by Elsa Soto | May 6, 2018 | Blog, News
How Pine Hills Has Changed Over The Years
Pine Hills can be found in Orange County, Florida in the United States. As of the recent census of 2010, the area – which is close to Orlando was home to just over 60,000 people. It has grown significantly since then.
Although the community has been subject to decades of neglect and had gained a reputation for high levels of crime, there are several projects now underway aimed at revitalizing it. It also plays host to two parks and a number of High Schools, as well the Pine Hills Trail which is currently under development.
During the 1980’s Orlando began to surround the area as growth of the Orlando suburbs started to speed up. This led to many of the original families who has called Pine Hills home since its establishment in the early 1950’s to move to other suburbs. This was the beginning of a period of decline for Pine Hills – a process that speeded up during the 1990’s.
The decline was in part fueled not only by the relocation of many families but also the closure of the Silver Pine Country Club and the fact that the local Pine Hills mall lost several key long-term tenants. The shopping center was then converted into what was to become a strip mall with discount pricing – a development which further lowered property values. Pine Hills accommodation was to become characterized by low rent options – and much of the housing became government subsidized. A lack of attention and focus by the Orange County government saw crime levels steadily increase.
There are now calls by many property owners for the annexation of the area by Orlando.
The argument is that this would allow for better police services and other projects which could lead to the more rapid revitalization of Pine Hills. However, the idea has not been met with much enthusiasm by Orlando authorities – and given that Pine Hills has a reputation for drugs sales and high crime levels it does not seem as if this opinion will change in the short term.
However, there are glimmers of hope emerging from the gloom that surrounds Pine Hills. The Orlando P.D. is cooperating closely with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to increase the number of police patrols in the area. This highly visible police presence does seem to be having some effect on crime levels.
There are other encouraging signs. The Maynard Evans High School’s main campus has been redeveloped, and a number of elementary schools have been supplied with the latest technology when they too were reconstructed.
There are also high hopes for the future due in part to the development of a strategic plan for Pine Hills which would see continued efforts to rebuild infrastructure and provide additional services to residents. The ‘Pine Hills Land Analysis and Strategic Plan’ has seen a number of initiatives being launched, and there has also been an effort to revitalize the business district of Pine Hills – efforts which seem to be bearing fruit.
Here is the direction from Pine Hills to Bardell Real Estate
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by Elsa Soto | May 6, 2018 | Blog, News
Discover Pine Castle Florida
When you are near Orlando, just like most major cities, you will notice the place has several locations around it that are smaller towns. This is going to make it a great trip to take, but it will also make it easier for you to have a great vacation as well because it means you do not have to stay in the city proper if you do not want to. One of those towns that is near Orlando, just a few miles South of Orlando proper, is Pine Castle Florida. Since this is a great place, we are going to share some of the information about the location for you to see why you should either consider moving here or staying here.
The history of Pine Castle is going to be a little bit odd for some people.
The area is still relatively young in terms of age as it was founded in 1870. This does not mean the area has not really grown much, but it will make it easier for you to know that this place is one that you are going to love because the youthful vitality of the region will help out quite a bit in making you feel good about the area.
Now, you may think since this is a little town that it is an incorporated area. However, this place is one that was incorporated in 1925. The residents, though, must have gotten tired of having to keep up with the requirements as they would disband from the incorporated area just a mere five years later in 1930 and have not looked back since.
This is also one of the major employers for people to work at in the area. As an interesting side note this is an airport that before it became a civilian airport was one the United States Air Force was using. This was used by Bell Aircraft to test the X-1 supersonic rockets before use. This would help the company out in developing this in secret because at the time the city of Orlando and Pine Castle was much smaller and people would have noticed if someone was going to stand out.
Learning about some of the towns around Orlando is a good thing. However, what you will find is it can be challenging at times to find the right town or place to stay in. This is when you should know about the little-unincorporated town of Pine Castle. Once you have learned about this place, it will be very easy for you to see this as a great area to travel to, but with the International Airport being so close by it will be easy for you to have a great trip here as well.
