Private faith-based living within reach of city amenities
“Helping one another ‘til Jesus Comes” is a fitting motto for the service and faith-oriented retirement community of Maranatha Village, which roughly translates to “Our Lord is coming". The neighborhood is affiliated with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches and invites those with similar values and beliefs to join its fellowship. One such value is a willingness to lend a hand to others whenever possible. The "know all your neighbors" small-town feel that retirees enjoy doesn't stop at Maranatha Village's entrance. Mayor John Shoop, who was elected in 2014, notes that there about 11,000 people in Sebring and most still know and recognize each other around the lake. Less than 3 miles from Maranatha Village, and on the shores of Lake Jackson, are the boutiques, gourmet restaurants and cafés of the Downtown Sebring Historic District. In February 2024, HGTV's Hometown Makeover refreshed several downtown storefronts, public spaces and nearby homes. The rejuvenation of downtown has been shared across many notable platforms, including People magazine. Despite an influx of snow birds, transplants and tourists, both Shoop and the community are dedicated to preserving the city's tight-knit, service-oriented atmosphere, much like the residents of Maranatha Village.
The Maranatha Baptist Church is the cornerstone of Maranatha Village.
Maranatha Village is primarily inhabited by seniors.
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Homes in Maranatha Village require approval
The village's expansive property includes several ponds, walking paths, an 18-hole golf course, a pool and a fire pit. Management requires an application and approval to acquire a villa, mobile home or spot at the RV Park for those interested in Maranatha Village. Housing details are private, and interested retirees must call Maranatha Village’s administration office for more information. The community also offers a guest house for short-term stays. Maranatha Baptist Church is the beating heart of the neighborhood. It is both an active gathering space for its congregation and home to an assisted living facility. Three pastors lead weekly services, morning devotionals and Bible conferences throughout the year. Christmas and Easter are festive celebrations accompanied by a large choir and concerts.
Large waterfront homes in Maranatha Village have custom roof lines and open car ports.
The manufactured home section of Maranatha Village has rows of well kept, colorful homes.
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Residents enjoy state parks, wildlife refuges and Lake Jackson
Golfing is a popular pastime for residents, as Sebring is home to the Citrus Golf Trail, which comprises 10 expansive golf courses, including Highlands Ridge North Golf Course. On the neighborhood’s eastern side is Carter Creek Lake Wales Wildlife Refuge, but it is not open to the public. The well-known Highlands Hammock State Park offers trails for all activity levels, along with seasonal tram ride tours throughout the park. For water lovers, Sebring is home to over 100 lakes, including Lake Jackson’s sandy, white shores.
Nearby to Maranatha Village, Jackson Lake is a popular lake for boating adventures.
Highland Hammock State Park has miles of nature trails to wander and see wildlife.
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Weekly devotionals bring the community together
Weekly services held at Maranatha Baptist Church are a huge part of this faith-based community. Other activities include a monthly fellowship, pot-luck dinners and seasonal concerts. Annual events span all of Sebring, the most popular being the Sebring Soda Festival every Spring and Lake Placid's Caladium Festival. Local attractions include the Sebring International Raceway, which has hosted the annual 12 Hours of Sebring WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race since 1952. The event has been voted North America's Number 1 Motorsports event by USA Today. Live theatergoers can enjoy themselves at the Highlands Lakeside Theatre or the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for Performing Arts at South Florida State College. The latter hosts over 30 national touring headliners every year.
The famed Sebring International Raceway is about 15 minutes away from Maranatha Village.
Maranatha Village has it's own lakefront fishing pier where residents can fish or sightsee.
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Getting in and around Maranatha Village
Most Sebring residents are car-dependent. US Highway 27 is the city’s main roadway, which wraps around the entirety of Lake Jackson and grants access to the rest of the state. The need for additional throughways has gradually become a pressing issue for residents. The Sebring Station, located in the Sebring Downtown Historic District, was built by the Seaboard Air Line in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is serviced by Amtrak, offering two routes: south to Miami or north to Orlando, Tampa and New York City. Maranatha Village is 99 miles from Tampa and 89 miles from Fort Myers. Sebring Regional Airport is 11 miles away; However, Orlando International Airport, 96 miles north, provides the nearest regularly scheduled passenger service. The closest medical campuses are AdventHealth Sebring and HCA Florida Highlands Hospital, 7 miles west and 6 miles south.
Highway 27 runs right through Sebring with large box stores to shop for home needs.
All roads lead to Sebring Circle at the center of downtown Sebring.
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Sebring is all about shopping local
Just 2 miles away is the Sebring Downtown Historic District and its host of local boutiques, shops and eateries. Faded Bistro & Beer Garden is known for its foliage-covered patio and vegetarian and glucose-free friendly offerings from the restaurant's on-site garden. Dimitri's Restaurant is a Sebring staple down the street with seemingly endless menu offerings ranging from Italian to Floridian seafood. Locals head to Sebring's Soda & Ice Cream Works for a cold treat. The store has over 200 craft soda flavors and an array of ice cream. While Sebring offers plenty of local shops and eateries, the area needs brand-name retail options. The only commercial retail is those situated along US Highway 27, including Marshall’s, Ulta Beauty, Lowe’s and Petco. A mix of chain and local restaurants, and Publix and Walmart, also dot this main highway.
Maranatha Village with a sweet tooth will love shopping Sugar Blossoms.
Small niche storefonts line the streets in historic downtown Sebring minutes away.
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Important things to know
Maranatha’s leadership is aware of the ongoing infrastructure issues troubling areas of the neighborhood, specifically with waterlines. A fundraiser has been created to raise the necessary funds needed for repairs. Sebring is not immune to the impact of Florida's hurricane season; however, due to its location in the middle of the state, the area does not get hit as hard as coastal cities like Fort Myers, which was significantly impacted by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Sebring's natural disaster plan includes an active EMS department, recent grants for additional generators and improvements to harden public buildings. Highlands County is considered Flood Zone A and Flood Zone AE. Certain mortgage companies may require homeowners to acquire flood insurance.
Rows of homes line the lakefront enjoy the nice waterfront views in Maranatha Village.
Maranatha Village has it's own lakefront fishing pier where residents can fish or sightsee.
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Written By
Corrine Fizer
Photography Contributed By
Pete Barrett
Video By
Jarrod Bock
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Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
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Michelle Hutto,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Circle Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Maranatha Village
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
6
Median Year Built
1977
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,442
Significantly below the national average
1,931
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Michelle Hutto,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
465
Median Age
47
Population under 18
23.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,538
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,421
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
70.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.3%
Advanced Degrees
7.8%
% Population in Labor Force
40.6%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
