Considering moving from Ocala to a bit further south in Florida

[mmeqcenter]

I’ve been in Ocala for a little over 4.5 years now. I work from home and haven’t really made much effort to get out and about to make friends, and the last 6-7 months have had some significant changes in my personal life that are making me think of moving a smidge closer to the Tampa area. Not the least of which, my older brother+sister-in-law+kids and my older sister+kids just moved outside Bradenton and Brandon areas! Woo! I always said I’d convince them all to move south (we’re from Ohio).

Anyway, other than being closer to my niblings (two of which want to ride often enough), I have a few other reasons I’m thinking of moving:
I’d like to not be on a 3/4 mile dirt road anymore. It’s been an experience, and not a truly awful one but, I’m over it. Ideally I’d like to be on a paved road, but I think I could handle a short dirt road <1/4 mile.
I’d like to be closer to a major airport for both my own convenience when travelling, and the convenience of my parents and my twin sister+brother-in-law+kids when they visit.

So, with all of that, the purpose of this post is to just get some info/opinions about a few areas:
Lakeland
Zephyrhills
Webster
Dade City
Bushnell

I’ve got houses saved in each of those areas, anyone have info for me? I also have some houses saved in Lady Lake, but that’s like maybe 45 mins closer to the niblings so not a top choice.

My questions about the areas are largely horse related:
Is there satisfactory access to vets, farriers? Obviously it won’t be as plentiful as Ocala but, I’m a bit scared of unknown areas due to the plethora of posts online about “can’t get a vet out, no vets in my area, what do I do??”
Hay accessibility? Will I be having to go to Ocala to pick up hay? I know there’s a dude always listing hay for sale out of Dade City, so hoping that’s a good sign? Unless he’s the only one

[lenapesadie]

Dirt roads are cute in pictures and music.

I’m not familiar with your area of interest so I’m no help. But I can definitely understand being done with dirt roads!

[mmeqcenter]

Lol! Exactly

[OfCourseItsAnAlter]

I have family in Tampa and Lakeland and my parents lived in Sun City Center for a long time. I lived in the Gainesville area until 3 years ago, so I can’t really speak first hand about living in the areas you’re asking about.

I will, however, offer the general observation that Lakeland and Zephyrhills are very rapidly urbanizing and may not the best choices for people who own horses.

Also, Lady Lake is not at all close to Bradenton or Brandon, probably farther away than any of the other places you mentioned. Did you mean Land O Lakes? Also rapidly urbanizing and very wet.

And amen on the dirt roads. I was on dirt roads at both of the places I lived in Florida and when I moved up here, I told the realtor not to bother showing me anything that didn’t have direct access off a paved road.

[lenapesadie]

@OfCourseItsAnAlter

when I moved up here, I told the realtor not to bother showing me anything that didn’t have direct access off a paved road.

Mr LS said the exact same thing. As it turned out, we live at the end of the paved road. The “pavement ends” sign is for real in my yard lol

[4horses]

It is an incredible amount of work to move. And a big expense.

The Tampa area does flood depending on what area. They also are closer to hurricanes in the Gulf- you probably are safer from hurricanes where you are.

I would probably pick Lakeland or Dade City. Although I sort of think you might be happier staying where you are.

[Marla_100]

It’s tough to choose another area unless you’ve spent some time there looking around, talking to people and getting a feel for the area.

Yes, many areas between Tampa and Orlando are booming with housing developments and squeezing out the horsey areas. Most areas along I-4 and the turnpike (75) would probably fit here.
Unless an area has an active show scene and/or people with higher end horses and higher incomes, you may have to suffice with “country vets” and very country horse people which is a whole nother world. So many rural areas here are very ‘red-neck’ and you need to prepare for that. Those vets are more cow vets than horse vets but may do both.
Check out CityData for more comments.
A lot depends on what type area you’re comfortable with but I’d suggest you start taking a ride
on weekends and see what you think.

[mmeqcenter]

@OfCourseItsAnAlter

Also, Lady Lake is not at all close to Bradenton or Brandon, probably farther away than any of the other places you mentioned. Did you mean Land O Lakes? Also rapidly urbanizing and very wet.

No, I meant Lady Lake, it is 35-45 minutes closer to my niblings than where I currently am, which is why my OP says it’s not a top choice.

[mmeqcenter]

@4horses

It is an incredible amount of work to move. And a big expense.

I’ve moved from Ohio to Florida. I’m aware, thank you.

@4horses

Although I sort of think you might be happier staying where you are.

I hate to be an @$$ on my own “help needed post,” but these kind of comments on COTH blow my mind. How on earth could you possibly make such an assumption, since you know absolutely nothing about me? Horses aren’t the only consideration I have when choosing somewhere to live. Thanks for your help, though.

[mmeqcenter]

Thanks

[Marla_100]

a few more comments here in case it helps:
Bushnell is in Sumter County and depending on which part of Sumter you choose, be aware that
the “Villages” is aggressively expanding in Sumter County. Same with Lady Lake area. It may not affect you immediately but that kind of growth does result in changes. Taxes, road traffic, older population and many horsey people have been moving away from the path of the Villages.

