Deland

Among canopies of fully-grown palm and oak trees, residents of North Deland can feel like they live in a remote forest while being a quick drive away from retail and restaurants galore in a massive shopping center. “The land is a less crowded; it has a more rural feel,” says broker associate Linda Hannon, who has 16 years of experience and works with Charles Rutenberg Realty Orlando. The suburb offers a slower pace of life by blending this atmosphere and suburban elements like well-rated schools and a small-town population of approximately 1,119. West of Daytona Beach, North Deland is mostly composed of residential roads brimming with single-family homes on spacious, shaded yards. The area has plentiful ranch-style homes, some of which have modest front porches and colorfully painted exteriors. Other styles include Spanish Revivals, split-levels and colonial homes. The area also has senior living communities full of manufactured homes. The sales prices range from $50,000 for a manufactured home to $980,000 for a new construction four-bedroom house. “I believe it’s similar to the rest of the area for affordability, but you can get bigger lots and more acreage,” Hannon says. Students in the area go to the Volusia County School District, which earns a B rating according to Niche. Schools include George W. Marks Elementary School, Southwestern Middle School and DeLand High School. The elementary and high schools both have B ratings, while the middle school has a B-minus on Niche. George W. Marks Elementary features an award-winning choir program and proficiency in math and reading in over half of the school’s students. Jackson Lane Park – a modest neighborhood recreation area – has a colorful playground and a trail used for walking, jogging and bike riding. The park also has a basketball court for pick-up games. Residents can continue to stay active with the aid of the DeLand Family YMCA; as members, people can access the gym and a variety of classes ranging from cycling to core conditioning with trained instructors. In the summertime, children can spend time at the organization’s day camps. North DeLand residents can find large chain grocery stores: a Walmart Supercenter, a Publix Supermarket and an Aldi. Bealls, a department store, has clothing and home goods. For a bite to eat, Porkies BBQ serves all the staples of a southern barbecue made with the eatery’s smoker. At Woodland Boulevard, locals can find Santorini Greek Cuisine, where classic dishes are served in the outdoor seating area or an interior decorated with photos of Grecian scenery. Those looking for Tex-Mex dinners can visit Los Dos Compadres, a restaurant with a dimly lit bar and a covered patio. At the Museum of Art-DeLand, visitors can look at a wide variety of fine art pieces from murals to outdoor sculptures in the permanent gallery or in specialized changing exhibits. To spend a day indoors in the lanes, residents can go to Sunshine Bowling, which also has an arcade and a bar. Locals can see many types of snakes and the process for extracting venom at the Reptile Discovery Center. About 21 miles from downtown Daytona Beach, residents of North DeLand can easily commute to the big city via East International Speedway Boulevard by car or Votran bus. As for a nearby hospital, locals can go to AdventHealth DeLand. Residents can also access the DeLand Municipal Airport for further travel from business trips to vacations.

