Woodville is a tree-heavy rural community outside of Tallahassee
Woodville lives up to its name. Trees surround the rural area’s roads, giving it a tropical atmosphere. Just from looking around, not many would guess that a state capital was close by, but Tallahassee’s outskirts are a few miles north. At the same time, St. Marks and the Gulf of Mexico are within reach to the south. Residents may live in a quiet community, but they relish being able to experience the city and the water whenever they want. “You’re close to the Gulf and close to Tallahassee,” says Travis Beckwith, a Leon County Parks & Community Centers Manager. “It’s a beautiful mix of both elements.” Residents can enjoy the community’s green spaces and restaurants when staying close to home.
Traditional and manufactured homes for below-averages prices
Many properties in the community carry a Mediterranean influence, most prominently seen in their tile roofs. Traditional homes, including ranch-style properties, can range from $230,000 to $410,000, while manufactured houses often run from $120,000 to $220,000. The area’s average home value, about $270,000, is below the Tallahassee Metro Area average. Residential streets do not have a grid-like pattern. Instead, they wind through the region, spacing out pockets of homes. The area’s asphalt roads are typically narrow and can feature traffic-controlling measures like speed bumps. The car-dependent community does not have many sidewalks. Yards are often grass and can feature trees, including palm trees, and smaller bushes.
Mexican, Southern and Italian cuisine along Woodville Highway
Most of the area’s eateries and other businesses sit along Woodville Highway. Las Brazas Mexican Grill puts a modern spin on authentic cuisine. The Driftwood Family Restaurant specializes in fried fish and other Southern favorites. Bagigio’s, a casual Italian eatery, sells homemade gelato. The community has a Dollar General but no dedicated grocery store. The closest one, Publix Super Market, is close to a 6-mile drive.
James Rickards High offers the International Baccalaureate program
Most students are zoned for Leon County Schools, which holds an A-minus Niche grade. They can attend Woodville Elementary School, which holds an individual C-plus score. R. Frank Nims Middle School also gets a C-plus rating. James Rickards High School offers the International Baccalaureate program, designed to develop students’ critical thinking skills. It earns a B-plus.
Wakulla County Schools, which holds a B from Niche, serves students in the community's southwest corner.
Florida offers several forms of school choice, including a tax credit scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship Educational Options Program. The latter awards funds to families based on county and grade level, with an average amount of about $8,200. Tallahassee’s private John Paul II Catholic High School holds a B-plus rating.
J. Lewis Hall Sr. Park is a "crown jewel," and state parks are close
J. Lewis Hall Sr. Park is centered around sports and has a baseball diamond, a basketball court and a multipurpose field. It also recently received a state-of-the-art playground. “It’s the crown jewel of Woodville,” Beckwith says. “It has a little bit of everything.” The park usually closes at sunset, but sometimes stays open at night for sporting events.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail cuts through the community; the biking and hiking trail runs more than 20 miles. Just west of the region is the Leon Sinks Geological Area, where limestone erosion has caused holes, tunnels and caverns to form. Visitors can walk through about 6 miles of such terrain.
Around 6 miles east is Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, the site of the state’s second-largest Civil War battle. Reenactments are held each March, and fishing and hiking along the St. Marks River are available year-round. The park is named for a quarter-mile stretch where the river dips into a sinkhole before reemerging, forming its namesake natural bridge.
Woodville Founders Day brings the community together
The annual Woodville Founder’s Day raises money for the area’s volunteer fire department. It blends historical demonstrations with live theater and music. Each fall, the community’s Fur Fest 5K sees humans and pets tackle a half-paved, half-dirt trail around J. Lewis Hall Sr. Park.
Access to Tallahassee International Airport and the Gulf
Florida State Route 363, known locally as Woodville Highway, is the community’s main thoroughfare and can take drivers into Tallahassee, whose city center is less than 10 miles away and is home to Florida State University. St. Marks and the Gulf of Mexico are around 10 miles south. Tallahassee International Airport is close to a 10-mile drive, and the Tallahassee Memorial Bixler Trauma & Emergency Center is about 12 miles away. It has more than 50 beds and is the only Level II trauma center in Florida’s Big Bend region. Beckwith says hurricanes have impacted the community in recent years. Residents should stay prepared, especially from June through November.