Here is the direction from Pine Castle to Bardell Real Estate
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by Elsa Soto | May 6, 2018 | Blog, News
Is Park Lake Highland One Of The Best Places To Live In Orlando – Florida?
Florida attracts visitors from all over the United States and in fact the globe. Great weather (it’s known as the Sunshine State for good reason), fantastic leisure opportunities and miles of beaches, as well as other natural attractions make it the perfect place for vacation.
But it’s not only vacationers who find Florida and its surrounding areas attractive. The state also attracts those who want to set up a permanent home – and one of the best places to do so is Park Lake Highland.
Park Lake Highland was voted by the ‘Niche’ website as simply the best place to live in the Orlando area.
There are many reasons for this including outstanding natural beauty and both shopping and entertainment options that contribute to an exceptional quality of life.
One of the reasons that this area offers such a great way of life is the mixture of lakefront homes built in traditional clapboard styles and a stunning backdrop of the Orlando city skyline. Another attraction is the Lake Highland Prep School, a private educational institution that has a reputation as one of the finest in Florida.
There are also other factors that make Florida such an attractive place to live and play, such as the fact that residents can enjoy the fabulous weather while exploring the area on some great (and safe) walking and hiking trails.
The well known Urban Trail is enjoyed by bikers and joggers as it winds for 2.6 miles among lakes with great wildlife spotting opportunities. The trail also offers those enjoying its scenic length to access a large number of recreational areas – as well as some of the more interesting cultural attractions in the area – including Loch Haven Park at the trail end. Loch Haven is home to a well-respected science center, a number of museums, and performing arts venues.
Great restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities abound. Take for instance one of the best BBQ destinations in the area – Pig Floyd’s where customers can enjoy great value and fabulous pulled pork, ribs, and some particularly fine tacos and brisket, along with such treats as bento boxes.
Park Lake Highland is also next to the rapidly gentrifying area of Ivanhoe Village.
Here those in search of collectibles and antiques will find something that will suit every taste and pocketbook. For those who want to take in some fantastic lake views then dinner at Mesa 21 Mexican restaurant is a great choice. Try the Jicama Dynamite Shrimp Tacos for a taste explosion or dive into some delicious tostadas.
For something a little more laid back visit Lucky Lure which is just about as close to a beach bar as anything that you will find in Central Florida. A great cocktail menu and frosty beers get the nod from locals and visitors alike.
The Mills 50 District is also part of the evening scene with a huge variety of some of the areas best dining destinations and a scattering of great bars.
Park Lake Highland is a favourite for those who want to call Central Florida their home – and with the wealth of attractions and the great lifestyle, it’s not difficult to see why.
Here is the direction from Park Lake Highland to Bardell Real Estate
Check Out Pine Castle!
by Elsa Soto | May 6, 2018 | Blog, News
Loch Haven Park The Cultural Heart Of Orlando, Florida
Loch Haven Park, Florida is the home to institutions such as the Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Science Center, Orlando Repertory Theatre, along with the Mennello-Museum Of American Art.
Loch Haven Park happens to be one of those places well known for leafy and beautiful oak trees that surround this park along with soft and lush grass that feels like clouds beneath your toes. But what goes on indoors is as equally if not more appealing than nature and the stunning environment outside.
Loch Haven Park which is situated to the North of downtown Orlando spans over 45-acres and is positioned between 3 lakes. This park is also the home to a number of the city’s most honorable and distinguished cultural institutions. Over and above the museums and theatres this park is also home to rehearsal studios dedicated to the Orlando Ballet, the Orlando Fire Museum and the Orlando Garden Club.
This mixture of theatres and top-rated museums means that this park is continuously abuzz with activities regardless of the time of day or night, even though technically the grounds are closed by sundown.
The art museums and science center open every day by mid-morning.
