A natural atmosphere with lake access in Oakland
Between the scenic Lake Apopka and Johns Lake, Oakland is a small, Orange County town with an established, nature-oriented feel. Around 18 miles west of downtown Orlando and 15 miles north of Walt Disney World, the town lies in the heart of Florida’s tourism industry. Lakefront properties offer a private atmosphere while proximity to Florida’s Turnpike provides easy access to the region's largest employers. “People are most drawn to Oakland by the nature,” says Carmelo Nuccio, an Oakland resident and real estate advisor with Re/Max Exclusive Collection. “You can walk outside your front door and access a bike trail or park within minutes. The community is quiet and has a small population, but you’re close to everything you need with Winter Garden next door.”
A diverse housing scene with tree-shaded yards and waterfront homes
The residential lanes of Oakland are lined with coastal cottages, Colonial Revivals and modern traditional homes, most of which were built in the 1970s or later. Many of the area’s houses were built in the past 10 years, with brand new developments still in the works. Most homes sit on lots of a quarter-acre or less, and lawns are shaded by mature oaks and Spanish moss. In-ground swimming pools are common, and waterfront homes feature private docks. “You’ll find a wide variety of homes on the market here,” says Nuccio. “There are high-end homes in the multi-millions, but you still have options under $600,000, which is unique for the Orlando area.” Two and three-bedroom townhouses range from $380,000 to $440,000, while single-family builds can go for $280,000 to $2.1 million. The low end of the market offers quaint bungalows and single-story builds, while the highest price tags are on estate-style homes with luxury interiors and private lake access.
Dual enrollment and extracurriculars at West Orange High School
Local students may attend Tildenville Elementary School, which earns a B-plus grade from Niche. The B-rated Lakeview Middle School has a two-way dual language immersion program for both native English and Spanish speakers. West Orange High School receives an A grade and has over 50 extracurricular offerings, including clubs centered around forensic science, aviation and fashion. The high school partners with five nearby institutions for its dual enrollment courses, including Orange Technical College and University of Central Florida.
An expansive nature preserve and miles of paved trails
The 150-acre Oakland Nature Preserve lies on the west side of town and has over 3 miles of wooded nature trails where visitors can spot dozens of native bird species, turtles and alligators. “In the winter, the preserve gets a lot of migratory birds from Canada coming to wait out the cold weather,” Nuccio says. The preserve hosts regular programs like lakeside yoga and guided meditation hikes along with an annual Earth Day celebration. Speer Park has a large playground, picnic tables, and facilities for tennis, pickleball and basketball. The paved West Orange Trail passes through Oakland and runs for over 22 miles from Killarney to Apopka. “The trail is one of the best parts of town,” Nuccio says. “You can walk to the businesses of Winter Garden from the trail in about 35 minutes. It’s always popular with joggers and bikers, and you can even take your golf cart on it. The surroundings are beautiful. It feels like you’re in a tunnel of greenery underneath the tree canopies.”
A historic town square and access to Winter Garden businesses
While the community is largely residential, the town center along Tubb Street is home to a post office, government offices and the historic Oakland Town Hall. The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center has a gallery with rotating exhibits, regular artist presentations and yoga classes three times a week. The building is also home to Oakley’s Trailside Treats, serving ice cream, coffee and hot dogs. The nearby town of Winter Garden has dozens of locally owned businesses, from bakeries to bistros. The Hangry Bison is an area favorite serving elevated pub fare, signature cocktails and draft beer. The Oakland Farmers Market is held on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the Arts and Heritage Center, with vendors selling locally grown produce, baked goods, artisan crafts and more. For groceries, shoppers can stop at the nearby ALDI or Publix.
Driving along Florida's Turnpike and LYNX bus routes
Drivers can take Florida’s Turnpike and Route 408 around 18 miles east to downtown Orlando, while Orlando International Airport is roughly 28 miles southeast. Locals can catch the bus from the Winter Garden Shopping Center, with routes across the tri-county area operated by LYNX.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
