[Maggiemae129]

Hello All,
I am a single mom that relocated to the Orlando area from Mass in September with my 14 year-old daughter. I am now looking to buy something here in Florida. I was looking at mostly Central Florida and the East Coast because that's what I'm familiar with. However, I have found that the West Coast area (primarily Citrus County), seems quite nice and has very inexpensive homes/property. Somehow, I keep finding myself drawn in that direction.
I am all over the place with my thoughts and would really love some advice on these areas (especially crime). I'm looking for something with a small-town feel. A rural area that's not ridiculously far from the nearest grocery store, etc.
I homeschool and work from home, so I don't have to worry about schools, jobs, etc.
Thanks a bunch for any advice.
Maggie

[kyle19125]

I would look at Inverness which has that small town feel (nice downtown area) and the ability to find a more rural setting to live in not far from downtown and close to everyday amenities.

Inverness, Florida - Visit Citrus

[NowSoFlorida]

I dare you to move to Homosassa, you could never tell anyone where you live.

On the upside I bet it's safe and no thugs would want to live there because they could never tell anyone where they live, and no one would ever want to be known as the Homosassa bandit.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by NowSoFlorida

I dare you to move to Homosassa, you could never tell anyone where you live.

On the upside I bet it's safe and no thugs would want to live there because they could never tell anyone where they live, and no one would ever want to be known as the Homosassa bandit.

Really....???

[NowSoFlorida]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Really....???

When they handed out a sense of humor you must have been in the kill joy line.

[Mike1306]

Originally Posted by NowSoFlorida

When they handed out a sense of humor you must have been in the kill joy line.

Kyle will tell you that I never agree with him but this time I do. That was lame.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by NowSoFlorida

When they handed out a sense of humor you must have been in the kill joy line.

No, I was actually in the line with the grown ups.

[obimeeko]

Maggiemae: I was just in Inverness and the Crystal River area 2 mos. ago and loved it. My husband and I will be moving there within a year. Yes, the home prices and property taxes are very reasonable. Plus, no need for hurricane homeowner's insurance since they don't get any. We are from south FL. and do not like it; found the whole atmosphere in Citrus County much more desirable (nicer, friendlier people, more relaxed, etc.). No cement jungle there; no high rises; very low-key. Crystal River is fun with fishing, boating, kayaking and so much in the way of outdoor activity and you're surrounded by loads of nature and wonderful parks.

I, personally, would not live in Homosassa, with the exception of Sugar Mill Woods area which appears to be nice, but has rules and restrictions, HOAs, etc. The rest of Homosassa is not that desirable. The atmosphere, culture and class of people are much better a little north (Crystal River, Inverness, Hernando, and Citrus Hills is very nice, along with many other neighborhoods that are fine). The Inverness area is quite nice ... somewhere in between somewhat cosmopolitan and rural, but it is around 20 miles east of Crystal River. The whole Inverness area has loads of lovely lakes and parks and, of course, the fabulous 40 mile bike trail.

There are certainly all the basics close by for food and necessity shopping and the town of Inverness is very pleasant. The reports I've researched list crime stats as being very low for Citrus County. Major upscale clothes shopping, etc. is better in nearby Ocala ... about a half hour away. Citrus County is very nicely centrally located to many interesting and fun places such as Mt. Dora, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Orlando, the springs area a little farther north, etc. The Tampa and Orlando airports are about 1.5 hrs. away. The cost of living in Citrus is below the rest of FL. and less than the national average. Good luck with where ever you move.

[kellygirl925]

Maggiemae, I'm a Florida native but have been in CT for many years. We are planning a move during the summer with our two kids and our target area is Crystal River/Citrus County. After lots of research, this seems like a good area, based on the fact that we want the opposite of what we have now (suburb of NYC)...more rural, decent schools, slower pace, etc......and my family is all nearby, which is a bonus. Please keep us posted, I'd love to know what you decide and good luck!!

[Chilula]

Originally Posted by obimeeko

Maggiemae: I was just in Inverness and the Crystal River area 2 mos. ago and loved it. My husband and I will be moving there within a year. Yes, the home prices and property taxes are very reasonable. Plus, no need for hurricane homeowner's insurance since they don't get any. We are from south FL. and do not like it; found the whole atmosphere in Citrus County much more desirable (nicer, friendlier people, more relaxed, etc.). No cement jungle there; no high rises; very low-key. Crystal River is fun with fishing, boating, kayaking and so much in the way of outdoor activity and you're surrounded by loads of nature and wonderful parks.

I, personally, would not live in Homosassa, with the exception of Sugar Mill Woods area which appears to be nice, but has rules and restrictions, HOAs, etc. The rest of Homosassa is not that desirable. The atmosphere, culture and class of people are much better a little north (Crystal River, Inverness, Hernando, and Citrus Hills is very nice, along with many other neighborhoods that are fine). The Inverness area is quite nice ... somewhere in between somewhat cosmopolitan and rural, but it is around 20 miles east of Crystal River. The whole Inverness area has loads of lovely lakes and parks and, of course, the fabulous 40 mile bike trail.

There are certainly all the basics close by for food and necessity shopping and the town of Inverness is very pleasant. The reports I've researched list crime stats as being very low for Citrus County. Major upscale clothes shopping, etc. is better in nearby Ocala ... about a half hour away. Citrus County is very nicely centrally located to many interesting and fun places such as Mt. Dora, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Orlando, the springs area a little farther north, etc. The Tampa and Orlando airports are about 1.5 hrs. away. The cost of living in Citrus is below the rest of FL. and less than the national average. Good luck with where ever you move.

I have been looking very hard at two manufactured retirement communities in Homosassa (Forest View & Stonebrook) for winter get away homes from the cold of Ohio. Reading your comment made really stop dead in my track. Homosassa has a real slick web site showing it as being a dream location to relocate to. When you are a 1000 miles away, all you have to base you opinions on are what you can locate on the web. From the Homosassa website it is the garden of Eden from you not it the land left behind by the Beverly Hillbillies. If you could elaborate some more I would greatly apprecite it. Thanks in advance.