What It's Actually Like to Live in Clermont, Florida: A Resident's 2026 Honest Review

TL;DR — A real Clermont resident's honest review

Vanessa Fernandez moved from San Diego to Clermont, Florida about two and a half years ago and runs Clermont Local, the city's most active local-content social media account. In this conversation, she shares why she chose Clermont over the rest of Orlando, what she loves about living here, what frustrates her, the local spots most newcomers don't know about, and what she'd tell anyone thinking about making the move.

Her bottom line: "I feel like it's the baby Winter Garden." Family-oriented, growing fast, with real community in the neighborhoods — but the downtown could use more, traffic on Highway 50 is real, and she wishes she'd done more research on which exact part of Clermont to settle in before signing.

Why this interview matters

I get asked all the time what Clermont is actually like to live in. There's a limit to how much an agent can answer that — I can talk about the market, the neighborhoods, the drive times. What I can't replicate is the day-to-day rhythm of being a resident: where do you go on a Friday night, what's your grocery routine, what surprised you, what would you tell your past self?

So I sat down with Vanessa Fernandez — Clermont resident, creator of @clermontlocal, and someone who has documented this city more thoroughly than anyone I know on social. The conversation below is lightly edited from our video for clarity. Watch the full version at the bottom of this post.

Who is Vanessa Fernandez and how did she end up in Clermont?

Vanessa was born and raised in New York, lived in Orlando briefly years ago when family moved here, then spent 15 years in San Diego, California with her partner before circling back to Central Florida. The trigger: her partner got a manager position at CarMax in Clermont, and they took it as the chance to come back closer to Vanessa's family in the area.

About two and a half years in, she now runs Clermont Local, a social media presence dedicated to documenting Clermont's restaurants, events, businesses, and community. She started it because she noticed something most people moving here notice: "There was a lack of advertisement as far as Clermont goes. I saw the potential and I saw what it was. I fell in love. I was like, I think we can do something here."

Why did she choose Clermont over the rest of Orlando?

Two reasons, and they're the same reasons most relocators end up here:

Reason 1: The hills

Coming from California, Vanessa wanted scenery that didn't feel like flat Florida. Clermont sits on rolling terrain at over 300 feet of elevation — the only place in Central Florida with real hills. "It gave us that California feel of the picturesque vibe, like, you know, as far as the scenery goes."

Reason 2: Affordability

Orlando proper had gotten expensive. Clermont offered significantly more home for the money. "Affordability was a concern. You look at Orlando, Florida, and Orlando itself has gotten so expensive."

Reason 3 (which she didn't list but is real): The buzz

Vanessa had heard the same thing most newcomers hear: "Clermont's the new up-and-coming. Clermont's where it's at. Clermont's going to be the new Winter Garden." When the time came to choose, the decision was simple: "If we're not going to do Orlando, it was just there wasn't even a search. If it's not Orlando, it's going to be Clermont."

What does she love about living in Clermont?

The community. Not just the city's broader vibe, but the specific neighborhood-level community she found.

The neighborhood Facebook group and block parties

Vanessa lives in a DR Horton community where neighbors organized a Facebook group, host community pool movie nights for kids, do Halloween block parties where every house participates, and generally treat the neighborhood like a place — not just a collection of houses. "You see kids constantly playing outside, playing basketball, and it's not just one house — it's a bunch of kids from different homes within the community. It reminds me of when I grew up."

The festivals at Waterfront Park

This came up multiple times. "They literally always have a festival going on down there." Pig Out at the Pond, Suds and Salsa, the Roots and Reggae Festival, triathlons and marathons throughout the year. Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola is, by her account, the lifeblood of Clermont's downtown energy.