Located right between Orlando and New Smyrna Beach, Victoria Park is a close-knit community with plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance. “It’s a neighborhood surrounding a community. One that people can really feel a part of. Overall, it’s a really great place to live,” says Realtor Bonnie Hoffmann with Charles Rutenberg Realty, who has nearly 20 years of real estate experience in the area. “The main draw would be the shops, but the homeowner’s association does a great job of putting on events and making sure everyone is involved.” Densely populated residential streets fill subdivisions with rows of stand-alone single-family homes. The area has many pocket parks that are linked by a singular walking trail and is home to a vibrant downtown area that features dozens of restaurants and boutiques. Locals stay active by enjoying pickleball or heading out to the local golf course located right in the neighborhood. A single-family home in Victoria Park has a median price point of just under $400,000. The neighborhood features a good variety of housing styles, from American Gothic builds to Victorian homes with large porches. Most of the newer homes are modern Craftsman builds. “I wouldn’t call them ‘cookie cutter,’ but they do have a similar feel,” says Hoffman. Houses are on quiet, winding streets away from traffic and shaded by Spanish moss off of mature trees. Homes have private driveways and garages, and while they’re on close-together lots, each home does have a private yard. Sidewalks are readily available for dogwalkers and joggers. A center point for the community is the Victoria Commons shopping center located on Orange Camp Road. Victoria Commons has dozens of boutique shops and restaurants. With indoor and outdoor seating, locals can grab a pastry or a full breakfast from Village Café to go with a specialty latte. As the name would suggest, Murph’s Patio Bar and Grill has a large outdoor seating area for diners to enjoy a sunset with some American bar favorites. Inside, there are plenty of TVs at this casual restaurant for sports fans to catch the game. Simply Sweet Ice Cream has smoothies, milkshakes and more for those looking for dessert. City Wine & Cigar is a high-end wine bar that offers small plates and is a nice place for a date night. Further down Orange Camp, locals can find a pair of nationally-recognized grocery chains to stock the fridge at home. Lake Victoria is a central fixture in the area and a jumping-off point for plenty of recreation. The lake is bordered by miles of walking trails that link small playgrounds and pocket parks throughout the neighborhood. The Lake Victoria Fitness Center has a pool and a splash pad for kids. Adults can hit the tennis or pickleball courts. Golfers love having Victoria Hills Golf Club in their backyard. The 18-hole championship course was ranked as one of the top 50 courses in the United States by GolfWorld and provides plenty of practice area. After working up an appetite on the links, golfers can hit Mulligan’s Tavern & Grille for elegant dining overlooking the course. Kids head to Volusia County Schools, beginning at Freedom Elementary. Freedom has a B rating on Niche and was named a Florida Standout Elementary School. The next stop is at Deland Middle School, which holds a C-plus rating before Deland High. Deland High School has a B rating from Niche and was noted as one of the top college prep high schools in the area. The locals tend to drive more than utilize public transportation in Victoria Park. The neighborhood is bordered to the east by Interstate 4, which makes it easy to zip down to Orlando or up to Daytona Beach. The Votran is a public transportation system throughout Volusia County, but stops are infrequent in Victoria Park.

Winnemissett Park, a suburban neighborhood in Deland, finds itself to the east in the Athens of Florida, a nickname for the city because of its dedication to education, beauty and culture as envisioned by the city’s founder Henry Addison Deland. Here, custom-built contemporary homes are dotted throughout the neighborhood, typically on at least an acre behind wood or metal fences. Throughout the area, homeowners adorn their homes with flowering bushes and mature palm trees. Buyers can snag a home with an inground pool or Florida Room if lucky. Some homes here are situated on the waterfront of nearby lakes with private access. The average list price for homes is $249,900 but can range upwards to a million for homes on the water. Monday mornings start for children in the neighborhood by attending one of the nearby Volusia County Public Schools. Blue Lake Elementary School adopted the house system in 2017. Students and staff are broken into houses with their signature crests. Children graduate to Deland Middle School and then Deland High School, home of the Bulldogs, to finish their primary education. According to Great School, the secondary school boasts a graduation rate of 96%. You can pursue higher education at Daytona State College’s West Campus. You’ll be able to take courses and even get an associate degree. Spend time outdoors at Earl Brown Park, an urban green space located 4 miles away from the neighborhood. Keep your eyes open for a walk along the 1-mile trail for ducks typically spotted near the pond. Children enjoy the playground and the nearby basketball courts. Bring your furry friend to the dog park to join in on the fun. Stop by the Volusia Farmer’s Market on East New York Avenue every Wednesday to stock up on groceries. You’ll have a selection of fruits and vegetables provided by local farmers. In November, the location converts into the Volusia County Fair and Youth Show host for ten days. Bring family and friends to ride the Ferris wheel before grabbing a snack from a nearby stand. For fun, visit Dolly’s Olde Time Tavern on Saturday, where locals enjoy karaoke. Grab a drink and prepare to sing your heart out. At the nearby Pat’s Place, you can play a round of billiards among friends. At the end of a busy day, head downtown for dinner. The Table has underground dining and a cocktail lounge with live music from local bands. Spice up a traditional meal by reserving a seat at the restaurant’s Murder Mystery Dinner Series. After dinner, pop into Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things for a treat ranging from handmade chocolates, fudge and candy. Scenic waterways surround Winnemisset Park, a suburban neighborhood 3 miles from Downtown Deland, providing convenient access to Route 44.

