A on Niche, Lake Mary High is ranked the fourth-best high school in the county and offers softball and lacrosse teams and a Biology Olympiads club. Longwood Farmers Market runs every Saturday in Longwood’s Historic District, offering fresh produce, home décor and various homemade goods. The district also hosts car shows on the second Saturday of each month and movies in the park at Reiter Park. The city hosts an annual Dogtoberfest in September, a Halloween Dance Party in October and Breakfast with Santa in December. Interstate 4 runs along the neighborhood’s western edge, and Highway 17 is a few miles to the east, providing convenient access to the rest of the area. The city center is 2 miles away, downtown Orlando is 13 miles away and Orlando Sanford International Airport is a 10-mile drive east. Public transportation is available through SunRail. The nearest station is in Weston Park, which is 3 miles away.