Davenport

Set amid the many lakes for which it was named, Ridgewood Lakes Village in Davenport, Florida offers a tight-knit suburban lifestyle for its residents. The neighborhood is home to several master-planned communities that offer a quiet reprieve from the nearby excitement of theme parks like Universal Studios and Disney World and the more populous cities of Orlando and Tampa. Leisure in Davenport is defined by lakeside activities (i.e., boating and fishing), golfing and the Florida sunshine. For some, Davenport is a commuter city; Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 27 provide convenient access to Orlando and Tampa, 33 and 60 miles away, respectively. “Davenport is very mobile, upward moving,” says Shelly Hertel, a Realtor with Gathering Room Real Estate. “It’s growing at an incredibly fast rate with new houses being built all the time.” Ridgewood Lakes Village is separated into five master-planned communities, including Del Webb, a 55+ community, says Hertel. Spanish Revival and minimal New Traditional styles in hues of yellow, beige and white are popular throughout. Palm trees are scattered between homes along residential streets, offering shade to well-manicured lawns and driveways with attached garages. Most homes here range from $300,000 to $400,000 with two to four-bed configurations. “We’re in a really nice spot because we have plenty of room to grow with our pricing, but we’re still affordable, especially compared to neighboring cities,” says Hertel. Residents pay a monthly homeowner’s association fee to maintain community areas, including a recreation center and neighborhood events. The Del Webb community has its own clubhouse, according to Hertel. “People who buy in other parts of Ridgewood won’t get to use our amenities in Del Webb. Each community has its own amenities to enjoy.” Local kids can attend public schools in Polk County, like Dundee Elementary, rated B-minus, where students can join after-school activities like karate and bowling. At Dundee Ridge Middle, rated B, students can get involved in music classes like guitar, piano and chorus. Ridge Community High receives a C-plus and offers extracurricular clubs like anime, drama and eSports. Only a mile from Ridgewood residences, White Heron Golf Club is an 18-hole course built in 1994 by NASA civil engineer Ted McAnlis set amid lush, rolling greenery. Residents are 6 miles from Lake Davenport, where fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines for largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. Six miles toward Davenport’s town center and city hall, Wilson Park offers a splash pad, picnic benches and grassy areas to relax. Nearby, Jamestown Park is an ideal place for a community cookout, fitted with picnic pavilions, grills and a basketball court. About 17 miles away, residents can take a day trip to Disney World. Residents can grab groceries just 2 miles down U.S. Highway 27 from the local Publix at the St. Charles Plaza. Here, locals can also find neighborhood dining like Golden Dragon, a Chinese restaurant, and Philly Steak & Wing of Davenport. Six miles away, go for a drink at Miller’s Ale House or 4 Corners Tavern, where patrons can also order late-night bites like their Pork Belly Burger alongside one of their 12 beers on tap. Six miles away is Davenport’s city hall building; around here, locals can find plenty to do for entertainment, like buy tickets for TheatreWorks Florida, a community theater group. At the Tom Fellow Community Center, annual events are often put on, like Grills Gone Wild, a barbeque competition, the Tom Fellows Classic Car Show and an Easter Egg Hunt. Ridgewood Lakes Village is also near Disney World and Universal Studios, 17 and 27 miles away, respectively. Residents in Ridgewood Lakes Village mostly rely on their cars to get around Davenport and the surrounding areas; while some sections of the city are walkable, residents will have to drive or ride-share to these areas. With nearby access to Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 27, locals stay connected throughout the city and toward neighboring cities, like Orlando and Tampa, 33 and 60 miles away. Advent Health Heart of Florida - ER is three miles from Ridgewood Lakes Village residences for medical needs; Orlando International Airport is 33 miles away.