Living and Loving the Sanford Lifestyle

LIVING

and LOVING

the Sanford Lifestyle

BY CLAUDIA MUNDLOS

Despite recent pandemic-related lifestyle shifts favoring the suburbs, a downtown centric- lifestyle is still fascinating and quite popular among home buyers, especially when we are talking about a downtown that is as exciting and beautiful as historic Sanford. Who wouldn’t want to reduce their car dependency and instead be within walking distance of such a vibrant town full of amazing restaurants, breweries, bars, theaters, galleries and shops? On top of that, residents living close to downtown Sanford can take advantage of parks, playgrounds and the newly expanded Riverwalk for recreation and exercise. Homes in and around the historic district are unique and the neighborhoods authentic.

RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT Brick-paved streets, majestic oak trees, and historic homes from the early 1900s almost let time stand still and inspire a simpler life. Can you see yourself sipping iced tea on your front porch? The historic residential district of Sanford is fortunate to have the Historic Preservation Board, which has helped in keeping the beautiful historic character of the district. You can choose an old house or build your new historic looking house in the district. The average price per square foot on regular homes that sold between January of 2021 through August of 2021 was around $210. Of course, if you are up for a good challenge, there are always fixer uppers available that are just waiting to be restored to their original glory.

SURROUNDING HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS The historic district is surrounded by a few beautiful and slightly more affordable historic neighborhoods including Sanford Heights, Georgetown, Goldsboro and San Lanta. These neighborhoods each have their own charming character and offer anything from historic homes to newly built homes. From many of the streets in these neighborhoods, you might want to bike or ride your golf cart into town, unless you don’t mind a 20 to 25-minute-walk. The good news is that if you have some time and want to secure your future in Sanford now, Georgetown still has quite a few buildable lots.

HISTORIC AND MID-CENTURY CHARM Even farther from the downtown center are neighborhoods like Rose Court, Wynwood and Bel-Air. These quiet neighborhoods offer an interesting mix of historic and ranch-style homes, many of them mid-century homes surrounded by gorgeous trees and lush landscaping.

MAYFAIR Speaking of bigger lots, you will find those in Mayfair, often called “Sanford’s best-kept secret.” This neighborhood sometimes gets overlooked because it is not adjacent to the historic district. It is only about a 20-minute walk or five-minute bike ride away. This neighborhood is situated east of downtown Sanford on the shores of Lake Monroe with a few lucky homes having the full lakefront. You will find a great mix of historic, mid-century and ranch-style homes surrounded by beautiful nature.

CONDO LIVING ON THE LAKE If a zero-maintenance lifestyle sounds great to you, how about condo living - with a million-dollar view? Gateway at Riverwalk is a 6-story building right on the Riverwalk where units overlook gorgeous Lake Monroe. The location puts you in the middle of it all.

APARTMENT LIVING Are you just playing with the idea of an urban lifestyle or moving to the area and want to check out the vibe before you commit? Then the downtown area has a few options for you. Just like Gateway at Riverwalk, The Park at Ravello is located right across from Lake Monroe and one- and two-bedroom units available for rent that are more affordable. Looking for something even more urban? The brand-new San Leon mixeduse development on Sanford Avenue (Georgetown) offers apartment living in the city across from some of Sanford’s most popular bars.

THE FUTURE With Heritage Park, a huge mixed-use development project in downtown Sanford over 200 residential units are projected to be available, resulting in more options for people looking to move downtown. Another project is Fulton Park, a residential development of over 30 townhomes right on First Street. The time to make the move though is now! Waiting will not make things easier or cheaper and space here is limited.

A GAME PLAN Ready to start the conversation about moving? We have so much more to tell you about each neighborhood. Text us at 321-436-6853 with any questions you might have. We would love to be your Sanford Real Estate Guides! n

We are proud to call Sanford home and as local Realtors with 30+ years combined experience, we hope that one day we will be able to help you and your family with all your real estate needs. Meanwhile, we invite you to explore MovingToSanford.com and stay informed on all things Sanford at Claudia's blog Sanford365.com. See you around town!

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