If you’re considering buying a home in Volusia County but aren’t sure which city or community is right for you, this is the post you’ve been looking for! The real estate agents at Bee Realty Corp have all the scoop on beachfront cities like Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach, as well as inland communities like Deltona, DeLand, and DeBary.
Ready to start exploring some of Volusia’s 16 distinct municipalities spread out over 1,200 square miles? Let’s dive in!
Why People Love Living in Volusia County
Over a half-million people call Volusia County home. A nature lover’s paradise, Volusia is also home to exciting theme parks, cultural festivals, and sporting events. Those who live here believe few other areas can match its quality of life, including the deep sense of community residents share. Loads of sunshine, frequent gorgeous sunsets, and natural springs all help to make Volusia County a superb location for buying a home in Florida.
Best Places For Buying a Home in Volusia County
Every Volusia County city or town has something to offer. Hopefully, this list of the best places to buy will help make your choice of property faster and easier.
DeLand
When Henry A. DeLand founded this city along the St. Johns River, he envisioned a community of beauty, culture, and education that rivaled ancient Athens. Still known as the “Athens of Florida,” DeLand is the cultural hub of the greater West Volusia region. It’s home to the Museum of Art-DeLand and Stetson University, and its award-winning Main Street features an eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants, antique shops, and gift shops. Located just 30 miles north of Orlando, DeLand has frequently been featured in “Where To Retire” Magazine, whose writers praise its warm weather, delicious food, and outdoor activities.
Daytona Beach
Perhaps one of the most famous beaches in the world, Daytona Beach is best known for two features: its 23 miles of vehicle-friendly beaches and the Daytona International Speedway. But they’re not the only reasons for choosing this location when buying a home. The cost of living is below the national average, with housing expenses nearly 20% lower than in other states. There’s also no shortage of events to keep you busy, including Daytona Bike Week, beach carnivals, and beer festivals that take place all year round.
Cassadaga
This charming village located just 25 miles southwest of Daytona Beach has been offering a calm and tranquil environment to its spiritualist residents since 1894. Cassadaga was designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and is the oldest active religious community in the Southeastern United States. Yearly events here include Gala Days, candlelight services, and healing seminars.
Ormond Beach
Aside from its 80 miles of fantastic beaches, Ormond Beach is also home to the Rockefeller Gardens Park, the Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum, and the Ormond Garage, aka “the birthplace of speed,” which is filled with fantastic sights to see and delicious food to savor. It also offers its residents some of the safest and most peaceful neighborhoods in Volusia County and Florida. People who choose Ormond Beach when buying a home in Volusia County truly get to live the good life!
Port Orange
Residents like to call Port Orange a “secret paradise.” Not a tourist attraction itself, this quiet community is still within easy reach of many attractions, including the boardwalk, the Lighthouse Ponce Inlet, and Daytona Beach. There’s also plenty to do all year long right at home. You can play a round of golf at Cypress Heads Gold Club and then head to the pavilion at Port Orange for shopping and delicious dining. Or take a drive to the Port Orange City Center for one of its many family days, a movie under the stars, or the annual spring fair.
Deltona
Volusia County’s newest and fastest-growing community, Deltona’s rich Hispanic culture is frequently celebrated at year-round festivals. Located along Lake Monroe’s north shore, the city is home to just over 90,000 residents who live in diverse neighborhoods like Deltona Woods, Crystal Lake Estates, and Timbercrest. The area’s Lyonia Preserve protects a sizable scrub habitat that’s home to a growing population of gopher tortoises, the endangered scrub jay, and many other Florida wildlife species and native plants.
DeLeon Springs
Named for the explorer Ponce DeLeon, DeLeon Springs is an excellent choice for buyers who like watersports and other outdoor activities. The city consistently ranks high in livability, and those who live here love the area’s rural feel and the nice mix of young professionals and retirees. DeLeon Springs is also home to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and the Spring Garden Ranch Training Center, which offers year-round harness and trotter horse training.
New Smyrna Beach
Many people refer to New Smyrna as a “dream destination,” and it’s easy to see why. Home to some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches, there’s so much to see and do here, including bustling markets and visiting trendy boutiques and antique stores. There’s a lively farmer’s market and a lovely boardwalk that connects the city’s shops. For nature lovers, there’s Smyrna Dunes Natural Area and several other large parks where you can indulge in water sports and picnicking. The city is also home to the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, the Underwater Archaeology Society of Florida, and the New Smyrna Museum of History.
Enterprise
Founded in 1841 on the shore of Lake Monroe, Enterprise served as the first Volusia County seat. Today the small town is a designated National Register Historic District with active involvement by Enterprise Preservation Society members. About 2,000 people live in Enterprise, where the low cost of living, pleasant climate, and storied history make up the perfect ingredients for a high quality of life. Lakeshore Drive, which runs along Lake Monroe through Enterprise, is a designated Volusia County Scenic Corridor.
DeBary
The city of DeBary is named for wealthy wine importer Frederick DeBary. Situated in the southwest portion of Volusia County, the community is proud of its recently restored DeBary Hall Historic Site and Gemini Springs Park, which offers residents a wealth of outdoor activities centered around twin natural springs. The city’s Gateway Center for the Arts provides a full spectrum of art exhibitions and performances throughout the year. Perfect for young families and retirees alike, DeBary can’t be beaten if you’re looking for river life, beautiful parks, awesome weather, and affordable real estate.
Lake Helen
Henry DeLand established the community of Lake Helen in 1883 and named it after his daughter. Now listed on the National Register Historic District, it is home to stately historic residences and charming churches nestled along tree-lined streets. The Lake Helen Equestrian Center and community parks and trails provide family-friendly recreation for residents and visitors alike.
Orange City
Founded in 1874 by Dr. Seth French, Orange City is best known for its beautiful Blue Spring State Park, where hundreds of manatees flock to the area’s warm spring waters in the winter. The city consistently ranks favorably for the cost of living, education, diversity, and crime. People who call Orange City home say they have the best of both worlds: a small-town community with amenities typically found in larger urban areas.
Osteen
A small, unincorporated community in southwestern Volusia County, Osteen is largely rural and home to hundreds of acres of county conservation lands. Residents enjoy the serenity and closeness that comes with living in a small town while appreciating the community’s proximity to the amenities found in Deltona, the county’s largest and most highly developed city. Recreational opportunities can be found just about everywhere along the nearly 50 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches. And it’s a quick drive to beachfront cities like Daytona, New Smyrna, and Ormond. Regional preserves and parklands make Osteen an ideal location for a four-season, outdoor lifestyle.
Ready to Buy a Home in Volusia County?
Once you start to explore all the available options for buying a home in Volusia County, you’ll soon come to see that each city or town here is a wonderful place to live in its own right. Big or small, every community is close to all the amenities and recreational opportunities you could wish for.
Are you ready to experience everything that owning property in Volusia County has to offer? Bee Realty Corp’s agents specialize in helping home buyers in ways that traditional real estate agencies cannot. Talk to one of our agents today to see what we mean! You can call us at 386-279-7522 or contact us online to schedule viewings of properties in any or all of these wonderful locations.
