Starke offers spacious living away from city sprawl
About halfway between Jacksonville and Gainesville, surrounded by lakes, is the little city of Starke, home to about 5,800 people. Many residents have lived here for generations, but newcomers are making their way to this rural enclave in Bradford County to escape north-central Florida’s suburban sprawl. “People like the rural, small-town feel,” says Justis Smith, a real estate agent with Southland Realty & Management Co. who sells throughout north-central Florida. Along with community, space is a draw. “A lot of people come here because they want a bigger plot of land,” she says. It’s possible to buy homes in Starke on an acre or more, which is becoming more difficult to find closer to the major cities.
Mix of ranch, bungalows and manufactured homes on quiet streets
Most homes in Starke are a mix of ranch-style, bungalows and manufactured. There are some 100-year-old Victorians and Arts and Crafts styles, but they don’t often go on the market. Houses typically sit close together on grassy lawns dotted with shrubs and mature trees. Residential streets are narrow and quiet. Prices typically range from $160,000 to around $400,000, with higher priced homes usually featuring more than 2,000 square feet of space, sitting on an acre or more of land, or both. Land is also available, ranging from $18,000 to $74,000. Higher priced properties are generally two acres or more and are cleared of trees.
Children attend B-minus to C-rated Bradford County schools
Bradford County School District serves the city and rates a C-plus on Niche. The district offers controlled open enrollment contingent on school capacity. The schools in the city are B-minus-rated Starke Elementary, C-plus-rated Bradford Middle and C-rated Bradford High. Students at Bradford High can take Career and Technical Education courses at North Florida Technical College, located nearby, in courses including Carpentry, Welding and Information Technology. The Tornadoes, Bradford High’s football team, play in a stadium that was updated in 2019 with new a new field and a new scoreboard. “It’s an incredible facility for a small town,” Smith says.
Tennis, basketball and walking trails in local parks, fishing nearby
Green spaces include Wainwright Park, which features a playground, basketball court and covered picnic tables; and Thomas Street Park, which has tennis courts, a basketball court, a walking trail and a multipurpose field for football and soccer. The Starke/Gainesville N.E. KOA Holiday campground is on the southwest side and offers tent and RV lodging, nature trails and a dedicated dog walk area. Additional nearby recreation options include golfing at the semi-private Starke Golf & Country Club, and fishing and boating at Lake Sampson, Crosby Lake and Lake Rowell.
Historic downtown offers shops, diners and a vintage theater
Downtown Starke spans a few blocks of Call Street and features local shops, restaurants and services housed in historic buildings. Residents pick up groceries and essentials at Walmart and Winn-Dixie. Other retailers in the city are Dollar General and Harbor Freight. Dining out options include local favorites Grannie’s Country Cookin’, a family-owned diner; Powell’s Dairy Freeze, a walk-up ice cream and burger stand; and The Downtown Grill, a laid-back spot serving American dishes and is a go-to for bingo, trivia and community clubs. The Florida Twin Theatre has been in operation since 1941 and shows the latest movies on two screens.
Strawberry Festival and County Fair are March favorites
The Bradford County Fair takes place in early March at the fairgrounds on North Temple Avenue and has livestock and other animal shows, carnival games and rides, food and craft vendors and other family-friendly fun. The Bradford County Strawberry Festival takes place a little later in the month and features live entertainment, kids’ activities, craft vendors, and strawberry-themed food.
U.S. Route 301 links residents to Gainesville and Jacksonville
The city doesn’t have a fixed bus line, so residents get around by car. Brownlee Street, Call Avenue and Madison Street join Temple Avenue as the city’s main thoroughfares, which connect to nearby communities and HCA Florida Starke Emergency center. Lake Butler Hospital is a full-service facility and is about 15 miles away. U.S. Route 301 is near the city’s west side and helps residents get to Gainesville, and Jacksonville, about 30 and 50 miles away, respectively. The closest international airport is in Jacksonville.
Hurricanes are possible, city offers resources to keep prepared
There is a chance of hurricanes and other severe storms with high winds in Starke. The city’s website provides resources to keep residents informed before, during and after inclement weather.
