[IsabelD1]

Hi, we are looking to purchase a retirement home in Florida. Looking for the following:
3 to 5 acres or more
Quiet area rural is fine but within 15 minute or less driving to restaurants, stores etc.
Low crime area
Driveable from South Florida as we would be driving there for the next few years we are ok with doing 5 to 6 hours since we wont be going every weekend.
Lots of trees and green areas.
Quaint towns nearby when we can travel when there.
Good hospital not too far away.
Looking for recommendations for which towns to consider.
Thank you all.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by IsabelD1

Hi, we are looking to purchase a retirement home in Florida. Looking for the following:
3 to 5 acres or more
Quiet area rural is fine but within 15 minute or less driving to restaurants, stores etc.
Low crime area
Driveable from South Florida as we would be driving there for the next few years we are ok with doing 4 to 5 hours since we wont be going every weekend.
Lots of trees and green areas.
Quaint towns nearby when we can travel when there.
Good hospital not too far away.
Looking for recommendations for which towns to consider.
Thank you all.

Look around Okeechobee
Arcadia
Lake Placid
Sebring
Lake Wales.

Now if being a bit further North there are a lot of areas around Ocala

[kyle19125]

I wouldn't look into the rural areas as much since medical care services (and specialists) are largely lacking in quality/quantity, along with restaurants/shopping. There are a number of quieter areas available that don't require being off the beaten path and aren't expensive to live in either, yet within a reasonable drive of SE Florida. Check out the Vero Beach-Sebastian area in Indian River County or the North Port/Port Charlotte area in Charlotte County.

[wizrap]

Originally Posted by IsabelD1

Hi, we are looking to purchase a retirement home in Florida. Looking for the following:
3 to 5 acres or more
Quiet area rural is fine but within 15 minute or less driving to restaurants, stores etc.
Low crime area
Driveable from South Florida as we would be driving there for the next few years we are ok with doing 5 to 6 hours since we wont be going every weekend.
Lots of trees and green areas.
Quaint towns nearby when we can travel when there.
Good hospital not too far away.
Looking for recommendations for which towns to consider.
Thank you all.

Alachua County. Gainesville has plenty of shopping, dining, etc.
Gainesville calls itself Tree City USA--they live their trees up here.
We drive from up here to SFLA about once a month or so; the drive is anywhere from 4 1/2 to 5 hours, depending on traffic & the length of your stop to grab a snack or fill your tank.
Great hospital system--UF Health
Have to be vigilant for property crime.

Hope this helps. I love it up here.

[Restrain]

There are 5 acre lots in North Port on the north side of I75. Alternately, I would look up at Ocala, as you would be relatively close to Gainesville for all the stuff. It is nice horse country up there.