| #ffffff;" /> | | | | Myth #6: Florida is completely flat and non-scenic. |
| Many people have misconceptions about Florida and | | | | Florida has a very varied landscape. Although areas |
| Florida retirement living. This article will address 10 | | | | near the coastline and beaches are mostly level, there |
| myths about living in Florida and why the Villages, Fl of | | | | are areas of elevation. In fact, three of the top 25 |
| Terra Vista and Citrus Hills defies those myths: | | | | most elevated cities in Florida are right near the |
| Myth #1: Florida is overcrowded. | | | | Villages, Fl of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills: Brooksville, |
| Actually West Central Florida, the location of the | | | | Spring Hill, and Istachatta. Ocala, a city famous for its |
| Villages, Fl of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills is located in | | | | horse farms and rolling hills, is also a great example of |
| Citrus County, Florida. Citrus County has done a great | | | | Florida’s landscape. |
| job of controlled growth. It has a population density of | | | | Myth #7: Florida lifestyles are centered around the |
| only 202 persons per square mile. | | | | beach only. |
| Myth #2: Florida is for Tourists. | | | | The West Central Florida are offers access to |
| The areas surrounding the Villages are certainly | | | | beautiful beaches without the hassle of greater traffic, |
| attracters for tourists. The abundant nature, beautiful | | | | higher crime rates, and violent weather conditions |
| wildlife, and access to many waterways make it so. | | | | found when living directly on the beach. The villages of |
| Tourists, however, are mostly attracted to the large | | | | Citrus Hills and Terra Vista are adjacent to beautiful |
| amusement parks in the central part of the state. The | | | | golf courses, nature trails, and fresh water springs that |
| amount of tourism coming to West Central Florida is | | | | allow for a varied lifestyle. |
| enough to keep businesses thriving and property taxes | | | | Myth #8: Florida’s property taxes are too high. |
| low, but not enough to disturb our tranquil lifestyle. | | | | South Florida is known for its high property taxes, but |
| Myth #3: Florida’s wildlife , such as snakes and | | | | the West Central Florida area has property taxes well |
| alligators, make it a dangerous place to live. | | | | below the national average. Florida offers a |
| These fears are greatly exaggerated. General | | | | homestead exemption for the owners property of |
| precautions, such a keeping grass mowed and never | | | | residence, and recent legislation has been passed to |
| feeding alligators or crocodiles are common sense | | | | keep property taxes low. Of course, now is the time |
| approaches to avoiding encounters with these | | | | to lock in the lower property tax rates available in the |
| creatures. Only 4 alligator attacks are reported each | | | | depressed housing market, Floridians with homestead |
| year in Florida. In addition, of the 50 species of snakes | | | | exemptions can not have throe property taxes raised |
| living in Florida, only 6 are venomous. | | | | by more than 3% in any one year. |
| Myth #4 Florida is always hot and humid. | | | | Myth #9: All Floridians are senior citizens. |
| Florida is actually quite seasonal, with far less | | | | Florida is a great place to retire and attracts many |
| extremes than other areas. Average highs during the | | | | seniors due to its temperate climate and attractive |
| winter months are in the 60s; average lows in the 40s. | | | | pricing. It’s also true, however, that |
| The summer months have average highs of 90 and | | | | Florida’s business-friendly laws offer families |
| lows in the 70’s. During the hottest months, | | | | and younger people a great place to live and work. |
| Florida has a rain pattern that provides almost daily | | | | This means that West Central Florida provides a mix |
| showers that cool the evenings and keep plants and | | | | of residents. Those who with to live in a retirement |
| lawns green. | | | | only community can certainly find many to choose |
| Myth #5: Florida is in constant danger of hurricanes. | | | | from, while those who desire a greater mix of ages |
| The North Atlantic hurricane season overall in 2009 | | | | will easily fulfill their desires. |
| ranked as the slowest since the El Nino year of 1997. | | | | Myth #10: Florida’s traffic is terrible. |