Community Spotlight: Saint Cloud, Florida

When you think of the Kissimmee and Saint Cloud area, many people think of the old commercials that would promote how Disney is right in the backyard. Looking at the maps however, it is actually a further distance than you’d think. Let’s take a look at what’s in and around Saint Cloud, and what it has to offer its residents.

What’s Around?

The theme parks are always a hot topic when it comes to Orlando and its surrounding areas. From Saint Cloud, it’s about a 45 minute drive to the Walt Disney World parks. The Orlando International Airport is around a 25 minute drive, and then Downtown Orlando is between a 30-45 minute drive dependent on traffic.

Jobs

Although the area in general, and communities like Harmony, have some industrial and healthcare jobs, as well as a lot of farming in this rural area, most people would need to drive to Lake Nona or Central Orlando for a typical nine to five job. As this community continues to develop, there is plenty of space for offices and retail spaces. But right now, most individuals living in Saint Cloud will have to commute a little further.

Schools

Saint Cloud schools are Osceola County driven, with many still in planning and development in Harmony, Tohoqua, and Sunbridge. If you browse online at the schools now, this area may not seem like it has a lot. But within the next few years there will be more elementary, middle, and high schools popping up.

To Do in Saint Cloud

There are a massive amount of lakes in Saint Cloud, where residents can boat, fish, or just enjoy sitting by the open water. There are several parks and fields for locals to play at. In addition to this, there are a couple spots to view and interact with wildlife including Amazing Animals Inc. and the Central Florida Animal Reserve. Other than that, individuals will have to commute a little further to either Lake Nona or Kissimmee to find big retail spots and things to do. However, some of these new communities will offer a wide variety of amenities as they grow.

Bao and Babs (Amazing Animals Inc.)

Ralf (Central Florida Animal Reserve)

Development

Currently, there’s over $400 Million in active development in Saint Cloud, making this one of the biggest spaces around Orlando with room for new developments. When it comes to real estate, Saint Cloud really is the next frontier for builders and new communities. 

But why are people moving to Saint Cloud? The biggest answer is affordability. New construction can start from the $300,000s and go up from there. Even when looking at homes for resale, these can start from the $200,000s and go upwards to $3 and $4 Million. Unlike other areas like Windermere where you pay $3 to $4 Million for a small lakefront lot, in Saint Cloud this high price would get you acreage on a lakefront with a large amount of property. If you’re willing to make the drive, you’ve got a lot of real estate options in Saint Cloud.

Read more about the vision for St. Cloud here.

Harmony

Harmony is set up to be a live, work, and play community. Similar to Celebration, there’s a golf course and town center in the middle and lots of homes and neighborhoods around it. While there are only about 1,000 homes currently, with new construction there will be around 7,000 more homes added to this in the near future.

Sunbridge

This new community is right next to Lake Nona and is currently in the process of being built out, providing more housing for the Saint Cloud area. Below is a mockup of the area and what new neighborhoods will be within Sunbridge, according to their website.

We’ve been watching this area and in just a little over two months, we’ve seen lots of dirt being moved and model homes are now open for viewing. A lot of builders including Pulte, David Weekly, Ashton Woods, Toll Brothers and more are starting the building process of this large community.

Overall

As a whole, Saint Cloud might not have a lot now but we can foresee it as being the next frontier for Central Florida. You can also follow them on their Facebook page to keep updated on all community events and new construction. Have you ever been to this area before? Do you want to move to Saint Cloud?