Retirement-friendly Zephyrhills West has many active adult communities
The suburb of Zephyrhills West has some of the same elements that make its anchor city a booming retirement destination: warm Floridian weather, low-priced housing and active adult communities. This side of the Zephyrhills metro features many 55-plus manufactured home subdivisions that cater to an active and social lifestyle. "They're big communities with pools, planned events and clubhouses. You can just run around in your golf cart all day long visiting with your friends," says Sherry Weaver, a sales and marketing coordinator with Island Communities who has been selling in the area for about a decade. This side of town is especially close to Wesley Chapel, a regional destination for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Active manufactured home communities and a mix of single-family homes
Betmar Acres covers a large swath of the community's north side with over 1,600 manufactured homes. A 55-plus community, its residents enjoy around 124 acres of common space, which includes clubhouses, three nine-hole golf courses, swimming pools, shuffleboard courts and other amenities. Residents can also bond over social clubs and events. Manufactured homes across the area tend to range from about $10,000 to $310,000. Locals may either own or lease the land. "The mobile homes are cost-effective, and they feel a little bit safer because they are more inland," says Bratisha Governor, team lead of the Governor Group at Dalton Wade. Housing here includes older ranch-style properties. New homes by D.R. Horton are located in the Harvest Ridge subdivision, where construction continues. Single-family prices typically range from about $170,000 to $390,000. While this inland area is mostly protected from hurricanes, some parts are prone to flooding and felt the impacts of Hurricane Milton in 2024.
Neighborhood shuffleboard courts nearby, city parks a short drive east
Locals may enjoy community pools, shuffleboard courts and other shared spaces within subdivisions. Additional green spaces are just east in Zephyrhills. The 34-acre Zephyr Park has lighted tennis courts, picnic pavilions, playground equipment and a fishing lake with a surrounding fitness trail. The city maintains 13 other parks and recreation facilities, which include a community center, dog park, skate park, an 18-hole municipal golf course and a water park that is open seasonally. Skydive City is a regional tourist destination drawing skydivers of all ability levels. It offers tandem jumps, group jumps, water landings, festivals and competitions.
State Route 54 offers the necessities, downtown has mom-and-pop shops
The commercial state Route 54 corridor hosts familiar retailers, such as Winn-Dixie, Save A Lot, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. Piccola Italia Restaurant has been serving the community since 1986, offering casual dinners and a variety of pasta dishes accompanied by soup or salad. Rick's Café serves up breakfast classics and hot lunch plates, while Twistee Treat is a go-to spot for soft serve ice cream. Just east is downtown Zephyrhills, where mature trees and mom-and-pop businesses flank Fifth Avenue. About 8 miles west, Wesley Chapel hosts brand-name businesses and specialty shopping.
Pasco County School District gets a B-plus
Kids can attend Pasco County School District, which gets a B-plus from Niche. West Zephyrhills Elementary and Raymond B. Stewart Middle both earn C grades from Niche. Kids may also attend Chester Taylor Elementary and Zephyrhills High, which both earn C-plus grades. High schoolers can earn an associate degree along with their diploma through the early college program. The annual football game between rival Pasco High is a favorite tradition that brings together students, families and fans.
Bingo and karaoke close to home; bigger events draw residents downtown
Neighborhood calendars are filled with events, from bingo to karaoke to holiday celebrations. Monday night bingo at Betmar Acres is open to the public each week throughout the year. Zephyrhills' longstanding Founders' Day Festival brings thousands of visitors downtown. It usually includes a parade, classic car show, vendor market and live music. Other downtown festivities include the Zephyrhills High School homecoming parade and the holiday Festival of Lights. The Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual BBQ & Blues Festival in February, featuring concerts throughout the day, a kids' zone, a hog calling contest and a wing eating contest.
Travelling on Route 54, taking GoPasco and commuting to Tampa
This community is just west of Zephyrhills, with Route 54 serving as its main thoroughfare. It's mostly car-dependent, though folks may walk or take a golf cart to neighborhood amenities. The GoPasco bus system connects the area to stops throughout the county. AdventHealth Zephyrhills provides comprehensive medical care, including around-the-clock emergency care, about 4 miles northeast. Though commuters might drive to Tampa, about 30 miles southwest, local job sites include Zephyrhills, a bottled water supplier. Lakeland Linder International Airport, less than 30 miles south, serves seven domestic destinations and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tampa International Airport is about 40 miles away.
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Pushparaj Aitwal
