[scgatorgrad]

My wife has a job opportunity in the Inverness area so we're looking to relocate from SC. I've spent all morning looking at the forums & at real estate but was wondering where to find what we're looking for. I'm familiar with parts of Florida since I've lived in Palm Bay, Melbourne & Gainesville but I'm not familiar with Citrus County.

I would like a new or recently built home, last 4 years or so, that's close to 3000 square feet - we have a family (7 year old & 11 year old), a home office and 3 small dogs. We're also looking to have some property - currently on 1/2 acre in a 2800 sq. ft. house that is in the 400k range, which we'd be looking to go a bit lower due to the lower wage issue - and would like to live where there are some restrictions but nothing unbearable like having to park cars in the garage or no privacy fences, etc. or we could live in the country as long as there's not a 30 minute drive to Wal-Mart or shopping.

Any ideas? Most of what I've seen in Inverness seems to be in the sub-2500 sq. ft range. Any places to avoid? (Crime, bad schools, sink holes, flooding or lack of insurance coverage, etc.)

Also, I'm in the IT business (over 10 years experience) so how is the job market for like technical support or small business support?

Any help is appreciated - I'll fix ur pc or network for free.

[Floridamom1970]

I live about 30 minutes from Inverness near a small town called Dunnellon and IF you have say a bachelors degree you MIGHT have a chance at getting a job somewhere in Citrus or maybe Marion county ( I am in Marion). This area is most definately NOT known for being high tech. My husband was in that industry, although he does not have a degree and the one job he tried for that paid anything decent was at the health department in Lecanto ( citrus county).

All that being said, Inverness is generally a low crime are. In fact I prefer to take my kids there or to Crystal River ( also in Citrus county- and it is on the Gulf) for entertainment rather than go to the boring city of Ocala. I really cannot think of any area in Inverness that is particularly bad. For the kids you will have Lake Hernando which is about 5 minutes away in Hernando. there is a skating rink and a movie theater, Lowes, Walmart and K mart, some decent restaurants ect.

Good luck. As far as schools go I think that schools in Florida are generally second rate but some are better than others. But over all I think you could do worse than Inverness as far as small towns go.

I could be wrong but I think I remember a Dog Park being in Inverness. I only have one cat so I have no use for a dog park but I think there was a write up in the Inverness paper about one last year. You can try calling the Citrus Parks and Recreation Department about that.

[daniellefort]

I've lived in Inverness 7 years. I like it here. I don't know of any "bad" areas to live in. Walmart is just 3 - 5 miles wherever you live in Inveress. It's centrally located. There are some new homes that have just been built in the area and still new ones going up but there are also a lot for sale in the paper. Check out the citrus county chronicle online. We have many medical practices in town and 2 hospitals in the county. Plenty of things for the kids to do. we also have a 7 chain lake right in downtown for boating, fishing etc, movie theatre, rollerskating, bowling. The schools in my opinion are very good. I have a special needs child in middle school now and i have been very satisfied with them going above and beyond for her special needs. She was in elementary as well and moving up to high school in 2 years. We bought property in TN recently but have decided not to move until she's done school because i'm that happy with her schooling. PM if you want any more info or questions on anything. I'd be happy to answer them for you.

[jfe2007]

I think you should check Hernando city in Citrus County beautiful houses and I'm sure you will find the perfect house, specially in Citrus Hills area and just about 6 min from Inverness. If you are looking to build a new house, Citrus County raise there fees up to $9,000 or so if I'm correct. We have one mall Crystal River Mall will take you around 35 min from Inverness(not that big). You will have fun if you like go fishing otherwise it is nothing else to do.
I thought that SC was the perfect state to raise a family....
Good luck!!

[BobBear]

Check out Sugarmill Woods in Inverness.
Its located on rt.19 at the end of the parkwway to Tampa and St. Pete., which is the only place you'll find IT jobs in any numbers.
With housing suffering, you'd be better off looking for a house you like already built.
The Hernando County, Citrus County areas are both low crime, and really no gangs to speak off. South of Hernando, to Sarasota can be trouble, you got to know your way around. (higher crime, drugs, gangs, murders, etc.)