A Nature Lover’s Dream: Relocating to Florida’s Nature Coast
Florida’s Nature Coast
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what your life might be like if you were living in Florida?
If you’re like most people, the first things that come to mind probably involve beaches, great weather, and spectacular theme parks. While those are all great reasons for spending your retirement years in Florida, the area called the Nature Coast offers quite a bit more to its residents.
This nine-county section of Florida lies along the Gulf Coast as the northern peninsula bends into the panhandle. Residents here still have access to amazing beaches, great weather, and are under 1.5 hours from the theme parks. But they are also exposed to nearly endless opportunities to pursue their passion for nature in a variety of different ways.
A Storied History
Antebellum Home in Citrus County
Not only is Florida’s Nature Coast a great place to experience the outdoors today, but it has been that way for multiple centuries. Ancient American Indians have left shell mounds and other ruins that can be explored in a variety of state and local parks throughout the region.
There are also plenty of Antebellum-era homes to visit and explore.
Many of these old mansions have actually been turned into museums over the years, so in addition to appealing to nature lovers, there is also plenty here for history buffs.
An Abundance of Trails
Biking the Nature Coast Trail
The Nature Coast is filled with all kinds of trails that run through, and in some cases even connect, its parks. Many of these trails are part of the Rails to Trails program and are paved right over old railroad tracks.
Two of the most popular trails in the area are the Nature Coast State Trail and the Withlacoochee State Forest Trail. Both of these trails are great for walking, jogging, bicycling, and in some areas even horseback riding.
They give you the opportunity to do these things in some of the most beautiful natural environments you will find anywhere. The trails of the Nature Coast go much further than the standard paved variety. There are plenty of more involved hiking trails and just as many water trails as land trails.
If you are an avid canoe or kayak paddler, there are an amazing number of places to explore starting from either the Suwannee, Waccasassa, or Withlacoochee rivers.
Rare Wildlife Species
Swimming With Manatees
While you are out exploring the trails of the Nature Coast, you will be in close contact with the 19 rare or endangered species of wildlife that make their homes here. With as many parks and reserves as there are in this region, you will always have another opportunity to explore the habitats of different local wildlife.
One of the most popular endangered species in the area is the West Indian Manatee. These large sea mammals migrate to the warm waters along the Nature Coast every winter. You can find them floating all through the springs around Crystal River, or learn about them from dry land at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park.
Catch of the Day
Tarpon Fishing
If you prefer to be more active in catching wildlife than observing it, the Nature Coast also has plenty to offer. It is widely considered to be one of the best places in the entire world for tarpon fishing. There are dozens of different companies offering fishing charters throughout the region, but you can find just as much enjoyment fishing from your own canoe as well.
In addition to great fishing, the Nature Coast region also offers great scalloping and stone crabbing, which you just can’t do in most places. Whether you prefer to dive for scallops yourself, catch stone crab from a boat, or buy both from local vendors, the seafood along the Nature Coast is always fresh.
Your friends and relatives will certainly appreciate the close proximity that your new home in Florida’s Nature Coast will have to all of the tourist attractions they are interested in, but the outdoor opportunities are what many local residents’ value more than anything.
Luckily for residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills, they can have the best of both worlds right at their front door.
5 Reasons Your Grandkids Would Like You to Move to Florida
Everyone has a good idea why making the move to Florida would work for them, but one of the things that we often fail to consider is how that move could have a positive impact on the younger generations of our families.
No matter what ages your grandchildren might be, every young kid loves having the opportunity to brag about their “cool grandparents” living it up down in the Sunshine State. But even more than that, there are plenty of tangible benefits that those grandkids can enjoy on account of your Florida residency.
So, if you are still on the fence about whether making the move is right for you, take some time to consider these five reasons your grandkids would love for you to head south to Florida this year.
Theme Park Excitement
Disney World
The very first thing at the top of just about every grandkid’s list is going to be having easy access to the theme park capital of the world.
Whether we are talking about young kids that are excited to visit the Magic Kingdom or teenagers gearing up for a trip to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, there are major theme parks dedicated to serving all age groups here in Florida.
Having grandparents that live anywhere near Orlando makes the process of getting down to Florida and visiting those parks so much easier than it would be otherwise. Busch Gardens in Tampa is also just under 90 minutes away.
White Sand Beaches
Right behind the theme parks, is the fact that Florida offers beautiful white-sand beaches that can serve as a massive sandbox for those grandkids to play in.
