Leesburg

Silver Lake, a residential community about 50 miles north of Orlando in scenic Lake County, occupies a sweet spot between rural solitude and urban accessibility. “It’s private yet convenient,” says Sharon Wooten, an experienced Realtor with ERA Grizzard Real Estate based in nearby Mount Dora. “It’s more of a laidback community, but you also have a state college here and you’re right off a major highway, so there are restaurants and shopping nearby.” Adds Robin Costoplos, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Edge who lives minutes from the community: “It’s very peaceful and quiet, not to mention beautiful.” While Silver Lake itself provides plenty of recreation for those who live along it, it is a private lake. However, the community’s main attraction is being surrounded by a trio of large lakes – Griffin, Harris and Eustis – that are all connected. “Leesburg and all these little towns are part of the Harris Chain of Lakes,” says Wooten. “You can go all the way up to Jacksonville and all the way down to the Intracoastal Waterway on the lakes. That’s a huge asset for boating and fishing. It’s a great area for people who like to be on the water.” Residents enjoy access to the beauty and opportunity of Central Florida’s natural landscape as well as proximity to regional attractions. “There’s a lot to do in the area,” Costoplos says. “You’re within 10 minutes of Downtown Leesburg and within 10 minutes of Downtown Tavares, which is on the chain of lakes. There’s a lot of activity there. You have a lot of restaurants and bars, and people like to walk around Lake Eustis.” The community’s largest and most expensive homes can be found on Silver Lake Drive, with private piers and boats floating in their backyards a common sight. Nearby Silver Lake Meadows is a planned development that features a collection of luxury homes on oversized lots. Smaller contemporary homes are part of ongoing construction at planned communities such as The Silver Lake Pointe. Traditional ranch-style homes can be found throughout Silver Lake. “It’s a good market with some very nice homes on the lake and also older-but-still-nice homes,” says Wooten. “Price ranges depend on the location. On the water, you’re looking at anywhere from $450,000 to a few homes that go as high as $1 million or more,” says Wooten. “Off the water, you can get an older ranch-style home for around $300,000.” The average home value is $425,000. “You will get more bang for your buck than in some of the surrounding areas because not a lot of people know about it,” says Costoplos, who recently sold a remodeled home on Silver Lake. Students in Silver Lake can attend Lake County public schools Treadway Elementary, rated B-minus by Niche, in neighboring Bassville Park and C-plus-rated Oak Park Middle and Leesburg High in neighboring Leesburg. Oak Park offers the Cambridge International Program Lower Secondary course of study. Graduates can work toward the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education at Leesburg High, a prestigious accomplishment that requires a team project and presentation and passing a written test on global perspectives and research. Leesburg High remains housed in a Mediterranean-style building built in 1926. The U.S. Highway 441 corridor runs through Silver Lake and provides convenient dining, retail and entertainment options. The highly rated J&T Smokehouse is known for its generous portions and friendly owners, and the City Star Family Diner features all-day breakfast. Nearby is the Publix-anchored Shoppes of Lake Village and the Lake Square Mall, which includes a movie theater with a pub. On the south side of U.S. 441 is the Leesburg International Airport, a general aviation facility. Residents will find commercial service at Orlando International Airport. Both 441 and the nearby Florida Turnpike lead directly to Central Florida’s largest city. “Silver Lake is also conveniently located,” says Wooten. “You can be in Orlando in 45 minutes.” Residents also enjoy proximity to State Highway 27, which provides access to other points of interest throughout the region.

