Discover Belleview: Small-Town Charm with Big-City Convenience

Posted: October 31, 2024 | Categories: Communities | News | Communities>Bennah Oaks
By Highland Homes

A new homes at Bennah Oaks in Belleview featuring a modern, open living area with rustic wood finishes

If you’re searching for the perfect small city to call home in Florida, look no further than Belleview, Florida! This charming small town of approximately 5,500 people offers new homes near Ocala combining an ideal blend of a quiet, friendly hometown with easy access to recreation, daily necessities, and the nearby cities of Ocala and The Villages.

And, our new homes in Belleview in the Bennah Oaks neighborhood provide the perfect address for buyers who want to take advantage of the benefits of small-town living without giving up modern amenities or access to larger cities and Central Florida attractions.

The Appeal of Small-Town Living

Fiday Foodie Fest in Belleview, FL
Friday Foodie Fest in Belleview
Photo courtesy of City of Belleview Facebook


Living in a small town hosts several benefits. Belleview, known for its welcoming atmosphere, is a place where neighbors know each other and a sense of community thrives. Here, you can experience the slower pace and personal connections that make small-town living so appealing, all while knowing you’re never far from city conveniences. 

When you call Belleview home, you’ll enjoy getting to know your neighbors at community events such as Friday Foodie Fests, an annual fishing derby on Lake Lillian, a community-wide yard sale that gives back to the United Way, holiday events, and more. The city even has an active community garden where Belleview residents can exercise their green thumb and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Additional benefits of living in a small city include:

  • A lower cost of living than the big city – For example, the median listing price in Belleview is $288K compared to $300K in neighboring Ocala, $320K in Gainesville, and $395K in The Villages.
  • Beautiful scenery and nature in your backyard (keep reading for more on parks and recreation in Belleview).
  • Less crime, traffic, pollution, and noise.

And, these are even more valuable when enjoyed while being close to the amenities and employment opportunities offered in larger cities.

Conveniently Connected

One of the biggest advantages of calling Belleview home is its location. Belleview is positioned in North Central Florida between the cities of Ocala and The Villages, two vibrant destinations offering shopping, dining, entertainment, and employment opportunities. It is less than an hour from the larger metro areas of Gainesville and Orlando, and within about one-and-one-half hours of both Florida coasts.

Aerial of an event in The Villages
Photo courtesy of The Villages Facebook


Whether you’re commuting for work or exploring destinations near your new home, nearby highways including US-301, US-441, and I-75 provide easy travel to major cities and attractions:

  • The Villages – 6.5 miles
  • Downtown Ocala – 12 miles
  • Gainesville – 48 miles
  • Fort Island Beach (on the Gulf Coast) – 49 miles
  • Walt Disney World Resort – 62 miles
  • Orlando – 64 miles
  • Daytona Beach (on the East Coast) – 75 miles
  • Tampa – 80 miles

From a day of fun in the sun to Orlando’s famed attractions or immersing yourself in the arts and culture of Ocala, living in Belleview places you convenient to it all.

Outdoor Adventures and Recreation

Lake Lillian in Belleview, Florida
Lake Lillian - Photo courtesy of ocalamarion.com


Belleview means “beautiful vistas” and if you love spending time outdoors, living here puts you close to some of Florida’s most beautiful parks, nature trails, and recreation destinations.

Just two miles from the Bennah Oaks community, Lake Lillian and the Wilma Loar Splash Pad provide fun and relaxation in the heart of Belleview. Take a leisurely walk around the lake, spend time at the playground, or let the kids cool off at the splash pad while surrounded by beautiful scenery. The park is a vibrant community hub, hosting events throughout the year.

If you’re into more adventurous activities, you’ll love being near Paradise Springs for SCUBA diving in one of Florida’s most beautiful underwater caverns, where you can see prehistoric fossils in the cave walls. If you prefer your adventure on land, check out the Vortex Bike Park - This 2.1-mile track is ideal for experienced mountain bikers looking for a challenging and fun track with plenty of features to keep things interesting.

Vortex Bike Park in Ocala
Vortex Bike Park - Photo courtesy of FloridaStateParks.org


For hikers, the Florida Trail can be accessed at the nearby Landbridge Trailhead - Head west along the trail to cross over the I-75 land bridge, the first of its kind in the United States. You can also access the trail via the Baseline Road Trailhead. This portion of the trail, which is also part of the Cross Florida Greenway, provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring Florida’s stunning landscapes. 

Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area and Eaton’s Beach on Lake Weir offer water activities and picturesque views, making it easy to enjoy the best of Florida’s outdoors without traveling far from home. Enjoy walking trails, multiple playgrounds, pavilions, a boat ramp, swimming, waterfront restaurants, and so much more.

The largest and perhaps most well-known recreation destination in the area is the Ocala National Forest. Enter the forest about 15 miles from your new home in Belleview and explore more than 600 square miles of picturesque vistas filled with towering trees, abundant waters, and diverse animals in this recreation wonderland. From rivers and natural freshwater springs to trails, the ways to explore are plentiful – hike, bike, horseback ride, swim, canoe, kayak, or boat. You can also camp, fish, hunt, ride OHVs, picnic, or simply take a scenic drive through winding forest roads.

Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest
Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest

Daily Necessities

Sounds great, you may be thinking. But what about groceries and day-to-day needs? This relaxed small-town offers all the conveniences you’d find in a larger city - Groceries, dining, and essential services are easily accessible, with Publix Super Market, Winn-Dixie, and popular local restaurants like Los Magueyes Mex, Paradise Bakery and Cuban Food, and Mary's Place only a few miles away from homes in the Bennah Oaks neighborhood.

Having quality medical nearby is a critical component of a great location. At Bennah Oaks, you’ll be just minutes from healthcare options, offering peace of mind knowing that top-notch facilities are readily accessible, including:

  • AdventHealth Belleview ER – 1.9 miles
  • UF Health The Villages Hospital – 10 miles
  • HCA Florida Ocala Hospital – 11.5 miles

Highly-rated schools in the Marion County Public School District are nearby for families with children - The community is zoned for Belleview Elementary, Belleview Middle, and Belleview High schools. 

Whether you need to grab dinner, pick up groceries, or head to a medical appointment, everything is within reach, making day-to-day life in Belleview simple and stress-free. 

New Homes in Belleview, FL at Bennah Oaks

Farmhouse style kitchen in a new home in Belleview, FL

Located in a rural-suburban area amongst farms and horse estates, about two miles south of Lake Lillian and Belleview’s city center, Bennah Oaks is an all-ages community offering thoughtfully designed new construction homes priced from the $290’s,. These single-family homes offer a variety of layouts to suit your needs, with 1,545 to 3,162 square feet of living space, three to six bedrooms, a 2-car garage, and options for either a quick move-in or to build your personalized dream home from the ground up.

Inside, you’ll find modern open-concept layouts, private owner’s suites, and flexible-use rooms. Outdoors, front porches and covered lanais provide desirable outdoor living space, and you’ll appreciate a nice-sized yard with select homes adjacent to open space or ponds, providing nature views and backyard privacy. Plus, each home includes a best-in-class warranty to provide you with peace of mind while protecting your investment.

Covered lanai looking out at open space adjacent to a Belleview new home

Homes are available now and our onsite information center at 12824 SE 53rd Street in Belleview is open daily. For more information and to find your dream home in Belleview, call or email our New Home Specialists today!


Tags: Ocala Belleview Bennah Oaks Single-family homes Open space I-75 US-301 US-441 Ocala National Forest The Villages Lake Lillian Paradise Springs Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area Florida Trail Cross Florida Greenway