2,820 homes, 27-hole golf included, resale-only, and in Lake County — not Marion County — which changes the tax math. Entry prices starting under $150,000 in older sections. The most affordable 27-hole golf community in Central Florida. And what that means for buyers who actually care about the daily cost of retirement.
Plantation at Leesburg is a 2,820-home gated 55+ community in Leesburg, Florida, built between 1987 and 2008. It has 27 holes of golf on-site, included for all residents. It is in Lake County — not Marion County — which matters for the property tax calculation. And it has some of the lowest home prices of any large gated golf community in Central Florida, with entry-level resale homes available under $150,000 in the oldest sections.
Plantation at Leesburg sits at the geographic intersection of the Ocala market (30 miles north) and The Villages market (15 miles south on US-441). Buyers shopping this community are often also looking at Ocala communities to the north and Villages-adjacent communities to the south. Understanding where Plantation fits in that spectrum — and what the Lake County tax distinction means — is the key to evaluating it honestly.
Most Ocala 55+ communities are in Marion County. Plantation at Leesburg is in Lake County. Lake County has a slightly higher effective property tax rate than Marion County for most residential properties — approximately 0.90%–1.05% combined effective rate vs Marion’s 0.85%–0.95%.
On a $200,000 home, this difference is approximately $100–$200/yr — meaningful but not dramatic. The Florida Homestead exemption applies in Lake County under the same mechanics as Marion County. The Save Our Homes cap applies identically. File with the Lake County Property Appraiser by March 1 of your first year of primary residence.
Plantation at Leesburg has three 9-hole courses — Cranes Roost, Eagles Run, and Bald Eagle — that can be combined into three different 18-hole configurations. All 27 holes are included for residents with no per-round fee beyond the HOA.
The courses are executive length — shorter than championship layouts but significantly longer than pitch-and-putt. They are designed for daily casual play by a large resident base. If you are a serious golfer who needs championship length and conditioning, these courses will not satisfy. If you play 3–4 times per week for enjoyment and exercise, 27 holes with no additional cost is exceptional value at this price point.
No other community in the $100K–$300K price range in Central Florida offers 27 holes included. That is the clearest single-sentence summary of Plantation at Leesburg’s value proposition.
Three distinct village sections — Cranes Roost, Eagles Run, Bald Eagle — each with its own clubhouse and pool. This structure means the community does not feel overwhelming despite 2,820 homes — residents often identify primarily with their village rather than the entire community. It also means the social programming is distributed across three centers rather than concentrated in one.
Plantation at Leesburg was built from 1987 to 2008. The oldest homes are nearly 40 years old. The same inspection priorities apply as at Oak Run or Spruce Creek Country Club: roof condition, HVAC age, plumbing materials in pre-2000 homes, kitchen and bath update status. The low prices reflect the age. An updated 2000s home at Plantation is a very different purchase from an unupdated 1989 home at the same community.
Request the HOA reserve study. A community this size with homes this age has substantial deferred maintenance obligations — roofs on common facilities, pool resurfacing, road maintenance, landscaping replacement. A well-funded HOA with a current reserve study is the difference between a sound investment and a special assessment surprise.
We can verify current HOA fees by section, check CDD status on any parcel, run Lake County vs Marion County tax comparison, and compare against Highland Lakes or Royal Highlands at your price point.
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