Longwood

Considered the oldest city in Seminole County, FL, Longwood is best known for its expansive historic district, as well as its collection of prestigious luxury communities along Markham Woods Road. Recently, Longwood has also been recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and is rapidly gaining a reputation as an ideal business and commercial center in the Central Florida region.

Longwood is located in the northeast section of Metro Orlando, just twenty-five minutes north of downtown Orlando and 19 minutes south of Sanford. It’s surrounded by other desirable, upscale cities in the metro, including Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs, and Wekiva Springs.

With its ideal location and wealth of natural beauty, culture, and history, Longwood has become one of Central Florida’s most desirable communities, not only to live but also to do business. The incorporated city has a current population of around 15,500, which rises to around 21,000 on weekdays. Along with residents in unincorporated communities within its jurisdiction, the city’s total population is approximately 56,500, and this is expected to grow by around 14.6% over the next five years.

A brief history of Longwood

The earliest villages in the area now occupied by Longwood were settled in the 1800s by Creeks and other tribes, as well as escaped African slaves. They became the Seminoles, after the Spanish and Creek terms for “people who lived away from the others.”

In the 1870s, homesteaders arrived and developed a town around their properties. The town incorporated as the city of Longwood in 1923, and was a prosperous citrus-growing community until the Great Depression in the 1930s. It saw a resurgence in the 1970s as a residential suburban city when Walt Disney World and other Orlando attractions were opened, and the space industry established a base at nearby Cape Canaveral.

Real estate in Longwood

There’s great diversity in Longwood’s housing stock. You’ll find grand estates and mansions on sprawling lots, standard-sized single-family homes built in the 1960s and 70s, condos and townhomes in the city’s latest developments, and everything in between. Architectural styles are widely varied as well, running the gamut from Meditteranean, Colonial, and Georgian, to the ranch, Craftsman, contemporary, and more.

Longwood real estate is best known for its luxury homes, both in new developments from the top builders in the country and in established neighborhoods with mature tree-lined streets. The most desirable properties include lakefront homes and golf community properties. Older homes boast distinctive architecture in various styles, while many newer ones come with highly customizable floor plans and large landscaped yards.

Townhomes and condos provide more affordable but no less desirable housing options. They come in square footages that range from around 430 to over 5,600 to match the needs of various homebuyers.

Longwood also features quite a few gated neighborhoods that provide utmost privacy and security, as well top-notch community amenities.

Living in Longwood

• Education

Longwood is served by the Seminole County Public School District, one of the top-ranked school districts in Florida. Local students can go to four public schools, four middle schools, and three high schools. There are also a number of highly regarded private schools in the area, including Eagle Aerospace Academy, The Ampersand School, One School of the Arts, and others.

• Recreation

The outdoors plays an important role in the Longwood lifestyle. Wekiva Island and Wekiva Springs State Park lie just 15 minutes east of the city. One of the top attractions in Central Florida, the park features natural springs, wilderness trails, and water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding on Wekiva River.

Just a five minute drive from Longwood is Big Tree Park, which was once the home of “The Senator”, a 3,500 year old bald cypress tree that was lost in a fire in 2012. A clone named “The Phoenix” was planted to commemorate the lost tree, and is now one of the top attractions in the park, along with other ancient trees. The park also features a boardwalk, a playground, picnic areas and other amenities, and is a trailhead for the Cross Seminole Trail.

The city is home to two prestigious private golf clubs, Alaqua Country Club and Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes, as well as the semi-private Wekiva Golf Club.

• Culture and events

Longwood’s historic district is a must visit, not only to appreciate Seminole County’s earliest community but also for the leisurely stroll, great restaurants, and antique shopping. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the historic district includes 37 structures, including 1870s buildings and houses.

The annual Longwood Arts and Crafts is a highly anticipated event in the community. Held at the Longwood Historic District, it’s participated in by artists and crafters who line the streets with their works for sale. The festival also features fun activities for kids, as well as food, drinks, and live entertainment.

Find the perfect home in Longwood with Central Florida’s top Realtors

Mel Bernstein and the Premier Sotheby’s International Realty team are your best real estate guides in Longwood, Lake Mary, and the rest of Seminole County. Ranked the top performer in luxury real estate in 2019, our team are the local experts to call for your home buying and selling needs in the area. Contact us today at 407.810.4726 or send an email to mel@melbernsteinteam.com today!