LIVE:

With housing options of all sizes and prices, including apartments, townhomes, single-family homes and assisted living, the score is at about 90% complete. Still missing, aside from Encore, is housing for seniors, and we are working on that right now with an age-targeted home option for active adults.

LEARN:

I would score us at about 99% complete in this category. The Avalon Park area has outstanding schools, all A-rated, elementary, middle, and high schools. Just last month it was announced that Avalon Middle School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, meaning it is one of the top 300 schools in the United States! Additionally, Pinecrest Avalon Park charter school in Avalon Park South Village became an A+ rated school. Many families moved to Avalon Park because of its great schools and home price stability. I believe that we continue to realize above-market prices, directly related to the outstanding performance of all our schools.

WORK:

Commerce and jobs based on the size of Avalon Park are clearly above other communities of our size. Today you can find a job starting at age 16 in one of the many restaurants and all up to be a high paid manager at some companies with worldwide reach, like Data Transfer Solutions, Avalon Park Group and more. The 5th Floor has attracted over 30 start-up companies, many Avalon residents this day work from home and appreciate having all their daily needs within the community. Work/Jobs is always a work in progress, I give it a 75% complete on the scorecard.

PLAY:

The glass is half full, I give it a 50% complete on the scorecard. We are missing a park, which was promised by the County for more than a decade! We are missing a large pool, that our A-rated high school deserves, to be home when practicing instead of driving across town. We are missing a YMCA or gym like in Downtown or Winter Park! We are missing more football, baseball, and soccer fields!

But again, the glass is half full when it comes to Play:

We have the BEST community events in central Florida, for more than 15 years, with world-class fireworks and activities for families and neighbors to interact.

Our social groups like Jet Setters, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and more have created a great sense of belonging.

The recently opened Marketplace brought the community together, and it gives us the largest number of restaurants in any of the new urban towns in central Florida.

Politicians make promises, and come and go, the Avalon Park Family however has proven to not only be resilient in the ups and downs of the economy, but to also never give up on creating the best community where people can live, learn, work, and play.