Sanford

Founded in 1891, Goldsboro is the second oldest African American-founded township in the United States. Although annexed into Sanford more than a century ago, Goldsboro is proud of its history and the important historical figures who resided there, from author Zora Neale Hurston to the baseball player Jackie Robinson. "It's really the heart of Sanford; it's a very nice quaint historic neighborhood," says Selena Peterson, a local Realtor at LPT Realty with over $20 million in sales in the Lake Mary area. Museums and locally owned establishments preserve the history of this community. In contrast, community centers and new residential developments provide opportunities for local growth. Beyond the turquoise walls of Roni's is a small diner that locals claim serves chicken and waffles the way grandma cooked it. Residents rave about Donuts To Go, a small pastry shop that covers their homemade donuts in decadent toppings. "The community's really close to Downtown Sanford," says local Realtor Selena Peterson. Not only does the chic Mexican restaurant El Zocalo serve sizzling molcajete and stuffed empanadas, but they also have a six-page cocktail menu and outdoor seating. Patrons enjoy homestyle Southern comfort dishes at Shantell's Just Until Restaurant, which also hosts weekly art shows and karaoke nights. Franchise retailers like Winn-Dixie are where locals get most of their groceries. Goldsboro has several home styles to choose from, including cozy bungalows and Craftsmen styles with columned porches. Many modest ranch homes have colorful exteriors and stone ornamentation, mostly dating back to mid-to-late 20th-century developments. However, a swath of brand-new single-family houses and townhomes have been built in Goldsboro. "It's a growing community; there's a lot of new builds coming in, building the community up," says local Realtor Selena Peterson. Most homes have carports and are connected by wide streets with sidewalks providing routes for joggers and cyclists. Home prices vary depending on the size and age of the house. For example, smaller and older ranch-style houses range from $200,000 to $400,000. Alternatively, newer contemporary houses and townhomes can cost anywhere from $320,000 to $550,000. The Goldsboro Museum preserves the community's story with exhibits and artifacts detailing the town's history. The previous building housing the artifacts has been closed permanently, and a new building is being built within the next year. Athletes can run the basketball court at the Westside Community Center, which also hosts the West Sanford Branch of the Boys and Girls Club. Nearby is the Brock House, where Jackie Robinson stayed during spring training for the Montreal Royals. Boatowners can head out on the water and dock at the free marina in downtown Sanford. Visitors can enjoy a lakeside picnic, boating and fishing at Lake Monroe Wayside Park. Those with furry friends can bring them to Paw Park, a play area with agility features, an off-leash zone and a dog wash station. Driving is the primary mode of transportation around Goldsboro. Still, the community also has public transit through bus lines and the Amtrak rail line at the Sanford Auto Train Station. Goldsboro is less than three miles from downtown Sanford. Downtown Orlando is 28 miles to the south along the I-4 Express. Homebuyers are attracted to Goldsboro because of the access to Seminole County Public Schools with lower home prices. Widely recognized as a Premier National School District, it's received an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education and is the #1 school district for STEM curriculum in the state. Kids at Goldsboro Elementary can enroll in specialty labs such as the award-winning Kids Space Center. Sanford Middle School offers nearly a dozen extracurriculars, including robotics, debate and STEM club. Crooms Academy of Information Technology prepares students for a career in I.T. by offering industry certifications and has been servicing public school students for as long as Goldsboro has existed.