The unexpected diversity of food

Vanessa doesn't romanticize the food scene — she's direct about wanting more — but she calls out specific places that surprised her:

• An Authentic Caribbean spot — Guyanese-owned, in the West End Plaza, packed every weekend. "His food is amazing. It's so good. And you would be surprised how packed it is."
• Roasted Spirits — bourbon and old fashioneds specifically. "Weekends, they're packed."
• Muse Bistro — newer Peruvian restaurant near the Epic movie theater plaza
• Pit Boss Cantina and Mexican Cantina Kitchen for Mexican food
• The View Clermont National — her newest favorite, with Wednesday night music bingo across the decades

Lake Minneola Tiki Bar (the local secret)

This was her "I'm about to give away my favorite spot" moment. "It's my favorite spot to watch the fireworks whenever we do have fireworks going on. If it gets too crowded at Waterfront Park, you go over to the Tiki bar and you can see it perfectly."

Lakeridge Winery weekends

Free wine tastings (red, white, rosé), live music on weekends, local food vendors, and a strong "bring your beach chair, set up a blanket, stay a while" vibe. A go-to for relaxed weekends.

What does she NOT love about Clermont?

Vanessa was upfront that she struggled to come up with negatives — but when pressed, two real ones came up.

Downtown Clermont could be more

"I see it and I'm like, this could be so much more. There's some retail space there that I'm like, we can use this for something else. We need more restaurants." The bones are there — Main Squeeze just celebrated a year, new boutiques are opening, Crooked Can Brewery is in development — but the downtown still feels like it's in the middle of becoming what it'll eventually be, rather than already there.

Highway 50 traffic and the infrastructure debate

This is the most-debated topic in any Clermont conversation, online or off. "There is a lot of traffic on the 50, I'm not going to lie. Then you get the car accidents and all this stuff happening."

What she finds encouraging: she's actually attended Clermont City Council meetings, learned about the road expansion plans coming, and credits the city for being transparent about the issue. Specifically, she mentioned the 429 expansion, the Orange Lake Expressway connecting South Clermont to Horizon West, and Schofield Road being paved.

Her honest take on the infrastructure-vs-residential-growth debate: "A lot of people have those concerns. They're like, why are we bringing more residential here when we should really be focusing on our infrastructure — the roads that can't handle the traffic that's already there. It's very much old versus new — old Clermont, new Clermont. And some people don't adapt to change well, but it's about, you know, how can we come together and move forward?"

Retail gap (specifically grocery)

Vanessa lives in north Clermont. "The closest Publix to me is about a 15-minute drive." Costco recently opening was a major upgrade — "Everyone is so excited for the Costco. The closest Costco before that for us was the Mall at Millenia, a good 30-minute drive." But she's still wishing for another Publix or a Target to be closer to her side.

What does an average week look like in Clermont?

Vanessa works hybrid — currently working from home, transitioning to two days a week in office at MOD. That hybrid setup is a big part of what makes Clermont workable for her: she doesn't have to commute into Orlando daily.

Her week mixes:

• Weeknight events (Wednesday music bingo at The View, festivals at Waterfront Park, restaurant openings)
• Weekend daytime at Lakeridge Winery, downtown Clermont, or the Tiki Bar
• Day-to-day errands within Clermont (with the noted retail gap on the north side)
• Occasional trips to Winter Garden, Horizon West, or Orlando for things Clermont doesn't have yet

The honest summary: Clermont is increasingly self-contained for daily life, with growing entertainment options. It's not yet at a level where you never need to leave — but it's a lot closer than it was three years ago.

What would she have done differently?

This was the most candid moment of the conversation, and it's worth quoting at length:

"I probably would have researched more. My experience when we moved was right as soon as the interest rates were going up. So it was kind of one of those that it was like, we got to get in now, because we're going from 2% to 9%. It was just insane how quick they were going up. So I did feel a little rushed."

"I will give the advice: do the work. Do the research. Educate yourself. We have so much happening — from the Crooked Can Brewery to the Olympus development to what's going on with downtown Clermont. Just look into where exactly do you want to live. We have Minneola, we have Groveland, we have Clermont, and we're all so close to one another. You could be one across the street and you're in Clermont and another, you're in Minneola. Going to Minneola is literally driving up Hancock five minutes — I'm already in Groveland and then back in Clermont."

