University gets its name from one of the most notable features of the neighborhood: The University of Central Florida. Multiple suburban subdivisions surround the campus, which as of 2023 enrolled nearly 70,000 students. Due to a lack of on-campus housing, many students rent rooms in homes close to campus and those sections of the neighborhood have a more collegiate feel, with multiple cars parked in driveways, lawns that need some TLC and celebrations on game nights. But according to Shawn McCormick, a Realtor with ERA Grizzard Real Estate who has worked in Central Florida for 15 years, the neighborhood isn’t all college kids. “There are a lot of people who have been living in the area since the ‘80s,” he says. Those long-time residents tend to be a little farther from UCF, in subdivisions with stricter HOAs, but there are owners throughout the neighborhood who are drawn to the affordable prices and proximity to shopping, dining and events at UCF.
The University of Central Florida is in the heart of the University neighborhood.
University residents are close to the beautiful University of Central Florida campus.
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Ranch and contemporary homes are abundant
University is home to several subdivisions and offers multiple housing styles, including midcentury-era ranch-style homes and custom contemporary builds from the early 2000s. Front lawns are often neatly manicured, especially in areas with stricter HOAs. Sidewalks are abundant, allowing some residents to walk to shopping and dining. Prices range from $200,000 for a three-bedroom fixer-upper to $1.7 million for a six-bedroom contemporary house on an oversized lot. Condos, townhouses and duplexes are also available, ranging from $150,000 to $275,000 for two or three bedrooms. Regarding crime, University scores a 4 out of 10 on the CAP Index, the same as the national average.
Investors have been known to scoop up some of the houses in need TLC. They fix them up, and rent them to UCF students, especially in the subdivisions close to campus.
Single-family ranch-style homes are common throughout the University neighborhood.
New construction custom homes offer various options for owners in University.
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Shopping and dining throughout the neighborhood
East Colonial Drive is lined with retailers, services and restaurants where residents run errands or get a bite to eat. Publix is just off East Colonial Drive, near Wawa and Circle K, and less than a mile west are popular chain restaurants like Taco Bell, Jollibee and Waffle House. More shopping can be found at the Waterford Lakes Town Center. Closer to UCF's campus, there are hip eateries along University Boulevard, like Lazy Moon Pizza, popular for its scratch-made sauces, 72-hour aged dough and late-night hours (it’s open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). UCF's campus offers many non-student activities, like cheering on the Knights at UCF Arena or catching a standup comedy show or concert at Addition Arena.
Lazy Moon in University offers large slices of pizza.
The Addition Arena is where the UCF basketball team plays.
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Fresh air awaits at Blanchard Park and Downey Park
There are many green spaces in and around the neighborhood, including Blanchard Park, which spans 80 acres and includes walking paths around a tranquil pond, a covered picnic pavilion and plenty of open space. Nearby Downey Park offers 50 acres of amenities like fishing on the lake or letting the dogs out at the off-leash dog park. There’s also a skatepark, where kids can practice their tricks, a basketball court where friends challenge each other to games on the weekends, and a splash playground for the little ones.
A University resident enjoys practicing skating at Downey Park.
University residents enjoy pickup basketball at nearby Jay Blanchard Park.
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University High School offers many ways for kids to get involved
Kids may start school at Riverdale Elementary, which has a B on Niche, then head to Union Park Middle School and University High School, which score a C and A-minus, respectively. University High serves about 2,600 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 21-to-1. It offers several clubs and organizations to join, like Girls Who Code, the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Families considering private education have various faith-based and preparatory schools to choose from.
After graduation, kids can head to UCF, which offers a wide variety of bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees.
University High School, for grades 9-12, is conveniently located near University.
Riverdale Elementary School, conveniently located in University, educated grades K-5.
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Multiple highways get residents where they need to go
Route 417, Route 408 and East Colonial Drive are easily accessible and head into downtown Orlando, about 13 miles southwest of the neighborhood. Public transportation is limited, but Lynx bus stops along University Boulevard and East Colonial Drive are helpful for getting around the neighborhood. Orlando International Airport is about 18 miles south and offers flights worldwide.
The Lynx bus system makes transportation easy for University residents,
The 408 Expressway offers convenient access for University commuters.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michael Ryan,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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