COMMUNITY PROFILES / LAKE COUNTY

County Offices
315 W. Main Street
Tavares 352-343-9800
https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
691 West Montrose Street
Claremont
https://www.southlakechamber-fl.com/

Services
Named for our more than 1,400 lakes, panoramic Lake County is known for its diverse landscape and natural beauty. Strategic development has attracted an impressive array of headquarters, manufacturers, and distribution centers to this region of affordable land and excellent services. In addition to the quality education available in public and private schools on all levels, the county provides diverse post-secondary programs at the Lake Technical Center and Lake-Sumter Community College. Students of all ages can launch an affordable start to a four-degree, gain valuable career and technical training, or enrich their lives with a new hobby or continuing education. The University of Central Florida expands the opportunities for higher education within a reasonable commute, providing a wealth of degree programs on undergraduate and graduate levels. Among the other private and public institutions of higher education close to home is the comprehensive, private Stetson University in Deland.

One of the most exciting of the emerging industries in Lake County is sports medicine. While leading-edge healthcare and a comprehensive array of medical and surgical specialties are available at Orlando Regional South Lake Hospital, the sweeping 150-acre campus is also home to the USA Triathlon National Training Center. This exceptional facility is designed to meet the needs of all ages and at all fitness levels for everyone from local residents to national and even international athletes. Named for a partnership with USA Triathlon, the new 37,000-square-foot fitness and training center combines health, education, wellness, rehabilitation, sports science, and training programs in a single location.

Outstanding hospitals that serve this region include Leesburg Regional Medical Center (LRMC) and the new LRMC location, The Villages Regional Hospital. Continually expanding to meet the needs of a growing population, LRMC has been named among the top 100 hospitals in the nation and one of the top 100 companies for working families in Central Florida. An exhaustive list of services and specialties includes a multi-specialty clinic in Bushnell, urgent care centers in smaller communities, an open-heart surgery program, and Leesburg Regional Sports and Health. Adding another state-of-the-art healthcare institution to the area, Florida Hospital Waterman is a 182-bed, acute-care hospital in the community of Eustis.

Lifestyle
Lake County is rapidly maturing into a region that harmonizes breathtaking natural beauty with a robust local economy, a thriving tourism industry, and welcoming communities that are experiencing rapid residential expansion. Once a center of citrus production, a devastating freeze in the 1980s caused such permanent damage that growers moved west. Those with a vision for the future and deep roots in Lake County remained to transform the area into the dynamic location it is today. Wonderful amenities and attractions that include lush parks and exceptional recreational facilities as well as antique shopping districts combine with a proliferation of handsome new homes to stir new interest in Lake County as a permanent home.

Sports enthusiasts enjoy every advantage in Lake County, from competition ski schools to opportunities for extreme sports like hang gliding or televised NCAA tournaments. The region’s chain of lakes allows boaters to move through inland waters that eventually connect to the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the communities in Lake County balance small-town friendliness and historic charm with excellent restaurants, entertainment centers, and popular shopping districts. Conveniently situated midway between Orlando and Daytona Beach, the Lake County region allows residents to visit world-famous theme parks, access international airports, and enjoy beachfront attractions within an hour’s drive from home.

Premier recreational areas like Ocala National Forest and the Alexander Springs Recreation Area appeal to residents and visitors alike. Noted among Florida’s 27 first magnitude freshwater springs, the Alexander Springs beach is one of the clearest swimming spots in the state. Equestrians will discover scenic trails throughout the Ocala National Forest or meandering through the Lake County countryside. The velvet greens of first-class golf courses dot the region, and anglers will find abundant opportunities to pull in the catch of a lifetime. A popular winery that excels in special events and regional or seasonal celebrations fill the calendar with anticipated dates.

Throughout Lake County, the quality of residential, commercial, and industrial development blends effortlessly with the region’s legacy of natural beauty and comfortable, relaxed lifestyle. Newcomers will find a selection of housing from quaint lakefront cottages to country-club and golf-course communities, vibrant subdivisions, horse properties, and country manors. With its obvious dedication to quality of life, Lake County and its tranquil collection of water-oriented communities will remain at the pinnacle of desirability for decades to come.

