High Springs is a friendly city surrounded by parks near Gainesville
Aptly named High Springs, this small city blends its welcoming atmosphere with an abundance of Florida springs within a few miles. When not exploring the outdoors, residents spend a lot of time downtown. “When you walk down Main Street, adorned with murals, beautiful architecture, and friendly faces, how can you not love High Springs?” says Kevin Mangan, he city’s public information officer. “After all, our motto is ‘Enjoy our good nature.’” Gainesville is about 20 miles away, with major retailers, travel and healthcare options.
Poe Springs, state parks and city parks offer outdoor recreation
At 202 acres, Poe Springs is the largest of the nearby springs. Visitors snorkel and explore an underwater cave. “That has been a destination for swimming and diving for decades,” Mangan says. “I mean, decades and decades.” Kayaking, tubing, and canoeing are also popular activities. The park’s on-land amenities include a playground, multipurpose athletic fields and hiking trails. Admission is free from October to April; there is a small entrance fee from May to September. The other springs include Ruth B. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, which has campgrounds, and the privately owned Ginnie Springs, which allows scuba diving. The Santa Fe River winds through the springs and into O’Leno State Park, about 8 miles away. There are about 11 miles of multiuse trails. At Civic Center Park, one of many parks managed by the city, there are multipurpose fields, baseball fields, and a playground.
Homes range from older ranch-style houses to modern farmhouses
With live oaks and wooded streets, Mangan says High Springs is a better representation of Florida’s overall landscaping than the palm trees and beaches that people typically think of. While most properties, especially those close to the city center, are on an acre or less, Mangan says that some homes come with more land. “You don’t have to travel very far until you’re in rural areas with 2, 10, even 15 acres,” he says. Older homes include cottages from the early 1900s and mid-20th-century ranch-style homes. “You’ll find newer construction just outside of High Springs’ historic downtown,” Mangan says. These newer residences range from small, single-story homes to New Traditional styles and modern farmhouses.
Smaller houses range from $200,000 to $480,000; most properties over 2,000 square feet cost $480,000 to $730,000. There are some larger homes on multiacre lots that cost $730,000 to over $1.1 million. Manufactured houses generally cost $90,000 to $350,000. According to First Street, there is an extreme risk of hurricanes but a minor risk of flooding.
Restaurants include Pink Flamingo and the Great Outdoors
Locals have several dining options. Pink Flamingo’s menu includes modern twists on diner food, with an expansive list of vegetarian options. After eating, people can play a round of mini golf. Prohibition Pizza serves New York-style slices across the street from High Springs Brewing Company, which makes craft beers and sodas. The Great Outdoors Restaurant has classic American dishes like steak and live music every Friday and Saturday night. “There’s really no shortage of good quality restaurants,” Mangan says. The High Springs Farmers Market is open year-round on Friday afternoons. Vendors sell produce, plants, ready-to-eat meals and handmade gifts. Winn-Dixie is the main grocery store, but there is a Dollar General in the city. Walmart is about 17 miles away.
The community comes together for Pioneer Days and holiday celebrations
The city hosts Pioneer Day every May. Mangan says this Western-themed celebration “pays homage to the city’s roots as a railroad town in the 1800s.” The weekend’s highlight is a reenactment of an Old West-style shootout, where cowboys don their hats and take cover behind haybales. There is also live music, food and a vendors’ market. The Kids Corral has train rides and bounce houses. Other events include the Fall Festival, a weekend-long event with vendors, games and food in September, and holiday celebrations like the Christmas parade.
Students attend well-rated Alachua County Public Schools
Most students attend Alachua County Public Schools, completing kindergarten through eighth grade at High Springs Community School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. At the B-rated Sante Fe High School, magnet programs include the Academy of Agriscience and the Academy of Veterinary Assisting. These magnet programs are only one form of school choice in the district; families can also submit a zoning exception form. Private education is available at the Living Springs Adventist Academy, which has kindergarten through eighth grade and is unrated by Niche.
High Springs is a car-dependent city about 20 miles from Gainesville
U.S. routes 27, 41 and 441 go through the city. The latter offers a direct route to Gainesville. While most of the area is car-dependent, there is one exception. “The downtown is very pedestrian-friendly,” Mangan says. “There are lighted sidewalks on both sides of the road.” Gainesville Regional Airport is about 24 miles away and offers flights to Dallas, Charlotte, Miami and Atlanta. The University of Florida Health Shands Hospital is about 25 miles away.
High Springs receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
