"Allow myself to introduce myself." : Austin Powers
My name is Clyde Moore. My life partner of almost 33 years, Jim Kiger, and I have lived in Winter Park for almost 18 years! Seriously, I wish I grew up here, had been here my entire life. 
Okay, had it gone that way, maybe it would have turned out differently. I’ve met those people, the people who grew up here and left. But I met them because, YES, they came back! I call them the Winter Park boomerangs! It’s an incredible testament to Winter Park that so many who were born here stay in this area their entire lives. But what says more, to my mind, is the large numbers who leave, certain there is something better out there, only to return to raise their own families.
We lived in Atlanta for 11 years, meeting at work in the Perimeter area in 1992. We LUVed Atlanta during our time there but we always thought the nickname “Hotlanta” was false advertising! We both detest cold weather and headed for South Florida in 2001. Turns out, that wasn’t exactly for us. Fortunately, a neighbor there had lived in Winter Park and recommended it as a possibility. Wow, do we ever owe her!
I started I LUV Winter Park initially out of a desire to do something unique and supportive of the Local small business community. In 2016, within a few months period, I met two different people who said they actually moved to Winter Park because of my social media posts. Wow!
I grew up in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Working at The Gap in Durham during college, the manager of my store once told me I was a great sales person. I actually felt a bit like she had insulted me. To me, “selling” someone something is talking them into something of which they may not at first want or even like. I see myself as more of a promoter, often getting others caught up in my enthusiasm for the things I like and enjoy. Voila, Winter Park.
When that comes to real estate, yep, that means a big focus on Winter Park and immediate vicinity. In fact, it’s the entire focus. That doesn’t mean I won’t wander a bit this way or that. Rule of thumb is no further than 5 miles from Park Avenue. In the right instance, that could be 8 or 9. There are a few reasons but the big one is this: I wish to show and sell properties in an area where I can offer real insight and guidance. I've had life time residents tell me I know Winter Park better than they do. I like sharing my knowledge, experiences & insights.
Too, you need to understand the average Winter Park resident celebrates living in a bit of a bubble. Imagine that “Under the Dome” television show, a large dome set above us. No, of course it's not real BUT, I do joke about picking up speed at certain intersections to ensure I get through. We tend to enjoy being right where we are.
The truth is, we have so much of what we need and want right here. Who wants to sit in traffic? Not me. I sometimes share about the last time we went to dinner with friends in Atlanta just before leaving in 2001. Quite literally, that evening, our friends who lived in Gwinnett County, drove over 100 miles that evening to go to dinner! Boom: We moved to Fort Lauderdale and the couple from whom we purchased our home had a firm rule about not leaving the zip code for any meal. There’s lots of that right here in Winter Park, as well. And I LUV it! Quality of life is what we do outside our cars.
My partner and I are now living in our third Winter Park neighborhood in 18 years. Each neighborhood has been VERY different. Each location has determined where we shop most often for groceries and everything else. A decade ago, the Whole Foods in Winter Park was just off Lakemont Avenue on the eastern side of Winter Park. Six or so years ago, it moved to where it is now, along Orlando Avenue. The distance moved, probably 2 – 3 miles. Yet, there are Winter Park residents who professed they would never visit the new location. THAT is very Winter Park and, to my experience, not so uncommon in Florida.
A few years ago at a Winter Park open house I met a couple living in Bradenton. They asked about Winter Park and from the home we were in, I said they could be to many of Winter Park’s best restaurants in a matter of minutes. The wife sounded a bit disgusted as she told me it could take them 20 minutes to get to a mediocre restaurant where they lived at the time.
I don’t know anything about Windermere and MOST communities in the Orlando area. I've also been to Paris, London, Cape Town, South Africa, but I wouldn't feel qualified or ready to show anyone real estate tehre. There are people, REALTORS, who know these places very well. I know a lot about Winter Park, a good deal about College Park, north Orlando, Casselberry, and other area close to where I spend my days and nights. I have unique takes on them and can offer useful, valuable insights.
If you are looking for a home in Winter Park, Mr. Winter Park would be delighted to assist in your search! I'm pretty sure you will LUV it here as much as I do!