Dreamworld is a small residential neighborhood in the city of Sanford, which sits about 25 miles north of Orlando. Of the many neighborhoods in Sanford, Dreamworld is one of the more affordable and not only offers easy access to schools, shopping and dining in the community, it’s also close to Sanford’s popular downtown. Sanford is starting to catch the attention of those who want to be close to Orlando but not live in Orlando, which grows more expensive by the year. Like a dream within a dream, Dreamworld is an affordable and convenient option for living in an already affordable and convenient city. Most of Dreamworld’s residents are renters—about 65%—and live in the apartment complexes scattered throughout the neighborhood. Single-family homes are primarily concentrated in the neighborhood’s northeast corner, where lots are roomy and mature trees form canopies of shade on streets and front lawns. Most homes are ranch-style and built between 1950 and 1990, though there are some contemporary builds from the early 2000s, too. Prices range from $250,000 to $385,000, with some fixer-upper options ranging from $170,000 to $225,000. Placid Woods, a newer subdivision closer to the neighborhood’s west side, offers three- and four-bedroom contemporary homes built in 2000 and 2001. Prices range from $300,000 to $335,000. Two- and three-bedroom townhouses are also available, priced between $260,000 and almost $300,000, and condos range from $160,000 for two bedrooms to $200,000 for three bedrooms. Regarding crime, Dreamworld scores a 6 out of 10 on the CAP Index, two points higher than the national average. Seminole County Public Schools is widely recognized as a Premier National School District and has received an A rating from the Florida Department of Education for 2022-2023. Seminole High School is part of the district and highly rated, earning an A on Niche. It serves about 4,000 students and offers magnet curriculums focused on several fields, including aviation and health. Younger students often attend the B-minus-rated Wicklow Elementary School and the B-rated Millennium Middle School. There are also multiple faith-based schools in the area for those who choose private education for their kids. McKibbin Park is located on West 25th Street and features a covered playground, which helps kids stay out of the sun while they play, picnic tables and plenty of green space. The nearby Sanford RiverWalk’s multi-use trails span five miles and include shaded swinging benches by the shoreline. The RiverWalk also connects to a 26-mile loop around the lake and the Florida Coast-to-Coast trail, providing even more opportunities for people to explore the state. Residents are close to Bravo Supermarkets on Highway 17, which is convenient for picking up groceries. A little farther south on Highway 17 is The Seminole Centre, a shopping center that offers Walmart, Aldi and some fast-food restaurants. Most residents head into downtown Sanford to dine out. Hollerbach's is a popular destination, loved for its authentic German dishes and beer selection. Residents have easy access to events in downtown Sanford, including the monthly Alive After 5, which fills East First Street with live music, and the Sanford Food Truck Fiesta, which takes place on the second Sunday of the month and offers over 30 food trucks. Annual events include the St. Johns River Festival of the Arts, which celebrates local artisans, and Star Spangled Sanford, the city’s 4th of July celebration at Lake Monroe. Highways 417 and 17 run along the neighborhood’s boundaries and lead to downtown Orlando, about 25 miles south. Public transportation is limited, but the LYNX bus line has some stops along Highway 17. For longer trips, the Orlando Sanford International Airport is about 5 miles east and offers flights nationwide. For Beth Nicholas, a Sanford resident since 1972, having easy access to the Sanford airport is a huge perk. “Orlando International Airport can be such a hassle. Orlando Sanford is much easier to get in and out of,” she says.

As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. The same effect applies to the Sanford neighborhood of Beck Hammock, a burgeoning residential community in proximity to the growing city’s buzzy downtown waterfront. “Growing up, Sanford had a horrible reputation, but they established a historic district in 1998, and there was a commercial historic district to follow,” says Carol van den Berg, who works for Florida One Real Estate and lives in the city’s historic district. “Orlando has sort of fallen off as the place to be, so you’re seeing a big comeback of small towns with cute, charming, old downtowns. Sanford is known for having a lot of events, and you’re seeing breweries and restaurants popping up in this beautiful commercial downtown. That’s a big draw. And when you live in this neighborhood, you’re only 10 minutes from that.” Downtown is the center of community engagement, and the area hums with activity year-round. Popular regular events include Food Truck Fiesta; Alive After 5, a festive themed gathering that is the city's longest running; and Sanford Avenue Block Party. While a handful of established homes on spacious lots