Watertown is a small Columbia County community that sits about 50 miles from Gainesville and 60 from Jacksonville, making them close enough for day trips and commuting. However, unlike those bustling cities, Watertown offers quiet rural living and easy access to nature.
Most homes in Watertown are ranch-style, Minimal Traditional and manufactured, with two or three bedrooms. They sit on grass lawns, flanked by mature trees. Prices range from $100,000 to $350,000. The 55-plus community of Eastland Village is on Watertown’s southeast side and features a mix of ranch-style and manufactured homes on small lots where residents have access to a pool and regular events at the clubhouse. Prices range from $140,000 to about $290,000.
Columbia County School District serves the community and rates an A-minus on Niche. Some of the schools that kids attend are B-plus-rated Eastside Elementary, B-rated Richardson Sixth Grade Academy, B-rated Lake City Middle and B-plus-rated Columbia High. The district offers Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) which allows students to apply to schools zoned to areas outside of the ones they reside in.
Anglers catch bluegill and largemouth bass at Watertown Lake, which sits on the community’s northeast side. The lake is at the southern end of Osceola National Forest, which includes campgrounds and a shooting range. Alligator Lake Park offers hiking trails, a playground, a picnic area and access to Alligator Lake, popular for fishing and duck hunting.
Residents pick up items like hardware, tires and sporting goods from retailers along Duval Street, the community’s main thoroughfare. O’Dell’s Saloon is a popular watering hole with pool and live entertainment. A large selection of restaurants, Save A Lot, Publix and the closest hospital, HCA Florida Lake City, is next door in Lake City.
Residents gather for Lake City’s Olustee Festival, which takes place every February and commemorates the Civil War’s Battle of Olustee. The two-day festival features over 200 craft and food vendors, live entertainment and kid-friendly activities like face painting and bounce houses.
Residents get around by car, due to the lack of a fixed schedule bus line or other forms of public transportation in the community. Duvall Street connects to U.S. Route 441 and Florida state Road 100, which travel to Interstates 75 and 10. Lake City Gateway Airport is on the community’s east side and serves small aircraft and corporate jets including commercial airliners.
Summer temperatures are generally in the 80s and 90s. Winter temperatures are usually in the 60s and 70s. While Watertown is located inland, it can be vulnerable to hurricanes. In 2024, Hurricane Helene hit the area and caused widespread power outages, flooding and other damage.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Alex Flowers
DANIEL CRAPPS AGENCY, INC
(386) 854-3186
34 Total Sales
2 in Watertown
$91K - $128K Price Range
Amanda Harrison
HARRISON REAL PROPERTY GROUP
(689) 209-1665
225 Total Sales
1 in Watertown
$185,000 Price
Maria Avendano
(352) 644-9211
120 Total Sales
1 in Watertown
$325,000 Price
Madison Pinder
Horizon Realty Of Alachua Inc
(386) 401-5413
86 Total Sales
1 in Watertown
$50,000 Price
Jennifer Barona
KELLER WILLIAMS GAINESVILLE REALTY PARTNERS
(352) 900-2297
89 Total Sales
1 in Watertown
$837,600 Price
Becky Justice
JACKIE TAYLOR & ASSOCIATES
(386) 590-9758
58 Total Sales
2 in Watertown
$25K - $48K Price Range
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