While many children are constantly flocking to the educational play-areas and interactive exhibits found in the science-center, the museums are usually the quieter destinations. However, it is very common to see children across this park, with school-field trips that often bring large-yellow buses to the venues.
The Rep is an area that specializes in a child-friendly theater, along with a variety of daytime performances.
While the Shakes, which is a nickname, also has on offer daytime shows dedicated to senior citizens along with school groups. The Shakespeare Theater that presents works from many other playwrights over and above the “Romeo and Juliet” scribe, present evening shows that are available just about every night of the week, while the evening performance in the Repertory Theater is on show on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
The art museums feature distinctive permanent collections, while the Mennello has on display a comprehensive exhibition of Earl Cunningham, a folk artist’s colorful paintings. The OMA (Orlando Museum of Art), displays a vast array of artwork derived from the “ancient” Americas. Both these museums offer rotating exhibits which range from technology-based and cutting-edge onto the more classic oil-portraits.
These two museums also feature after-hours sponsored festivals along with special events.
One example of this is the Orlando Fringe Festival which takes over the entire park for two weeks in May, where over 100 performance-art acts, dance, make magic, and music, display their talents.
With this consistent flow of activities, you may be wondering if you will be able to find parking. The park offers three free lots that include one located at the Rep, one at the Mennello, and one situated between OMA and Shakes. The Science Center also has its own parking garage that comes with a small charge, while the Florida SunRail is a short 10-minute walk away
Here is the direction from Loch Haven Park to Bardell Real Estate
Check Out Park Lake Highland!
by Elsa Soto | May 5, 2018 | Blog, News
Information On Conway Florida
Located in Orange County, Conway is one of those beautiful parts of Florida that’s soaked in history. It has an incredible amount of local nuance to it that has made it a favorite hotspot for locals.
Here is a deeper dive into what Conway is all about.
It has a population of 13,467 and is spread across a small portion of land that’s 3.7 sq miles. This is a simple location that is in the heart of Orange County and continues to draw people in.
History
Conway has been around for a long time and first came into play during the 1850s as settlers found a comfortable spot to rest in. This was exciting for them as they were able to develop the area to their liking and connect to the rest of Orange County. This is precisely what they did during the early 1900s as new highways, roads, and other connecting paths were built. It made it easier to get across to various places without breaking a sweat.
Breakdown of Conway
Conway has been steady with its population, and that includes having around 13,000-14,000 people living in the area. In 2000, it had a population of 14,394, and that number included a majority of families (4,034) at the time. In general, this is a region that is comprised mostly of individuals that stayed in the area (i.e., settlers) and that’s why 90% of the racial makeup is White, while the rest is split between African American, Asian, Native American, and other races. This is information that has helped understand the breakdown of who resides in Conway and how they got there.
At the time of their census in 2000, there were approximately 5,000+ houses in the area, and married couples owned over 61%+. Conway was also noted for having a 36% subset of children in its overall makeup (under the age of 18). The area was generally filled with smaller families that decided to purchase a house there.
Since most of the people living in the area are married, this also means the age bracket is higher in comparison to other locations. Over 36% of the population n Conway is over the age of 45, and 66% is over the age of 25. The breakdown based on the census also illustrated a higher number of women in comparison to men.
Economics
Based on the information in Conway, the median income sits at around $53,000+, and that is in line with the rest of Orange County. This also meant the median income (per family) was near $59,000.
Only a small segment of the population is near or under the poverty line (5%) and that is a number that’s slowly being reduced in Conway. Please note, this doesn’t incorporate the children that are unable to earn due to their age.
Conway remains a place that has grown over time as a connecting hub for the rest of Orange County and does play a role in the local ecosystem.
Here is the direction from Conway to Bardell Real Estate
Check Out Loch Haven Park!
However, there are glimmers of hope emerging from the gloom that surrounds Pine Hills. The Orlando P.D. is cooperating closely with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to increase the number of police patrols in the area. This highly visible police presence does seem to be having some effect on crime levels.
