Edgewater

On any regular day, residents of Edgewater Landing can get up alongside the sunrise and head out to go fishing or meet up with friends at the pickleball court. Some days, though, they all gather on the observation deck to watch rockets launch above the Canaveral National Seashore from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Kept private by gated access, Edgewater Landing is a 55+ community located 20 miles south of Daytona Beach. The planned neighborhood consists of only single-family homes, and residents have access to several amenities and plenty of chances for connection. The elaborate recreation center and outdoor opportunities have earned Edgewater Landing several top rankings in books and magazines for best neighborhoods to retire to in Florida. If considering Edgewater Landing, know that not all residents are human. "We do have gators in the community lake; they'll just lie on the bank. People who just moved here are amazed and terrified," says Jamie Holton, administrative assistant for the Edgewater Landing HOA. "They're not dangerous – you know, if you just leave them alone." Residents can be seen zipping around on golf carts and walking their dogs along neat streets and cul-de-sacs. Double- and triple-wide ranch-style and Craftsman-inspired manufactured homes feature wide driveways, carports, garages and Florida rooms. Most of the subdivision's 454 houses were built between 1980 and 2009 and sell for prices ranging from $220,000 to $350,000 for two- to three-bedroom homes with two baths. "If you're interested in a home here, you need to act quickly when listings come up," says Jamie Deihl, Realtor with Watson Realty. "The market is always moving because it's in the perfect location on the water and one of few 55-plus neighborhoods in Edgewater." Residents pay quarterly dues for cable, internet and maintenance, and Edgewater Landing makes it clear that residents own their homes and lots, so maintenance is the owner's responsibility. In 2023, average real estate taxes ranged from $1,250 to $3,500. Edgewater Landing's recreation center gives access to tennis and bocci courts, a heated outdoor pool, and a sauna – that's just scratching the surface. The clubhouse has a large party room, exercise rooms, and even a woodworking shop. Edgewater Landing has a private boat launch and piers right at the Intracoastal Waterway, which leads to the Ponce Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean. Just 8 miles north, residents can cross the South Causeway and explore Coronado and New Smyrna Beach. The Edgewater Landing Entertainment Committee ensures that community events are always posted and happening. Typically held in the clubhouse or out by the water, the neighborhood hosts karaoke nights, live music performances, dancing and painting sessions and more. The Boat and Fish Club is extremely active in the neighborhood, often hosting fish fries and large cook-outs for their neighbors. Just across Route 1, which borders the neighborhood's west side, is Edgewater Commons. It has errand stops, such as Walgreens and Publix Supermarket, alongside a few locally owned businesses. In the evenings, the family-owned establishment of J.C's Riptides is packed with locals, all gathering for fresh rock shrimp and scallops. Tailgatorz is another neighborhood favorite, where patrons perch at the outdoor bar to watch the game, listen to live music or play rounds of pool. Edgewater Landing offers easy access up and down the East Coast. Residents are right at U.S. Route 1 and only 7 miles from Interstate 95. Deland Amtrak Station is 30 miles to the west, while the Daytona International Airport is 25 miles to the south. When considering navigation around Edgewater Landing, potential residents should also be aware that there are possible instances of taking shelter or evacuating because of weather—the risk of flooding and hurricanes for a waterside community is high. The neighborhood has several flood detention and storm drains in place and a clear shelter and evacuation plan.

