College Park

Don’t let the charming bungalows fool you. College Park is much more than an appealing residential neighborhood located north of Downtown Orlando. Established in the late 19th century and subsequently named after its university-themed streets, College Park has evolved into one of the city’s most vibrant and active communities. Edgewater Drive, known to locals as simply “The Drive,” offers residents access to an array of popular boutique shops and eclectic eateries. The convenient commercial corridor also hosts popular events throughout the year, from wine strolls to music festivals. And if that wasn’t enough, the neighborhood is populated with lakes, green spaces and a landmark golf course that celebrated its 100th birthday in 2024. “College Park is really cool,” says Rochelle Warriner, a Realtor with United Real Estate Preferred. “It’s one of the older communities in Orlando that has this incredible mix of older homes and new construction because people don’t want to leave. It’s been a hot spot for about 30 years now, and it’s super desirable. It’s very walkable, and it has a lot of outdoor activities. It has a small-town community feel within a larger municipality.”

The neighborhood’s close proximity to downtown has made it a popular residential destination since the early 20th century. Notable residents include Jack Kerouac, who lived in a College Park cottage while writing “The Dharma Bums” in 1957-58 — the same period that “On the Road” was published. Aspiring authors can now write and sleep in the small frame house on Clouser Avenue as part of The Kerouac Project, which established Orlando as an international literary destination. While Craftsman bungalows and colorful cottages still anchor the neighborhood’s established housing, College Park offers a wide variety of styles and sizes from which to choose. “It’s a potpourri of homes,” Warriner says. Smaller single-level traditional homes and midcentury ranch-style designs mingle with contemporary custom multi-level homes, large Spanish Mediterranean homes featuring decorative architectural flourishes and sleek modern-style homes with imposing facades. Prices typically range from the high 300,000s to $2 million or more. Condominium options range from the mid-100,000s to the mid-500,000s for those at The Wellesley, a contemporary complex in the heart of the neighborhood.