can still be found in outlying areas, neighborhood home-building began in earnest in the late 2000s. Since then, and continuing through the present day, planned subdivisions have been filling up the landscape north of East 25th Street, the neighborhood’s main east-west thoroughfare. However, builders have recently begun similar developments on the south side. The collection of contemporary homes initially featured single-story ranch-style housing, but recent construction has been focused on larger multi-level homes. Densely packed together along walkable streets in deed-restricted subdivisions, the homes feature attached garages and large backyards with room for pools. Van den Berg, who describes herself as an “old home aficionado,” says she understands why people are buying newer homes in Beck Hammock. “You have proximity to downtown Sanford and all it has to offer, but you don’t have to deal with the headaches and renovation.” Prices are relatively affordable as well, ranging from the mid-300,000s to the mid-500,000s, and Van den Berg says property values will only increase as Sanford’s growth continues. Multi-level townhouses starting in the low $300,000s also can be found. Monthly HOA fees in the separate deed-restricted communities range from $50 to $130. With the neighborhood’s north side located at the confluence of the St. Johns River and Lake Monroe, residents have easy access to an array of outdoor recreation. Boaters can traverse almost 9,000 acres of lake. Watercraft enthusiasts can explore the river. Anglers can patrol both for their next big catch in bass-heavy waters. In addition, the Atlantic coast is less than 30 miles east. “From the neighborhood, you’re a straight shot to New Smyrna Beach,” van den Berg says. “You take the back way through some pretty, forested areas.” The neighborhood is cradled by protected lands. The Lake Monroe Conservation Area and the Lake Jessup Conservation Area to the south both feature primitive walking trails. Fort Mellon Park, highlighted by a variety of children’s playscapes and athletic amenities, is a conveniently located recreational center adjacent to the popular Sanford RiverWalk. The 5-mile paved path that runs along the southern shore of Lake Monroe offers spectacular views and easy access to the downtown historic district. The Boombah Sports Complex is a large-scale athletic facility that covers 100 acres on the neighborhood’s south side. It features a variety of tournament-quality fields designed to host regional competitions in traditional sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and football, niche sports that include lacrosse and field hockey and unique games such as Quidditch. Gator's Riverside Grille, a casual neighborhood eatery, and St. Johns River Steak & Seafood are featured waterfront restaurants. The latter is actually located on Lake Monroe and is among an eclectic mix of dining destinations concentrated around the downtown lakefront. Other highlights include Buster's, a highly rated brewpub that serves up comfort food favorites and features live music, and Henry’s Depot, a food hall that is home to several casual eateries that offer everything from seafood to ramen to small-batch ice cream. Magpie’s Modern General Store, The Cute Boutique and Pedal Driven, a one-stop bicycle shop, are among downtown’s collection of independent businesses. A new neighborhood Publix provides convenient grocery shopping. The Publix is the anchor of King’s Crossing, Beck Hammock’s first mixed-use development. “You know how corporations are; they do their homework,” says Timothy Snell, a Realtor with United Real Estate Preferred who builds and sells homes in neighboring Midway. “They are not going to build a store if they don’t think the area can support it. That says a lot about how the area is changing.” Located at the intersection of Lake Mary Boulevard and East 25th Street, King’s Crossing eventually will feature a Wawa and a 261-unit apartment complex in addition to Publix. City officials have said the development is an important first step in expanding the commercial footprint of the Lake Mary Boulevard corridor. Residents still have to travel at least 5 miles into Sanford for the closest retail stores, which include Walmart and Target. Seminole County Public Schools is an A-rated district by the state department of education. Neighborhood youth can attend Midway Elementary, a magnet school with a B rating from Niche, Millennium Middle, also a B-rated school, and Seminole High, an A-rated school that features an Academy of Health Careers program. In addition, Beck Hammock is home to Galileo School for Gifted Learning, a tuition-free public charter school that serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Orlando Sanford International Airport is located adjacent to the neighborhood’s west side. LYNX buses that run through the neighborhood provide convenient public transportation. Train stations for the SunRail commuter and Amtrak are located downtown. Several major roadways are located nearby. They include U.S. Highway 17, state highways 417 and 429 and Interstate 4, all of which provide access to Orlando and other travel throughout the region.

