The Ocala Decision
Same Corridor — Completely Different Structures
On Top of the World and Trilogy at Ocala Preserve are a few miles apart on Ocala's SR-200 corridor and serve nearly identical buyer profiles: retirees seeking an active adult community in inland Central Florida at a price point below Tampa or Orlando's newer developments. Most buyers who visit one tour the other on the same trip.
What makes this comparison unusually important is that the communities differ not just in amenities or price — they differ in fundamental ownership structure. OTOW Central is leasehold. Trilogy is fee simple everywhere. That structural difference has real implications for financing, resale, and long-term estate planning that no amount of amenity comparison can resolve.
Side-by-Side
Every Key Difference
| Category | On Top of the World | Trilogy at Ocala Preserve |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership — Primary Section | OTOW Central: leasehold (own structure, not land) Complex | Fee simple everywhere Simplest |
| Ownership — Newer Sections | Candler Hills, Stone Creek: fee simple | Fee simple — no exceptions |
| CDD / Bond | No community-wide CDD (some sub-CDDs in newer sections) | None — no CDD anywhere |
| Golf | 4 courses — included most tiers | No on-site golf |
| Price Range | $90K–$450K+ (widest range — leasehold to fee simple) | $250K–$550K |
| Monthly Fees | Varies widely by section — $150–$300+/mo depending on tier | ~$499/mo all-inclusive — one number |
| Scale | 10,000+ homes — largest activity ecosystem | ~1,600 planned — smaller, newer |
| New Construction | Limited | Yes — still building |
| Construction Era | 1960s–present — mixed ages | Current Shea standards — newest |
| Fee Transparency | Varies by section — requires research per neighborhood | Single HOA — one call answers the question |
| Financing | OTOW Central leasehold: some lenders won't lend | Fee simple — standard conventional financing |
Verdict
Who Each Is Right For
Choose On Top of the World if:
Golf included + widest price range + largest ecosystem
- Golf is daily — 4 included courses at most tiers is the best golf-included value in this market
- Budget is tight — OTOW Central entry prices from $90K are unmatched in any Central FL 55+ community
- You want the maximum activity depth — 10,000+ homes fund infrastructure Trilogy can't match at 1,600
- You've understood and accepted the OTOW Central leasehold structure (if buying that section)
- Financing is cash or you've confirmed your lender accepts leasehold (if applicable)
Choose Trilogy if:
Fee simple simplicity + new construction + no CDD
- Ownership clarity matters — fee simple everywhere, no leasehold discussion, no CDD surprises
- Newer construction is a priority — Trilogy is Shea Homes' current standards, not 1970s construction
- You want a smaller, more intimate community — 1,600 homes vs OTOW's 10,000+
- Standard conventional financing without leasehold complications
- Golf is not a daily activity — or you're comfortable using off-site courses