Eustis

The appeal of living in the Leesburg neighborhood of Lisbon is that it is surrounded by lakes, but not much else. The picturesque Lake County locale offers relative seclusion. “I deal with a lot of seniors, and being near the chain of lakes is what attracts them. Also, it’s not so crowded or as busy as Winter Park or other places,” says Dee Borwegen, a Realtor with Right Realty Connection who sells manufactured homes in the area. Winter Park is a popular Orlando suburb on the other side of the chain of lakes. Residents in Lisbon enjoy a slower pace. As Jeffrey Evans, also of Right Realty Connection and a longtime area resident, puts it, “A lot of people don’t want to be in the thick of things.” Whether along Lake Eustis or the many canals that dot the community, waterfront housing is prevalent. Boats nestled into private docks dot the backyards of Harbor Shores, a small neighborhood of quiet streets populated by traditional ranch-style homes on spacious lots. Nearby Meadow Ridge offers contemporary homes in a secluded subdivision setting. Ranch-style homes also can be found outside dedicated developments. Home prices typically range from the high $200,000s to the low $600,000s. “I think the housing is pretty reasonable for the area,” Borwegen says. “Of course, if you live right on Lake Eustis, the prices will go up.” Manufactured homes offer a more affordable option for those 55 and older who benefit from the sense of community provided by amenities-filled destinations such as Midway Manor and Mid Florida Lakes. “Being around people is the main attraction,” Borwegen says. “A lot of residents don’t have family around here, so they are alone except for the people in the community. They’re close-knit.” The waterfront communities feature housing typically priced from around $80,000 to more than $200,000. The largest lots include spacious yards. Lake Eustis, which borders the community, and nearby lakes Griffin and Yale offer more than 21, 000 acres of outdoor recreation. Lake Eustis is the center of activity because of its accessibility, but Lake Griffin is the largest of the three at almost 12,000 acres, and the smallest has a reputation as a premier sport-fishing destination. “Lake Yale is the best bass-fishing lake in the area,” Evans says. Whether in speed boats, bass boats, pontoons or other watercraft, residents enjoy an array of year-round activities on the water. The community’s natural landscape also features the 7,000-acre Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area, whose primitive hiking trails attract bird-watchers and other nature lovers. The 9-hole executive course at nearby Wedgewood Golf Course provides easy access to a quick round of golf, while Harbor Hills Country Club, a semi-private course on the other side of Lake Griffin, features an 18-hole, 6,900-yard layout. Residents of Lisbon enjoy a moderate level of accessibility relative to the area. They have less access than their neighbors to the south but more than their neighbors to the north. “Within 6 to 10 miles, you have everything at your fingertips – restaurants, shopping, the hospital,” Borwegen says. State Road 44 runs through the heart of the community. On the west side is Gator Bay Bar & Grill, a popular neighborhood destination for comfort food and karaoke located along Haines Creek. Heading east, residents can stop at Sully’s Smokehouse for generous portions of barbecue and make a quick shopping run at Dollar General. The Crazy Gator is an area favorite for dockside dining on the lake. SR 44 leads directly into Eustis, where a full-service Publix anchors the Woodland Center shopping mall about 7 miles away. An adjacent Winn-Dixie offers an additional grocery shopping option. SR 44 also leads directly into Leesburg about the same distance south. There, a variety of dining and retail options as well as UF Health Leesburg Hospital can be found along the U.S. Highway 441 corridor. Highway 441 is the main thoroughfare in Lake County, and it provides access throughout the region. It turns south in Mt. Dora, allowing a direct connection to Central Florida’s largest city. “You’re still just an hour from Orlando, so that’s not bad,” says Bent Danholm, a broker at Maxim Realty Orlando with more than 20 years of real estate experience. The nearby Leesburg International Airport is a general aviation facility. Commercial service is available at the Orlando International Airport. Younger students can attend Treadway Elementary, a B-minus-rated school. Depending on where in the community they reside, students are zoned to different middle and high schools. The western portion is zoned for Tavares Middle and Tavares High, rated B-minus and B, respectively, by Niche. Those living closer to Lake Eustis are zoned into Eustis Middle and Eustis High, rated B-minus and B-plus, respectively. Eustis High features career and technical education classes and an Air Force JROTC program among its academic offerings.