Thirty miles south of Daytona Beach via Highway 415 and 35 miles north of Orlando via Interstate 4 is the unincorporated town of Osteen. “It’s still very rural, but I believe bigger developers are going to come into this area and make it more populated,” says Michelle Ingrassia of LPT Realty, who has been selling homes in the area for 13 years. “Recently, there have been a lot of improvements in the area, such as widening the roads and making Osteen more accessible, so I think the state is betting on more development coming in as well.” The town is in a rural area, and there is not much in the way of retail or restaurants save for a few local staples. Public transportation is not readily available, so locals tend to drive for groceries and other necessities.
Driving through Osteen, you'll encounter cows and donkeys in the scenic landscape.
Down the Floridian country roads
Houses in Osteen begin at $145,000 for a smaller ranch-style home and can range up to $700,000 for large, modern builds on spacious lots of land. “The people out here are looking for land,” Ingrassia says. “These properties typically have one, three, maybe even five acres.” Homes further out in the countryside tend to be tucked away on long dirt roads, while there are a few in newer subdivisions where homes can be right on top of one another. The subdivisions feature private driveways and fenced-in yards. The wide, paved sidewalks make it an easily walkable area.
In Osteen, a row of new homes displays beautifully maintained landscaping.
Osteen parks and hiking trails
There is plenty of recreation in the area to keep the residents busy. Beck Ranch Park was once a working cattle ranch, but today it serves as a large outdoor area complete with two dog parks. Beck Ranch also has a pair of sand volleyball courts and playground equipment. Kids can zipline, and anglers can cast a fishing line into the ponds at Festival Park. The nearby Palm Bluff Conservation area features over 10 miles of hiking throughout various trails and terrain. Some trails are through lowlands and floodplains, so there is a chance of getting muddy.
Experience scenic trails with lush landscapes while adventuring in Osteen.
Local shops and the Osteen Diner
The Osteen Diner is a neighborhood institution and a local favorite. The diner has a distinctly rustic feel with large wooden beams, and the portions are hearty. The diner is open every day of the week until 2:00 pm and is perhaps best known for its homemade pies. For lunch with a view, Gator’s Riverside Grill on the St. John’s River has burgers, and fresh fish and alligator delicacies. The maritime-themed restaurant has a covered patio that allows leashed pets all year long. Skip’s Western Outfitters is true to the neighborhood’s rural vibe and provides a retail outlet for those trying to get a new pair of boots or a cowboy hat. There are a few national chains in the area in the way of retail, but most residents must travel up Highway 415 to the Walmart Supercenter for household necessities. A few miles to the north and the south, Publix has a pair of locations providing a place to grab a week’s worth of groceries.
The Osteen Diner is a delightful place to enjoy a meal in the neighborhood.
Highly regarded Volusia County Schools
Kids in Osteen attend the well-regarded Volusia County Schools, beginning at Osteen Elementary, which holds a B rating on Niche. Osteen Elementary was named a Standout Elementary school, and Niche rates it as having one of the best teaching staffs in the state. Heritage Middle holds a C-plus rating, while Pine Ridge High has a B-minus rating and is noted by Niche as one of the highest-rated college prep schools in Florida. Pine Ridge offers academies to help students into careers in sports science, technology and agriculture after graduation.
Pine Ridge High School is located on Howland Blvd in Deltona, Fl.
Highway 415 in town
Public transportation is not readily available, so locals tend to drive for groceries and other necessities. Osteen sits right on Highway 415, which gives it access to plenty of nearby towns. Interstate 4 is just a few miles to the west.
SR 415, connecting Seminole and Volusia County, provides convenient access for Osteen residents.
On average, homes in Osteen, FL sell after 171 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Osteen, FL over the last 12 months is $345,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nichole Roberts is the broker and founder behind All Florida Homes Realty. Nichole has been a licensed Florida Real Estate Agent since 2005, and a Broker since 2014. Residential Single / Multi-Family, New Construction & ReSale, Investment Properties & Long Term Holdings. Experience Matters!
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.
