Why I Still Bet on Ocoee

I can’t walk through Publix without running into someone I know.

That’s Ocoee for you, or at least, that’s how it used to be. Born and raised here in Central Florida, I’ve watched this town grow from a place where everyone knew your name to a city that’s still figuring out what it wants to be. West Oaks Mall used to be the spot when I was a teenager. Now it’s a shell of its former self, a reminder that nothing stays the same forever.

But here’s the thing: I’m still here. My kids went to daycare in Ocoee. I’ve eaten at just about every restaurant in town, and my favorite is still San Jose’s because I knew the owner back when they were crammed into a tiny hole-in-the-wall in the same plaza on West Colonial where Burlington is now.

I’ve been in the Ocoee area for a very long time. And I’m still betting on it.

Small Town Charm Meets Big City Growing Pains

Let’s be honest. Ocoee isn’t a small town anymore. It borders West Orlando, and with a population that’s exploded from around 18,000 in 1995 to over 51,000 today, we’re dealing with big city problems now. Traffic. Development. The kind of growth that makes longtime residents nervous.

But there’s something special happening here that you won’t find in other Orlando suburbs. The Ocoee Rants, Raves and Reviews Facebook group is a perfect snapshot of what makes this place different. It’s full of realtors, teachers, parents, blue-collar workers, business professionals, doctors… people from every walk of life who actually care about this community. They show up for Founders Day. They pack the monthly community events downtown. They support local businesses.

That doesn’t happen everywhere. And it’s why I tell first-time homebuyers that Ocoee isn’t just a place to buy a house. It’s a place to build roots.

The Market Reality: A Window of Opportunity

Here’s what the numbers are telling us right now, and why I think this is one of the best times to buy in Ocoee in years.

The typical home in Ocoee is selling for around $430,000, down about 4 to 8% from last year. If you’ve been watching the market, you know what that means: the frenzy is over. Buyers have negotiating power again. In fact, 57% of homes are now closing below list price. A complete reversal from the pandemic-era bidding wars.

Homes are sitting on the market a little longer (around 33 to 45 days), which means you’re not racing against ten other offers anymore. You have time to think. Time to negotiate. Time to make a smart decision instead of an emotional one.

And here’s the kicker: over 700 new homes are currently approved or under construction in Ocoee. Major projects like Arden Park North (299 lots), Ocoee Village Center (196 townhomes plus luxury apartments), and Greens at Forest Lake (128 townhomes) are bringing modern housing options to the area. The city is projected to hit 75,000+ residents, and they’re planning for it with real infrastructure improvements.

Why Ocoee Makes Sense (Especially Now)

Let me put Ocoee’s pricing in perspective.

Windermere (just south of us): Median home price around $880,000. Beautiful, but that’s luxury pricing.

Apopka (to the north): Similar to Ocoee at around $395,000, but Ocoee’s newer housing stock and downtown investments give it an edge.

Pine Hills/West Orlando: Around $267,000, but you’re getting older homes and a completely different vibe.

Ocoee sits in the sweet spot. You get suburban amenities, newer construction, and a genuine sense of community without paying Windermere’s premium or settling for Pine Hills’ aging housing stock.

Downtown is Finally Happening

I’ve been watching downtown Ocoee’s transformation with a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. The city invested over $44 million in infrastructure. New streetscapes, an expanded Lakeshore Center, upgraded parks around Starke Lake, and a downtown parking garage.

In 2024, they brought in G3 Development (the same firm that revitalized Mount Dora) as the master developer for downtown. The vision? Make Ocoee feel like Winter Garden or Mount Dora. Walkable, charming, with local shops and restaurants that actually draw people in.

It’s not going to happen overnight. But the bones are there. The lakefront is beautiful. The historic character is real. And the city is finally committing real dollars and real planning to make it work.

Add in The Dynasty, a $1 billion sports and entertainment complex breaking ground near Ocoee-Apopka Road, and you’ve got a city that’s positioning itself for serious long-term growth.

The Melting Pot I Love

What I love most about Ocoee is that it’s a genuine melting pot. You’ve got blue-collar families who’ve been here for generations living next to doctors and business professionals who just moved in. You’ve got realtors and teachers in the same Facebook group, arguing passionately about the best taco spot or whether the new roundabout actually helps traffic.

This isn’t a cookie-cutter suburb where every house looks the same and nobody knows their neighbors. This is a community that’s figuring out how to grow without losing what made it special in the first place.

Why I’m Still Here (And Why You Should Consider It)

I could’ve moved. I could’ve chased the “prestige” zip codes or the newer developments further out. But I’m still in the area, and I’m at every store and restaurant in Ocoee constantly because this still feels like home, even as it changes.

For first-time homebuyers, this is your moment. The market has cooled just enough to give you breathing room. Prices are reasonable compared to neighboring areas. The city is investing heavily in infrastructure and quality of life. And you’re buying into a community that actually shows up for each other.

I’ve been near Ocoee for a very long time. I’ve seen it grow. I’ve seen it struggle. I’ve seen it come together during tough times and celebrate during good ones. And I’m still betting on it.

If you’re a first-time buyer looking at Central Florida, let’s talk about whether Ocoee is the right fit for you. I know this area inside and out. Not just the market data, but the feel of the neighborhoods, the schools, the hidden gems, and the growing pains.