Bayonet Point

A couple miles from the Gulf of Mexico sits the golf club community of Beacon Woods. But the quiet, laid-back location away from the bustle of the big city attracts more than just golf enthusiasts. "It used to be almost exclusively for people 55+ back in the day,” says Shelly Hayden, a local Realtor at the Biltmore Group with 20 years of experience in the area. “And while there are still those communities here, lots of younger people are moving in. The age demographic is shifting. Cities like Miami and Tampa are full of people, so people are going to the suburbs on the outside of those cities.” When residents are ready to put away their golf clubs for the weekend or explore the excitement of a city, Tampa is just 40 miles away. The main attraction of the neighborhood is the public Beacon Woods Golf Club, with an 18-hole course spanning 6,000 yards. “A lot of people move to Beacon Woods to be close to the golf club. Most people that live on the course play here,” says Timothy Roache, a volunteer staff member at the club’s pro shop. Locals can also dine and drink at The Lodge and enjoy the pickleball courts and outdoor pool. Residential subdivisions in Beacon Woods are full of ranch and raised ranch homes with attached garages, many built in the 1970s and 1980s. Newer constructions might feature backyard lanais, some with pools. These single family dwellings range in size from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet and can cost between $200,000 to $500,000. The area also offers condo and apartment options, several of which are 55+ communities, with 1,000-square-foot units that are priced from $150,000 to $180,000. When folks need to make a grocery run, they can head to either Fairway Oaks Plaza or Tower Oaks Terrace, both of which have a Publix. At Fairway Oaks, residents might stop for a classic American breakfast at Ram’s Family Restaurant. And while at Tower Oaks, they might check out the sandwich selections at the family-owned Sigmone’s Acropolis Meats & Deli. Heading closer to the Gulf, there’s a Walmart Supercenter and a few more restaurant options. Gianni’s Pizza serves Italian classics in a laid-back bistro. Next to the Beacon Woods Golf Club is the Paint Party Cafe, where locals might go when it isn’t golfing weather. There, visitors can sip on smoothies or coffee as one hand holds a sandwich and the other holds a paintbrush. Students living in Beacon Woods can begin with a 16-1 student-teacher ratio at Gulf Highlands Elementary, which receives a C grade from Niche. They can then advance to Bayonet Point Middle School, graded a C-plus. Fivay High School, which Niche grades a B-minus, is ranked among the best high schools in Florida for both college preparation and athletes. Cruising up and down the Florida coast is easy with U.S. Route 19 running along the west side of Beacon Woods. A few GoPasco bus stops are dispersed around town for those without vehicles, most near the main thoroughfares and retail sections. When Beacon Woods residents don’t feel like a round of golf, they are centrally located near several Tampa area hot spots. They can drive about 40 miles to Tampa to explore the city’s vibrant nightlife, museums and Busch Gardens. “Clearwater Beach is about an hour drive south. It’s the big beach where a lot of people go,” Roache says. “And Homosassa is less than an hour’s drive north. There’s some cool stuff to do there, like snorkeling with manatees.” According to the CAP Index, Beacon Woods receives a 4 out of a possible 10 crime score. This score is consistent with the national average.