The Plantation is very nice, but for us, kinda big and impersonal.
When we were looking to relocate from Lake Griffin Harbor to a larger year round home, we liked Highland Lakes (no golf course), and Royal Highlands... nearby. Seemed to us that both of those were more like a close community... Royal highlands a little more active. Legacy is right next to Highland Lakes... when we were there, activity level was very low... Nice, but a little "cold".
Highland Lakes has two community "workshops" one for woodworking the other metalworking. They also have an indoor remote control airplane.helicopter club that I loved. The HOA has a good reserve.
Would suggest that wherever you look, spend more time with the people, than with the sales rep, and don't be swayed by the perfect house... Perfect Houses are everywhere.
We've wintered 6X6 for 24 years in Leesburg, and really like the entire area. Half way to both coasts, and halfway between Key West and Pensacola... 40 minutes to Orlando and 35 to Ocala.
We go to the Villages for the entertainment in the town squares... for Polo, and for lunch once in a while but it's not for us... We like to know our neighbors.
Think you'll enjoy Mt Dora, but there weren't any communities that we cared for.
Prices are still pretty low... Many houses that sold for $250K in 2008 could be had for about $150- $175 last time we looked a year ago.
Would skip Arlington Ridge as it was a bankruptcy thre years ago, and is owned and operated by residents... not sure about reserves...
Here's a local listing:
Leesburg, FL 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities in Leesburg Florida