When searching for a home that we could spend 6 months a year, one of the main priorities, as every home owner is aware, was the location. We knew that the west US-192 around the Formosa Gardens area at mile marker 4 ticked off most, if not all the right boxes, but combining everything we wanted at the price we wanted was not going to happen.
Then we discovered Vista Del Lago, a gated and guarded community of beautifully kept manufactured homes a mile further down the 192 heading towards Highway 27. The advantages of owning a home here were numerous. As already stated, it is gated for security, the residents are primarily retired or at least maturing gracefully, interspersed with snowbirds and younger families who are living amongst their elders and thus upholding traditional family values.
In almost two and a half years, I have not heard of one crime being committed in the community although I once feared that my trash bin lid had been stolen. It was returned to my trash bin anonymously about five days later, having apparently been blown off and come to rest, hidden in a neighbor' s yard. I felt quite guilty for a few days afterwards, fervently praying that none of my neighbours were aware of my lack of trust.
Although none of the homes have pools, there are three communal swimming pools available to everybody, along with a fitness room, tennis courts, basketball, spa, sauna, a fishing/boating dock and BBQ areas next to one of the stocked lakes. It is peaceful, friendly and like so many places at Christmas, lit up beautifully by the proud owners.
The streets are quiet, predominantly used by not quite in their prime cyclists, outnumbering the vehicles and ambling aimlessly along, waving and shouting hello at the owners tending their lawns. Stop and have a chat, they are more than willing and happy to pass the time of day with anyone who has something to say or answer a question on any subject.
Turn left out of Vista Del Lago, drive for a mile, join the toll road 429 for two minutes then come off at Western Way and into Disney. Yes, it' s that easy. Everything seemed to be just right, it couldn' t possibly get better. Then it did. At the 429 flyover across the 192, next to Publix and Target, they built an Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Orlando Ale House, Applebee' s, Logan' s Road House, Joe' s Crab Shack, Longhorns Steak House and Texas Road House. A plethora of quality restaurants right on our doorstep, easy access to Disney and a 24 hours Wal-Mart three miles away.
Then we discovered Vista Del Lago, a gated and guarded community of beautifully kept manufactured homes a mile further down the 192 heading towards Highway 27. The advantages of owning a home here were numerous. As already stated, it is gated for security, the residents are primarily retired or at least maturing gracefully, interspersed with snowbirds and younger families who are living amongst their elders and thus upholding traditional family values.
In almost two and a half years, I have not heard of one crime being committed in the community although I once feared that my trash bin lid had been stolen. It was returned to my trash bin anonymously about five days later, having apparently been blown off and come to rest, hidden in a neighbor' s yard. I felt quite guilty for a few days afterwards, fervently praying that none of my neighbours were aware of my lack of trust.
Although none of the homes have pools, there are three communal swimming pools available to everybody, along with a fitness room, tennis courts, basketball, spa, sauna, a fishing/boating dock and BBQ areas next to one of the stocked lakes. It is peaceful, friendly and like so many places at Christmas, lit up beautifully by the proud owners.
The streets are quiet, predominantly used by not quite in their prime cyclists, outnumbering the vehicles and ambling aimlessly along, waving and shouting hello at the owners tending their lawns. Stop and have a chat, they are more than willing and happy to pass the time of day with anyone who has something to say or answer a question on any subject.
Turn left out of Vista Del Lago, drive for a mile, join the toll road 429 for two minutes then come off at Western Way and into Disney. Yes, it' s that easy. Everything seemed to be just right, it couldn' t possibly get better. Then it did. At the 429 flyover across the 192, next to Publix and Target, they built an Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Orlando Ale House, Applebee' s, Logan' s Road House, Joe' s Crab Shack, Longhorns Steak House and Texas Road House. A plethora of quality restaurants right on our doorstep, easy access to Disney and a 24 hours Wal-Mart three miles away.