QUESTION: Where is the best place to live in florida?

ANSWER: That is difficult to answer - there is such a variety. However, more and more people are discovering Highlands County because they say it is cheaper, friendlier, there are hills (very rare in Florida!) and, or course, the beautiful, clear lakes (not mud holes or swamps, but clear swimming, boating and fishing lakes in a tropical setting.

QUESTION: Where is it?

ANSWER: Highlands County (Sebring, Lake Placid & Avon Park) is about 1.5 hours north of Miami, 1 hour south of Orlando and about 1.5 hours southwest of Tampa. We're within two hours of 90% of Florida's population, but in a small town that won't be overcrowded for a long time to come (yes, we're growing, but still have a LOT of open land, woods and beautiful, hilly countryside).

QUESTION: What types of homes will I find?

ANSWER: There are small, cottages, "typical" Florida style homes (3br,2-bath, 2-car garage clock and stucco), huge, multi-million-dollar lakefront mansions and more. There's pretty much any type of home you could have. The good news is you get a lot for your money compared to many other place sin Florida.

QUESTION: What about hurricanes?

ANSWER: Being between 1 and 2 hours from each coast, and having wooded, hilly countryside surrounding our town, hurricanes aren't a big worry. Sure we can get wind and rain, but the catastrophic footage you've seen on TV is something we've never even remotely experienced. Click Here

QUESTION: Are there really any hills in Florida?

ANSWER: Most areas in Florida are very flat and just above sea level. However, the Highlands ridge runs up the center of the state and is a unique geologic area. There are plenty of rolling hills and some of the highest spots in the state. In fact, many, many years ago when Florida was undeer water, this area was a chain of islands.

QUESTION: What type of activities are there?

ANSWER: People come here for the weather, the lakes, golfing, nature and to escape the crowded city life. There is plenty of shopping in Sebring with the new commercial projects going in as well (but we're still far from crowded - when you're in your car, you can move!).

QUESTION: Are the lakes dangerous (alligators!)?

ANSWER: There certainly are gators here and there, but many people swim in these lakes all the time. nuisance gators will be "taken away" quickly. Most of the recreational lakes (called ridge lakes - clear, sandy bottomed lakes). In all the years we have been here and speaking to everyone else, we have never even heard of someone being hurt. No, people need to be more cautious about the other boaters!

You probably have many more questions, so take some time and explore this site to find a LOT of community and area information about Highlands County - you'll be glad you did! Check the links on the left side or see below:

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