Conway

The Conway Chain of Lakes comprises four interconnected bodies of water — Big Lake Conway (Middle Conway), Little Lake Conway, Lake Gatlin, and South Lake Conway — totaling nearly 1,800 acres. Yes, motorized boats are allowed and skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing happen regularly. The upper two lakes (North/Middle and Little) are the primary ski/wake areas. Two public boat ramps exist on Hoffner Avenue and near Orange Avenue. Maximum depth is approximately 30 feet with an average depth of 8 feet.

Properties adjacent to the lake shorelines are frequently in FEMA flood zones AE or AH (Special Flood Hazard Areas), which require flood insurance if the mortgage is federally backed. Non-waterfront interior blocks are typically Zone X (minimal risk). Before purchasing any lakefront or near-water parcel, verify the FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov and get a current Elevation Certificate. Flood insurance premiums on Orlando inland lakes are lower than coastal Florida but still meaningful — budget accordingly.

Public school zoning is address-specific in Orange County. Boone High School (Niche A-rated, 96% graduation rate) serves most Conway addresses for high school. Conway Elementary and Conway Middle serve many addresses, though Pershing K-8 serves portions of the area and has stronger state assessment scores. Private options include Conway Christian Academy (PK–12, founded 2021) at 2701 Conway Gardens Rd. Always confirm your specific address at ocps.net/find-my-school-home — boundaries shift with rezoning cycles.

Both neighborhoods offer motorized-lake-chain access within Orange County, but at very different price points. Windermere's Butler Chain of Lakes commands premium pricing ($1M–$5M+ for lakefront) and includes gated communities with golf courses. Conway's chain offers comparable skiing and fishing at a significantly lower cost — deepwater dockable lots typically in the $600K–$1.2M range for lakefront, with non-waterfront inventory under $500K. The tradeoff: Windermere has newer housing stock, more master-planned subdivisions, and better-rated schools; Conway has urban proximity (10 min to downtown vs. 25+ min for Windermere) and lower price per acre of water.

The Conway market reflects the broader Orange County picture: median price around $420K, with days on market averaging 55–65 days as of early 2026. Waterfront lots move faster when priced correctly and can trade well above the neighborhood median. Non-waterfront inventory has softened slightly from the 2022 peak. The neighborhood's multi-generational ownership base limits turnover — which keeps inventory tight but also means well-priced listings still attract multiple offers. Verify current conditions with closed-sale MLS data for ZIP 32812 before making pricing decisions.