Are you considering a move to Oviedo?
This historic Florida city has a great deal going for it, and there’s plenty of reason to believe that this community will continue to thrive.
What is it that draws families to Oviedo? Perhaps it’s all the awards that the city has won or the unbelievable number of sunny days that its residents enjoy every year. Here’s a closer look at some of the things that you can expect if you move to Oviedo.
Suburban Life
Oviedo may boast about 42,000 residents, but it gives families a genuine suburban lifestyle. This means that you are free to slow down and enjoy the good life without being bothered by the bustle of a big city.
Of course, if you’re craving big-city excitement or are looking for a suburban community with close urban ties, then keep in mind that Orlando is a 30-minute drive away. Accordingly, Oviedo’s residents enjoy the best of both worlds.
Orlando boasts a population of approximately 286,000 people, but there are about two million people in the metropolitan area. Accordingly, Oviedo residents can find every kind of store, service or restaurant somewhere in the region without sacrificing a quiet suburban lifestyle.
Community Feel
Along with that suburban lifestyle, Oviedo gives you the feeling of a close-knit community. Poke around online, and you’ll find that you easily can connect with your neighbors.
Opportunities for community involvement abound beyond the confines of the virtual world. Perhaps you’ll join friends and neighbors for community service at organizations like The Literacy Alliance, Spay ‘n Save and HOPE Helps Inc.
Community Engagement
Are you someone who likes to get out and about for some community fun? If so, then Oviedo is the place for you!
A quick glance at the city’s calendar of events and festivals is enough to tell you that Oviedo is one place where there’s always a lot going on. The fun starts each year in January with annual happenings like the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration and continues into February with a Fitness 5K and Outdoor Expo. Throughout the year, you’ll have chances to party at Mardi Gras, attend the Bark and Brew Festival, play in the Relay for Life Golf Tournament or scare your family at Howl-O-Ween.
The fun really kicks into high gear when December arrives. This is the month when your family will want to enjoy the city’s tree lighting ceremony, Breakfast with Santa and the Dueling Pianos and Ugly Sweater Party. Also, don’t forget to put events like the Winter Fest & Holiday Parade, Holiday Bingo and Santa Paws on your calendar.
You’ll also be able to attend monthly events like movies in the park, comedy night and Food Truck Thursday throughout the year.
Oviedo may be a suburban city, but there is never a dull moment here!
Getting Pulled over on Lockwood
Live in Oviedo for just a few days or weeks, and you’ll probably hear about it. It’s even more likely that it will happen to you.
Getting pulled over on Lockwood is kind of a rite-of-passage for Oviedo residents. This exceptionally busy four-lane road has a speed limit of just 35 miles per hour. Of course, it’s not unusual for drivers to hit the gas a little too hard and too often when traversing its length, so be on the lookout for Oviedo’s finest as you cruise to a friend’s house or the drugstore.
Of course, this safe zone also makes life on Lockwood a lot more peaceful and serene. Perhaps this is where you’ll find your new home!
Oviedo's Quality Schools
Oviedo’s educational options have great reputations. Its schools are a part of the Seminole County Public Schools system. Out of 69 school districts in the state, Seminole County’s ranks fourth best. It’s ranked number three for athletes and is second on the list when it comes to the most diverse school districts in the state.
With a total of nearly 69,000 students, the district boasts a 19 to 1 student to teacher ratio. That translates to plenty of one-on-one and small group instruction. State test scores indicate that 61 percent of students in the district are at least ranked at the proficient level in reading while 64 percent are ranked as at least proficient in math.
What this all means is that parents can have confidence in the education that their kids will receive in Oviedo’s high-ranking schools.
The Weather
If you aren’t a Florida resident yet, then the local weather is bound to both surprise and delight you. Spring and fall are warm, summer is hot and winter is short. If you like plenty of sunshine and brief rain showers that leave the air fresh and sparkling, then Oviedo is an ideal place for you to call home.