The rural community of Lake Yale is so far from the busy streets of Orlando that the closest grocery store is 10 miles away, and dining out requires a trip to one of the surrounding towns. But that is just how the locals like it. “A lot of people don’t want to be in the thick of things,” says Jeffrey Evans of Right Realty Connection, who works and lives in Sunlake Estates, an established manufactured home community on the shores of Lake Yale. Surrounded by lakes and protected land, the community is an outdoor haven. “It attracts people who like fishing, boating and nature in general,” says Bent Danholm, a broker at Maxim Realty Orlando with more than 20 years of real estate experience. Both Lake Yale and the much larger Lake Griffin nearby hum with daily activity. Boaters and watercraft enthusiasts enjoy the freedom to roam more than 10,000 acres of open water. Anglers take advantage of some of the state’s best sport-fishing. “Lake Yale is the best bass-fishing lake in the area,” says Evans, who adds that the lake hosts regular tournaments. The community’s native marshlands are home to Sawgrass Island Preserve, which features primitive hiking trails and is a prime spot for bird-watchers and other nature lovers. Similar recreational opportunities are available at the Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area that borders the community to the south. Golfers can hone their game at the nearby Harbor Hills Country Club, a semi-private course that features an 18-hole, 6,900-yard layout. Large homes on acreage lots dot the community’s farmland and highlight the residential solitude the area can provide. Ranch-style designs are common among the overall single-family housing. Prices typically range from the high $200,000s to the mid-$600,000s. Lakefront manufactured homes provide a more affordable alternative, with prices ranging from under $100,000 to more than $200,000. Sunlake Estates is an amenities-filled 55-plus community with an interesting history. “What makes us different is that we started out in the ‘70s as a street-built subdivision that failed,” Evans says. “The developers went to Lake County and asked if they could change the streets and lot sizes, and the county said no. So, technically, we’re a subdivision with manufactured homes in it. We have wide streets and cul-de-sacs.” Amenities include a pool, clubhouse, fitness center and craft room, as well as boat slips. But that’s not all. “Only two communities in Lake County have first-responders, and we’re one of them,” Evans adds. “On top of that, we’re a gated community with security that drives around at night.” Florida offers school choice, so students aren’t bound by their zip code. However, most students are zoned into a trio of schools in a neighboring community. Umatilla Elementary is a B-rated school by Niche. Umatilla Middle is a B-minus-rated school. Umatilla High, a C-plus-rated school, offers extracurricular activities as diverse as Army JROTC and a bass anglers club. The Publix-anchored Woodland Center in Eustis is about a 10-mile drive. There's also a Winn-Dixie. The Gator Bay Bar & Grill is a popular destination for food and fun in nearby Leesburg. More retail and dining options are concentrated further south in Leesburg along the U.S. Highway 441 corridor. U.S. Highway 441 provides access to points of interest throughout the region. If residents do get the itch to be in the thick of things, the highway can be taken directly into the heart of Central Florida’s largest city. “You’re still just an hour from Orlando, so that’s not bad,” Danholm says.

Old Florida living blends with modern-day convenience in Bassville Park, a residential community within the Florida Harris Chain of Lakes. Residents might breeze by in their pontoons just as often as they cruise in their cars, as this suburb rests in the middle of 3 major lakes – Lake Eustis to the east, Lake Griffin to the west and Lake Harris to the south. There’s also the smaller, perfectly circular Silver Lake in the heart of Bassville Park, the shores surrounded by fishing boats parked at personal-use docks and tall, mature trees. “The area is known to be more rural,” says Lori Reisman, a 37-year local and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty specializing in the Lake County region. “But it’s close to everything – shopping, grocery stores, you’re even in between two hospitals.” Locals can quickly run errands and grab bites to eat thanks to the commercial area along U.S. Route 441, which runs along the southern edge of town. The residential areas of Bassville Park are unique in that it's predominantly made up of mobile home and manufactured home communities. But there are also ranch-style homes with attached garages, some with Craftsman influence and stone facades, as well as dwellings on one of the many lakes. “There are gated communities, manufactured home communities, 55-plus communities and lakefront property. It’s diversified and affordable compared to nearby areas,” says Reisman. In these quaint communities – some with inclusive HOA fees – are 500- to 1,500-square-foot homes, many with carports and some with wide front porches, starting as low as $10,000 and growing to $200,000. Outside of these neighborhoods are 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot properties – some with recent renovations and private back patios that kiss the lake shore – that typically cost between $230,000 and $400,000. While boating is the preferred outdoor activity in Bassville Park, residents also have access to a few neighborhood parks. Haynes Creek Park offers 36 acres of dog-friendly hiking trails and waterways where locals dip their kayaks. There’s even a bench swing overlooking the water where hikers can rest to admire native birds and reptiles. Nearby is Twin Lakes Park, a more family-friendly space with a playground, basketball courts and a long boardwalk over a small lake. On the south side of Silver Lake is Leesburg Dog Park, where furry friends can run off-leash. Bassville Park is in the middle of the 50,000-acre Florida Harris Chain of Lakes, one of the largest lake chains in the state. “There are some public boat ramps around Lake Eustis,” Reisman says. “But most docks are privately owned by residents who live on the lake.” Most pontoon excursions happen on Lake Eustis, but some locals also explore the wildlife around Lake Harris. Residents don’t visit Lake Griffin recreationally as often as the other lakes, due in part to its healthy alligator population. Retail and dining options are concentrated along the U.S. Route 441 corridor, which makes up a small but busy section of Bassville Park’s south side. The Publix-anchored Shoppes of Lake Village is next to the Lake Square Mall, which features traditional retailers and a movie theater. This commercial area also provides a variety of local, chain and fast-food restaurants. Residents might grab a Philly Cheesesteak at Lilly’s Super Subs or dine in on wings at Cousin Vinnie’s, instantly recognizable by its exterior murals. This pub is a popular spot for trivia and karaoke. Students living in Bassville Park can begin with a 15-1 student-teacher ratio at Treadway Elementary School before advancing to a 16-1 student-teacher ratio at Tavares Middle School, both graded a B-minus by Niche. They can finish their public school education at Tavares High School, which Niche grades a B and ranks among the best high schools in Florida for college preparation. The main way around town is on U.S. Route 441, which residents can take for 45 miles into Orlando. On the other side of the highway is Leesburg International Airport, a first port of entry airport for aircrafts returning to the country. Bassville Park is sandwiched between two major hospitals: AdventHealth Waterman on the east side of Lake Eustis and UF Health Leesburg Hospital west down Route 441. According to CAP Index, this area receives a crime score of 3 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4. The community is served by two Christian churches: GraceWay Church and The Fellowship Church. Both provide social events for members and nonmembers, as well as opportunities to serve on missions and join youth ministries.