Her core regret: jumping at the first house she saw because the rate environment felt urgent, rather than carefully understanding which part of the broader Clermont area would have fit her best. The home is great. The community is great. But she'd give her past self the gift of slowing down by a few weeks.

Vanessa's biggest takeaway for anyone considering Clermont

Asked for her two or three biggest pieces of advice for someone thinking about moving to Clermont, here's what came up:

1. It's family-oriented

If you're moving with kids or planning to have them, Clermont's neighborhoods, parks, festivals, and community vibe genuinely deliver on this. It's not marketing — it's lived experience.

2. There's real growth happening

For investment-minded buyers who also want to actually live in their home, she's bullish. "If you're looking for something that's investment but also somewhere you want to make it your home, I feel like this is it. I feel like it's the baby Winter Garden."

3. Do the research on which sub-area fits you

This was her most emphasized point. Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, and the surrounding communities are all so close to each other that buyers often don't realize they're choosing between meaningfully different neighborhoods. North vs South Clermont is the most important sub-decision — and worth understanding before you tour.

Rapid fire — Vanessa's one-line takes

Orlando?

"Evolving."

Orlando traffic?

"I-4 is crazy."

The Orlando food scene?

"Number one. The Milk District, Winter Park's downtown corridor — they have a lot of unique individual restaurants that I think a lot of people sleep on."

Disney?

"Overpriced."

Clermont?

"Clermont, Clermont, Clermont, Clermont — Hills." [she literally said the name four times]

Orlando housing market?

"Expensive."

Clermont traffic?

"50. It's crazy. 50 never used to be that bad."

Newcomers?

"Change. Nice. With newcomers comes new perspectives."

What this conversation tells me about Clermont in 2026

A few things stood out to me as her real estate agent listening to her review:

The infrastructure complaints are universal. Highway 50, retail gaps on the north side, downtown still finding itself — these come up in every Clermont conversation. They're real, and the city is genuinely working on them, but anyone moving here should expect them as part of the deal in 2026.

The community is the secret weapon. Vanessa's neighborhood story isn't unusual — it's actually pretty common in Clermont's newer DR Horton, Lennar, and KB Home communities. The block parties, the Facebook groups, the kids playing outside together — that's a real defining feature here that doesn't show up in market reports but matters a lot in daily life.

The "do your research on the sub-area" point is the most actionable advice in this whole interview. Vanessa is a Clermont evangelist who would still tell you to slow down and figure out which exact part of Clermont fits you. That's not a contradiction — it's wisdom from someone who learned the lesson the harder way.

How do I figure out if Clermont (and which part) is right for me?

Vanessa's regret — not knowing where exactly to land within Clermont — is exactly what my Personality Quiz is built to solve. North Clermont, South Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, and the broader area each fit different lifestyles, and the wrong sub-choice will frustrate you for years even if Clermont itself is the right city.

📋 Take the Orlando Personality Quiz here: https://orlandowithmario.com/QUIZ — it'll point you to the Central Florida areas that actually match your priorities, including which side of Clermont fits if Clermont is the right move for you.

📩 Or email me directly at info@orlandowithmario.com if you'd rather start with a conversation. I help relocators navigate exactly this decision every week.

📱 Follow Vanessa at @clermontlocal on Instagram and TikTok for the most active local Clermont content — restaurant openings, events, festivals, and everything else happening in the city.

🎥 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/dGEwBW3zzNQ

Frequently asked questions about moving to Clermont

What is Clermont, Florida known for?

Clermont is known for its rolling hills (over 300 feet of elevation, the only place in Central Florida with real hills), the chain of 11 lakes, the Lake Minneola waterfront, the National Training Center for athletes, downtown's growing food and brewery scene, and being one of Lake County's fastest-growing cities. It's increasingly referred to as "the baby Winter Garden" because it's in the same growth window Winter Garden was in 5–10 years ago.

