Moving to Orlando - Lake Mary,FL

Lake Mary is a wonderful area! Lake Mary elementary is a great school and has been consistantly for many years. Most schools in Seminole county are pretty amazing! (My husband and I are both Seminole county teachers :)) I would also reccomend looking in Oviedo (tons of city wide family events all year round) and Winter Springs (wonderful family area, great parks, great schools, quite, etc.)
As far as workout centers there are planet fitnesses everywhere, Lifestyles in Winter Springs and Lake Mary, an Oviedo YMCA, I own Stroller Strides Central FL (www.strollerstrides.net/wintersprings) and for the kids in Lake Mary there is a My Gym and The Little Gym (which I bring the baby to and LOVE!)
There are great parks all around Seminole County and lots of new splash parks popping up all around though most of those close in October for the winter.
Casselberry also has some nice areas and there is a brand new place there called Amaya Papaya for your younger two to play. We went to the grand opening this weekend and it was sooo much fun. There are lots of great moms groups on meetup.com for central FL and there are always tons and tons of kids activites on there!
Hope this was helpful. My husband and I moved to Central FL bout 6 years ago and I can't imagine living anywhere else! Please let me know if you have any other questions that I can help you with!

Hi, I am also from Shanghai. I will move to Orlando at end of this Sept. My son could attend the public school. I would like to know which high school is the best? Which area is better for kid raising? I heard Oviedo and winter park is nice. Any one could help?

Hello A.
We live near Lake Mary and it is rated in the top 10 places to live in the U.S. (I think that is the correct statistic). There is lots to do around the area. You are close to Orlando (about 20 minutes away) but you don't have to live in the large city. My kids are not in school yet but I have heard that the schools in Lake Mary are good. And there are lots of private schools (Lake Mary Prep and many other Christian schools) in the area. Not sure what type of facility you are looking to workout in but there is everything from big gyms (L.A. Fitness, Lifestyles, Planet Fitness) to small personal training studios to yoga and pilates studios. I own a business that specializes in personal training for moms. Lake Mary has a little bit of everything. There are lots of trails to bike ride, several splash parks for the kids, and places like MY Gym and Little Gym and dance studios. You are about 45 minutes from the beach (New Smyrna Beach that is) which is a great beach to bring the children.

Wow talk about culture shock! Orlando has alot to offer but not so much in the schools. If you need to be in Lake Mary for work I would suggest living just a little west of there to get in the Seminole Springs Elementary district. There are tons of activities for kids you just have to search them out. Best of luck in your move! If you do not have a Realtor and need any help with the house hunting you can reach me at ERA Tom Grizzard, Inc ###-###-####

It really depends on where you have to be for work. Lake Mary is a nice area and is in Seminole County which has great schools. It's the smallest county in Fl so the school district is small so the schools tend to be well-run. Orlando proper is in Orange County which also has some good schools but the district is so large and includes the "inner city" area that you would want to do your research before buying. We live in Oviedo, which is in Seminole County, and we really like it here. I think you need to ask more specific questions to get specific answers but good luck and welcome!

Lake Mary is a great area to live in. Oviedo is also a great area, excellent A+ schools. Oviedo was on the list of top 100 places to live this year.

I am a native to Orlando and love it here. Lake Mary is a great area for families. So are Oviedo and Winter Springs. All are in Seminole County which, in my opinion, have superior schools. I am located in the Winter Park/Casselberry/Winter Springs area and love it here. There is the Oviedo YMCA nearby and the Oviedo Aquatic Center and many parks and lakes to take the children to. Lake Mary also has a YMCA and is between two big malls; Altamonte Mall and Seminole Town Center Mall in Sanford. I grew up in Altamonte Springs and like it there too, the traffic is not the greatest, however.
Good Luck with your move!

Hi A.,
The Lake Mary area is very nice and in Seminole County which has some of the better schools. Orange county is not as nice and has a terrible school system. I have raised my 13 & 15yo in Seminole county. My 13yo is in gifted classes and my 15yo is in all honors classes. We have a lot of nice shaded parks in Seminole county, which is very handy in the hot summer months. If we could afford another home, I think the Lake Mary area would be great! As far as workout centers go, the YMCA is the most reliable, and I believe they have child care too. (There is one in the Lake Mary area, by the High School). Hope this has helped, also be ready to spend alot to get state drivers license and car insurance, our public transportation system leaves alot to be desired.

K. M.