Lake Nona Real Estate

Are you trying to choose between Lake Nona, Horizon West, and Clermont? Well, you're not alone, cuz these are the three most talked about areas for new construction in Orlando right now. Each one offers a different lifestyle, commute, and setup. Here's a quick comparison buyers ask me every single day. I've also made several detailed videos on Horizon West already, so if you want to go deeper after this, those are on my channel. But for now, let's start with Lake Nona.

Lake Nona

Lake Nona continues to be one of the most in-demand areas in Orlando. It's modern, well planned, and closely connected to major employment hubs. Most new construction here is centered around Laureate Park and nearby neighborhoods known for walkability, newer homes, and easy access to everyday amenities. You're about 10 to 15 minutes to Orlando International Airport with quick access to the 417, and roughly 20 to 25 minutes to Disney depending on traffic.

Lake Nona Town Center is a major draw, with restaurants, Boxi Park, Wave Hotel, fitness studios, and regular community events giving this area a very active feel. HOA fees here tend to be higher than average, often around $200 to $225 per month. CDDs vary by section and phase. Schools serving the area include well-rated public options such as Lake Nona High School. Major employers nearby include Medical City hospitals, the US Tennis Association National Campus, and a growing number of tech and innovation companies.

Now, let's take a look at a home example here in Lake Nona. This is the Mesa by Craft Homes, located in Laureate Park, with pricing starting around $763,990. As soon as you walk in, you're immediately in the main living area with the kitchen, dining, and living space all connected. It's a layout that works well for everyday living, keeping everything open without feeling oversized or impractical. The kitchen sits at the center of the home with a large island, good counter space, and clear sight lines into both the dining area and the living room. The primary suite is located on the main level, set apart from the rest of the home for privacy.

Upstairs are additional bedrooms and bathrooms along with flexible space for guests or everyday use. What really sets this home apart is the apartment above the garage. It includes its own living area, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, separate from the main home. This garage apartment can be rented subject to HOA guidelines and a minimum lease time. For homeowners, this creates an opportunity to earn additional income while keeping the main home completely private.

If you want to explore communities or get in touch with me directly, head over to floridahomesgroup.com/youtube and me and my team will reach out.

Horizon West

Horizon West remains one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida. The Ovation side near Hackney Road, including Harvest at Ovation and Osprey Ranch, continues to see new phases and strong buyer interest. Location is one of Horizon West's biggest advantages. You're about 10 to 15 minutes from Disney with quick access to the 429 and roughly 20 to 30 minutes to the airport.

Hamlin is the main town center hub, with Synopolis, Pop Stroke, restaurants, shopping, gyms, and everyday conveniences all in one place. HOA fees here vary widely by community. Some neighborhoods also have a CDD while others do not. A CDD is a community development district. It helps fund roads, utilities, and amenities, and it's paid through your annual property tax bill.

Schools in the area include well-rated public options such as Panther Lake Elementary and Horizon High School. Major employers nearby include Walt Disney World, AdventHealth facilities, and a wide range of hospitality and entertainment companies. For golf, Horizon West sits close to Orange County National, a well-known public golf facility. I'll compare golf options across all three areas at the end.

Clermont

Clermont offers a different pace, more space, rolling hills, and another major wave of new construction along the Wellness Way corridor. Multiple builders are active, including DR Horton, Taylor Morrison, and Lennar. Downtown Clermont adds a lakefront lifestyle with walking trails, breweries, weekend markets, and year-round outdoor events. HOA fees here are generally lower than Lake Nona and Horizon West. Some communities do not have a CDD at all. In Clermont, major jobs are driven by healthcare employers like AdventHealth and South Lake Hospital, big box and retail employers such as Walmart, Costco, Target, and Publix, as well as local public sector and service jobs with Lake County Schools and the city of Clermont.

Now, let's take a look at a home example here in Clermont. This is the Mahogany Grand model by DR Horton, located in Parkside Trails. When you step inside, the main living space opens up right away. The kitchen, dining, and living areas all flow together. The kitchen features a large island, plenty of counter space, and a layout that works well for everyday living or entertaining. The living area connects directly to the covered lanai, bringing in natural light and adding usable outdoor space. The primary suite is on the main level with a private bath and a walk-in closet. Upstairs, there's a loft that creates a second living space along with additional bedrooms and bathrooms.

Parkside Trails is planned with a clubhouse and community features including a pool, gathering areas, and walking paths. It's a strong example of what buyers are finding along the Wellness Way corridor right now.

Side-by-side comparison

Now you've seen which kind of lifestyle each area has to offer. Let's compare them side by side. If you're looking for short commutes to places like the airport, Lake Nona is best. If you're looking to go to Disney more often, Horizon West. And if you're looking for space and scenery, Clermont has that.

All areas have great town centers, but there's a clear distinction between them. Lake Nona is more modern and mixed-use. Horizon West has Hamlin at the core with multiple weekend activities and restaurants for every occasion. Clermont is more lake and outdoor focused with walking trails.

On HOA and CDDs, Lake Nona tends to be higher, and in Horizon West it varies the most. Clermont is generally the lowest across the board.

And if you're looking for a weekend golf course: Lake Nona Golf and Country Club is private and premium, with initiation fees typically between $100,000 and $150,000 and annual dues starting above $15,000 per year. Orange County National, near Horizon West, is public with daily fees and Florida resident pass options. Clermont's Legends Golf and Country Club offers memberships around $3,800 for individuals and around $5,800 for families. These examples of courses are just the start of a very long list. So if golf is your thing, like it is for many people, including myself, no matter where you choose to live, there is always a course here for you in Central Florida.

If you're relocating or buying in Orlando and want help narrowing down the right neighborhood, head over to floridahomesgroup.com/youtube. Me and my team will reach out. And make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on the next video. This could be the start of your Florida life, and choosing the right area makes all the difference.