On Top of the World offers a strong community for adults 55 and over
On Top of the World is a large section in west Marion County comprised of three distinct communities: On Top of the World, a 55-plus neighborhood; Stone Creek, another, smaller 55-plus neighborhood; and a collection of small, residential communities in Ocala’s horse country, including Ocala Estates, Rainbow Park, York and Fellowship.
On Top of the World, the largest of the communities, is gated and divided into several neighborhoods. Homes are two- and three-bedroom, ranch-style and built in the 1980s and 1990s. Prices range from the low $100,000s to the high $600,000s. Higher-priced homes are often 3,000 square feet or more and have backyard pools, golf course views and three-car garages. Two-bedroom condos cost between $120,000 and $160,000, and two-bedroom townhouses range from $110,000 to $265,000. HOA fees run from $300 to $500 and vary between subdivisions.
Golf, RC planes, pickleball and social clubs
The two community centers feature pickleball and tennis courts, outdoor pools and fitness centers. The Health & Recreation Facility also features shuffleboard, a horseshoe pit, bocce and mini golf. The Arbor Club offers a flying field for remote-controlled plane enthusiasts. Residents who want to get creative head to the craft building for its woodworking shop and arts and crafts studio. Golfers have their pick from three courses: The Tortoise & The Hare and The Links, which are both private, and Chandler Hills, which is open to the public. Residents run dozens of organizations, including clubs ranging from Bunco to astronomy.
Neighborhood restaurants, a weekly farmers market and nearby shopping
Restaurants in the community include The Pub, which features a full bar and The Club at Chandler Hills, which offers golf course views. Publix and Walmart can be found along Florida State Route 200. Sid’s Coffee Shop & Deli sits just outside the community at Circle Square Commons, a location that also hosts a weekly farmers market. The Circle Square Cultural Center has regular live music and comedy shows.
Stone Creek offers many of the same amenities as On Top of the World
Located north of On Top of the World, Stone Creek is another 55-plus planned community that offers many of the same recreation and entertainment options as its neighbor to the south, but is smaller. Most homes are single-family, built by Del Webb in the 2000s in various floor plans. They’re primarily two or three bedrooms, with short driveways and multi-car garages. They sit close together on narrow, manicured lots. Prices range from $220,000 to $750,000. Depending on the property, HOA fees range from $216 to $527 a month.
Residents enjoy golf, spa time and Pilates
Golfers are close to Stone Creek Golf Club, a community course with an 18-hole layout. Reflection Bay, the clubhouse, features outdoor amenities including a catch and release fishing lake, tennis and pickleball course, bocce ball, horseshoes and walking trails. Indoor activities include billiards, cards, and arts and crafts. Stone Creek offers dozens of social clubs and groups, focusing on activities like cooking, Pilates and photography. The Elan Spa and Resort Pool facility features indoor and outdoor swimming, a fitness center, massage services and an aerobics studio. Residents with boats and RVs can pay to store their toys within the community, ranging from $125 to $250 monthly.
Shopping and dining along Florida State Route 200
Residents head to Florida State Route 200 to pick up groceries at Aldi and Walmart and dine at the locally owned Southern Pig & Cattle, a popular barbecue spot. The Stone Creek Reunion Center hosts regular events in the ballroom, such as parties, dances and live theater.
Smaller communities in Ocala’s horse country
Multiple smaller communities are located north of On Top of the World and Stone Creek, including Ocala Estates, Rainbow Park, York and Fellowship. All four communities are census-designated places in unincorporated Marion County and part of Ocala’s noted “horse country,” with equestrian centers, riding academies and farms throughout the area. Homes in this area vary widely. Two-bedroom manufactured homes start at $100,000 and climb to $370,000 for five bedrooms. New construction is popular, with many three- and four-bedroom New Traditional-style homes ranging from about $200,000 to almost $800,000. Custom estates with four or more bedrooms, often sitting on an acre or more, range from around $850,000 to $1.4 million.
Convenient amenities and county-run emergency services
Residents in this area are close to multiple golf courses, including the Ocala National Golf Club and the private Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club. Publix, restaurants and HCA Florida Foxwood emergency room are off U.S. Highway 27. For dining out, San’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is a locally owned spot popular for its sandwiches, pasta and many pizza options. Further south, HCA Florida West Marion Hospital and a Marion County fire and rescue station are near Florida State Road 200.
Major highways SR 200 and Highway 27 connect to Interstate 75, which travels to Tampa, about 100 miles away. Orlando is about 80 miles away.
The community is in Central Florida, which is vulnerable to hurricanes. Marion County has multiple online resources to help residents prepare before severe storms. As storms occur, the county also has an emergency information phone number residents can call to stay updated.
Robyn, a native Midwesterner, is excited that moving to Florida has given her the opportunity to transition into real estate. She was renovating and flipping houses long before HGTV made it popular, and her experiences in interior design, management, and education have given her great tools for supplying excellent customer service to buyers and sellers.
Robyn lives in a 55 plus community, where she is active in many clubs. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she has a passion for creating relationships, eager to help others find their dream community and home. In her spare time, she loves to travel, whether visiting family, cruising, or taking daytrips to the many interesting areas of Central Florida.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
