Lake Mack-Forest Hills neighbors preserved Florida outdoors
On the northern edge of the Orlando metro area, streets of sand and dirt lead through Lake Mack-Forest Hills, a residential community in a rural swath of Central Florida. The gnarled growth of brush, tall grass and short palms throughout the community give it a natural feel, which is further strengthened by the nature preserves and parks directly to the east. Lake Mack-Forest Hills is an escape from the city, but the short drive to downtown DeLand means shops and restaurants aren't too far away.
Rustic properties and a slower pace in rural Florida
Small single-family homes and manufactured houses line asphalt and sand streets. Lot sizes vary, and dozens of homes sit on more than an acre, while many others come with less than half an acre. Regardless of the size of the lot, yards often have a sense of privacy, thanks to pines and palms growing between properties. Some houses border the community's marshy lakes, and small fishing docks extend from backyards into the water. “It’s unincorporated right now, so there are no HOAs,” says Carla Gibson, a Realtor with Adams, Cameron & Co. “It’s really secluded, it’s affordable and you can have a manufactured home.” Manufactured homes usually sell from the lower $100,000s to the lower $300,000s, while single-family prices typically range from the mid-$200,000s to the mid-$400,000s.
Boat, fish and see manatees in the waters of Central Florida
The St. Johns River flows east of Lake Mack-Forest Hills, and the river offers opportunities to fish, boat and paddle close to home. A few examples of nearby outdoor recreation include:
- Blue Spring State Park, where you can kayak crystal clear water inhabited by manatees
- Pine Forest Park, home to a playground, baseball fields and a hiking trail
- St. Francis Trail, an 8-mile hike through hammock forest
- St. John’s Marina South, a hub for launching boats and fishing
Where to go for riverside drinks and downtown dining
Forest Hill Grocery carries snacks and pantry items in the neighborhood, but other businesses are a short drive away. At St. John's River Grille, the rooftop tiki bar and restaurant patio come with views of the river. Meanwhile, downtown DeLand has shops and restaurants such as:
- Boston Coffeehouse, a Colonial-themed breakfast spot
- Cress Restaurant, serving upscale dishes such as ribeye and escargot
- Marketplace at Rivertown, an antique mall with booths of vintage collectibles
- Santorini Greek Cuisine, known for Greek classics such as gyros and spanakopita
Umatilla High has a Cambridge-developed academic program
Lake Mack-Forest Hills is part of Lake County Schools, a public school district that gets a B rating from Niche. One of the schools that serve the neighborhood is Umatilla High School, home to the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education. Students who pursue a diploma through the program take advanced courses and may earn college credits, as well as scholarship money through Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Driving to DeLand, Orlando and Daytona Beach
The car-dependent community sits along County Road 42, which residents use to get to DeLand, 8 miles away. In DeLand, you can hop on Interstate 4 to travel to destinations across the region, including Daytona Beach, 30 miles away, and Orlando, 55 miles away.
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Written By
Alex Soderstrom
