Enjoying the simple life in Live Oak
The small town of Live Oak in North Florida attracts those seeking “freedom,” according to resident and Realtor Christopher Gleason. “People are able to afford land, enough land to create a self-sustaining homestead,” he says. “There’s a lot of like-minded people out here. There are more retired people and self-sustaining people because there are not a lot of jobs here besides agriculture. We can grow some of our own vegetables, and we have chickens and cows that we process and have our own ground beef.” He describes the weather as “absolutely beautiful” and says that people like to spend a lot of their time outside – enjoying local parks and swimming in the natural springs that feed into the Suwannee River.
Homesteading on acreage properties
Modest bungalows, manufactured homes and historic homes in need of renovations go for $100,000 to $300,000. For $300,000 to $700,000, buyers can find ranch-style and New Traditional homes, often on spreads up to 20 acres. Homes between $700,000 and $1.5 million are typically found on sprawling lots of up to 100 acres. Gleason says that many homeowners use their acreage for homesteading, a self-sufficient lifestyle based on raising animals and subsistence agriculture. “If you ask a kid where the eggs come from, they’ll probably say the store,” he says. “Here, they can go out there and pick up an egg that was just laid. They learn to appreciate something more.”
Suwannee County School District and other education options
Suwannee County School District gets an overall B grade from Niche. The district operates on a school choice model, so parents can apply to send their children to Suwannee Pineview Elementary, Suwannee Riverside Elementary or Suwannee Springcrest Elementary, all of which get Bs. Then, students attend Suwannee Middle School and Suwannee High School, which get B-minuses. Suwannee High School offers several Career and Technical Education programs, including art, agriculture and allied health. Parents can also apply to send their children to Suwannee Virtual School, which enrolls kindergarten through high school students. Live Oak is home to five private Christian schools and RIVEROAK Technical College, which offers career and technical education programs for adults and dual-enrolled high school students.
Spending time outside and exploring the Suwannee River
Heritage Park and Gardens is a historic estate where visitors can explore gardens, a walking trail, disc golf, home tours, a playground and a baseball field. Locals enjoy access to Suwannee Health & Wellness and Billy Jernigan Pool Facility. The First Federal Sportsplex has baseball and softball fields and a splash pad.
Outside of town, natural springs that feed into the Suwannee River, including Suwannee Springs and Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, are popular swimming spots. “I love it up here,” Gleason says. “There are lots of natural, crystal-clear springs, and people dive in them. They have different platforms that you can jump off, and there are rope swings, and the kids swing off them. If I were a kid, to be able to grow up here, it would put your mind in a better place in a way.” Woods Ferry Conservation Area is popular for hiking, kayaking and riverside camping. Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground offers cabin, RV and primitive camping.
Local dining options, fast food and groceries
Big Wood BBQ and Grill is known for its homemade sauces and seasonings. The Brown Lantern serves American fare like sandwiches and wings in a cozy space. The Dixie Grill is a Southern restaurant serving breakfast and lunch options, including omelets, chicken-fried steak and biscuits and gravy. Fast-food options in town include Hardee’s, Dairy Queen, Zaxbys and more. Groceries are available at Walmart, Publix and Pepe’s Grocery Store & Restaurant, a local business selling homemade Mexican food and pastries alongside groceries.
Music festivals at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground hosts events throughout the year, including several music festivals. Suwannee Roots Revival celebrates Americana, folk and traditional roots music alongside music workshops, yoga classes, jam sessions and more. Suwannee Spring Reunion similarly celebrates bluegrass, Americana and folk with performances, jam sessions and workshops. Suwannee Hulaween is a Halloween-themed music festival held each October with an eclectic lineup of jam bands, EDM and funk alongside art installations and interactive experiences.
Highways, healthcare and getting to the airport
U.S. Highways 90 and 129 pass through Live Oak, and Interstate 10 runs east-west just north of the community, connecting it to the rest of Florida. Primary care and emergency services are available in Live Oak, and the nearest hospital is HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, about 20 miles away. About 70 miles away, Gainesville Regional Airport offers flights to Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth.
