Zephyrhills South is a retirement-friendly suburb full of activity
Zephyrhills South sits beside the booming retirement destination of Zephyrhills. Like its anchor city, this suburb draws many out-of-state residents with year-round warm weather, low-cost housing and a surplus of 55-plus communities. Locals can zip to neighborhood pools and shuffleboard courts on golf carts and enjoy active social calendars. This area offers a somewhat rural, old Florida feel with pine- and oak-lined streets, although it is about 2 miles south of downtown Zephyrhills, which has a main street with mom-and-pop shops. Wesley Chapel, about 10 miles west, and Tampa, about 30 miles south, are other shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.
Manufactured home communities offer social events and amenities
Ramblewood Village and Tropical Acre Estates are among the area's 55-plus manufactured home communities, which typically offer social clubs, events and shared amenities such as shuffleboard courts and swimming pools. Manufactured homes here tend to range from about $10,000 to $240,000. Land leasing fees may factor into monthly costs. Other styles include older ranch-style properties. "A lot of people do appreciate older homes, like those that are brick, especially living in Florida with the hurricanes," says Bratisha Governor, team lead of the Governor Group with Dalton Wade. Though hurricane impacts are usually not severe this far inland, Milton in 2024 caused major flooding in some areas. New construction homes can be found in the up-and-coming Cobblestone area. Single-family home prices typically range from about $120,000 to $650,000.
Neighborhood shuffleboard courts and city parks are close to home
Pools, shuffleboard courts and clubhouses are often built into subdivisions. City parks are just north in Zephyrhills proper. Zephyr Park, one of the closest, has a playground shaded by trees and a fitness trail that loops around a fishing pond. Other city amenities include a community center, dog park, skate park and a seasonal water park. The 18-hole Zephyrhills Golf Course, established in 1957, is open to the public. Skydive City trains skydivers of all ability levels. It draws thrill-seekers from across the region and supports various activities, including tandem jumps, group jumps and water landings.
Local shops and cafés line walkable downtown Zephyrhills
Publix Supermarket, Winn-Dixie and Save A Lot are a few miles north on State Road 54. The walkable Fifth Avenue corridor in downtown Zephyrhills is lined with brick sidewalks, Spanish moss-draped trees and small businesses, including hobby, furniture and book stores. Based out of a renovated historic home, Tina & Joe's Café is a popular lunch spot serving soups, salads and sandwiches. The lobster rolls are a menu favorite. Wesley Chapel has quickly become a major shopping and dining destination with hubs such as the Shops at Wiregrass, an open-air mall with brand-name retailers.
Social calendars are full, especially during snowbird season
"During the winter months, every property is very active and has community calendars with stuff planned — everything from bingo to pub crawls to potluck dinners to karaoke," says Sherry Weaver, a sales and marketing coordinator with Island Communities who has been selling in the area for about a decade. "Every community has it, so you don't have to go far for anything. You can hop in your golf cart and head to an event." Zephyrhills festivities include Summerfest, which brings vendors, pony rides and fireworks to Zephyr Park. The Founders Day Festival dates back over 100 years and features a vendor market, a juried art show, car show and a beard and mustache competition.
Pasco schools have early college opportunities and sports spirit
Within Pasco County Schools, Chester Taylor Elementary and Zephyrhills High both earn C-plus grades from Niche. Raymond B. Stewart Middle sits in the middle with a C grade. High Schoolers can get a head start on college with dual enrollment and Advanced Placement classes. The high school's early college program allows students to earn an associate degree along with their diploma. Friends, families and fans cheer on the Bulldogs football team, especially against rival Pasco High.
Golf carts support neighborhood mobility; highway acces for commuters
Locals may get to neighborhood amenities on foot or by golf cart. U.S. 301 is a main route north into Zephyrhills and south toward Tampa, while State Road 54 leads west to Wesley Chapel. The GoPasco bus system is another option for travel within the county. Less than 5 miles north, AdventHealth Zephyrhills is a full-service hospital offering emergency care. Tampa International Airport is about 40 miles southwest.
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Pushparaj Aitwal
