[rhazlip]

My husband works in Leesburg and we live in Jacksonville. Now that we are about to be empty nesters I would like to move to the area but Leesburg is far too small town. I am looking for a community within 20--30 mins from Leesburg that is less of a retirement community. Preferably some place with options for late evening activities like sports bars, pool halls bar/restaurant combos that actually stay open past midnight. I work from home so am nervous about becoming isolated. Currently I play billiards on APA teams a couple nights a week to get out of the house and don't want to give that up. Any suggestions? Anything we have come up with so far is a long enough commute for my husband that he has said we might .as well stay in Jax

[kyle19125]

Your best bet is going to be Apopka which is a 40 minute commute to Leesburg. Check out the Rock Springs section on the Northeast side which has nice housing and establishments that stay open late in the evenings, as well as neighboring Altamonte Springs which has a good number too.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by rhazlip

My husband works in Leesburg and we live in Jacksonville. Now that we are about to be empty nesters I would like to move to the area but Leesburg is far too small town. I am looking for a community within 20--30 mins from Leesburg that is less of a retirement community. Preferably some place with options for late evening activities like sports bars, pool halls bar/restaurant combos that actually stay open past midnight. I work from home so am nervous about becoming isolated. Currently I play billiards on APA teams a couple nights a week to get out of the house and don't want to give that up. Any suggestions? Anything we have come up with so far is a long enough commute for my husband that he has said we might .as well stay in Jax

I second Apopka.
If that's too far, though, check out Mount Dora (I live there.) While the population is lower than that of Leesburg, that's mostly attributed to its lower sq.mi. area. It certainly doesn't feel as isolated and "dead" as Leesburg. Downtown Mount Dora is very active, there are several neat bars, a large pool hall down the road, lots of restaurants. That's the most active town that's fairly "close" to Leesburg. Otherwise, you'll want to check out Apopka or even Sanford, both which are a good 40 minutes away.

[annerk]

The north end of Clermont or Minneola will have what you offer and be 20-30 minutes to Leesburg.

There aren't a tom of places open past midnight on week nights, but plenty on weekends. Revival has pool tables and is a cool little hang out. Vineyards of the World has over 100 craft beers on any given night, plus typically 10 wines by the glass and 30 or more by the bottle. Grafiti Junktion is open until 2:00 am most nights. There are a ton of others that stay open to or past midnight--Wallace Grill, Gators (has pool tables), World of Beer, the list goes on.