Dade City is not what we think of whenever someone says “Florida”. In a state that has been sometimes described as “all beach”, Dade City is a place with rolling hills, ranches and very few palm trees. It is just a small, friendly town without the influx of vacationers that you expect with so many Florida towns.
Dade City has been cited as “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation because of its Oak lined Main Street with fine restaurants and antique shops. The city boasts ten places listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Seaboard Coastline Railroad Depot built in about 1912.
There are famous people who call Dade City their hometown including country singers, The Bellamy Brothers; tennis professional, Jim Courier; Mud Cat Grant of baseball; and opera star Janette Thompson.
This town is quickly becoming a popular retirement spot due to the low traffic, warm climate, and low cost of living, as well as the friendly atmosphere. Many houses are under $100,000. There are also excellent medical facilities. It has been listed in “Where To Retire” Magazine in the 100 best places to retire in the United States.
Of course, there are attractions that residents and visitors alike should see. One is Dade City’s Wild Things, a different type of zoo, where you can experience supervised close encounters with the animals, such as monkeys, zebras, and tigers. Featured experiences there are Swim with a Tiger, Swim with a Gator, Sunken Jungle Trek, and Jungle Safari Ride. There is also Giraffe Ranch, which you can experience by camel-back or four wheel drive vehicle. There you can see lemurs, rhinos, llamas, and of course giraffes. For a more unstructured outdoor activity, you could visit Withlacoochee River Park for hiking, camping, fishing, or a picnic. There is the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, a historic museum and village with restored buildings including a church, school house and train station.
In short, Dade city is a great place to retire or simply to live if you prefer a calmer environment with access to tourist destinations within just a short drive.
If you are interested in information on homes for sale in Dade City, FL, or any real estate in the Tampa Bay area, please contact Rose & Joe LoCicero at (813) 435-5411 or start your home search now.