Discover Longwood, Florida: Guide, What To Do, housing, Dining + 7 tips before you go in 2025


Longwood is a small city of about 15,000 people in Seminole County, just north of Orlando. It sits between Lake Mary, Winter Springs, and Altamonte Springs, offering easy access to beaches, downtown Orlando, and Disney attractions. The real estate market here is pretty diverse – you can find homes from the low $300,000s all the way up to multi-million dollar estates along Markham Woods Road. The city has great schools through Seminole County, tons of nature thanks to Wekiva Springs State Park, and a historic downtown with local shops and events. It’s basically a place where you get Central Florida convenience without the cookie-cutter feel of newer developments.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Longwood, FL

About 15,000 people live in the city proper, though the greater Longwood area has more residents spread across different zip codes (32779 and 32750).

Yup. Longwood is in the Seminole County School District, which has some of the best schools in Central Florida. Depending on your neighborhood, you might be zoned for schools like Sabal Point Elementary, Rock Lake Middle School, Lake Brantley High School, or Lyman High School.

Not really. That’s one of the things people like about it. The homes were built from the 1970s through the 2000s, so you get more variety and mature landscaping instead of the identical houses you see in new developments. The Markham Woods area has some seriously beautiful wooded estates.

Compared to Lake Mary and Heathrow, it’s more affordable. You get similar location benefits without paying as much. That said, property values have been climbing, and the high-end areas can get pricey.

Small and historic. They’ve cleaned it up over the years and now host art shows, farmers markets at Reeder Park, and local events. It’s got that small-town feel with local businesses instead of big chains.

Downtown Orlando: 15 miles (about 25 minutes)

Disney World: 35 minutes

Orlando International Airport: 30-40 minutes

New Smyrna Beach: under an hour

Beaches (general): 45 minutes to an hour

Yes, SunRail runs through the area. Some newer developments like Monterey North are specifically built near SunRail stations so people can commute to downtown Orlando or Winter Park without a car.

South Seminole Hospital is right in Longwood. You’re also close to Orlando Health Sanford and AdventHealth facilities.

It’s generally considered a safe, family-friendly area. Like anywhere, different neighborhoods have different vibes, but it’s known as a good place to raise kids.

Longwood itself has growing small businesses and South Seminole Hospital. Nearby Lake Mary has bigger employers like AAA and Deloitte headquarters. You’re also close enough to Orlando for commuting.

History and Location

Longwood’s story goes back way before any Americans showed up. The Timucuan and Acuera tribes lived here for thousands of years before European contact. Eventually, escaped African slaves joined these native peoples to form the Seminole people – the name literally means “people who live away from others” in Spanish and Creek.

Things stayed quiet until World War II when military bases like Naval Air Station Sanford and Orlando Army Air Base brought people to the area. By the 1950s, population hit over 1,000. Then the space industry boom in the 1960s and 1970s brought jobs at Martin Marietta, Cape Canaveral, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. When Disney World opened in 1971, that changed Central Florida forever, and Longwood benefited from being close but not right on top of the tourist areas.

Longwood was officially incorporated in 1923. Today it sits in a pretty sweet spot – right off I-4 with SR 434 as the main artery running through it. You’re positioned between some of the more expensive areas like Lake Mary to the north and Altamonte Springs to the south. The Wekiva Springs area to the west is where you’ll find those high-end properties on bigger lots.

longwood florida on map, route from orlando

Best Things to Do in Longwood – Attractions

Wekiwa Springs State Park

This is the big draw. You’ve got natural springs, kayaking, canoeing, hiking trails – basically everything you’d want for outdoor fun in Florida. The water stays around 72 degrees year-round, which feels amazing when it’s hot outside. People come from all over Central Florida to visit here.

Wekiwa Island

This place is more of a commercial spot right on the river. You can rent kayaks and canoes, there’s a restaurant and bar, and they even have cabanas you can rent right by the water. Some people literally bring their laptops and work by the river. It’s got that laid-back Florida vibe.

Lake Brantley

If you live in neighborhoods like Sweetwater Oaks, you get access to Lake Brantley. There’s a boat ramp, a small beach area, and people go jet skiing and boating. The HOA covers access to the boat ramp, which is pretty nice if you’re into water sports.

Historic Downtown Longwood

The downtown area has cleaned up a lot over the years. Reeder Park hosts farmers markets on weekends, and they do art shows and local events. There’s an amphitheater where they put on music and dancing. Streets get closed off sometimes so locals can shop and hang out. It’s small but has that genuine community feel.

Seminole Wekiwa Trail

This is a paved trail that’s great for biking, walking, or running. It connects different parts of the area and gives you that nature experience without having to drive somewhere special.

