Is Leesburg, Florida, a Good Place to Live? The Pros and Cons of This Growing Central Florida Community

Is Leesburg, FL, a good place to live? Due to the growth of The Villages neighborhoods nearby, Leesburg has experienced an increase in popularity and has established itself as a desirable place to live. In addition to the local events and historical areas to explore, water lovers enjoy its numerous lakes and fishing opportunities (the pinnacle of Florida living without all the sand from coastal beaches).

While Leesburg offers the best of both worlds in terms of lifestyle and local activities, it’s important to take the potential drawbacks into consideration as well. To find out if Leesburg is the right place for you, check out the pros and cons of living in this Florida city.

Leesburg, Florida, at a Glance

• Located in central Florida, the city sits about 80 miles northeast of Tampa and 230 miles north of Miami.
• In terms of total size, Leesburg covers an area of around 39.4 square miles.
• The median age is 46 years old.
• The population is approximately 40,000 residents.
• Leesburg continues to see an influx of population each year, growing at a rate of close to 7 percent annually.

Is Leesburg, Florida, a Good Place To Live? 10 Pros and Cons

Along with the abundant outdoor activities to enjoy, Leesburg is well known for its local events, vibrant community, and great cultural and arts scenes. Situated in a large metro area, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your career and lead a sustainable life. Even though the city is primarily known as a retirement destination, Leesburg’s qualities can be a draw for all walks of life. Here are some of the pros and cons to think about if you’re considering moving to Florida.

Leesburg residents can access amazing beaches in Daytona (pictured) and New Smyrna.
(Source: Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau via Facebook)

1. Pro: Endless Ways To Have Fun on the Water

Leesburg is one of the best places to spend a day on the water, and it’s even known as one of the best bass fishing areas in the U.S. Home to the Harris Chain of Lakes, some of the most popular lakes residents can take advantage of here include Little Lake Harris, Apopka, Griffin, Beauclair, Carlton, and Yale. There are lots of boat rentals to choose from, along with fishing guides — not to mention the kayaking and water skiing. There are also beaches close to Leesburg, FL, including Daytona and New Smyrna.

2. Con: Overall Cost of Living Is Slightly Higher Than Nearby Communities

Is Leesburg, Florida, a good place to live for those looking for affordability? If you’re looking to find an affordable community in Florida, you’ll notice that things may seem a little more expensive in Leesburg. With a cost of living score of 100.7, the cost of living in the city is 0.7 percent higher than the U.S. average index and 2 percent lower than the state average. When you look at neighboring communities, like The Villages and Wildwood, you might notice the price difference — the cost of living score in both these communities is 97.9.

A family of four with two children should bring in an annual income of $84,700 before taxes to cover basic expenses, while a person living alone, like a young professional or retiree, should make $49,000, and a couple without children should make $66,300.

There’s always plenty to do and explore in Lake County.
(Source: Discover Lake County FL via Facebook)

3. Pro: Plenty of Fun To Explore in Neighboring Communities

What county is Leesburg, FL, in? That would be Lake County, a vibrant area with plenty happening close by. You don’t even have to travel far to check out the excitement in the other local cities and towns.

• Clermont: Situated between Leesburg and Orlando, Clermont is one of the best cities near Leesburg, FL, popular for families who enjoy cycling on trails and attending farmers’ markets.
• Downtown Winter Garden: Known as one of the best towns near Leesburg, FL, Downtown Winter Garden is popular for its shops and restaurants along with the West Orange Trail — perfect for young professionals.
• Mount Dora: Also known for its cycling, Mount Dora has a charm like none other with a strong arts community that retirees adore.

4. Con: Crime Is Something To Watch Out For

Is Leesburg, Florida, safe? Although the Leesburg, FL, crime rate may not be the highest, it’s important to know that crime rates in the city are higher than the national average across all communities in the U.S.