Located 25 miles from Daytona Beach and 40 miles from Orlando, West DeLand is a growing town with plenty to offer. “Just like everything in Florida, it’s growing,” says Linda Hannon, who has 16 years of experience in the area with Charles Rutenberg Realty. “It has everything from re-sell homes, 55 and up communities, rural living, and it’s all in a beautiful location.” West DeLand is in the middle of everything, with quick highway access to the beach or big city. The area offers a variety of home styles and living styles. There are traditional neighborhoods where the houses have a similar feel, and also rural areas where there is a great deal of acreage and homes have a good deal of space between one another. The common thread is that nothing is too far from the downtown shopping district. The median townhome price in West DeLand is just over $200,000, while the median single-family price is close to $370,000. Houses range from modest ranch-style homes to large, five-bedroom brick builds. Homes are tucked away in neighborhoods made up of quiet streets that often end in cul-de-sacs. The area is ideal for pet owners as homes have large yards, and the streets feature paved sidewalks. The sidewalks are shaded by mature trees, while the lawns are well-maintained and feature gardens. On-street parking is not an issue as houses have driveways and multi-car garages. Kids begin schooling at Volusia County Schools, starting at Woodward Avenue Elementary, which holds a B-minus rating from Niche. The school also boasts an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, which is better than the national average. Southwestern Middle School has a B-minus rating as well, while University High School holds a B rating. University High was founded in 2010, making it the newest school in the district. Lake Beresford Park is a great place for locals to toss the frisbee or sit down for a picnic in the expansive green space. The park also has a 1.8-mile multi-use trail on the perimeter for walking and jogging. Spring Hill Park is a five-acre area that has an outdoor basketball court and a playground area for children. The park is a good place to bring lunch, with plenty of outdoor picnic tables. When it’s time to get the dog some exercise, locals head to the aptly named Barkley Square Dog Park. Barkley square offers 14 acres of fun for furry friends. There are small and large dog parks, with the large park having a pond for dogs to swim in. There are many different types of cuisines in the area for locals to dine on. Emmy’s Time Out Tavern is a restaurant serving German staples like schnitzel and large Bavarian soft pretzels. Spring Hill BBQ and Soul Food Lounge has live music in the evenings and has a full menu of soul food including pork chops and chicken and waffles. DoBro’s Chicago Style Pizza is popular with the locals, and local publications have taken notice. The restaurant was the winner of the “West Volusia Best of the West” award three times since 2014. The DeLand Stockyard has a large statue of a bull outside and a tiki bar out back. Inside the restaurant, diners are enjoying steaks and prime rib in a cozy setting. “I’d say it’s got quite a vibrant downtown,” Hannon says. Residents can visit Stolzfus Produce, a produce stand featuring fresh fruits and vegetables as well as boiled peanuts and locally sourced honey. For a full shop, Walmart off Route 17 and Winn-Dixie off Highway 44 are nationally recognized stores. Those looking for a full day of shopping can visit West Volusia Regional Shopping Center for dozens of clothing and beauty stores. Woodland Boulevard leads to dozens of boutique shops in the area and a lively art scene. “There are events all the time for artists in the area, and they put on shows throughout the year,” Hannon says. The Votran busses run in West De Land, but the population tends to drive more than utilize public transportation. The neighborhood has easy access to Interstate 4 and Interstate 95, making it a quick trip to neighboring areas.