Reeder Park

Nice community park with an amphitheater, playground areas, and it’s where a lot of the town events happen. Good spot for families.

The Springs Neighborhood

Even if you don’t live here, it’s worth seeing. This gated community has a private lagoon and clubhouse just for residents. During summer, it gets packed because you can access the actual Wekiva Springs waterway system from there – it connects to King’s Landing and Kelly Park. Most developments can’t do this anymore because of environmental protections, so this community is pretty unique.

Cross Seminole Trail

Another trail option for people who like to stay active outdoors. It’s part of the larger trail system in Seminole County.

Big Tree Park

While The Senator tree is gone, the park is still there and worth checking out for the history and the other old cypress trees.

Dining in Longwood – Where To Eat

The dining scene in Longwood is honestly more low-key than places like Lake Mary. You’re not going to find a ton of high-end restaurants, but you’ve got solid options.

Local Favorites

Micon is mentioned as a popular Mediterranean restaurant. Beyond that, you’ve got your typical fast food and chain restaurants scattered along the interstate roads and SR 434.

Wekiwa Island Restaurant

Since this is right on the water with the kayak rentals and everything, people go here for the atmosphere as much as the food. It’s casual and fun.

Nearby Options

If you want more upscale dining, Lake Mary is close by. Colonial Town Park in Lake Mary has high-end restaurants. You’re also not far from the Hourglass Brewing area and other spots in neighboring cities.

Chain Restaurants

You’ve got your standard chains – McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Olive Garden – all easy to find along the main roads.

The vibe here seems to be more mom-and-pop places and casual spots rather than destination restaurants. If you want fancy dining, you head to Lake Mary or Orlando.


Real Estate Market – Housing in Longwood

The Longwood real estate market is kind of all over the place, which is actually good because it means there’s something for different budgets.


  • Entry Level ($300,000s-$400,000s) DR Horton has townhomes in Monterey North starting around $368,000. These are 3-bedroom, 2-bath units with about 1,500 square feet and a 2-car garage. They’re modern living products with better upgrades than typical DR Horton builds – think quartz countertops, white shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and LVP flooring throughout. The HOA covers a lot, and blinds and appliances are included in the package.
  • Mid-Range ($400,000s-$500,000s) Single-family homes in this range are typically older builds from the 1980s. A good example is a property in Shadow Bay – built in 1984, just under 1,600 square feet, priced at $420,000. These homes have been renovated with updated kitchens (matching Kitchen Aid appliances – that’s apparently a sign someone cared about the flip), new flooring, and modern fixtures.
  • Upper Range ($700,000s-$1,000,000+)  This is where The Springs neighborhood and the Wekiwa area properties come in. A house in The Springs from 1976, just over 3,200 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, was listed at $756,000 (about $234/square foot). These aren’t cookie-cutter homes – they’ve got unique features like sunken living rooms, 20-foot ceilings, courtyard entries, and sit on larger lots (like 0.38 acres in this case).
  • High-End (Multi-Millions) The Markham Woods Corridor has some of the most expensive homes in Central Florida. These are estate properties on big wooded lots. The area is known for having “some of the most fabulous homes in Central Florida” according to local agents.

Neighborhoods

  • Sweetwater Oaks – About 1,300 homes here, with over 3,000 in the greater Sweetwater area that extends into Apopka. Homes range from $400,000 to $3,000,000+. The higher end is in Sweetwater Golf and Country Club. You get access to that private beach on Lake Brantley, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a banquet hall. HOA is only $650/year.
  • Sabal Point – About 750 homes, ranging $400,000-$700,000. Right across from Publix (actually between two Publix stores). Has the elementary school inside the community, so kids can walk to school. More affordable than Sweetwater.
  • The Springs – Gated community behind Wekiva Springs. Each home is different (no cookie-cutter feel), and you get that private lagoon with water access. It’s basically a hidden gem that even locals don’t know about.
  • Markham Woods Area – The high-end corridor with estates on wooded lots.