What is the crime rate in Leesburg, Florida, though? Your chances of becoming a victim of either property or violent crime in Leesburg are 1 in 40, and the crime rate in the city is higher than 81 percent of the other cities and towns across the state.

5. Pro: Affordable Housing Is Always an Option

Leesburg may not have the best reputation for being one of the most affordable communities in Florida, but the home prices are much more lenient. With an average home price of $279,900, the average value of homes in Leesburg is cheaper than the state average of $374,700 and the national average of $360,700. In the market to rent? The average rent for homes of all sizes is $1,350, lower than the state average of $1,975 and the national average of $1,750.

Though Leesburg is considered safer than other coastal areas when it comes to severe weather occurrences, it’s still at a high risk for wind events.

6. Con: There Are Some Weather Risks To Keep in Mind

Even though Leesburg is considered safer than other coastal areas when it comes to severe weather occurrences, it’s still at a high risk for wind events, which can be disastrous in some cases. Average maximum wind speeds have only gotten higher in recent years, and no home is completely risk-free. Severe wind can knock down trees, cause harm to those who are outside, and create significant power outages.

7. Pro: Local Events in the Community Are a Staple

Besides the outdoor fun, there are many events in Leesburg that take place throughout the year. The Leesburg Bikefest is held every April — one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country. The Leesburg Christmas Festival & Parade is also a popular event, featuring live music, vendors, food, and lots of activities for the kids.

Leesburg is also home to some unique museum experiences, including the Leesburg Heritage Society and Historical Museum and the Leesburg African American Museum.

8. Con: Poverty Rates Are Above Average

According to data, Leesburg struggles more with higher poverty rates than many other communities across the U.S.

Approximately 16 percent of the population is living below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.4 percent. Women between the ages of 55–64 make up the largest group living in poverty, followed by women aged 25-34 and men between 65–74.

9. Pro: Getting Around Is Simple With Public Transit

Is Leesburg, Florida, a good place to live for those without their own form of transportation? For those without their own transportation, the public transportation services in Leesburg are accessible and make it easy to travel wherever you need to go.

LakeXpress is the main fixed-route bus system that serves the area, with buses running along U.S. Highway 441. This corridor connects Leesburg with other cities nearby, including Mount Dora. Public transportation in Leesburg is also accommodating for those who have disabilities, and Lake County Connection serves as a shared-ride, pre-scheduled, door-to-door service.

The Leesburg Bikefest is one of the biggest events held in the city, attracting an impressive number of tourists.
(Source: Leesburg Bikefest via Facebook)

10. Con: Tourists Can Make Things a Bit Crowded

If you’re wondering whether Leesburg, Florida, is a good place to live away from the heavy tourist traffic, you may be in luck. Tourism isn’t as dominant here as it is in nearby destinations like Orlando, but it still plays an important part in the city’s economy. Tourism in Leesburg primarily supports the retail and hospitality sectors, which attract a large number of visitors for the city’s special events and natural attractions.

The Leesburg Bikefest is one of the biggest events held in the city, which draws in some of the largest amounts of tourists, while sports tourism events like major fishing tournaments also create a significant economic impact in the area.

Negative impacts from tourism on residents can include environmental damage from pollution, higher costs of living, and overcrowding, which can lead to more traffic and longer commute times.

Summary: Pros and Cons of Living in Leesburg, FL

While Leesburg is certainly a desirable place to relocate, it’s still important to consider its drawbacks particularly when it comes to higher living costs and higher crime rates.

Moving to Leesburg, Florida, With PODS

So, is Leesburg, Florida, a good place to live overall? If you love warm weather, outdoor activities, and a tight-knit community atmosphere, then moving to Leesburg, FL, might just be the right option for you. Moving with a portable moving container from PODS can make your move as flexible as possible. You can have a container delivered to your driveway, where you can load on your own schedule. Need help with the heavy lifting? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services. Once you're ready, your container can be picked up and delivered right to your new home in Leesburg. Need more time? You can also store your container in a secure PODS Storage Center until you're ready for it.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}