Updated 2025
Imagine living close enough to Disney World to experience the magic whenever you want, yet far enough to enjoy peace and tranquility in your daily life. For many, this balance is the dream—one that can be realized in several exceptional communities within a comfortable drive from the parks. Whether you're considering relocating to the Orlando area or looking for a second home near the happiest place on earth, discovering the perfect neighborhood is key.
In this blog, we'll explore three standout communities—Winter Park, Bella Collina, and Lake Nona—that offer the ideal blend of proximity to Disney and a serene, upscale lifestyle. These areas are not just worth the drive; they might just be the perfect place to call home.
WINTER PARK
Kraft Azalea Garden
Virginia Heights home by Phil KeanWinter Park, Florida, is a distinguished city in Central Florida known for its blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Ideal for those seeking an upscale lifestyle, Winter Park offers a range of features that make it a prime location for luxury real estate.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Spaces
Winter Park is celebrated for its beautiful landscapes. The city is home to tree-lined streets, well-maintained parks, and a series of interconnected lakes. Central Park, located in the heart of the city, provides a green space for community events, leisure activities, and cultural festivals.
Cultural Attractions
Winter Park has a rich cultural scene. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art showcases an extensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Rollins College, a top liberal arts institution, offers cultural and educational opportunities, including the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues provide a steady stream of cultural experiences.
Shopping and Dining
Park Avenue is Winter Park’s main shopping and dining district. It features an array of boutique shops, high-end retailers, and gourmet restaurants. This area offers a mix of local and international brands, providing residents with diverse shopping and dining options.
Educational Excellence and Community
Winter Park is home to top-rated schools and Rollins College, making it an attractive place for families. The community is active, with regular events, farmer's markets, and festivals fostering a strong sense of togetherness.
Luxury Real Estate
Real estate in Winter Park includes historic homes, contemporary residences, and waterfront properties. Many homes offer lake views, private docks, and spacious gardens. The market caters to those looking for high-end features and modern comforts.
Convenient Location
Located just minutes from downtown Orlando, Winter Park offers easy access to city amenities, major highways, and Orlando International Airport. Residents can enjoy the tranquility of a suburban setting while being close to urban conveniences.
2024
Homes sold: 1,045
SP / LP Ratio: 97%
Average price per SQ FT: $340.78
Average days on market: 52
Median price: $474,590
Median price per SQ FT: $293.47
Median days on market: 21
Homes sold: 1,092
SP / LP Ratio: 98%
Average price per SQ FT: $337.44
Average days on market: 39
Median price: $473,250
Median price per SQ FT: $293.18
Median days on market: 17
BELLA COLLINA
Bella Collina Clubhouse
Toll Brothers model home on Lake SienaBella Collina, located in the charming town of Montverde, Florida, is a prestigious gated community known for its stunning landscapes and luxurious amenities. Perfect for those seeking an exclusive lifestyle, Bella Collina offers a range of features that make it a prime location for luxury real estate.
Natural Beauty and Tranquil Environment
Set amidst rolling hills and pristine lakes, Bella Collina boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Central Florida. The community is surrounded by lush greenery, offering residents a peaceful and picturesque environment. The elevation provides stunning views of Lake Apopka and the surrounding countryside.
Set amidst rolling hills and pristine lakes, Bella Collina boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Central Florida. The community is surrounded by lush greenery, offering residents a peaceful and picturesque environment. The elevation provides stunning views of Lake Apopka and the surrounding countryside.
Exclusive Amenities
Bella Collina features a range of world-class amenities designed to enhance the lifestyle of its residents. The centerpiece is the Tuscan-inspired Clubhouse, which includes fine dining, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. The community also offers an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, tennis courts, a resort-style swimming pool, and extensive walking trails.
Bella Collina features a range of world-class amenities designed to enhance the lifestyle of its residents. The centerpiece is the Tuscan-inspired Clubhouse, which includes fine dining, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. The community also offers an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, tennis courts, a resort-style swimming pool, and extensive walking trails.
High-End Real Estate
Real estate in Bella Collina includes luxury condos, custom-built estates, and expansive homesites. Properties are designed with meticulous attention to detail, featuring high-end finishes, spacious layouts, and breathtaking views of preserves, Lake Siena, or Lake Apopka. Many homes include private pools, gourmet kitchens, and outdoor living spaces.
Real estate in Bella Collina includes luxury condos, custom-built estates, and expansive homesites. Properties are designed with meticulous attention to detail, featuring high-end finishes, spacious layouts, and breathtaking views of preserves, Lake Siena, or Lake Apopka. Many homes include private pools, gourmet kitchens, and outdoor living spaces.
Community and Social Life
Bella Collina fosters a strong sense of community with regular social events, fitness classes, and recreational activities. The Clubhouse serves as a gathering place for residents to connect and enjoy the upscale lifestyle that Bella Collina offers.