Webster- haven’t been there for years but it was always known for 1 thing, no 2. The huge flea market and the cattle auction. Very rural and backwoods. Do ya like cowboys?

A lot will depend on your budget. Some areas are significantly more money.

Also have you driven I-4 to Tampa lately? Orlando to Tampa is terrible with traffic.
Lakeland- sorta in the middle of area to major airport. Just guessing, 50 mi. to Tampa, 50 mi. to Orlando.
Make a list of things important to you. And determine your budget. Do you want to rent or buy?
A larger acreage or a farmette?
PS/ many rural areas will have dirt roads so consider that too.

[ThreeWishes]

OP. I am in Winter Haven about 25 minutes from Lakeland. If you value horse amenities like access to shows, good vets, farriers etc I would probably gravitate slightly east or west or a little north.
North of me
Mount Dora
Clermont
Leesburg
Eustis
Tavares

West of me
Plant City
Zephyrhills
Dade City

East of me
I’m not as familiar with you’d really have to go past the Orlando metro area for horsey areas. Although you could look at Kissimmee or St Cloud.

From my experience living here for 20+ years … decide what your needs are … if you want to show you will need to travel an hour or so either west to Tampa , east towards Orlando or north towards Lake county. There are really good vets and farriers in all the areas I’ve outlined but this area of Florida is no where near as concentrated horsey as Ocala. Personally I will never head south. I detest south Florida.

[ThreeWishes]

And to be frank i have lived in this area of slightly redneck central Florida for 20 years. I have NEVER had an issue getting a vet out or finding a farrier. And specialty clinics are within an hour either east or west. For surgery or specialty sport horse needs.
Brandon Equine is top notch And there is an amazing rehab sports horse facility in highlands county called Steele Equine. My regular mobile vet I use for vaccinations and all horse life incidentals is wonderful and available.

[ThreeWishes]

What you will struggle to find as opposed to where you are
Saddle fitting
Chiro work although you can haul into the better clinics
And boarding. But if you are moving horses to your own facility … as long as you are willing to hook up a trailer and drive an hour to show or for specialty vet care … you’ll be fine.

[ThreeWishes]

Equine Hospital in Brandon, FL 33511 | Brandon Equine Medical Center

Steele Equine Veterinary Services & Performance Horse Center | Florida...

(Hardee county not highlands sorry )

[mmeqcenter]

@ThreeWishes

What you will struggle to find as opposed to where you are
Saddle fitting
Chiro work although you can haul into the better clinics
And boarding. But if you are moving horses to your own facility … as long as you are willing to hook up a trailer and drive an hour to show or for specialty vet care … you’ll be fine.

@Marla_100

Also have you driven I-4 to Tampa lately? Orlando to Tampa is terrible with traffic.
Lakeland- sorta in the middle of area to major airport. Just guessing, 50 mi. to Tampa, 50 mi. to Orlando.
Make a list of things important to you. And determine your budget. Do you want to rent or buy?
A larger acreage or a farmette?

I plan on buying my own small farm. I have a 20-acre farm right now, have been handling it by myself (which, ahem, wasn’t exactly the plan but that’s life) in addition to my full-time non-horsey job. I’d be perfectly happy downsizing to about 5-10 acres. I think less than four acres would be a no-go for me.
I’m perfectly happy to haul up to Ocala or wherever else ~1 hour away when I want to show, or if I need a vet hospital.

I knocked Lakeland and Plant City off my list, a friend of a friend in the Bradenton area said they’re typically low and wet?

I haven’t been on I-4, but the traffic on 75 has been absurd too.
The Villages growth is CRAZY!

I’m happy to still be an hour or so from major airports, that’s certainly better than two hours.

Sounds like I should be pretty okay horse-wise in any of these places, so that’s excellent news. Just a matter of finding the right house in my budget, then! My budget will largely depend on what my current farm sells for, and the realtor had excellent news so yay

Brooksville keeps showing great properties, but I’m concerned with being that close to the coast. I never planned on evacuating for hurricanes being in Ocala, as this is where people usually come to. Sitting in stopped traffic with horses in the trailer in 95*+ is not something I ever want to do. Do people in Brooksville usually evacuate, or hunker down?

Clermont is also showing good properties in my budget, but it’s still about 1.5-2 hours from my niblings (vs 2-2.5). A heck of a lot closer to an airport though. At the end of the day, I want to TRY to get closer to the kiddos, but it’s not reeeeeeeeeally a necessity.

[mmeqcenter]

Thanks!

[ThreeWishes]

Don’t be afraid of being too low in the areas you mentioned (Lakeland plant city etc) just do your due diligence when looking. You can see when you buy what flood plane/history the area has. All those areas certainly have boggy areas but they’re not notorious for it. You strike me as a careful wise person. Take your time. Maybe take a drive down this way. Let me know if you need a copilot. Good luck!

[ThreeWishes]

PS the closer you stay to the middle of Florida the closer you are to the Florida ridge. Which is the spine of Florida. Check out Lake Wales too. Haines City etc. google the Florida ridge.

[ThreeWishes]

Florida’s Ancient Sand Dunes on the Lake Wales Ridge