Retirement in Ocala (Tampa, Lake City, The Villages: HOA fees, condos, house)

[tadg47]

My wife and I visited the Ocala area a few weeks back and really like that part of FL to the extent of thinking of moving there. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Summer Glen retirement community? Thanks

[JayFL459]

Can't really help you with the Community part but I enjoy north FL with Ocala being as far south as would want to go .. Originally from Tampa area and now in Lake City with no plans of ever leaving this area.. Have a few friends in ocala that love it there ...

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by tadg47

My wife and I visited the Ocala area a few weeks back and really like that part of FL to the extent of thinking of moving there. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Summer Glen retirement community? Thanks

If you do a search on this forum, you will find several threads on this subject, hope that helps.

[Mightyblessed]

We are hoping to move to the area soon as well. Are there condos in the area or close by, without HOA'S fees? Any response on this will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Hartwick]

We closely looked at several re-sale and new construction homes in SummerGlen, last year. We found the retirement community to not only be new, but the geographic area itself was quite appealing. The downside to SummerGlen is the location, especially regarding shopping for groceries, restaurants, big box stores, medical care, dental care, etc. For any shopping and medical care, you need to drive about 9 miles to Ocala, or several miles to the South to get to The Villages' area stores. The area surrounding SummerGlen is beautiful, but that downside was the major one mentioned by current residents. The only other downside is it's proximity to Interstate Route 75 and the 24/7 noise generated by the heavy traffic which is quite obvious in SummerGlen neighborhoods close to that Interstate.

The HOA fees are less than other surrounding 55+ communities that support a golf course also. However, the amenities are somewhat less than that available in Stone Creek, OTOW, and The Villages...so, you get what you pay for.

If you are somewhat "young" retired(age-wise), then StoneCreek or The Villages may be worth your investigation. Some communities, such as OTOW, have great amenities, are safe, close to shopping, medical care, etc., but the residents tend to be quite old, inactive, stay in their homes, and don't use the amenities(the amenitiy area for OTOW is generally desserted, with empty storefronts, and those couple of storefronts that remain open typically have few, if any, customers during the daytime. OTOW does have some big-name entertainers on a regular basis, but the rest of the time, the amenities are nearly empty).

If you don't golf, then Marion Landing, on Route 200, may be worth a look. Their HOA is quite low(exact number I forgot), but they don't have a golf course to support. Homes are stick-built, well-maintained, and generally selling in the low-$100's. Have a recently renovated club house and amenities. Neighborhood is older(1980's and 1990's), but quiet, safe, people are older, but very charming, warm, look-out for each other. Shopping for whatever, and medical care is within 1 to 2 miles, or slightly more, but still very close. Not exactly SummerGlen or Stone Creek, but may be worth a look.

Good luck.