Florahome is a country crossroads that offers quiet living
Florahome is a traditional, slow-paced community spread out among the natural north Florida landscape about 15 miles northwest of Palatka in Putnam County. Surroundings include crops that contribute to the region’s economy, forest lands that offer recreation, and even a solar farm. The community features more churches than shopping and dining destinations combined. But it is not without its modern amenities, as it is home to Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High, the highest-rated school in the county. “It’s basically just a little crossroads,” says Larissa Ricketts of Modern Realty of Putnam Inc., who has sold several homes there. “If someone is looking for quiet country living, Florahome is great.”
Ranch-style, manufactured lakefront homes among residential options
Housing is concentrated in several residential pockets. The center of town, around State Road 100, features ranch-style, manufactured and older homes in a variety of sizes and styles. Streets are populated with mature trees. Homes on the outskirts are typically spaced farther apart in a more rural, wooded setting. There is also a collection of waterfront homes with amenities, such as private docks, along Lake Georges. Prices typically range from around $100,000 to $400,000-plus.
Acreage homes with additional land are common on the south side and can list for more. “Homes in Palatka can be a little more expensive, but once you get out of the city and into the country towns like Florahome, the prices are pretty much the same,” says Ricketts, who adds that Putnam County has become a destination for those who work in neighboring St. Johns County but can’t afford to live there. The community’s Cap Index Crime Score of 2-out-of-10 is below the national average of 4. Residents can expect hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. However, freezing temperatures are not uncommon in north Florida.
Etoniah Creek State Park is a nearby center for rural recreation
“The biggest appeal is that Etoniah Creek State Park is right there,” Ricketts says. “You also have Goerges Lake, which right now has public access.” The state park and nearby wildlife management areas offer plenty of adventures for hikers, bikers, hunters and paddlers. The lake property is privately owned, but the current owner has allowed the public to use it. However, the property is up for sale, Ricketts says, and the county is trying to buy it to maintain the public access. Boaters and anglers can also travel to Palatka for access to the St. Johns River, which is nationally known for its bass fishing. The community offers athletic amenities at a pair of green spaces on either side of State Road 100.
Q.I. Roberts Junior-Senior High is top-rated school in Putnam County
Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School, A-rated by Niche, is the top educational institution in the Putnam County School District, which is rated C-plus. Q,I. Roberts serves students in seventh through 12th grades. The school features the Cambridge International course of study. “It has a really good reputation in the county,” Ricketts says. The school does not have sports teams. Instead, students are allowed to play sports at any of the district’s other high schools – Interlachen High, Palatka Jr.-Sr. High or Crescent City Jr.-Sr. High. Younger students can attend Melrose Elementary School, rated B-minus. Florida allows eligible students to transfer outside of their geographic zones under a controlled open enrollment program.
Stores, restaurants concentrated a short drive away in Palatka
A Dollar General is located along State Road 100, across the street from the gas station that houses a Subway. Melrose, about 10 miles west, is the closest destination offering shopping and dining options. However, Palatka is only about 5 miles farther in the other direction and offers a wider variety of options, including big-box retailers, grocery stores and restaurants. “In Florahome, you’re 15 to 20 minutes from Palatka, which is the county seat,” says Ricketts, who adds that the city is “trying to revitalize its downtown historic district.”
Access to hospitals in Palatka, Gainesville
State Road 100 provides a direct route to Palatka and its amenities. HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka is the closest large-scale medical center. UF Health Shands is the primary hospital and of the top employers in Gainesville, about 30 miles away. Gainesville Regional is the closest commercial airport. Jacksonville, the region’s largest metropolitan area, is about 60 miles away.
Written By
Matt Pallister