Haciendas of Mission Hills, a small, picturesque neighborhood populated exclusively with villas, offers proximity to Lake Sumter and the popular town square that surrounds it. “It’s a very sough-out location,” says Jon McNeely, a Realtor with Realty Executives in The Villages. “It’s in the heart of the community. Residents can hop on their golf carts and be at Lake Sumter Landing in 5 minutes. Down here they call it the gem of The Villages. It’s beautiful; it sits on the water, and the landscaping outside the homes is gorgeous.” Neighborhood streets are densely populated with three-bedroom, two-bath villas, but there is plenty of diversity. Homes generally range from 1,100 to more than 2,000 square feet, and there is an array of different designs. The homes do share standard features such as attached garages, and small yards, which have their benefits. “Villas versus homes, the number-one thing is very low maintenance,” McNeely says. “All of them are courtyard villas, so you have a nice outdoor area with extra privacy, and there’s not a lot of yard work.” Prices typically range from the low $500,000s to the low $700,000s. The cozy confines breed a comfortable familiarity. “We’ve had four listings in Mission Hills and got to know a lot of the neighbors,” says McNeely, who recently transitioned into real estate after 25 years in the restaurant business. “It’s a tight-knit group.” There are no HOA fees, but there is a bond payment typically required of homeowners. The money is used for the upkeep of infrastructure. It can be paid off in three different ways: in total at closing, in total any year thereafter, or as an annual tax fee over the life of the bond. Lake Sumter Landing Market Square is a buzzy waterfront destination designed to resemble an old fishing village. Residents can shop and dine in the shadow of a lake that hums with the activity of guided tours, kayak floats and dragon boat races. “Everyone wants to live near Lake Sumter,” says Karen Santoriello, a Realtor with Worth Clark Realty who lives nearby. The square’s several dozen stores include Winn-Dixie, Barnes & Noble and many independent boutique shops. Residents can bank there, get their hair cut, speak with their financial advisor and visit the doctor. Residents can catch a movie at Epic Theaters Old Mill Playhouse, and the square comes alive with the sounds of music. “There’s live entertainment 365 days a year,” says Alexa Anderson, a real estate agent with KRG whose sales are concentrated in the community. Dining options are anchored by several waterfront restaurants, including Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill and the Chop House. Other eateries feature steak, sushi and pizza. Residents also can pop in for ice cream at a Haagen-Dazs store or grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks. “It gives off much more of an active vibe. It’s open and airy. It’s more vibrant than the other squares,” says Gina Befumo, a real estate consultant with LPT Realty, LLC and former resident of The Villages. Lake Sumter is large enough to support pontoon boats and fishing boats, and kayaks can be rented on-site. Dragon boat racing is part of an extensive list of clubs and social activities available throughout the community. Officials have begun plans for an expansion that will include an 8,500-square-foot floating dock for storage and kayak launches, a new boathouse for the boats that conduct tours of the man-made lake and a new pavilion at the end of a renovated boardwalk. Sunset Park is a picturesque green space on an island in the middle of the lake that offers stunning views. Residents have access to a neighborhood pool that includes adjacent space for playing shuffleboard, bocce ball and horseshoes. Several golf courses are located nearby, including the championship layout at Palmer Legends Country Club. With more than three dozen executive courses spread throughout the community, 9-hole options are always close by as well. In all, The Villages offers more than 50 golf courses. All of them are available to any resident who pays a $195 monthly amenities fee. That fee also includes access to more than 3,000 clubs and social activities. “You’re buying a lifestyle,” Befumo says, “you’re not just buying a house.” The Villages covers almost 60 square miles and has almost 150,000 residents, so getting around it can be a challenge in a golf cart, much less a car. Traffic can be a drawback, but with Lake Sumter Landing and all its amenities so close, it is much less of a concern in this neighborhood. And technology has made travel throughout The Villages much easier. “People can choose an area where golf-cart travel is preferable, and they even have an app to guide you through the community,” Befumo says. Additionally convenient from a traffic standpoint is that the neighborhood is located on the eastern edge of the community. County Road 466 borders the neighborhood and can be taken directly to neighboring Lady Lake in minutes. Once outside the community, U.S. Highway 441 connects directly to Orlando about 60 miles southeast. The Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast are both about 90 minutes away. The community is served by the Villages Daily Sun. The newspaper covers the surrounding area, but it is the official publication of the ever-expanding development and helps keep residents connected.

