Back to overall blog listing

The City of Mount Dora: Why Seniors Looking to Retire in Florida Choose This Town!

March 16, 2021

When searching for a spot to retire, a range of factors comes into play. Will the weather be mild enough for me to remain active and enjoy my hobbies outside? Will there be cultural and educational opportunities to keep my mind and spirit engaged? Will there be places to cultivate new friendships and access healthcare if I need it?

In Mount Dora, the answer to all these questions is an emphatic “Yes!”

Seniors from across the country are choosing this idyllic, small city as their next hometown. Here are just a few of the reasons why.

• The location – With its rolling hills, serene lakes and proximity to Orlando, you can’t beat Mount Dora’s location. This central Florida city’s downtown area has an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants and almost endless opportunities for entertainment. Grantham Point Park, the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse and the Palm Island Boardwalk, with its eight-acre natural preservation area, only add to its charm.
• The reviews and reputation – Ranked as Florida’s #1 small town to retire to by USA Today, Mount Dora is known for its comforting Southern hospitality and strong sense of community. It has also earned the nicknames “New England of the South” for its hilly terrain and northern-style buildings and “Everyone’s Hometown” for its friendliness and quaint atmosphere. To fishermen, it’s simply the “Bass Capital of the World.” Visitors consistently note the town’s tight-knit and peaceful feel.
• The warm welcome – One of the first things people notice when moving to Mount Dora is the pleasant weather! Even in the coolest months, the temperature rarely dips below 60 degrees, making it the perfect spot for outdoor cafes, lush golf courses, scenic parks, water activities or just year-round sunny strolls downtown.
• The fabulous festivals – Throughout the year, the “Festival City” is home to more than a dozen fairs, festivals and parades. The annual Mount Dora Arts Festival draws more than 300 artist vendors from around the world to the town’s lakefront historic district. Then there’s the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, which includes bicycle rides and mountain bike challenges in Lake County; the annual Mount Dora Blueberry Festival, packed with blueberry pies, cakes, scones and even beer; and the annual Seafood Festival, a two-day event with live music, fresh seafood and oyster-shucking contests. And in January 2022, the town will host the Florida Storytelling
  Festival, which is known nationally for its workshops, concerts, youthful voices and sense of community.
• The hallowed history – History buffs have no shortage of learning opportunities in Mount Dora, which is filled with historic landmarks. One of the many treasures is the Donnelly House. Built in 1893, this house was the home of the town’s first mayor and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Mount Dora History Museum is housed in a 1923 fire station and features memorable pieces of the city’s past, including an early 1900s hand-drawn hose cart, a postal sorter and the ballot box from the town’s first election.

For all these reasons and more, Lakeside at Waterman Village is proud to call Mount Dora home. Join fellow active adults and soak in the lakefront lifestyle when our community opens in 2022.

Here, you’ll enjoy all the resort-like amenities and services at the new neighborhood as well as those on our original campus, Waterman Village, and the security offered by our full continuum of care should the need arise.

Ready to reserve your spot? Our friendly team is happy to answer any questions you may have about Lakeside at Waterman Village and help you secure your next home. Get in touch or call 352-385-1120 today.