[Maratila]

Hello,
My family and I have lived in Florida for the last 12 years. However, we lived in Polk County, which we really loved because of the majority of animals, but it became to difficult due to legal issues. We then moved to Tampa, which isn't what we are looking for exactly, because there is no homes for sale with land large enough to host animals.

What my family really wants is a place that is very accepting of having animals, such as pigs, horses, cows with 4-H clubs for my teenage daughter (14). My daughter really is just wanting a lively enough bunch of teenagers that she can make friends, because she is home schooled. A dog training club would be great too, since my daughter shows dogs. Also, a university near by or just some form of intelligence would be great. However, I want a lively town where I can at least try to make friends (not a place where it is a town, meaning only one store and five hundred acres of land) and one that isn't dying from economic downfall.

Is there any such place like the one I have described? What do people think about Gainesville and Ocala?

Thanks!

[Crane's Rooster]

Please be forewarned though this is definitely not my area of expertise. I'm pretty much a city boy now so take my advice as a city slicker who saw some nice areas driving to and from college, but I like that whole stretch along US 27 from Lake County up to north of Gainesville. But you probably won't want to go too far north of Gainesville because you might be lonely again. Have you thought about Eustis, Umatilla or Leesburg areas?

[Maratila]

Thanks for replying, but I couldn't find any homes for sale in Gainesville that fit the criteria

Also, Eustis, Umatilla and Leesburg is to far from academics for my daughter to still continue school on her academic level.

Anyone else have any more ideas?

[kyle19125]

You might check out Keystone Heights, which is northeast of Gainesville. It's in a more rural county (Clay County) and has a number of farms in the area. It attracts a number of families with ties to the University of Florida (faculty/administration) so it's not as "country" as you might think. It could be a good match for you. Keystone Heights Florida

[EscAlaMike]

Have you considered the Live Oak area in Suwannee County? There is a lot of beautiful land there, especially in the southern half of the county, and not too far from Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee.

[mathwhiz]

There are lots of options within a half hour drive of Gainesville. Look at High Springs, Archer, Williston, Trenton, Micanopy areas......

You can find many properties with acreage for animals to choose from in these places.

[TD*]

Check out Tallahassee, You have plenty of schools here, and Rural Leon county and the neighboring counties have tons of space for animals to roam.