When Village of Amelia residents step out of their front doors, they can fire up their golf carts and scoot over to an array of amenities in minutes. Whether they want to take a dip in the community pool, spark up a game of bocce ball or shuffleboard, or play a round or two of golf, it’s all available. These kinds of perks come with the territory for neighborhoods like these within The Villages, the largest 55-and-over development in the world. The Villages is full of more than 70,000 houses, spanning almost 60 square miles, but neighborhoods like the Village of Amelia are a draw for the central location they offer within the wider community, says Charmaine Adams, a Florida native and a local Realtor with Realty Executives in The Villages. Many of the homes across the separate neighborhoods in this swath of The Villages are similar, but spots like the Village of Amelia are even more convenient because they’re a tad farther north than sister sections like the Village of Bonita and thus closer to the area’s commercial amenities. “It does not differ significantly other than the fact it’s even closer to Lake Sumter Landing Square,” says Sheila Davis, who is also with Realty Executives in The Village and has more than a dozen years of industry experience. The modern homes here carry new traditional Craftsman and Mediterranean styling, with single-story floor plans that average roughly 1,500 square feet. Many of the houses in the Village of Amelia stand on manicured lots that fall between one-tenth and one-fifth of an acre — dotted with shrubbery and palm trees. Some properties face the rolling fairways and sweeping greens of the Mallory Hill or Havana golf courses. Price tags in this neighborhood are usually between $300,000, for an option 1,400 square feet or under, and $700,000, for a home around 2,000 square feet with golf course or lake views. At least one person in each of The Village’s households must be at least 55 years old and no full-time residents can be younger than 19. There are more than 50 golf courses in total across The Villages, and those in the Village of Amelia are particularly close to the Mallory Hill and Havana country clubs. Some homes on Amelia's north end face Mallory Hill, and some on the sound end face Havana. “That is one of the best places,” Adams says of Havana. Both Mallory Hill and Havana feature 27 holes, made up of three nine-hole courses apiece. The Village of Amelia also has its own pool, which lies adjacent to shuffleboard and bocce ball areas, all at the neighborhood’s entrance. One of the reasons the Village of Amelia’s location in relation to Lake Sumter Landing Market Square is a boon is because of the steady lineup of events there. Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, like The Village’s three other signature Town Squares, offers nightly entertainment almost every single day of the year. The only thing that cancels programming on occasion is inclement weather. Events include daily concerts, which start at 5 p.m. Adventurers in the area can also meet at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square on certain days for the Grand Masters Dragon Boat Club, a rowing club that uses nearby Lake Sumter itself as its playground. Communities across The Villages, like the Village of Amelia, are littered with cart paths. Golf carts are a preferred form of transportation for many where possible, whether they’re using the paths or the designated lanes along the area’s main roads. People here can hop in their carts for a quick trip to one of the nearby golf courses, or to grab a bite to eat by the Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, which is only about 3 miles away. Those making trips farther away can take advantage of the Village of Amelia’s location within what locals call the “sixes,” which include Sumter County Road 466 to the north and Sumter County Road 466A to the south. Sumter County Road 466A helps to connect commuters with Interstate 75 for drives to places like Havana, just over 80 miles south. Both the Mallory Hill and Havana country clubs come complete with their own restaurants. Davis notes that people go to the Havana restaurant often, a spot with daily specials ranging from lobster on Mondays to prime rib on Thursdays. The fried chicken at Mallory Hill’s restaurant is popular. People here can also make the short trip up to Lake Sumter Landing Market Square for food — the space is surrounded by places including Panera Bread, Johnny Rockets and Florida-based chain Cody's Original Roadhouse. There’s also a Winn-Dixie nearby for those looking to grab groceries and other essentials.