Pros of Longwood

  • Location is pretty perfect – You’re close to everything but not in the middle of tourist chaos. Twenty-five minutes to downtown Orlando, 35 to Disney, 30-40 to the airport, under an hour to beaches. That’s about as good as it gets in Central Florida.
  • Better value than neighboring cities – You get similar location benefits to Lake Mary and Heathrow without paying Lake Mary and Heathrow prices. The schools are just as good (same district), but you’re spending less on housing.
  • Nature everywhere – Between Wekiwa Springs State Park, Lake Brantley, the trail systems, and all the mature trees, it doesn’t feel like a typical Florida suburb. If you like being outdoors, you’ll actually use all this stuff.
  • Schools are solid – Seminole County School District has A-rated schools. People specifically move here to get their kids into Lake Brantley or Lyman High School.
  • Not cookie-cutter – This might sound weird to list as a pro, but so many buyers are sick of those identical new builds. Longwood has character because homes were built over different decades. You get architectural variety, bigger lots in some areas, and that established neighborhood feel.
  • Small-town vibe with big-city access – The downtown area actually has local events and community stuff happening. It’s not just chain stores and traffic like some parts of Central Florida.
  • Different housing options – Whether you need an affordable townhome or want a multi-million dollar estate, you can find it here. Not many places have that range.
  • SunRail access – If you work in downtown Orlando or Winter Park, you can ditch the car and take the train. That’s huge for some people.
  • Good medical infrastructure – South Seminole Hospital is right there, plus you’re close to other hospital systems.

Cons of Longwood

  • It’s gotten more expensive – While still cheaper than Lake Mary, prices have climbed. What used to be a budget-friendly option isn’t quite as cheap anymore. Two years ago, a home that sold for $386,000 might only be worth $406,000 now – that’s just a couple percent gain per year, but it’s not the steal it used to be.
  • Market is changing – If you’re selling, you’re not in the hot market of 2021-2022 anymore. Homes sit longer, buyers negotiate more, and you might not get over asking price like you would have a couple years ago. Inventory is way up in some areas.
  • Not as upscale as Lake Mary – If you want fancy restaurants and high-end shopping, that’s not really here. You’ll be driving to Lake Mary or Orlando for that stuff.
  • Limited new construction – Most of the city is built out already. If you specifically want a brand new home, your options are limited compared to places with land to develop.
  • Traffic on I-4 and SR 434 – These are major roads, and they get backed up. If you’re commuting during rush hour, it’s not fun.
  • Small downtown – If you’re coming from a place with a thriving downtown scene, Longwood’s historic district might feel pretty limited.
  • Some neighborhoods feel dated – Not in a charming way – in a “this needs serious work” way. The variety in home ages means some areas feel really nice and others feel neglected.

7 Practical Tips for Visiting or Moving to Longwood

  • Drive through different neighborhoods – Don’t just look at one area and decide. Sweetwater Oaks feels different from Sabal Point, which feels different from The Springs. Same city, totally different vibes and price points.
  • Check which zip code you’re in – 32779 and 32750 have different market conditions and different school zones. This actually matters if you’re buying or selling.
  • Drive during rush hour – Test your commute at the time you’d actually be driving. I-4 and SR 434 can get backed up, and you want to know what you’re dealing with.
  • Visit Wekiwa Springs on a weekend – You’ll see why people love living near it. The park gets busy, which tells you it’s actually worth going to.
  • Look at HOA rules carefully – Some neighborhoods have restrictions on parking, RVs, boats, or even what you can do with your yard. The monthly fee is just part of it.
  • Check flood zones – You’re near water and springs. Make sure you know what your flood insurance will cost before you buy.
  • Visit during different times of day – A quiet neighborhood at 2 PM might be on a flight path or near a busy road that’s only noticeable at 7 AM.
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Longwood, florida. guides, attractions, tips, housing

Summary

Longwood basically gives you what a lot of people are looking for when they move to Central Florida – good location, decent prices (relative to the area), solid schools, and access to nature without feeling like you live in a theme park.

The city sits in that sweet spot between Orlando and the northern suburbs. You’re close enough to commute downtown, hit the beaches, or get to Disney, but you’re not paying Lake Mary prices or dealing with tourist traffic. The Seminole County schools are legitimately good, which matters if you have kids.

What makes Longwood different from a lot of Florida suburbs is that it doesn’t feel brand new and identical everywhere you look. Homes were built from the 1970s through the 2000s, so you get variety – mature trees, different architectural styles, and neighborhoods that feel established instead of fresh out of the box. Some people love that. Others want everything new and perfect.

Right now the market is shifting. It’s not the crazy seller’s market of 2021-2022 anymore. Homes sit a bit longer, buyers negotiate more, and inventory is up compared to recent years. If you’re selling, you need to price right and be realistic. If you’re buying, you might actually have some leverage for the first time in a while.

The outdoor scene is legit. Wekiva Springs State Park, Lake Brantley, the trail systems – this stuff isn’t just for show. People actually use it. If you’re moving from a place without this kind of nature access, it’s a big quality-of-life upgrade. Thanks for Reading and Have a Good Day! – ShinyandSpotless Team