Lake Kathryn is a rustic enclave outside of Orlando
Lake Kathryn is a small bedroom community in unincorporated Lake County, home to about 800 residents and quite a bit of wildlife. Jessica Kemp, a Realtor with Aparo-Griffin Properties who lives nearby and sells throughout the area, says it’s common to see deer, bears, foxes, raccoons and birds. “If you don’t like wildlife, you won’t like Lake Kathryn,” she says. However, this rustic area, about 50 miles from Orlando, is growing due to increasing housing prices in the metro area. “It’s easier to buy and sell here because it’s lower priced than most places. And there’s a down-home, small-town feel out here you don’t get everywhere,” she says.
The community offers a mix of manufactured and single-family homes
Two- or three-bedroom manufactured homes are most common in Lake Kathryn, though some one- or two-bedroom options are available. Buyers can find properties built from the 1980s that need updating or newer ones built after 2020. Prices range from $90,000 to around $270,000, with higher-priced homes often sitting on a half-acre or more. Empty lots are plentiful, with parcels typically ranging from a tenth of an acre for around $5,000 to a full acre for $35,000. Regarding crime, Lake Kathryn scores a 2 out of 10 on the CAP Index, two points lower than the national average.
Students attend Lake County Schools
Lake County Schools serves the area and offers Educational Choice Transfer, which under certain conditions allows children to attend any school within the district. Schools zoned to the community include Seminole Springs Elementary, which rates a B on Niche; Umatilla Middle, which rates a B-minus; and B-minus-rated Umatilla High. Of the clubs and organizations that Umatilla High offers, a standout is its Bass Anglers Club, which competes with nearby schools in fishing competitions.
Residents fish in Lake Kathryn, hike in nearby Hontoon Island State Pa
A favorite outdoor activity in the community is fishing in Lake Kathryn. This river-fed body of water is a hot spot for largemouth bass and black crappie. The community is close to the St. John’s River, which is dotted with parks and campgrounds. Hontoon Island State Park, which sits on the river, is 13 miles away from Lake Kathryn and features fishing, hiking and a canoe launch, among many other amenities. In nearby Paisley, about 5 miles away, hikers have their pick of trailheads and campgrounds.
Shopping, dining and services are in Paisley, Umatilla and DeLand
Paisley and Umatilla have essentials like Dollar General and Save A Lot, services and houses of worship. The closest library is in Paisley. Both cities have a mix of chain and local restaurants and bars. Palermo Pizza and Italian Restaurant is a local spot in Paisley loved for its friendly staff and large menu. DeLand is about 13 miles east of Lake Kathryn and offers big-box stores like Walmart and Publix. Mt. Dora is about 22 miles away and popular for day trips and date nights. It offers a charming downtown with antique stores and hip restaurants. Hospitals are in DeLand, about 18 miles away. Kemp says that drive times can be one drawback to living in Lake Kathryn. “It is a drive,” she says. “You don’t have a grocery store two minutes down the street.”
Route 42 connects to nearby major roadways
Route 42 runs along the community’s north side. It travels west to Route 44, which leads through Deland to Interstate 4 and east into Umatilla. Orlando International Airport is about 70 miles away.
