Fresh Water Springs in Florida - Riverfront Neighborhoods
When most people think of Florida, they think of the 1,400 miles of beautiful beaches that wrap around the state. Last weekend, we took the opportunity to travel to the middle of the state and discovered more best places to live in Florida. There are explore 600 fresh water springs in northern Florida and we had the chance to experience two: Three Sisters Springs at Crystal River and Rainbow Springs River in Dunnellon.
A cold front greeted us with 44 air degree temperatures but that didn’t stop us from paddling on our kayaks through Kings Bay towards Three Sisters Springs, a favorite fresh water spring local's shared with us. The water in the bay was mirky. We reached the finger canals which were lined with Crystal River waterfront homes and boats. After we passed by the finger canal at Paradise Avenue, we knew we were getting close to Three Sisters Springs because of the number of boats and snorkelers in the water observing the manatees all around us. Three Sisters Springs is now a protected path blocked by tall pilings allowing only swimmers, canoes and kayaks to pass through the narrow entrance. After we passed the barricade, the water color immediately changed from a mirky brown to crystal clear blue. The 72 degree bubbling springs were fascinating to observe along with the schools of fish and manatee. To us, this neighborhood has become a tourist hot spot to observe and swim with manatees close up and we wondered how the Crystal River waterfront homeowners felt about all the congestion being so close to their waterfront homes.
The second day brought us north to Rainbow Springs State Park, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala. Rainbow Springs State Park is Florida’s 4th largest fresh water spring and was the site of a privately owned tourist attraction for about 25 years in the mid 1900’s. Today, this protected state park and camping area is home to waterfalls, gardens, moss draped cypress trees and a variety of wildlife along the 5.5 mile crystal clear Rainbow Springs River. As we paddled through river, we were fascinated by the clarity of the deep water and Rainbow Springs waterfront homes. The majority of the homes had boats, docks, and swim platforms leading into the river. We chuckled as one gentleman was swimming through the middle of the river, as if training for a long distance Olympic swim. Fishing boats, tubers, paddle boarders and kayakers like us, all glided through the warm Rainbow Springs River.
My real estate mindset immediately noticed something special here. Up until now, I’ve focused on beachfront properties, lake communities and mountain neighborhoods but never thought about the beauty of living along one of Florida’s protected fresh water springs. Fresh water springs in Florida are free outdoor playgrounds offering cave diving, snorkeling, tubing, fishing and easy paddling experiences. Rainbow Springs River was less congested than Crystal River probably because it’s less known. Maybe in the summer time during school vacations, the river is busier. We will keep you posted as we monitor this area.
Soon, we will add Ocala to our collection of the Best Cities to Live in the Southeast and it will include Rainbow Springs River. If you’d like more information right away, write info@communityfinder.com or call us toll free at 866.384.1799.