Between building sandcastles, digging holes, and riding those mild Gulf Coast waves, you would be hard-pressed to find a youngster that doesn’t love heading to the beach.
And having grandparents that live down in Florida makes getting to those gorgeous beaches just a little bit easier.
Warm Winter Weather
Another reason that your grandkids would love for you to relocate to Florida is that you would be giving them an opportunity to escape the colder weather that they might be dealing with back home.
Many new Florida residents find that their grandchildren actually visit with them more after they move south than they ever did before..
Virtually Endless Golfing
If your grandchildren happen to be into golf, the warmer weather will give them opportunities to practice a bit more than their competitors back home in the north during the colder months.
Having the ability to get out on the course a few extra times each year could make a difference for developing college scholarship worthy skills.
Fun With Manatees
You can take your grandkids to the zoo in pretty much any major city around the country, but there is only one place where you can take them to swim with manatees. The Gulf Coast of Florida is proud to be that place.
Whether your grandkids are obsessed with animals or you are just looking for a cool way to impress them, it doesn’t get much better than swimming alongside our giant sea cows down here in paradise.
Between all of the things that you can do here in Florida and the fabulous climate that you get to do them in, it’s no surprise that grandkids from all over the country travel here throughout the year to visit their grandparents.
So if you aren’t totally sold on Florida being a great place for you to retire, make sure you consider the impact it could have on your grandkids!
January Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills
It’s a brand new year here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and our friends at the Activity Center are already planning to make sure that 2020 is the best one yet for all of our residents.
Whether you are looking for exciting shows, fun social events, fantastic learning opportunities, some serious competition, or just a great meal, there is something for everyone happening around our community this month.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the activities and events you are going to want to put on your personal calendar in January of 2020.
Big Show Series
The Big Show Series will be rocking and rolling into 2020 starting with “Shadow of the 60s” performing at the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, January 16. This tribute to the Motown super groups will feature some of your all-time favorite classic tunes from The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.
Thursday, January 30 will be a night to celebrate the music of Linda Ronstadt when “Love is a Rose” hits this stage for the second Big Show Series performance of the month. This one will feature Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz singing all of Linda’s greatest hits.
Social Events
The social events for January will kick off with a trip to Winter Springs for the Scottish Highlands Games on Saturday, January 18. In addition to some pretty wild competition, this event will also feature beer, wine, and whiskey tastings, as well as highland dancing and plenty of food vendors, so it will make for a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.
Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be celebrating its 15-year anniversary in the Hampton Room on January 21. The appropriate theme for this month’s questions will be “Fifteen,” and the dinner menu will feature Boursin-Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sliced Sirloin in Mushroom Sauce.
On Thursday, January 23, the Hampton Room will be hosting a Disco Fever Dance Party. Break out your best bell-bottom pants and prepare to get funky with Groove 41 performing live disco hits throughout the entire evening.
There will be a group trip to Giraffe Ranch in Dade City on Friday, January 24 that will leave at 9:45 am and return around 3:30 pm. This will be a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a number of giraffes in a safari-meets-zoo environment. The trip will also include a stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch.
Another trip that you won’t want to miss out on this month will be Publix Aprons Cooking School in Tampa on Tuesday, January 28. This month’s menu will include Grilled Chicken with Apples, Bacon, and Gorgonzola along with Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and a Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Gelato.
Art & Education
This month’s educational opportunities will feature a six-week Internet for Dummies course that kicks off on Sunday, January 12. The first class is free to attend, which is a perfect reason to stop by the Activity Center and check it out.
Doc Talk will be back in the Activity Center Auditorium on Tuesday, January 14 at 1 pm. This month’s speaker will be Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, and the topic will be retinal disease and overall eye health.
Our friend Gayle Cohen will be back in the Garden Room for another Lunch & Learn session where she discusses the healing power of music on Friday, January 17 starting at 10:30 am. This month’s menu will feature a Grilled Chicken Wrap with Potato Salad and a Warm Apple Crisp Dessert.
The Activity Center Auditorium will be hosting a Travel Seminar called “Explore South Dakota” on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 pm. This free seminar will break down everything you need to know about an upcoming 7-night trip to the Black Hills that is currently being planned for October of 2020.
On Saturday, January 25 there will be an AARP Smart Driver Course teaching defensive driving tactics at the Activity Center. Participating in this course could earn you a discount on your car insurance and save you a lot more than the price of admission.
