Vacation Rental Description

The Villa is not a modern house on a bland housing development. When the present owners decided to buy a retirement home in Florida some years ago, they carried out an exhaustive examination of alternatives in central Florida and the more southerly Gulf Coast but finally they purchased this waterfront property on the Nature Coast in beautiful Crystal River. Real Estate agents say that the three most important aspects which affect house pricing are location, location and location, if this is the case then this villa must be almost priceless. North Palm Springs Terrace is a row of individually designed properties backing onto a natural spring. The woodland to the front of the houses and on the other side of the waterway is zoned to protect it from development hence all the properties are very private with only neighbours on either side. The loudest noise you hear is likely to be birdsong from the wooded areas. The waterway is tidal (the Gulf of Mexico is only 7 miles away down the Crystal River) but is always navigable for pleasure craft. The water is fresh since it is fed by the spring and there is prolific fish life present. Bass, needle fish, mullet catfish even trout are present. The fish life provides an ideal environment for birds and various diving birds are constantly searching for food (indeed the owners love to watch the egrets and heron stalking, the kingfishers diving all whilst they are drinking the first coffee of the day). In addition to the extensive accommodation the villa has a screen room which runs the full length of the back of the house. This overlooks the waterway and allows a perfect view of the waterway activity. An electric grill has been installed in the screen room to allow "out-door" cooking even in inclement weather. Turtles are very often seen and the manatee visit, normally when the tide is coming in. On occasion dolphins come to feed on the high tide. Attached to the screen room is a fully screened pool, to cool off at the end of the day. The pool is separated from the screen room by a lockable door for safety of young children. Pool heating is available at a small extra cost for the few days in the year when heating is necessary in Florida. Between the villa and the pool is a patio area with BBQ. This is a super sun trap for sun worshippers. A sea wall with moorings runs the full length of the property and is even equipped with a boat slip, boats of all sizes can be rented at several places (the nearest being Plantation Inn). A large canoe is provided for the use of guests so they can fully experience the magnificent surroundings. Around 300 feet away the waterway joins the magnificent Kings Bay. This is also fresh water fed by large natural springs. The water temperature is stable throughout the year at around 72 degrees due to the springs. This explains the fact that Crystal River is home to the largest number of manatee in the US, since as soon as the water temperature in the Gulf starts to fall the manatee head for Kings Bay. Manatee viewing trips are available, as are guided snorkelling or scuba trips, however there are so many manatee in the Bay during the season that they can be seen from bridges, boats or even our yard. Swimming with the manatee is increasing in popularity and there are several areas that can not be entered to protect the gentle giants. The fishing in the area is spectacular. Trout, snapper and redfish are abundant in the Bay and inshore, whilst off-shore grouper, tarpon and even shark are available. There are many professional guides who specialise in fishing trips. Boats can be hired from several places in Crystal River but if you decide to bring your own then there is a free communal ramp at Pete's Pier with additional free ramps on Fort Island Trail. There is ample room for temporary trailer storage in front of the villa. The owners use the property themselves for the winter months which limits its availability to April through October (Christmas/New Year period is also available), hence the furnishings have been selected, not as the minimum acceptable for rentals, but to the owners exacting standards for their own use. The home has been extensively redecorated. All new furniture has been installed at the same time including the living room, family room, dining area, all three bedrooms and screen room. New screens have been installed over the pool and screen room and the window screens have been renewed. The air-conditioning has been completely renewed and a new pool heater installed. If the local attractions of the Nature Coast are insufficient, Disney, Universal Studios and the other theme parks in Orlando are only 90 minutes away and Busch Gardens in Tampa is even closer, around 75 minutes via the Suncoast Parkway.

