Nestled in southeast Orange County lies the community of Avalon Park. It forms a 1,860 acre Orlando neighborhood along the side of the Econlockhatchee River, and was designed with a concept that encourages an improved quality of life.

And that’s just what you’ll find. 

Avalon Park is every bit of what it was envisioned to be. The quaint and thriving downtown and the surrounding homes have grown into East Orlando’s hometown. Front porches beckon you to meet your neighbors and enjoy a cool tea on a warm afternoon. The trees have matured and lazily canopy the well-traveled sidewalks, and the main town center provides the perfect way to spend the day with one-of-the-kind experiences.

Avalon Park truly has developed a unique identity that makes it an ideal neighborhood to call home. If you’re looking at homes for sale in Orlando, here are some of the top 5 reasons to consider Avalon Park:

1. Hometown Atmosphere   

The hometown atmosphere is the core of Avalon Park's identity.

The traditional Main Street has been reimagined as Avalon Park Boulevard. This is the epicenter of Downtown Avalon Park and the perfect place to bond with your loved ones or meet new friends.

Take a walk on a Friday night down to the retro themed diner and enjoy a chocolate milkshake as you watch the sunset over the lake. Or, enjoy a treat at the juice bar next door and then walk to a class at the YMCA around the corner. Restaurants, boutiques, and small businesses line the boulevard and offer a small-town’s worth of options.  

One of the best days to visit is on a Saturday. The community often hosts festivals and craft fairs in their downtown parks. If you continue to stroll up the boulevard, you’ll find an impressive amphitheater. You might even stumble upon an outdoor concert.

It’s easy to get to know your neighbors and explore the community in the laid back, welcoming atmosphere.   

2. Variety of Homes  

The homes were designed to be warm and inviting. The street lamps guide you home and the front porches welcome you. The architecture is a cool combination of modern Florida and the white picket fence dream.

There are 5 types of residences within Avalon Park:

• Single-family homes. The most popular home type is the single-family home. There are over 3,000 homes within the neighborhood, and prices range from under $200k to over $1 Million.
• One of my favorite features are the garages. Yes, garages. They are accessed through lanes behind the homes, and no garage faces the main street.
• Many of the homes have “mother-in-law” suites over the garages. These can be surprisingly spacious and feature a full kitchen, laundry room, and a nice sized bedroom, bathroom, and living room.

• Townhomes. Townhomes are located throughout the neighborhood and many are right next to the downtown center. You can enjoy all of the amenities within the neighborhood without all of the maintenance of a single-family home.
• Live/Work Units. The Live/Work Units are an intriguing option for the small-business owner. Located off Avalon Park Blvd these units include a ground floor storefront and a home above it. If you’ve always dreamed of opening a small bookstore and then living nearby, this is the home for you. The stores are around 1,200 sq/ft and the living space above is about 1,800 sq/ft with a lovely patio.
• Apartments. The apartments offer the best of city living convenience within the lifestyle of the suburbs. They are located throughout the downtown area and are within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants, and parks.
• Senior Living. Just a short walk from downtown there is a senior living facility with 140 independent and 84 assisted living options.

3. Neighborhood Plan

The “live, learn, work, play” motto of Avalon Park is an intentional result of smart urban planning. You’re able to easily walk from your home to the downtown where there is a variety of businesses and community spaces.

The neighborhood was modeled after New Urbanism design principles which are focused around quality of life.

Fun Fact: New Urbanism became popular in 1980s as a response to urban sprawl. The basic principle is that planned communities be walkable and contain a variety of housing options and job opportunities.

The focus on open space and conservation areas is another key component of Avalon Park’s design.

The neighborhood is an impressive 1,860 acres. It’s home to approximately 3,400 single family homes, 1,431 multi-family units, and over half a million square feet of commercial space. Keeping those man made structures in mind, there over 600 acres of wetlands and nature preserves to keep the environment balanced.

4. Lifestyle and Amenities  

Part of the small town appeal is the focus on lifestyle and access to outdoor spaces.

There are four large parks in the neighborhood and one dog park:

• Founder’s Park is one of the neighborhood’s original “hot spots” and is located on the South end of Avalon Park Blvd. It is still a popular location for festivals and weekend events.
• Just up Avalon Park Blvd you’ll find Town Park. Pack a blanket and some snacks and relax on the large grassy knoll. Town Park’s outdoor amphitheater hosts “Movies Under the Stars,” concerts, and other performances throughout the year.

• You must visit Tanja King Park if you have little ones. There’s a splash park, playground, and a cabana with restrooms.
• There’s also a court or field for just about every sports enthusiast or casual player. If you haven’t picked up a tennis racket since college, now’s your chance to work on that serve. 
• The sports facilities include: 4 basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, 2 racquetball courts, 2 baseball fields, and 1 large open field.

• Live Oak Park is an oasis on a hot day. There’s a trail that circles the playground, and the majority of the park is shaded by Live Oaks. It’s the perfect place to cool down during a run or enjoy a playground out of the sun.

• Avalon Park didn’t forget Fido! There is a large fenced-in dog park located adjacent to Tanja King Park. Unlike many dog parks in Orlando, the park has grass throughout and a sidewalk loop in the center.

Community Center: The South Village Community Center offers residents a gym, pool, sauna, and a rental room. If you’re looking to start a club or need a place for a birthday party, this is a great option to look into.

Pools: When many people are looking at homes for sale in Orlando, their wish list includes a pool. However, pools can be costly to maintain. The good news- each neighborhood or Village within Avalon Park has its own community pool.

5. Everything You Need  

Location. Avalon Park is conveniently located within East Orlando. There is easy access to highways 408 and 417, and rush hour traffic is the biggest location complaint. It’s about 25 minutes from Downtown Orlando, 20 minutes to the airport, and 45 minutes to the theme parks. Waterford Lakes Town Center, a large outdoor shopping complex, is only 15 minutes away and is home to popular restaurants and over 100 stores. Read more about living nearby Orlando's famous attractions here!

Shopping and Restaurants. If you never want to leave the neighborhood, you don’t have to. There is a Publix grocery store within the neighborhood and a variety of small shops. Restaurant choices range from pizza to sushi. And the best part is that you can walk to grab a bite to eat or easily take carryout home.

Schools and Learning. Schools are probably top of mind if you have children and are looking at homes for sale in Orlando. Avalon Park is home to Avalon Elementary, Avalon Middle, and Timber Creek High School. Across from Timber Creek High School is Avalon Center for Technical Excellence- a satellite campus of Winter Park Tech. There are also several extracurricular centers located within Avalon Park including: a dance school, music center, martial arts school, and tutoring center.   

Avalon Park is a nod to nostalgia for modern life in Orlando. And its hometown feel makes it a unique neighborhood for anyone looking to call Orlando home.

Looking for your own piece of Orlando?
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Have you visited Avalon Park or are you a current resident? What do you love about the neighborhood? Let us know in the comments below!