SPECIAL TO OCALA’S GOOD LIFE
‘We Treat Each Other Like Family’
A
fter passing through the gated entrance, driving down the tree-canopied boulevard into Sweetwater Oaks is like leaving the hustle of the world behind and entering your own private oasis. Situated just minutes from downtown Ocala and the busy SR 200 corridor, this active 55-and-up retirement community is close to all the necessities, including shops, restaurants, banking, and medical facilities, while also providing a quiet, relaxed, rural atmosphere for the residents. Consider it the best of both worlds. For those looking to leave the harsh northern winters behind, manager and resident Frank Alogna says Sweetwater Oaks is the perfect compromise to big city and country living. “Ocala is just two hours from Jack-
At Sweetwater Oaks you can be as busy or as laid back as you choose.
44
sonville or Tampa,” he says. “Orlando is even closer, as are plenty of beautiful beaches. Here in Sweetwater Oaks, we have vacant land to our west and north, allowing for a relaxed, quiet lifestyle without giving up any of the luxuries or conveniences of living in a city.” The community is surrounded by nature, and plenty of birds and other small animals frequent the area. There are currently 168 homes in Sweetwater Oaks, all double- and triple-wide (multi-section by rule) manufactured homes, in addition to vacant homesites. “Our smallest homes are about 900 square feet,” says Frank, “and the largest 2,500 or so. This is a wonderful residential, factory-built housing community. Opened in 1990, this park is newer than most retirement communities, and there is a lot of originality with the homes. “We specialize in custom-built homes,” he adds. “You come in and pick out the floor plan and details of your home, right down to the finishes. We
OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined
offer a turn-key package, including everything from the home and stucco skirting to the sod, irrigation system, appliances, and more.” And that’s just the route Judy and Patrick Seadorf took. “We made the move to Ocala from West Palm [Beach],” says Judy. “We had been looking in this community for years knowing we would eventually like to retire here.” When the Seadorfs were ready to make Ocala official, they called on Frank to make it happen. “Once we decided on a homesite, we sat down and went over all the details,” Judy says. “We wanted a three-bedroom home, and we use one of those bedrooms as an office. I upgraded the bathroom counters, kitchen cabinets, and window sills. I added a screened porch and opted for drywall to eliminate any tape and seams on the walls, even a huge workshop for Pat.” Like Frank says, the choices are yours. Model homes are available, and he
