Homosassa Springs is an unincorporated community on Florida’s Nature Coast, and it’s the largest population center in Citrus County — even though the historic county seat is Inverness. The area grew up around its namesake spring, which was a popular train stop for picnicking and swimming in the early 1900s before becoming Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, now a rehabilitation home for manatees, Florida panthers, red wolves, and black bears. Just a few miles west sits the separate, smaller community of Old Homosassa, a historic fishing village along the Homosassa River. Together, the two areas give buyers a choice between newer, master-planned neighborhoods inland and Old Florida waterfront charm along the river.

New residents tend to notice two very different sides of Homosassa Springs: the quiet, deed-restricted streets of Sugarmill Woods inland, and the working waterfront feel of Old Homosassa along the river. Homes here are currently taking longer to sell than a year ago — around 110 to 126 days on market depending on the data source — which generally works in buyers’ favor when it comes to negotiating price or asking for repairs. Scalloping season (typically July through September) and manatee season (November through March) bring a seasonal rhythm to local businesses, tour operators, and traffic near the wildlife park. As with most of Citrus County, a car is a must, since there’s no local public transit system, but the Suncoast Parkway has made trips toward Tampa and Spring Hill noticeably easier than in years past.