Are you concerned about hurricanes? In Oviedo, you don’t have much reason to worry. Oviedo occupies a zone that is considered at very low risk for hurricanes. However, you will have to contend with high humidity in the summer.
The Theme Parks
Perhaps you’ve heard Orlando described as the theme park capital of the world. It definitely deserves this title, and when you make Oviedo your home, you’ll be within an hour’s drive of top-billed attractions like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Fun Spot America Theme Park and many others. You’ll be able to enjoy everything from thrill rides to live entertainment, along with enough delicious, decadent food to last you for a lifetime.
Many locals decide to buy an annual pass to their favorite park so that they can return again and again.
If you love theme parks, you’ll love how close you are to some of the best such attractions in the world. Beware that your friends and family will use your close proximity as their excuse to stay at your house when they want to enjoy Orlando’s theme parks!
Restaurants in Oviedo
Oviedo boasts an impressive array of restaurants. You’ll find every type of international cuisine as well as eateries that specialize in down-home cooking. Whether you’re in the mood for fast good or something more upscale, you’ll find it here.
You’ll find diverse collections of restaurants clustered around E. Mitchell Hammock Road as well as on University Boulevard in the vicinity of UCF. Oviedo on the Park is also home to many nice restaurants.
Seafood, barbecue, Italian, Indian, brew pubs, familiar chains and one-of-a-kind finds, they are all waiting to be discovered in Oviedo.
Check out our blog on the top 10 restaurants in Oviedo.
An Array of Gym Options
If you love to work up a sweat in the gym and you’re worried that Oviedo just won’t have the right gym for you, worry no longer. People in Oviedo love to exercise, and this means that the city boasts an abundance of gyms. Some of the best include TeamFit 45, Orange Theory Oviedo, Eat the Frog, Riverside Fitness and Crossfit Tough as Nails.
Whether you’re looking for high-intensity workouts, personal training, boxing or a something that you’ve never experienced before, you’ll find the perfect gym in Oviedo.
Feel free to read more about gyms in Oviedo and Winter Springs in the blog we wrote.
Hiking and Trails
Do you love to spend time in nature? Oviedo’s exceptional climate makes it easy for you to make the most of the outdoors. The community is bursting with fantastic trails that are perfect for activities like hiking, biking and running.
Some of the best are the Cross Seminole Trail, which currently is broken into three paved sections, and the Flagler Trail, which occupies a former railroad bed. Eventually, the Cross Seminole Trail will be connected to form a 23-mile circuit.
More rugged terrain is encountered in the Little Big Econ State Forest and the Geneva Wilderness Area. The Lake Jessup Conservation Area is one more place that hikers will love.
You can read more about some of the parks in Oviedo in another blog we wrote.
Close Proximity to Shopping
Whatever you need or want to buy in Oviedo, you’ll find it nearby. An abundance of grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores make it easy to pick up the essentials. If you’re looking for even more options, you may want to browse the offerings at the Oviedo Mall, Oviedo Park Crossing or the Lockwood Village Shopping Center. All of the familiar big box stores are represented as well.
A Great County
Located in the midst of Seminole County, Oviedo definitely benefits from this well-run government. Four SunRail stations are located within the county, making mass transit a breeze. Small businesses thrive here, so whether you want to start a business or just support mom-and-pop operations, you’ll find opportunities in Seminole County.
Because Seminole County is relatively small, it’s able to boast lots of advantages. For instance, crime statistics are low and the schools’ ratings are high. You’ll feel at home in Seminole County.
Of course we wrote a blog on why Seminole County is so great.
45 Minutes to the Beach
Do you want to enjoy the surf and sand? They are just a 45-minute drive from Oviedo. Head to the Canaveral National Seashore, Cocoa Beach, Titusville, Daytona Beach and others when you’re struck with the mood to play in the waves.
Ask Waypointe Realty to help you get to know Oviedo even better. Our expert Realtors love to help people find the perfect home in Oviedo.