Windermere

About Windermere

Located in Orange County just 15 miles west of Orlando, the Town of Windermere is nearly surrounded by water. Bessie, Down, Butler, and Crescent lakes as well as Wauseon Bay make Windermere a boaters’ paradise. More than 3,000 residents enjoy Windermere’s 2.2 square miles of greenery and lakeside living. Boasting high-quality schools, the Town of Windermere is great for families and has seen its fair share of celebrity residents.

Proximity to Orlando’s theme parks, golf courses, and big-city amenities are other assets to life in Windermere, but just a bit farther east are the rocket launches and gorgeous Atlantic beaches of Florida’s Space Coast.

Three of Windermere’s bodies of water are part of the Butler Chain of Lakes. Connected by more than 30 navigable canals, these 13 lakes flow south toward Reedy Creek, the Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee, and eventually the Everglades. Renowned for fishing, boating, water sports, wildlife habitats, and excellent water quality, Town of Windermere residents can access the Butler Chain via two private boat ramps as well as the public ramp on Lake Down.

It was the Butler Chain that drew town founder Cal Palmer in 1910, whose house he built by hand still stands in Town Square Park.

Living in Windermere

Nearly all residents own their own homes in this upscale community, featuring price points well above the national average to more than $30 million. If you are considering a move, know that many homes among the lakes have a Windermere address but are not necessarily located within the official Town of Windermere.

This is an important distinction when it comes to residents-only recreational amenities as well as trash/recycling collection. Whether within the town proper or the surrounding areas, choose from waterfront homes, golf-side homes, low-maintenance townhomes and condos, and lots for custom builds.

Things to do in Windermere

Biking, hiking, tennis, boating, and fishing are favorite Windermere pastimes, many of which you can walk to or commence from your own front door. The community comes together in Town Square Park for the Farmers Market, holiday celebrations, and Food Truck Nights, when more than 15 trucks make for a fun family evening.

The entire town participates or volunteers in the annual 5K/10K Run Among the Lakes. Windermere Recreation Center, aka Butler Bay, has tennis courts, a kayak launch, sand volleyball, and a boardwalk over Crescent Lake. Get to know all the lakefront parks as each has unique views and recreation.

In neighboring Winter Garden, access the 22-mile paved West Orange Trail, which also connects to Florida’s 250-mile Coast-to-Coast Connector Trail. Head out for a day at a theme park, cheer on the Orlando Magic as they battle their NBA opponents, or explore the wonders of Canaveral National Seashore on the Atlantic Ocean.

Resources for Moving to Windermere

The town provides twice-weekly trash and once-weekly recycling and yard-waste pickup. For water, residents have personal wells and septic tanks or access water/sewer through Orange County Utilities. For electric and gas, contact Duke Energy and Lake Apopka Natural Gas.

Windermere is a coveted place for families, water lovers, and retirees who enjoy outstanding year-round recreation, wonderful schools, and proximity to Orlando and the Space Coast.