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Old 05-13-2011, 11:11 AM
 
32 posts, read 179,593 times
Reputation: 18

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Hi there,

Can anyone suggest areas of Florida which are more rural/pretty/countryside-ish and away from any major built up areas? I'm looking for somewhere to rent for 2-3 months this Vermont winter, bringing my dogs and looking for a little warmth. I really don't mind where, as long as it's in the countryside or small town sort of area, and away...far away....from condos/disney/high-rises etc.

Once I have a few area suggestions I can go on VRBO to look for rentals.

THANKS SO MUCH!
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Old 05-13-2011, 11:33 AM
 
Location: Spring Hill Florida
12,135 posts, read 16,007,758 times
Reputation: 6085
Hernando County may fit your needs. It is 45 miles north of Tampa and 90 miles due West of Orlando, so if you wanted to go to those places, its not too far away.


Quote:
Originally Posted by LoopyLou View Post
Hi there,

Can anyone suggest areas of Florida which are more rural/pretty/countryside-ish and away from any major built up areas? I'm looking for somewhere to rent for 2-3 months this Vermont winter, bringing my dogs and looking for a little warmth. I really don't mind where, as long as it's in the countryside or small town sort of area, and away...far away....from condos/disney/high-rises etc.

Once I have a few area suggestions I can go on VRBO to look for rentals.

THANKS SO MUCH!
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Old 05-13-2011, 08:56 PM
 
1,468 posts, read 4,726,625 times
Reputation: 1087
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoopyLou View Post
Hi there,

Can anyone suggest areas of Florida which are more rural/pretty/countryside-ish and away from any major built up areas? I'm looking for somewhere to rent for 2-3 months this Vermont winter, bringing my dogs and looking for a little warmth. I really don't mind where, as long as it's in the countryside or small town sort of area, and away...far away....from condos/disney/high-rises etc.

Once I have a few area suggestions I can go on VRBO to look for rentals.

THANKS SO MUCH!
I have driven all over the state and Florida in most respects is not a pretty state; at least not in the way you are referring to. There are no beautiful rolling fields with streams and lovely trees. Mostly it is flat with scrub brush and pine trees, sandy soil half dried up lakes and so on. Except for maybe a few areas around Ocala that is very nice, Florida is not Vermont.
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Old 05-14-2011, 12:52 AM
 
Location: Tampa
2,602 posts, read 8,261,001 times
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You'll find some hills around Tallahassee in the Panhandle, Ocala, Clermont, and along the old Dixie Highway around Frostproof.
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Old 05-14-2011, 07:35 AM
 
Location: Spring Hill Florida
12,135 posts, read 16,007,758 times
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Have you driven through Hernando County, just south-east of Brooksville between Spring Hill and Dade City? There are beautiful rolling fields with streams and lots of trees. Certainly not flat with scrub brush and pine trees, certainly not dried up lakes and so on.


Quote:
Originally Posted by mango23 View Post
I have driven all over the state and Florida in most respects is not a pretty state; at least not in the way you are referring to. There are no beautiful rolling fields with streams and lovely trees. Mostly it is flat with scrub brush and pine trees, sandy soil half dried up lakes and so on. Except for maybe a few areas around Ocala that is very nice, Florida is not Vermont.
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Old 05-14-2011, 08:10 AM
 
17,453 posts, read 38,833,992 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mango23 View Post
I have driven all over the state and Florida in most respects is not a pretty state; at least not in the way you are referring to. There are no beautiful rolling fields with streams and lovely trees. Mostly it is flat with scrub brush and pine trees, sandy soil half dried up lakes and so on. Except for maybe a few areas around Ocala that is very nice, Florida is not Vermont.
Not true. We lived in East Pasco (Dade City) and that whole area from San Antonio, through Dade City and the surrounding unincorporated areas like Blanton, Trilby and St. Joe have beautiful rolling emerald green fields, woods, lakes and some definitel HILLS! One of the most beautiful areas in peninsular Florida, as far as I'm concerned. But true, it's not Vermont but then does anyone expect or want it to be?
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Old 05-14-2011, 09:13 AM
 
Location: Central Fl
2,903 posts, read 12,490,700 times
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Just like to point out that the original poster did not say they were looking for Vermont. Who would ever expect a state 1500 miles or more south to be anything like Vermont? They did not.

That being said, I was surprised driving around the area outside of Leesburg, Clairmont, Wildwood, Traveres, Ocala, etc,etc.....just a half a mile from a typical gated community you can find vast forests, lakes, plenty of acreage. I would have thought a place 30 minutes from Disney would be suburban sprawl. I am surprised at the wilderness still all around. And yes, the area around Clairmont is nice and hilly.....

Frank
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Old 05-15-2011, 10:10 AM
 
4,167 posts, read 9,286,689 times
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In general, any areas not along I95 or I4 will be fairly rural. The further north tends to be more rural. Try searching for communities in the Panhandle, North Florida and along US 27.
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Old 05-15-2011, 11:59 AM
 
495 posts, read 2,320,602 times
Reputation: 378
North Marion County between Gainesville and Ocala sounds like what you are looking for.

Areas south of Micanopy and west of McIntosh are rolling hills with big oaks and tall palms.

Some photos here

//www.city-data.com/forum/flori...2009-a-16.html

Takes a while to load.

Be advised that the last two winters have been colder than normal with lots of mornings in the upper 20s and some even in the low 20s. Although even the cold days usually are sunny with high temps in the mid 50s to 60. Cold rainy days where a jacket is needed in the afternoon are rare but they do happen.

This may not be Vermont Winter cold but it is not beach weather either.

Gainesville, just 20 miles north has a lot to offer in dining, entertainment, etc as it is the home of the University of Fla with aprox 50K students
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