Clermont City
City Hall
352-394-4081
https://www.clermontfl.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
352-394-4191
https://www.southlakechamber-fl.com/

Combining a community of year-round residents with seasonal and winter visitors, the small community of Clermont is 27 miles west of Orlando. Built on one of Florida’s highest ridges, Clermont commands breathtaking vistas of the surrounding lakes below. Many new residential developments and welcoming neighborhoods have opened in this area within the past decade with the extension of the East-West Expressway. Residents of Clermont enjoy an outstanding quality of life that includes abundant sunshine, water recreation, great restaurants, and colorful activities. An active regional chamber of commerce sponsors events like the Festival on the Lake, Christmas in South Lake, Taste of South Lake, Winefest, and annual craft shows. The nearby Clermont Chain of Lakes is the setting for fishing tournaments and premier water sports, while Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards attracts thousands of visitors each year to its tours, wine tastings, and musical events.

Eustis
City Hall
352-483-5430
https://www.eustis.org

Chamber of Commerce
352-357-3434
https://eustischamber.com/

Offering “legendary” lakefront sunset vistas, the City of Eustis is nestled along the eastern shore of Lake Eustis. The 7,000-acre lake creates a breathtaking backdrop for a diversified community that blends small-town friendliness with modern amenities. Several updated parks and recreation areas, a state-of-the-art hospital, a charming historical downtown district, and easy access to major transportation arteries are just a few of the Eustis advantages. The city’s Lake Walk is a favorite destination near restaurants, shops, the art museum, and community theater. Residential choices in this rural paradise range from the modest and casual to the elegant, supporting every lifestyle. Those who are looking for a quiet and peaceful atmosphere that provides a surprising number of urban advantages will find a welcoming hometown in Eustis.

Lady Lake
Town Hall
352-751-1500
https://www.ladylake.org/

Chamber of Commerce
352-753-6029
https://www.ladylakechamber.com/

Between Leesburg and Ocala along U.S. Highway 27/441 in Lake County is the rapidly growing community of Lady Lake. Catering primarily to retirees, this beautiful town offers natural beauty and a comfortable, active lifestyle. Superb fishing and golf as well as other outdoor adventures combine with shopping and dining opportunities for a quality lifestyle in a serene environment. The current population of approximately 16,000 is slightly more than half of the 30,000 residents who will call Lady Lake “home” when the community reaches mature development. In keeping with the town motto, “The Home of Lakes and Sunshine,” this area is already home to wonderful active-adult communities like The Villages and Water Oak Estates. Newcomers will be able to select from a wide variety of architectural styles and home designs in the residential enclaves that dot the Lady Lake area.

Leesburg
City Hall
352-728-9700
https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
352-787-2131
https://www.leesburgchamber.com/

Situated south of the Ocala National Forest and about one hour northeast of Orlando, Leesburg rests on the panoramic Lake Wales Ridge that runs north and south. Residents enjoy an idyllic yet convenient location near the convergence of the Florida Turnpike with Interstate 75 west of the city and with U.S. Highway 27 south. The southern tip of Lake County extends toward the doorstep of Walt Disney World and the vast attractions in Metropolitan Orlando. While Leesburg offers quick and easy access to major cultural venues, colleges and universities, and sports events, the area is known for the pleasures of rural living and outstanding recreational opportunities. The active but leisurely lifestyle for which Florida is so famous is readily available in lake and forest environments close to home The Harris Chain of Lakes creates a spectacular backdrop for small-town living at its finest as well as golfing, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming.

