Although Eustis dropped the word “Lake” from its name when it was officially incorporated in 1883, the Florida city is still defined by the body of water that carries its name. The Orlando suburb is about 40 miles northwest of the theme park mecca and serves as a center for several smaller surrounding communities. A popular vacation spot since the early 1900s, Eustis hosts a year-round population of 25,000, many of whom are senior citizens taking life at a slower pace. “I moved up here because it has less traffic, but it’s still an easy drive to Orlando,” says Lois Benaglio, a Realtor and broker with Hickory Hill Realty & Management. “And we have the most amazing sunsets over the lake.”
Fishing and boating on Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis forms the town’s western border and invites boaters and anglers to launch from the ramp off Lakeshore Drive. The Eustis Lake Walk is a scenic waterside trail that follows the old railroad tracks past Ferran Park, the town’s primary gathering spot. “As soon as school lets out, families bring their kids down to the park. You see people fishing out here all afternoon,” Benaglio says. Nature preserves threaded with hiking trails can be found amongst the several smaller lakes throughout the area, and hunting and ATV riding are also popular activities.
Kids of all ages climb and play at the newly built playground in Ferran Park in Eustis.
Kids love to play in the splash park at the Eustis Aquatic Center.
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GeorgeFest is the longest-running celebration in Florida
The city pays tribute to the nation’s first president in February with GeorgeFest. The celebration, the longest-running festival in Florida, features a carnival, live entertainment and a bass-fishing tournament. The Eustis First Friday Street Party brings food trucks, vendors and live music to the historic downtown once a week. Visitors to Lake Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society can tour one of the city’s oldest homes while learning the local lore. The Bay Street Players, a performing arts organization, presents several stage productions at the State Theatre throughout the year.
Lower median home price than nearby Orlando
The median home price in Eustis is around $350,000, well below the national median and lower than Orlando's median price. Many houses feature stucco walls, arched entries and low-pitched roofs characteristic of Spanish Mission-style architecture. Small condos and single-family starter homes might cost $225,000 to $325,000, but larger and newer builds fetch prices from $350,000 to $500,000. Lakefront properties in upscale neighborhoods on Grand Island start around $550,000 and can cost over $1 million.
Find a ranch-style home in Park Place on Lake Joanna in Eustis.
A beautiful brick 19th-century home located in the heart of Eustis.
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Lakefront restaurants and brick-paved streets
A checkerboard of brick-paved streets branches off Lake Eustis in the historic downtown area. Boutiques, breweries, specialty markets and ice cream shops peek out from beneath the shade of palm and magnolia trees. Lakefront restaurants focus on seafood, but other options range from Thai to Mexican to American gastropub fare. The Eustis in Bloom committee, an affiliate chapter of the nationwide America in Bloom organization, is beautifying the downtown and improving its walkability. Shopaholics can venture to the malls about 5 miles away in Mount Dora, which also boasts a charming downtown brimming with wine and gift shops and antique stores.
Publix at Eustis Village is conveniently located for shoppers' needs in Eustis.
Devor classic dishes like coconut shrimp, fried haddock and crab cakes at the Crazy Gator.
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Commuting to medical centers and Orlando
The nearest major airport is 40 miles away in Orlando, via Route 441. Most residents commute to Orlando, but those who work in Eustis can find jobs in healthcare, retail or social assistance. The closest hospitals are UF Health Leesburg Hospital and AdventHealth Waterman, a healthcare facility affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in nearby Tavares. Buses on the LakeXpress public transit system make several stops along U.S. Routes 441 and 19, including at the medical centers, Lake Square Mall and Main Street.
Home of Lake Tech
Students attend schools in the Lake County Schools district, which earns a Niche grade of B. Following graduation, students can attend classes at Lake Technical College, which offers programs in disciplines like architecture, auto technology and health sciences. Nearby, the Fly Umatilla flight school trains budding aviators at Umatilla Municipal Airport.
Eustis Middle School is a public school serving grades 6-8 in Eustis.
Eustis Elementary School welcomes the Eustis community.
Eustis Memorial Library is where locals go to check out the latest books.
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Environmental concerns and crime risk
Central Florida summers are hot and humid, ushering in a hurricane season that lasts through November. In addition to wind damage and flooding, hurricanes create stormwater runoff that carries pollutants into lakes and canals. The city website has tips on best management practices to combat the issue.
No recent crime statistics are available for Eustis. However, data from 2019 showed that instances of violent crime occurred at about one-third of Orlando’s rate, while property-related incidents were roughly half as common as in the larger city.
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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.