Bella Collina fosters a strong sense of community with regular social events, fitness classes, and recreational activities. The Clubhouse serves as a gathering place for residents to connect and enjoy the upscale lifestyle that Bella Collina offers.
Privacy and Security
As a gated community, Bella Collina provides a high level of security and privacy for its residents. The controlled access ensures peace of mind and a safe living environment.
As a gated community, Bella Collina provides a high level of security and privacy for its residents. The controlled access ensures peace of mind and a safe living environment.
2024
Homes sold: 82
SP / LP Ratio: 97%
Average price per SQ FT: $402.37
Average days on market: 110
Median price: $1,440,000
Median price per SQ FT: $403.74
Median days on market: 58
Homes sold: 78
SP / LP Ratio: 98%
Average price per SQ FT: $337
Average days on market: 71
Median price: $921,078
Median price per SQ FT: $303
Median days on market: 31
LAKE NONA
Laureate Park
Lake Nona Estates home by Phil KeanLake Nona, located in the southeastern part of Orlando, Florida, is a vibrant community known for its cutting-edge design, sustainable living, and focus on health and wellness. Perfect for those seeking a contemporary lifestyle, Lake Nona offers a range of features that make it a premier location for luxury real estate.
Innovative Community and Smart Design
Lake Nona is a master-planned community that emphasizes innovation and smart living. The area is designed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, incorporating advanced technology to create a connected and efficient environment. Sustainable building practices and green spaces are integral to the community’s layout.
Lake Nona is a master-planned community that emphasizes innovation and smart living. The area is designed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, incorporating advanced technology to create a connected and efficient environment. Sustainable building practices and green spaces are integral to the community’s layout.
Health and Wellness Focus
Lake Nona is home to the Lake Nona Medical City, a hub for medical research and healthcare innovation. This includes top institutions like the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and the VA Medical Center. The community promotes a healthy lifestyle with extensive biking and walking trails, fitness centers, and wellness programs.
Lake Nona is home to the Lake Nona Medical City, a hub for medical research and healthcare innovation. This includes top institutions like the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and the VA Medical Center. The community promotes a healthy lifestyle with extensive biking and walking trails, fitness centers, and wellness programs.
Education and Learning
Lake Nona offers excellent educational opportunities with top-rated public and private schools, as well as higher education institutions. The community is committed to fostering learning and development for all ages.
Lake Nona offers excellent educational opportunities with top-rated public and private schools, as well as higher education institutions. The community is committed to fostering learning and development for all ages.
Shopping and Dining
Lake Nona Town Center is the central hub for shopping and dining, featuring a mix of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. From trendy boutiques to gourmet eateries, residents have access to a variety of choices within a short distance from their homes.
Lake Nona Town Center is the central hub for shopping and dining, featuring a mix of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. From trendy boutiques to gourmet eateries, residents have access to a variety of choices within a short distance from their homes.
Recreational Amenities
The area boasts numerous recreational facilities, including golf courses, parks, and sports complexes. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is a premier destination for golf enthusiasts, offering world-class facilities and a vibrant social scene.
The area boasts numerous recreational facilities, including golf courses, parks, and sports complexes. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is a premier destination for golf enthusiasts, offering world-class facilities and a vibrant social scene.
Luxury Real Estate
Real estate in Lake Nona includes modern homes, luxury apartments, and waterfront properties. Many residences feature contemporary designs, smart home technology, and eco-friendly elements. The market caters to those looking for high-end features and innovative living spaces.
Real estate in Lake Nona includes modern homes, luxury apartments, and waterfront properties. Many residences feature contemporary designs, smart home technology, and eco-friendly elements. The market caters to those looking for high-end features and innovative living spaces.
Strategic Location
Lake Nona’s strategic location near major highways and Orlando International Airport ensures convenient access to the broader Orlando area and beyond. Residents enjoy the benefits of a serene community with the connectivity of an urban environment.
Lake Nona’s strategic location near major highways and Orlando International Airport ensures convenient access to the broader Orlando area and beyond. Residents enjoy the benefits of a serene community with the connectivity of an urban environment.
2024
Homes sold: 1,127
SP / LP Ratio: 98%
Average price per SQ FT: $282.50
Average days on market: 58
Median price: $624,990
Median price per SQ FT: $268.86
Median days on market: 27
Homes sold: 1,164
SP / LP Ratio: 98%
Average price per SQ FT: $271.27
Average days on market: 38
Median price: $580,000
Median price per SQ FT: $262.06
Median days on market: 13
Whether it's Winter Park's cultural charm, Bella Collina's serene luxury, or Lake Nona's modern innovation, each neighborhood provides an exceptional living experience that allows you to almost forget how close you are to Disney—until you decide to enjoy a spontaneous visit. Discover the best of both worlds and find your perfect home in these outstanding communities, where the magic of Disney is just a short drive away.
Still unsure which neighborhood is right for you?
CONTACT US today and we'll help you unfold the next chapter of home!
