A little bit about Hernando County: Encompassing 478.3 square miles, the County is called “HOME” to a 2017 population estimate of approximately 187,000 according to online resources. Making up the largest area of Hernando County is Spring Hill, followed by the other areas to include, but not limited to, Brooksville, Hernando Beach, Bayport, Pine Island, Weeki Wachee, Masaryktown and Ridge Manor.

Based on a recent Tampa Bay Times “Neighborhood Focus” covering Hernando County, let’s look at some of the great reasons to “Call Hernando County Home”! My husband and myself moved to Hernando County, from Upstate New York, in 1998 for many of the reasons listed below:

• Weather: Located a bit farther north than Tampa Bay, the County will experience a difference in weather conditions. According to a Weatherspark.com humidity scale for Tampa between May and October, humidity peaks at nearly 60%. For that same period, that number is under 30% in Hernando County. However, winter temperatures are more likely to hit freezing in Hernando County.
• Nature: Hernando County features unspoiled coastlines offering great boating, fishing and scalloping. You’ll find spring-fed creeks, the famous Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, wildlife preserves, lakes, hiking and biking trails. It’s not called the Nature Coast for nothing.
• Parks: Reportedly, Hernando County has 20 public parks, many with playgrounds and sports fields. Camping and hiking are popular in the Withlacoochee State Forest, Chassahowitzka and Croom Wildlife Management Areas. Numerous small state preserves are also located within the County. Roughly 5 miles north of the City of Brooksville, you’ll find historic Chinsegut Hill, covering 117 acres and touting one of the highest elevations in the State of Florida at 269 feet.
• Shopping: From the heart of Spring Hill to Commercial Way (US 19) to Cortez Boulevard (Route 50), small and large retailers and eateries are popping up everywhere to meet the needs and demands of the local residents. The days of having to leave the county for a greater choice of goods are just about over.
• Dining: From a savory “surf & turf” at the Bayport Inn in Weeki Wachee to the charming atmosphere of the Tilted Teacup Tea Room and Boutique in the City of Brooksville to the newly-opened First Watch along Cortez Blvd, there’s a place for every taste. For the more sophisticated upscale menu, Nouvelle Cuisine (one of our FAVS) features a European menu with classic Belgian and French dishes. Be sure to stay tuned for more eateries, as they open!

Be sure to check out our next BLOG POST on April 19th as we conclude our 2-part series on the TOP 10 Reasons to “Call Hernando County Home”!

Thinking of SELLING or BUYING a home in the Spring Hill, Brooksville, Weeki Wachee and Hernando Beach areas of Hernando County, Florida? Visit www.GailSellsFloridaHomes.com to explore our state-of-the-art MLS Map Search Feature where BUYERS can SEARCH MLS listings and SELLERS can SEE what their competition is doing!

Until then… it’s all about YOU!