Windermere
Retreat to Windermere’s Fabulous Real Estate
By Mary Luster

Experience glistening sunrises over calm Central Florida waters from a prestigious home in the Town of Windermere in “Lake Country.”  Based on a series of community attributes, Windermere is the Sunshine State’s #1 place to raise a family.  It’s a comfortable place midst real estate in Orange County for high-profile residents to find solace and beauty. 

Like to golf, ski, or fish?  You will enjoy the lakefront homes in Windermere on Lake Sawyer or on any of the twelve lakes in the Butler Chain.  The Sanctuary at Lake Butler Sound is one example of a luxury community built perfect enough to paint the heavenly views.  Magnificent estate houses in Windermere’s Isleworth, a private, gated golf community are genuine retreats for their owners.  Real estate in Bay Hill on the Arnold Palmer signature golf course and estate property in Keene’s Point on the Jack Nicklaus course offer respite to many hard-working folks.  Drive through the floral laden gated communities in Windermere such as Chain du Lac, Windermere Club, Tilden’s Grove on the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes and Lake Crescent, and marvel over the wonderful upscale homes, townhouses, and condominiums. 

Live Windermere and taste the delights of Disney and the greater Orlando areas.  There are now new developments with “affordable” homes in Windermere.  First and Second-home buyers may enjoy looking at Belmere, a gated community, Summerport in the Horizon’s West planned development or even Disney’s own master-planned Celebration with its friendly front porches for affordable home prices.  Ask about Brookline, Camden, Hamilton and Grosvenor, Kensington, Lower Huntingston, Lyndhurst, and Northshore.

In addition to community activities hosted by clubs and organizations, volunteers make sure that the town calendar is full with special events such as an annual 5K run and the Halloween party.  People are encouraged to volunteer on committees like Parks and Recreation, Elder Affairs, Traffic and Code Enforcement, the Tree Board, and the Development Review Board.  There are conservation areas, walking paths, boat docks, bike trails, recreation centers, volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts, a playground, beach areas, a clubhouse, and pool to be cared for in town.

Only a few miles from Orlando’s thriving economy and attractions, Windermere is also located approximately an hour from the Atlantic Ocean and the pure white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.  Many residents enjoy living in close proximity to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Orlando International Airport and most major roads and expressways.  Others get around via an extensive system of canals that connects the lakes and winding, tree-lined roads that make it mighty easy to appreciate Mother Nature at her finest.  Though the town is on the shortest road route between the east and west sides of the lakes, outside traffic is encouraged to use other routes to preserve the small town character. 

Established in 1889, Main Street has been repaved in brick and unique round-a-bout intersections add to the old town feel.  The Florida Midland Railroad, part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, used to run just west of Main Street and made regular stops here and is partly responsible for growth over the years. 

One of the top-rated attributes of the area is education.  With a highly educated populace, high value in education results in superior public schools along with a great prep school in town.  The success of the individual lives of the residents is a sign that many things are going right.  And people here take pride in their upbeat, welcoming attitude.