Dating back to the 1940s, Florida Shores was annexed into the city of Edgewater in 1957. Today the primary residential name features midcentury style homes in the bedroom community that is only 10 miles from the beach. "Living in Florida Shores puts you close to the beach, but you don’t have to deal with as much traffic and all the tourists, says Craig Brinson, a Realtor with the Barnett Group Inc., and Edgewater resident. “Edgewater is growing and over the last five years have added hundreds of homes, and now commercial development as followed. Pencil-thin neighborhood streets are shaded from the sunny Florida sky by canopy trees, while palm trees and tropical shrubbery framed front yards. Potential homebuyers can choose between ranches with built-in garages or bungalows. Prices range from $234,00 to $516,000, with the median home price being $311,256. “The market is a mixed bag currently, with custom-built homes selling faster than older homes. It kind of works in cycles, and people used to move out of the area to New Smyrna Beach, and now it feels like people are coming back,” Brinson says. Florida Shores is part of Volusia County Schools, which serves over 60,000 students and grades a B on Niche. Students attend Edgewater Public School, which grades a B, for elementary school before advancing to New Smyrna Beach Middle, which scores a B-minus, and earning their degrees from New Smyrna Beach High School. The high school scores a B and offers career and technical education, including a course in game and simulation. One of the most popular parks in Edgewater, Whistle Stop Park is a city-run park with multiple people, ball fields and traditional park amenities. The green space has multiple little league fields for youth and adult rec leagues and tennis and pickleball courts. The park has traditional amenities, picnic areas and a skatepark. Hikers and bikers can take advantage of a network of trail systems, including the East Central Regional Rail Trail, which has a portion from Volco Road to Park Avenue. A little inland, a beach day is only 10 miles from the 27th Avenue Beachfront Park, which features cabanas and a playground for kids. Outside of Florida Shores is the Edgewater Commons Shopping Center, anchored by a Publix, where locals can shop for groceries. The shopping center has multiple other stores, a medical office and small restaurants. Many locally owned restaurants are located along Route 1, including JC’s Riptides, which offers steak and seafood, or Tailgatorz, a sports bar with wings and gatorbites. Florida Shores is primarily a residential neighborhood, but there is plenty to do in New Smyrna Beach, 10 miles away. From monthly events like Wine Walks down Flagler Avenue or Sip and Strolls down Canal Street to annual events like Car Shows on Canal to Art Festivals on Flager. Volusia County offers the Voltran, a public bus line throughout the county. Florida Shores is serviced by two stops along 30th Street at Willow Oak and Sabal Palm. Commuters can around the area on United States Route 1, which is just north of the neighborhood on its journey from Maine to Key West Florida. A bit further south are Interstate 4, which runs east to west across the state and Interstate 95, which runs parallel to Route 1.

For a quiet waterfront lifestyle, South Edgewater can provide a serene setting on the Indian River, which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. From houses on the water with personal docks to riverside recreation, the town highlights a slower pace of life. The strip mall retail and nearby beaches can jazz up weekends in the Intracoastal community. At Menard-May Park, residents can partake in riverside recreation. “The park is called ‘the little beach.’ It has water access without having to go to the Atlantic,” Owens says. It has a launch for kayaks and paddleboards, fishing on the docks and wildlife galore from dolphins to manatees. For an outdoor pool with a waterslide and spray features, residents can go to the Southeast Volusia Family YMCA, which also houses a gym and basketball court. Multipurpose Whistle Stop Park has a skatepark, dog park and a splash pad where kids can cool off on hot summer days. South Edgewater residents can spend time on oceanfront beaches, including 27th Avenue Beachfront Park: multiple acres of smooth sand where people can stroll and swim, plus sport courts and a playground. At New Smyrna Beach, residents can pay to park right on the beach for convenience and go surfing and fishing. South of Daytona Beach, South Edgewater has a small-town feel: mostly residential roads with large, lush yards framed by palm trees. Some of the area takes on a more rural feel with sprawling lots of undeveloped land available to purchase. As a retirement destination, the community has manufactured homes in gated senior communities. Single-family home options include ranch-style homes and new construction. South Edgewater also features homes on canals and the Indian River that can come with personal docks, which may cost less than people think. “People move to Edgewater because it's one of the more affordable cities in our region,” says Realtor Marina Owens who has 4 years of experience in the area and works with EXIT Real Estate Property Solutions. Sales prices range from $90,000 for a manufactured home to $775,000 for a waterfront four-bedroom house with a personal boat ramp. At Edgewood Commons shopping mall, residents can find strip mall retail, including Publix for groceries and a pharmacy and True Value to pick up household tools. As for restaurants, Elliott's Roadside Grill is a local steakhouse with wooden booths and covered patio seating. At Tailgatorz, patrons can order bar fare in a lively atmosphere featuring karaoke, cornhole and pool. JC's Riptides offers seafood meals and a bar in a casual, nautical interior. Students in South Edgewater go to the Volusia County School District, which earns a B rating according to Niche. Schools include Indian River Elementary School, New Smyrna Beach Middle School and New Smyrna Beach High School. The elementary and middle schools have B-minus ratings on Niche, while the high school has a B rating. The high school offers a wide range of courses from Journalism to Ceramics/Pottery. About 18 miles from downtown Daytona Beach, residents of South Edgewater can easily commute to the city via U.S. Route 1 by car or by Votran bus. As for a nearby hospital, locals can go to AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. Residents can also access the Daytona Beach International Airport for further travel from business trips to vacations.