Your complete community guide
Living in Lake County, FL Hills, Lakes & Small-Town Charm
True to its name, Lake County is full of lakes: the Harris Chain, Clermont's rolling hills and the small-town charm of Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis, all within reach of Orlando and Polk.
A letter from Desiree
Welcome to Lake County
"If you love lake life but want hills, historic downtowns and an easy drive to Orlando, Lake County deserves a serious look."
Lake County sits just north of Polk, and many of my clients compare homes on both sides of the county line. You'll find quiet lakefront towns, walkable main streets, festivals almost every month and plenty of new construction in South Lake.
This guide covers the county's story, what's happening this season, how locals spend their weekends, schools and healthcare, commutes, and a closer look at each featured city.
Desiree Pelletier
Lake County at a glance
Lake Life With a View From the Hills
Know before you go: the story
Lake County was formed in 1887 from parts of Orange and Sumter counties and named for its many lakes. Citrus became the main industry by the 1940s and 1950s. After the December 1989 freeze ruined many groves, large tracts were sold for development, which helped spark the county's housing growth.
Why people move here
Small-town lakefront living, rolling hills and trails, and a lower cost of living than Orlando while staying within commuting distance. US-27 links South Lake to Davenport and Haines City in Polk.
What's happening now
This Season in Lake County
Fall and winter traditions locals look forward to every year.
Mount Dora · Early October
Cycle Mount Dora
Florida's oldest bicycle festival, with rides through the hills and lakes.
Mount Dora · Fourth weekend of October
Mount Dora Craft Fair
One of the area's biggest weekends, drawing more than 200,000 visitors downtown.
Mount Dora · November
Plant & Garden Festival
Plus Renninger's Antique Extravaganza, which returns in January and February.
Saturday after Thanksgiving
Light Up Mount Dora
The town's famous holiday lights, on display through early January. Light-Up Eustis kicks off the night before in Ferran Park.
Early December
Hometown Holidays
Light Up Clermont downtown, the Leesburg Christmas Festival and Parade, the Tavares Christmas Parade and Groveland's tree lighting at Lake David Park.
February
Mount Dora Arts Festival & GeorgeFest
The arts festival on the first full weekend of February, and Eustis's GeorgeFest, held since 1902, at the end of the month.
Dates change from year to year; check each event's official site before you go.
Live like a local
Things to Do, Eat & Explore
Entertainment
- Florida Citrus Tower, Clermont (built 1956)
- Lakeridge Winery tours and tastings, Clermont
- Historic downtown Mount Dora and its inland lighthouse
- Modernism Museum, Mount Dora
- Tavares Seaplane Base and Wooton Park
- Dora Canal boat tours
- Venetian Gardens, Leesburg
Dine & drink
- The Goblin Market, Mount Dora
- Pisces Rising, Mount Dora (lake views)
- Windsor Rose Tea Room, Mount Dora
- Stavro's and Sons, Eustis (since 1974)
- Puddle Jumpers, Tavares (seaplane views)
- Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
- Turner's Kitchen & Bar, Leesburg
The great outdoors
- Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont
- Lake Griffin State Park, Fruitland Park
- Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, Minneola
- Trout Lake Nature Center, Eustis
- Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola, Clermont
- Palm Island Park boardwalk, Mount Dora
- Boating and fishing the Harris Chain of Lakes
A perfect day in Lake County
Boardwalks, Tea & a Lighthouse Sunset
Morning. Walk the Palm Island Park boardwalk in Mount Dora.
Afternoon. Tea at Windsor Rose, then antiques and boutiques downtown.
Evening. Sunset at the lighthouse at Grantham Point and dinner at The Goblin Market.
Plan My Tour DaySchools, colleges & healthcare
Learning and Care Close to Home
Schools
Lake County Schools serves the county, alongside charter and private options. I'll help you look up the assigned schools for any home.
Colleges
Lake-Sumter State College (Leesburg, plus a South Lake campus in Clermont), Beacon College (Leesburg) and Lake Technical College (Eustis).
Hospitals
AdventHealth Waterman (Tavares), Orlando Health South Lake Hospital (Clermont), AdventHealth Minneola and UF Health Leesburg Hospital.
Getting around
Commutes From Lake County
| From | Downtown Orlando | Orlando Airport (MCO) | Lakeland | Tampa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clermont | ~30-35 min | ~40-45 min | ~50 min | ~1 hr 15-25 min |
| Mount Dora / Tavares | ~35-45 min | ~45-55 min | ~1 hr 20 min | ~1 hr 40 min |
| Leesburg | ~50-60 min | ~1 hr | ~1 hr 15 min | ~1 hr 30 min |
Approximate drive times outside rush hour. Florida's Turnpike, SR 429 and US-27 are the main routes.
