From a “Soldier City” to a growing metropolis future
The Osceola County city of Saint Cloud, located about 30 miles outside of Orlando, was shaped by sugarcane and the Civil War. It was established in 1909 as a destination for retired Union soldiers, who could buy five-acre lots for $50 apiece. Around the same time, a Pennsylvanian industrialist established a sugar factory at East Lake Tohopekaliga. The small community that formed around that factory has never stopped growing. Today, the bustling city of about 67,000 sits close enough to enjoy Orlando amenities like theme parks, beaches and the airport. However, unlike other Central Florida cities, Saint Cloud has fewer tourists and seasonal residents. “For people who don’t want their neighbors to change every few months, it’s a great place to land,” says Thomas Longmoore, a real estate advisor with Sellstate Innovation Realty who sells throughout Central Florida.
Catch the sunset at Lakefront Park in State Streets.
Saint Cloud is known as "soldier city" due to its post war heritage.
Veterans' park is located at 1200 14th St. in Saint Cloud.
State Street residents head to the sandy beach nearby to enjoy the Florida Sun.
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Cottages and ranch-style homes on the north, new subdivisions on the south
The city is divided by U.S. Highway 192, with the northern half featuring streets lined with cottages and ranch-style homes primarily built between 1950 and 1990. On the city’s southern side, winding streets branch out into wide-set subdivisions offering 21st-century New Traditional and Farmhouse-style homes. Those looking to build custom homes find available lots in new developments around the city's outskirts, including communities like The Meadow at Crossprairie, where single-family properties and townhomes are available. More townhouses are available throughout the city, as well as condos. Single-family homes sell for a median price of around $435,000, and townhomes sell for a median price of around $340,000.
Large craftsman style homes can be found in State Streets.
Large ranch style homes are abundant in State Streets.
A colorful craftsman style home in State Streets.
Homeowners in State Streets keep their yards well maintained.
You can find large contemporary style homes in State Streets.
Spanish style bungalows are found throughout State Streets.
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Lakeside Park offers fishing, a playground and a beach
Lakefront Park sits on the banks of East Lake Toho (as the locals call it), offering a sand beach, a playground with a splash pad, a pier for fishing, a boat ramp and a marina. Longmoore says proximity to the lake and park is a big draw for many residents. “The city put a lot of money into totally rehabbing it, and it just turned out gorgeous,” he says. Pocket parks are sprinkled around Saint Cloud's northern half, and some larger, athletics-focused parks, like the St. Cloud Little League Park, are found on the south side. Also on the south side, the Royal St. Cloud Golf Links offers a public expansive 18-hole course.
A retired St. Cloud couple enjoys soaking up sunshine on a beautiful day.
A group of friends playing a pick up game of pickleball on Lakeshore Park.
A host of activities can be found on Lakeshore Park.
State Street residents head to East Lake Tohopekaliga for fishing.
Kissimmee locals can get out on the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Reunion Resort.
Lake Toho is a beautiful lake near Downtown Kissimmee.
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Shopping and dining in Downtown Saint Cloud, in multiple shopping centers
Saint Cloud’s historic downtown is walkable and features locally owned boutiques, bars and restaurants. Large shopping centers with grocery stores, other big-box retailers and chain restaurants are scattered throughout the city. Most of U.S. Highway 192 is lined with retailers and restaurants, including Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Q, a longtime Saint Cloud staple.
Downtown Saint Cloud is a tourist destination.
"Greetings from Kissimmee" mural by artist Ric One.
Downtown Kissimmee is the dining and shopping mecca in the area.
3 Sisters Speakeasy is located in Downtown Kissimmee.
With a fully stocked bar, its easy to see why Three Sisters Speakeasy is highly rated
The Loop has over 40 stores for Storey Lake shoppers.
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Downtown hosts the Monthly Market and annual festivals
Downtown Saint Cloud is a hotspot for monthly and annual events. Once a month, New York Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue from 10th to 12th streets close for the Monthly Market. Locals gather and shop in boutiques, which stay open late, and sample a variety of food trucks. March’s Celtic Festival offers whiskey tastings and dance instructions. December is full of Christmas events, including a tree lighting at City Hall, a parade and a craft festival.
New schools planned for Osceola County
The School District of Osceola County, rated B-minus by Niche, serves 69,000 students throughout 60 schools. It boasts a 91% graduation rate and provides free breakfast to all students in the district on school days. The district’s enrollment numbers grew recently, with about 80,000 kids enrolled in the 2022-2023 school year compared to about 70,000 in 2019-2020. To address the growth, the county is building new K-8 schools throughout the city, including one along Cross Prairie Parkway, one in the new Knightsbridge community and one along Voyager Avenue. A new high school is in the works, too, with plans to open in the summer of 2026.
St. Cloud High School is part of the Osceola County School System.
St. Cloud High School is home to the Bulldogs.
editorialSt. Cloud Elementary School is an above average, public school located in St. Cloud
St. Cloud Middle School
St. Cloud Middle School
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Crime stats on police department website; city prone to hurricane flooding
The Saint Cloud Police Department releases weekly, in-depth crime stats on its website. As of October 2024, it reported that robbery was on the rise and reminded residents to keep windows and doors locked and report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. The police department has several services and programs to reduce crime, including bicycle registration, business and residential security surveys and neighborhood watch initiatives.
Flooding can occur during hurricanes. Saint Cloud has long participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which discounts flood insurance premiums for homeowners in local Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Those within an SFHA with government-backed mortgages are required to have flood insurance. In the event of a major hurricane, information about evacuation zones can be found on the Osceola County website.
Locals get around the city via U.S. Highway 192 and Florida’s Turnpike
Florida’s Turnpike, a major roadway along the city’s west side, leads to Orlando. The Lynx bus system, operated by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, provides two Saint Cloud routes: Route 10 to the Kissimmee Intermodal Station and Route 612 to Lake Nona VA Medical Center. The closest airport is Orlando International Airport, about 20 miles away. Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital is on the city’s west side.
As Saint Cloud continues to grow, city officials are working to improve its infrastructure, including many road improvement projects. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently began adding crosswalks and signals at several intersections along U.S. Highway 192, plus downtown on 13th Street, Florida Avenue, Indiana Avenue and Michigan Avenue.
Sunrail provides transportation for Saint Cloud residents.
Downtown Kissimmee is close to Saint Cloud.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is well known by locals.
The scenic boardwalk at Twin Oaks Conservation Park in Neo City is perfect for unwinding.
Gladys has been a Realtor since March 2009 helping families with buying or selling their homes. She has been with Remax Premier Properties located in Downtown Kissimmee since 2012. She has been a member of the Women Council of Realtors of Osceola since 2015 and helps the community in different ways. Gladys also supports a non-profit organization that helps needed families in Latin America and the Caribbean named Latin America Ministries Bridges, Inc.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
