12 Top Reasons to Retire in Citrus County, Florida

1. Pleasant Year Round Weather
With comfortable winters and breezy summers the Terra Vista area offers ad ideal setting for enjoying all your favorite outdoor sports and activities. Here, you ll find a range of temperatures that allows you to comfortably enjoy the Florida experience season after season. In addition to its balanced temperatures, Citrus County offers historically low hurricane risks compared to other coastal locations statewide. 

2. Attractive Cost of Living 
When compared to many Florida destinations, particularly in the southern parts of the state, Citrus County offers an escape from excessive costs. As highlighted in comparative price index reports, Citrus County ranks among the most affordable places in Florida to live. Here, you ll enjoy a high quality lifestyle where lower costs are prevalent, not only in everyday purchases such as dining out and entertainment, but also for major expenses including housing. Plus, there s the added savings of no state income tax and benefits of today s Homestead Exemption laws and the long term real estate tax stability they provide. 

3. Balanced Location 
From its vantage point north of Tampa Bay in the heart of the Nature Coast, Citrus County offers uncluttered beauty accentuated by towering oaks, pristine spring fed rivers and the rolling hills that founded the area s unique Alps of Florida reputation. This is uniquely balanced by the wealth of cultural, fine dining, shopping, and urban pursuits found just a short drive away in metropolitan Tampa Bay, Orlando, Ocala, and Gainesville. 

4. Outstanding Outdoor Recreation 
Aptly referred to as Mother Nature s Theme Park, Citrus County has 22 miles of lakes, 7 rivers and a Gulf of Mexico coastline. Enhanced by our beautiful weather, residents enjoy world class golfing and fishing; diving and snorkeling; boating and kayaking; and the many hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities provided in the area s many parks and preserves, including the sprawling Withlacoochee State Forest. 

5. Not Crowded 
Citrus County offers an escape from the crowds increasingly found in many parts of Florida, especially the Southeast and Southwest regions. Here, you ll enjoy a more balanced pace of life without the stress caused by heavy traffic, long lines, and overcrowding. 

6. Preserved & Ecologically Balanced 
While south Florida grows more and more cluttered, Citrus County offers a pristine and picturesque lifestyle. Its home to the many state forests and preserves, some of the most productive saltwater estuaries in Florida, as well as seven of the state s outstanding crystal clear waterways. And this natural, untouched beauty will remain unspoiled because the County has protected about 50 percent of its land from future development. While much of Florida suffers from near critical water shortages, we re in the enviable position of having an ongoing supply of high quality water from the largest collection of major magnitude springs of any county in the state. 

7. Amenity Rich Suburb 
Citrus County offers the full range of amenities your active lifestyle demands. From nearby shopping and diverse restaurant choices to local theatre productions and area festivals, you ll find Terra Vista is an exciting, convenient place to enjoy great suburban Florida living. 

8. Excellent Health Care 
Offering a wide range of outstanding health care options right near home brings peace of mind. Living in Citrus Hills, you ll have convenient access to two hospitals, hundreds of highly regarded family and specialty physicians and dozens of outpatient surgery and diagnostic centers. And just a short drive away awaits the world class health care services at Shands Health Care in Gainesville. 

9. Low Crime 
Of the 67 counties in Florida, Citrus County boasts one of the lowest crime rates. In keeping with our great suburban setting, residents enjoy a lifestyle free from the threats and worries often experienced in more populated parts of the state. Plus, our Sheriff s Department has earned national accolades and accreditation for its unwavering pursuit of safety and diligent crime prevention efforts. 

10. Educational Opportunities 
With a long standing tradition for excellence, Citrus County offers a comprehensive array of educational opportunities to meet the needs of our diverse population, ranging from educational enrichment courses for retirees to outstanding pre schools. Our public schools boast one of the lowest student teacher ratios in the state, and there are several private school options. Our community college and technical school offer local higher educational opportunities at very affordable rates. 

11. Poised for Florida s Future 
Citrus County lies in a unique position along the coastal edge of Florida s Central Belt, a region where the real focus of future growth lies. In terms of bustling hubs of commerce, Citrus County is advantageously located just a short distance from the flourishing metro centers of Orlando, Gainesville and Tampa Bay. Located even closer, is the blossoming city of Ocala. 

12. Amazing Quality of Life 
Set amidst gently rolling hills in the heart of Florida s Nature Coast, this northern suburb of Tampa Bay offers all the amenities you desire to live life to its fullest. Balanced year round weather, idyllic natural beauty, great schools, advanced medical care and superb golf, tennis, boating, and fishing all combine with a rare spirit of community to create an enchanting place few places can rival.