Golf & Tennis
Our local golfers are going to be out in full force throughout the month of January with the Men’s Ringer Tournament Major Event happening at Skyview on January 13 and 14. Then the Citrus Hills courses will be hosting the New Year’s Open on January 4, the Ladies’ Winter Invitational on January 10, and the Ladies’ Citrus Cup Championship on January 17.
Anyone looking to start off 2020 by improving their golf game should make a point to attend the Free Golf Seminars with PGA/LPGA Teaching Professional Mary Slinkard. She will be working with beginner golfers this month on January 6, 7, and 8. Then she will be back to work with intermediate golfers on January 13, 14, and 15.
Skyview Tennis Center will be hosting its monthly Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, January 14 at 11:30 am. This is always a great way to introduce yourself to the local tennis community and meet neighbors that you can play with on a regular basis.
Dinner Specials
Skyview Restaurant will be pulling out all the stops to kick off 2020 with a Steak & Lobster Fest Dinner on January 4, a Soft-Shell Crabaganza on January 18, and an Asian Buffet Night on January 23.
Then their biggest event of the month will be the Taste of Rome Wine Dinner on Tuesday, January 14 that will feature five different courses of food and wine pairings.
The big event at the Tiki Bar this month will be their Karaoke Night, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 7 from 6 pm to 9 pm.
BellaVita Spa and Fitness
If you happen to find any quiet time for yourself in between all of the action happening around our community this month, make sure you don’t forget to make an appointment at Bella Vita Spa. They will be featuring an Aromatherapy Facial and a Luxurious Jelly Pedicure throughout the entire month of January.
With all of these exciting activities and events happening all over the community this month, there is no reason not to get out and enjoy everything that the Villages of Citrus Hills has to offer. Make sure that you put all of your favorite events on your calendar so that you don’t miss out on the fun!
5 Fun Things to Do in Clearwater
Located on the Gulf Coast just west of Tampa, Clearwater is a little more than 90 minutes away from the Villages of Citrus Hills. And while those 90 minutes might not seem like much, spending time in this beachside paradise will make you feel like you are miles from anywhere resembling your normal life.
If you are looking to plan a weekend getaway to the beach or simply want a fresh day trip destination, the Clearwater area is packed full of things to do. Let’s jump right into the warm water and check out five fun things to do on your next trip to this white sand paradise.
Hit the Beach
When a destination is known around the world for its beautiful white sand beaches, spending some time enjoying those beaches should be at the very top of every visitor’s list.
Clearwater Beach is the most popular beach destination in the area, and it offers an absolutely gorgeous stretch of pristine sand and crystal clear water. This is the perfect place to lay out, walk with your feet in the water, or go for a swim.
So grab a towel, kick off your shoes, and get ready to hit the beach.
Beach Walk
When you are ready for a break from the beach, the Beach Walk pedestrian area offers a nice place to stroll along a paved sidewalk under the shade of palm trees.
The road is pushed back a bit from this area, which is also filled with local shops, restaurants, and an old-time ice cream parlor.
You won’t believe some of the cool things you will find in the boutique shops along the Beach Walk, so this is the perfect way to get your shopaholic fix in Clearwater.
Pier 60
Another popular destination that isn’t far from the beach is Pier 60. This 1,080-foot fishing pier is the perfect place to cast a line in Clearwater, day or night.
There is a small fishing shop right on the pier that can fix you up with everything you need to catch local fish like Spanish mackerel and spotted trout.
The pier also features a constant flow of entertainment from local musicians and jugglers, so there is always something to see and do here. It’s also a wonderful spot to watch the sunset.
Kayaking & Standup Paddleboarding
Whether you prefer to kick back in a kayak or do your paddling while standing up, there are a number of fantastic paddling options around Clearwater for anyone who prefers to relax out on the water.
Spending some time exploring the waters around Sand Key Park, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, or Cliff Stephens Park is an activity that you could base an entire trip around.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
In addition to everything there is to do outdoors, Clearwater is also home to the famous Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This massive aquarium features all kinds of marine life on display, including Winter, the dolphin who served as the inspiration for the movie Dolphin’s Tale.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium specializes in marine rehabilitation, so you can also learn quite a bit about how they are working to improve conditions for marine life along the Gulf Coast.
From kicking back on the beach to paddling kayaks through untouched nature parks, everything in Clearwater is focused on relaxation. So the next time you feel the need for a day or two of recovery, let Clearwater help you reconnect to nature in whatever way works best for you.