Is Clermont a good place to live for families?

Yes — and this came up repeatedly in this interview. The neighborhoods skew family-oriented, with active community Facebook groups, organized block parties, kids playing outside in groups, and a strong calendar of family-friendly events at Waterfront Park. Many of the newer construction communities (DR Horton, Lennar, etc.) explicitly cultivate this community feel.

What's the difference between Clermont, Minneola, and Groveland?

These three cities sit so close together that Vanessa's quote — "You could be one across the street and you're in Clermont, and another, you're in Minneola" — is literally true. Minneola is just north of Clermont along Highway 27 and is faster-growing for new construction. Groveland is to the west and has been less developed historically but is catching up. All three feed into the broader "Clermont area" relocation conversation, but they have meaningful differences in school zones, taxes, and amenity proximity.

What's the food scene like in Clermont?

Better than people expect, but still maturing. Highlights include Roasted Spirits (bourbon and old fashioneds), Lakeridge Winery (free tastings, weekend music), Muse Bistro (Peruvian), Pit Boss Cantina, Mexican Cantina Kitchen, The View Clermont National (with Wednesday music bingo), Main Squeeze, and a growing roster of independent ethnic spots — including the Caribbean restaurant in West End Plaza that Vanessa specifically called out. The Crooked Can Brewery is in development and will be a major addition.

Is downtown Clermont walkable?

Partially. Waterfront Park along Lake Minneola, the lake walk, and the immediate downtown core are walkable. Beyond that, like most Central Florida cities, you're driving. The city is actively working on increasing downtown walkability through its growth plans.

How bad is traffic in Clermont?

Highway 50 is the main pain point — Vanessa called this out explicitly. Local traffic at peak hours is real, especially around school start/dismissal and 4-7 PM commute hours. The 429 expansion, Orange Lake Expressway, and Schofield Road improvements are all in progress to relieve pressure, but new road capacity always lags new residential growth.

What's coming to Clermont in the next few years?

Major projects to watch:

• Crooked Can Brewery — coming to the Hancock Road area near Hawkes
• Olympus Sports & Entertainment Complex — South Clermont
• Wellness Way Corridor — 50,000-acre master-planned area linking Clermont to Winter Garden
• 429 expansion and Orange Lake Expressway — major connectivity improvements
• Continued downtown revitalization with new restaurants and boutiques
• Costco — already open and a major retail upgrade

Is Clermont a good investment in 2026?

Yes for long-term holders. Vanessa's "baby Winter Garden" comparison reflects a real pattern — buyers who got into Winter Garden 8–10 years ago, before Hamlin Town Center matured, saw significant appreciation. Clermont is in that same window now, with major development catalysts like Wyld Oaks (in nearby Apopka), Olympus, and Wellness Way reinforcing the trend.

What's the best thing about Clermont that newcomers don't know?

Per Vanessa: the Lake Minneola Tiki Bar, full stop. "That's actually one of my spots. I feel like I'm going to give away my secrets, but it's my favorite spot to watch the fireworks." The community-event culture in newer neighborhoods is also a quiet feature most relocators don't realize until they move in.

Final thoughts

The most useful real estate research a buyer can do isn't reading market reports — it's listening to people who already live in the place they're considering. Vanessa moved here from California with realistic expectations, has documented the city for two and a half years, and gave one of the most balanced takes on Clermont I've heard.

Her big idea: Clermont is genuinely becoming what people say it's becoming, but you have to be intentional about where in the broader Clermont area you settle. The hills, the lakes, the community events, the growing food scene — they're real. The traffic, the retail gaps on certain sides of town, the still-maturing downtown — also real. The right buyer for Clermont in 2026 is someone who sees both clearly and decides yes anyway.

Big thanks to Vanessa for the conversation. Follow her at @clermontlocal for the most active hyperlocal content in the city.