ALTAMONTE SPRINGS
The city of about 44,000 residents straddles Interstate 4 and
abuts Orange County to its south and west. An outdoor town
center called “Uptown Altamonte” features retail and residential
areas and is home to the annual July 4 celebration called
“Red, Hot, and Boom.”
CASSELBERRY
The city of more than 28,000 lies just to the east of Altamonte
Springs. Water recreation is popular in Casselberry, which
has more than 30 lakes and waterways, including Lakes Howell,
Kathryn and Concord and the Triplet Chain of Lakes. The
city’s main roadways are U.S. Highway 17-92 and Semoran
Boulevard.
LAKE MARY
A few miles north along I-4, Lake Mary is home to about
16,000 residents. It’s also home to the county’s top private
employer — the software company Convergys. In addition,
several other of the county’s top employers are just next door
in the Heathrow community. Those include Chase Bankcard
Services and the American Automobile Association.
LONGWOOD
Sitting on the northern edges of Altamonte Springs and
54 HOMEBUYER // CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION
Casselberry, Longwood has a population of about 15,000. With
its first settlers arriving in the 1870s, Longwood is proud of its
heritage and showcases it through its Historic District, which
covers about 190 acres encompassing nearly 40 structures.
Located near the intersection of State Road 434 and County
Road 427, the district includes the Longwood Hotel, the Inside-
Outside House and the Bradlee-McIntyre House.
OVIEDO
Located in eastern Seminole County, Oviedo’s population
has exploded since the 1970s. Much of that growth can be attributed
to its proximity to the University of Central Florida and
its research park, which is just down the road in Orange County.
Oviedo’s population today tops 40,000. Its town center,
called “Oviedo on the Park,” features townhomes, apartments,
restaurants and retail areas. Its focal point is Center Lake Park,
a man-made lake, a playground and an amphitheater.
SANFORD
Hugging the southern shore of Lake Monroe, the county seat
has a population of more than 59,000. Among destinations of
interest are Seminole State College, the Central Florida Zoo
and Botanical Gardens and the Orlando Sanford International
Airport. Visitors and residents enjoy Sanford’s historic downtown
and lakefront walking trail.
The Seminole County city of Sanford
was restored and rejuvenated about
20 years ago. Hugging the shores
of Lake Monroe, Sanford today is
a lively destination for shopping
and dining, and boasts an array of
antique emporiums and art galleries.