Minneola
City Hall
352-394-3598
https://www.minneola.us/

Chamber of Commerce
352-394-4191
https://www.southlakechamber-fl.com/

The welcoming City of Minneola provides a hometown atmosphere in the rapidly growing South Lake County region. The area’s traditional values and family-oriented attitudes will be reflected in the strong handshakes of your new neighbors and the friendly greeting of local shopkeepers. The modern school system includes convenient access to higher education, including Lake-Sumter Community College and the Clermont campus for the University of Central Florida. State-of-the-art healthcare systems focus on wellness and community outreach, anchored by South Lake Hospital. Minneola’s centralized location allows residents to access some of the state’s finest recreational areas in Florida. In addition to outstanding water-sport opportunities that draw world-class wakeboard and water-skiers, this region is known as to the triathlon capital. The headquarters for the USA Triathlon Olympic governing body and the Hall of Fame are located at the South Lake Wellness & USA National Training Center. Another popular amenity is the Rails-to-Trails program, transforming yesterday’s train tracks into trails for walking, biking, or running.

Montverde
Town Hall
407-469-2681
https://mymontverde.com/

Chamber of Commerce
352-394-4191
https://www.southlakechamber-fl.com/

The small community of Montverde is the proud home of the Monteverde Academy, an independent, coeducational boarding and day school set on 125 scenic acres along County Road 455. Offering a day program for students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school also operates a boarding program for older students from 7th through 12th grades. Montverde Academy has created a rich tradition of private education since its establishment in 1912. The panoramic area of Monteverde is also home to the Woodlands Camp, established as a serene retreat for campers, congregations, and the Monteverde community. Residents of this lovely woodland community enjoy a kaleidoscope of outdoor activities that include camping, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, scuba diving, water skiing, hang gliding, fishing, and hunting in season. The more developed areas of Lake County provide options for leading-edge healthcare and higher education close to home.

Mount Dora
City Hall
352-735-7126
https://ci.mount-dora.fl.us/

Chamber of Commerce
352-383-2165
https://www.mountdora.com/

Located just 25 miles northwest of Orlando, the City of Mount Dora offers a balanced community of commercial development, convenient services, and lovely residential neighborhoods. Healthcare needs can be met just five miles from home in Eustis at the Florida Hospital in Waterman. Throughout the area, doctors and dentists represent most major specialties. In addition to local shopping, the city offers a recreation complex and several lush parks equipped with a wide variety of facilities. Children’s playgrounds, tennis and racquetball courts, a heated swimming pool, picnic areas, shuffleboard courts, nature walks, fitness trails, croquet, fishing, a boat dock and ramp, and a lighthouse are among the attractions. Mount Dora is ideally located near a chain of lakes that connect with the inland waterway as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Galleries and museums as well as camp sites in lakefront parks, golf courses, and boat cruises are all available close to home.

Sorrento
County Offices
352-742-4100
https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
352-383-8801
www.elcchamber.com

Newcomers to the small, unincorporated community of Sorrento in eastern Lake County will discover a panoramic setting that encompasses beautiful horse farms, crystal clear springs, and the rolling Wekiva River. One of the regional points of interest in the Sorrento area is the Florida Easter Seal’s Camp Challenge, assisting people to achieve maximum independence through a wheelchair-accessible, recreational camping experience. Sorrento residents can access a wealth of amenities close to home that include expanded shopping and services and a major hospital in Eustis as well as the cultural benefit of art galleries and museums. Recreational opportunities include golfing, tennis, racquetball, swimming, camping, boating, water sports, fishing, hunting, sports play, picnicking, and nature study. The Mount Dora area chain of lakes offers boaters a connection to the inland waterway and the Atlantic Ocean for virtually unlimited water access.

Tavares
City Hall
352-742-6209
https://www.tavares.org/

Chamber of Commerce
352-343-2531
www.tavareschamber.com

Founded in 1880 in the hope that the city would become the capital of Florida, Tavares now serves as the hub of Lake County and the county seat. Home to a modern hospital, the community balances commerce, industry, and services with quiet residential neighborhoods along tree-canopied streets. Light industrial activity and legal support as well as commercial development dominate the local economy. Planners have been diligent about controlling growth and expansion to protect the small-town charm of the city and the tranquility of residential areas. Families in this area appreciate the exceptional facilities for recreation and quality leisure time, including the Wooton Wonderland Playground for Children with its boat ramp and fishing pier and the Fred Stover Sports Complex.