Midway, one of Sanford’s most established neighborhoods, is a community in transition. Established in the 1920s to house Black residents working in the area’s celery fields, it also was called Canaan City, a reference to the Biblical Promised Land. Today the neighborhood’s promise centers around its residential development. The neighborhood has become a focal point of growth because of its proximity to the Orlando Sanford International Airport, which is located adjacent to the community’s south side. “That area has been changing for quite a while,” says Timothy Snell, a Realtor with United Real Estate Preferred and local investor. “The city has redone 46, the main road between Midway and the airport. They made it four lanes and added gorgeous landscaping. You’ve seen a substantial change in the past five years, as you have with all of Sanford. There’s a lot of new businesses, a lot of new activity. It’s an exciting area.” The south side of Midway still comprises a variety of established homes. Midcentury designs on spacious lots mingle with shotgun-style and other traditional homes, several of which have been upgraded through renovations. Prices typically range from around $80,000 for fixer-uppers to the high $200,000s. A collection of small new homes, the result of tearing down dilapidated housing, also can be found. “It’s very affordable to get in and build there,” says Snell, who is involved in building and selling such homes in the neighborhood. “We make some profit, but we also offer an affordable product that didn’t exist in this market. I don’t know where else you can find a brand-new home for under $300,000. We take pride in that.” On the north side, contemporary housing built from 2021 through the present day comprises a collection of homes built in planned, subdivision-style developments. Some of the dedicated communities are not deed-restricted, but others require HOA fees for amenities such as community pools. Prices typically range from the mid-$300,000s to about $500,000. Another major difference between the two sides of the neighborhood is that the new housing was developed with modern plumbing, while the established homes traditionally operated with septic systems. In recent years, community efforts have been made to secure funding to upgrade the infrastructure on the south side. Related, concerns over noise and pollution on the south side have been somewhat diminished by the widening of State Road 46 between the neighborhood and the airport. Neighborhood students are served by Seminole County Schools, an A-rated district by the Florida Department of Education. Midway Elementary, conveniently located within walking distance, and Millennium Middle are B-rated schools by Niche. Seminole High is an A-rated school that features an Academy of Health Careers program. Neighboring Beck Hammock is home to Galileo School for Gifted Learning, a tuition-free public charter school that serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Midway Park has long been a community gathering space, and it has benefitted from the neighborhood’s transitional status. Park amenities, which include a playground and lighted basketball court, were renovated in 2023. The athletic fields at the nearby Boombah Sports Complex host a variety of tournament-level competitions in everything from baseball to lacrosse to Quidditch. Residents also have access to an array of outdoor activities, as Lake Monroe is located in nearby downtown Sanford, and the St. Johns River flows along the east side of the neighboring community. Fort Mellon Park, highlighted by a variety of children’s playscapes and athletic amenities, is a conveniently located recreational center adjacent to the popular Sanford RiverWalk on the shores of Lake Monroe. Residents can stock up on produce and pantry items at The Market at Todd’s, a neighborhood grocer. A new Publix recently opened within a mile of the neighborhood, another sign of growth. “You know how corporations are; they do their homework,” Snell says. “They are not going to build a store if they don’t think the area can support it. That says a lot about how the area is changing.” Pupusas & Burrito Grill about 2 miles west is a locally owned Latin eatery located along the East 25th Street corridor that forms the neighborhood’s southern edge. An array of additional dining options is available along the downtown waterfront, the center of city activity. "Sanford is known for having a lot of events, and you’re seeing breweries and restaurants popping up in this beautiful commercial downtown," says Carol van den Berg, who works for Florida One Real Estate and lives in the downtown historic district. Walmart anchors the nearest large-scale retail center about 5 miles away. The convenience of the airport is obvious, but residents have access to transportation of all kinds. LYNX bus stops concentrated on 25th Street provide easy public transportation. Additional commutes are provided by the SunRail commuter and Amtrak train stations downtown. Several major roadways are located nearby. They include U.S. Highway 17, state highways 417 and 429 and Interstate 4, all of which provide access to Orlando and other travel throughout the region.