Find your fit
Where to Live in Lake County
Featured city
Clermont, FL
Population 52,812 (2025) · Incorporated 1916
Areas to know: Historic Downtown, the Lake Minneola waterfront, the National Training Center area.
Eat & drink: Lakeridge Winery and downtown Montrose Street.
See & do: Citrus Tower, Waterfront Park, Lake Louisa State Park, and hills cyclists and runners travel for.
Perfect day: a ride along Lake Minneola, a winery tour at Lakeridge, dinner downtown.
Explore Clermont homesFeatured city
Mount Dora, FL
Population 18,791 (2025) · Chartered 1910
Areas to know: the Mount Dora Historic District, the Lake Dora waterfront and Grantham Point, Gilbert Park.
Eat & drink: The Goblin Market, Pisces Rising, Windsor Rose Tea Room.
See & do: the historic Lakeside Inn, Modernism Museum, the lighthouse, Palm Island Park.
Explore Mount Dora homesFeatured city
Leesburg, FL
Population 38,905 (2025) · Incorporated 1875.
Areas: Historic Downtown, Venetian Gardens on Lake Harris, the Lake Griffin shoreline.
Eat & drink: Turner's Kitchen & Bar, The Brick & Barrel, Bloom's Baking House.
Perfect day: breakfast at Bloom's, boating the Harris Chain, an evening stroll through Venetian Gardens.
Explore Leesburg homesFeatured city
Tavares, FL
Population 22,490 (2025) · County seat · "America's Seaplane City."
Areas: downtown around Ruby Street, the Wooton Park waterfront on Lake Dora.
Eat & drink: Puddle Jumpers, Ruby Street Grille.
Perfect day: a seaplane tour, an afternoon at Wooton Park, dinner watching the seaplanes land.
Explore Tavares homesFeatured city
Eustis, FL
Population about 25,300 (2025) · Incorporated 1883 · "America's Hometown."
Areas: Historic Downtown, Ferran Park and the Lake Eustis shore.
Eat & drink: Stavro's and Sons, Wolf Branch Brewing.
Perfect day: trails at Trout Lake Nature Center, the Ferran Park pier, dinner downtown.
Explore Eustis homesFeatured cities
Minneola & Groveland
Minneola (21,064 in 2025): hilly neighborhoods on Lake Minneola, the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and quick Turnpike access.
Groveland (25,526 in 2025): fast-growing, with Lake David and Cherry Lake parks, and Florida's first certified International Dark Sky Community (2023).
Explore Minneola & Groveland homesAlso ask me about Fruitland Park, Howey-in-the-Hills, Lady Lake, Montverde and every community in between. Ask me about your area →
Settling in
New Resident Checklist
- Get your Florida driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident
- Register your vehicle and update your title in Florida
- Register to vote with the Lake County Supervisor of Elections
- File for your homestead exemption by March 1 after you buy
- Ask about the lake: access, dock permits and water levels
- Check your flood zone and get insurance quotes early
- Look up your assigned schools before you go under contract
- Build a hurricane kit for the season
Move with a plan
Your Move in 5 Steps
Book a call
Your timeline, budget and must-haves.
Compare areas
Lake County and Polk, side by side.
Get pre-approved
With a trusted local lender.
Tour & offer
In person or by video.
Keys & beyond
Closing day and my local list.
Ask Desiree
Lake County FAQs
How close is Lake County to Polk County?
Very. Clermont and Groveland sit just north of Polk, and US-27 runs south toward Davenport and Haines City. Many buyers compare homes on both sides of the county line.
Is Lake County good for boaters?
Yes. The Harris Chain of Lakes links several large lakes, including Lake Harris, Lake Eustis and Lake Dora, for miles of connected boating. I'll help you compare lake access, docks and seawalls.
Do you help with new construction in Lake County?
Yes. South Lake County has a lot of new construction. I'll help you compare builders, upgrades and incentives. See my New Construction Guide.
Is Lake County a good fit for retirees?
Many retirees love the small-town downtowns, lakes, golf and nearby healthcare. I'll show you options from active-adult communities to quiet lakefront homes.
Ready when you are
Thinking About Lake County?
Let's compare lakes, hills and small towns to find the one that fits you.
Local photos via Wikimedia Commons: Citrus Tower, Clermont by Freeholdman12 (CC BY 4.0) · Downtown Mount Dora by MediaProMan (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lake Harris, Leesburg by Ebyabe (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Lake County, Visit Lake FL and city websites. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.