There has certainly been a lot of excitement surrounding Lake Nona lately. This has been especially true since we have learned it is the location Disney is planning to build a campus with more than 2,000 jobs and the possibility for Disney to build an age-restricted community in the Sunbridge development. As a result, seeing all the love Lake Nona is getting from The Walt Disney Company begs the question. Is Lake Nona a good place to live?
Lake Nona Location
Lake Nona is located on the southeast side of Orlando along 417. Therefore, it’s only 28 miles from Disney World, 21 miles from Universal, and only 8 miles from the Orlando International Airport. In other words, the commute to theme parks is easy because of the toll road 417 that runs through it. However, a downside to this is that living in and traveling from Lake Nona requires tolls. The original concept for Lake Nona in 2005 was a medical city. It is home to the University of Central Florida’s Health Sciences Campus, Nemours Children’s Hospital, University of Florida Academic and Research Center, and Orlando VA Medical Center, to name a few. But now Orlando Sentinel refers to Lake Nona as a haven for housing and subdivision communities.
Lake Nona Amenities
Lake Nona’s own website calls itself “A Community of and for the Future”. It was known as the first “gigabit community” in Florida. This name comes from its wireless speeds and being the first Cisco Smart + Connected Communities in the nation. It continues to be a leader in technology and innovation.
It’s ties to technology is strong, however Lake Nona is also a great place for those who love to stay active. According to an article in Orlando Magazine, The community offers free fitness classes, a bike-sharing program, a community garden, and 44 miles of trails. In addition, it’s home to the US Tennis Association’s National Campus. They offer free lessons for children 10 and under, adult programs, and high-performance training.
Moreover, Lake Nona has a vibrant restaurant scene. For instance, one notable location is known as Boxi Park. This entertainment venue has a mix of restaurants, bars, outdoor space, and entertainment all constructed from repurposed shipping containers. Add to this the Lake Nona Town Center which offers 4 million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Lake Nona Homes
There are a variety of communities in Lake Nona. Developments consist primarily of single-family homes, townhouses, and large estate homes. Some notable communities include Laureate Park, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, and VillageWalk. Lake Nona continues to grow each day with more neighborhoods. According to Realtor.com, the current median sold home price in Lake Nona is $529K, up from $463K in 2019 with a range of $299K all the way to $5.8M. Property value in Lake Nona continues to be on the rise.
What People Love
Above all, Lake Nona has a reputation for being a beautiful neighborhood with lots of things to do. It is a fast-growing area and continues to develop. As Disney moves in with its campus, we should expect the area to continue to evolve. If you would love to learn more about living in Lake Nona, check out our Lake Nona Neighborhood page. If you are interested purchasing a home in the Lake Nona area or you have questions about moving to Central Florida and would like to speak with a real estate professional, please contact us!
The author Amy Krieger is to be commended for adopting a greyhound and a galgo! Well done!