Nature-focused master-planned community off the beaten path
Harmony, which is "kind of in the middle of nowhere,” according to Jeanine Corcoran, a Realtor with Corcoran Connect LLC and longtime resident, is not your typical master-planned community. Yet Harmony would not work without its relatively isolated location in northern Osceola County. The exclusive amenities enjoyed by residents are enhanced by the community's rural landscape. Realtor David Myers, who runs floridaneighborhoodrealty.com, compares Harmony with Celebration, the well-known master-planned community built by and for Walt Disney World. "Developers focused more on nature than tourism," he says. "It’s a bit rural, but if you’re looking for a quiet, quaint place, it’s perfect. It feels like a small-town version of Celebration.” The initial development of Harmony required that 70 percent of its land be designated for natural spaces as a way to encourage residents to live active, eco-friendly lifestyles. The community has expanded its overall footprint since then, but it remains an appealing residential escape built around lakes and wetlands preserves that also features contemporary amenities such as interconnected bike and pedestrian pathways and an 18-hole golf course.
A diverse collection of contemporary housing
The original Harmony development, which residents call Harmony Main, is located between Buck Lake and U.S. Highway 192. Expansion since has included construction in Harmony West, Harmony Central and The Lakes at Harmony, a small neighborhood catering to those 55 and older. The eclectic residential mix is additionally appealing for prospective residents. “I love that they have condos, townhouses, single-family homes and now a 55-plus community,” Myers says. Harmony is not a cookie-cutter community, as its housing offers an array of sizes and architectural styles, from quaint bungalows to larger custom contemporary homes. Prices range from the mid-$300,000s to about $800,000. The bungalow style also is featured in condos and townhouses, which start in the mid-$200,000s.
Lakes, trails highlight recreational options
Community activity is concentrated between Buck Lake and Cat Lake, both protected waterways. A unique community boat share provides residents with convenient recreational access to both. Any resident can rent a boat, kayak or canoe to take out on the water. Lakeshore Park on the shores of Buck Lake features a network of paved trails, of which there are more than 12 miles throughout the community. “Boating and trails set us apart,” Corcoran says.” The park also includes basketball, sand volleyball and shuffleboard courts as well as a splash pad. Dogs get their day, too at a nearby dedicated space. Harmony Golf Preserve sits on 260 acres of protected wetlands. Designed by PGA Tour legend Johnny Miller, the par-72 course stretches for almost 7,500 yards among towering pine trees, sand traps and natural ponds that make for a picturesque yet challenging layout.
Trio of schools conveniently located in the community
Students can attend kindergarten through 12th grade without leaving their enclave. Harmony Community and Harmony Middle schools are B-rated by Niche. Harmony High is a B-plus-rated school. All three are located within blocks of each other. Harmony Community School had been a K-8 school until the creation of Harmony Middle School. Prior to the transition, Harmony Community was an A-rated school by the state for 11 consecutive years.
U.S. Highway 192 provides access in and out of the community
Although Harmony is not close to much, residents can venture outside the community with relative ease, as Highway 192 runs through nearby St. Cloud and points of interest further west such as Kissimmee and the many Orlando-area theme parks. Orlando International Airport is located about 30 miles north. Harmony’s location provides an additional benefit. The CAP Index gives the isolated community a 2-out-of-10 rating, meaning crime is of little to no concern.
Developers want to build the community's first grocery store
Retail and dining options are sparse in the community. "You have to drive 7 or 8 miles for shopping and restaurants," Corcoran says. The Harmony Town Center actually contains two eating establishments -- D’oro Pizza and Ohana's Coffee Bar & Grill -- but the closest commercial concentration is in St. Cloud, about a 15-minute drive away. That may soon change, though, as developers announced in late 2023 that they were waiting on approval from the county to build a Publix at Harmony Town Center as part of a multi-use project that also would include apartments. If that comes to pass, Myers' comments on the community's future would prove prescient. “I would argue that shopping and restaurants are coming to Harmony,” he says. “There’s a ton of vacant land, and developers will see that as the place to go. Over the next 10 years, you’re going to have a really nice development, so if you get in now and you’re patient, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Rodrigo Betancor