Area Description

The city of Crystal River is small yet comparatively prosperous, this is mainly due to the beauty of the area which has attracted wealthy residents and retirees from Florida and many other parts of the US. The result is a rapid rise in real estate prices particularly for waterfront property. This has been escalated by the influx of tourism associated with the Manatee. However, the fact that much of the area has been declared a natural park limits any excesses normally associated with tourism. High rise buildings are not permitted which has prevented the building of huge hotel complexes on the waterfront. Crystal River exists because of Kings Bay. Many of the older houses front onto Kings Bay or waterways connecting to it. The Bay is supplied with water from a number of fresh water springs which have a constant temperature of 72°F throughout the year, this makes it a magnet for the manatee when the sea temperatures fall and several hundred winter in Kings Bay. The Bay is very attractive for diving partly due to the manatee and also the springs which are occasionally quite deep, the clear spring water makes for interesting and safe diving. This has resulted in the establishment of several diving schools which cater for beginners as well as more experienced divers. Temperatures are more temperate than Central Florida (Orlando etc.) and the mid-summer is much more pleasant. The Suncoast Parkway from Tampa has been recently completed to just south of Crystal River and has resulted in an increasing population as it is now possible to commute to Tampa. This has also reduced the journey time to Tampa Airport to around 60 minutes. Tourism has been traditionally associated with people from more northerly climates (central and north USA and Canada) who either own second homes in the area or who rent houses for the entire winter. The are known locally as Snowbirds. However there are now increasing opportunities for short term vacation rentals. The fact that winter vacationers have been the most common explains why rental rates and golf fees are lower in the fall, spring and summer months. Restaurants As usual in Florida there are an abundance of places to eat varying from hamburgers to Cordon Bleu. Fish, shrimp and crabs are available fresh from the boat. There are also two good sea-food restaurants on the water side (Crackers is our favourite). There are the usual restaurant chains in the area but breakfast at Grannies is excellent value. Cody's is very popular and has a two for one offer on fajitas on Wednesdays. There are a number of locally owned and operated restaurants which retain traditional values. Salad or soup is still included with the entrée and prices are much more reasonable than in the more tourist areas of Florida. Naturally all the normal fast food outlets are available from subs to burgers, chicken to pizza. There a number of Chinese buffets which offer variety at outstanding prices (from $7.99 mid-week). Shopping There is a wide variety of shops in the town but also there is an excellent shopping mall which caters for most needs situated a mile north of the Hwy 44 junction on US 19. Here you will find Sears, Belks, Super Kmart and JC Penney along with a number of speciality stores. Crystal River has a number of excellent food stores, there is a large new Publix on Hwy 44 and Kash n'Karry on US 19. A Home Depot has opened fairly recently on the US 19 South. There is a Walmart in Homosassa 6 miles south on 19. There is a new Super Walmart in Inverness some 30 minutes drive. Recreation Much of the opportunities locally centre on water-sports, there are several boat hire centres and snorkelling (or scuba equipment) is available from these sites. The water in Kings Bay and the river is fresh spring water and very clear. It is remains at a constant temperature of 72 degrees throughout the year due to the natural springs and skin diving to view the Manatee is very popular. This is comparatively safe since there is a general speed limit of 5mph in the Manatee areas although it is a local law that divers must display a diving flag on their boat, these are available with the boat rental. Scuba lessons are available and reasonably priced. Fishing is part of the way of life in Crystal River. Fishermen travel long distances to the boat ramp at Fort Island where they can launch into the Gulf. There are two marinas, one in the Bay and the other half way along the river to the Gulf. Many local people own boats and fish in the Bay or cruise the short distance to the Gulf. Despite this the huge size of the Bay means it is never crowded and there is always somewhere to anchor and feel you are the only person around. Boats and bicycles can be hired locally. Golf As usual in Florida there are plenty of courses locally, Wild Woods which claims to be the best course in Florida is only 20 minutes away. Planation Inn which is renowned worldwide is 1 mile away. Beaches The nearest beach is at Fort Island which is at the end of Hwy 44. Attractions South on US 19 Homosassa Springs has a State Wildlife Park housing manatees, alligators, Florida snakes and other wildlife. There are nature trails where deer, otters, cougars, bear and bobcats can be viewed. There is also an abundance of aquatic bird-life. Weeki Wachee Springs live entertainment and a very good water park. Exotic birds, river cruise and nature trails. Via the Suncoast Parkway Busch Gardens in Tampa is a marvellous family day out with a combination of white-knuckle rides and animals roaming in a man-made Serengeti Plain. Via Hwy 44 and Florida's Turnpike Orlando is around 90 minutes away with all the attractions of Disney, Universal Studios etc.

Rental Rates (In U.S. Dollars):

$950.00/week

Rental Rates Summary

$950 or £550 per week throughout the year. In addition there is a $80/£45 cleaning fee and a $200/£150 returnable security deposit.

Payment Methods Accepted

Personal Check

Currencies Accepted

United States Dollars - USD ($)
United Kingdom Pounds - GBP (£)

Activities

Amusement Parks, Cinemas/Movies, Diving, Snorkeling, Fishing, Golf, Parks, Restaurants Close By, Road Biking, Shops Close By, Swimming

Links & Information

crystalrivervillarental.com
Http://www.crystalrivervilla.com