Villages of Citrus Hills wins 2026 Best of Florida Award

Villages of Citrus Hills, a master-planned community on Florida’s Nature Coast, was named a 2026 Best of Florida Award winner on October 30, 2026. The recognition spotlights the community’s custom homes, resort-style amenities and retirement-focused lifestyle between Crystal River and Inverness.

Why it matters: - The award reinforces Villages of Citrus Hills as a major retirement and lifestyle destination on Florida’s Nature Coast. - The recognition may help the community stand out to buyers looking for a home-and-amenity package, not just a house. - The community is positioned for people who want both resort-style living and access to North and Central Florida.

What happened: - Villages of Citrus Hills was named the winner of its 2026 Best of Florida Award on October 30, 2026. - The community is a master-planned development located between Crystal River and Inverness, Florida. - The development offers custom-built new homes starting in the $400s. - The community describes itself as a premier master-planned community on Florida’s Nature Coast.

The details: - Buyers can choose from more than 20 custom home plans. - An in-house design team helps residents shape features from kitchen layouts to poolside additions. - The amenity mix includes three championship golf courses and one nine-hole course. - Residents also have access to tennis and pickleball courts. - A full-service wellness spa is part of the community offering. - Dining options include the Skyview Restaurant and the community’s Tiki Bar. - Quick move-in Showcase Homes are available for buyers who want to move sooner. - The community includes Terra Vista, which is described as being at the highest point in Citrus County and coastal Florida. - Villages of Citrus Hills is designed around natural surroundings as well as amenities. - The community is minutes from the Gulf and within an hour of Tampa and Orlando. - Buyers can choose between age-restricted and non-age-restricted neighborhoods. - Jessi Quillen of Villages of Citrus Hills said residents are choosing a lifestyle, and the community is built to support that.

Between the lines: - The award appears to validate a broader strategy that combines custom homebuilding with a dense amenity package. - Villages of Citrus Hills is targeting multiple buyer types, including retirees who want age-restricted living and others who want more flexibility. - The focus on golf, dining, wellness and quick move-in homes suggests the community is aiming to serve both lifestyle buyers and downsizers.

What's next: - Villages of Citrus Hills plans to keep expanding its home offerings and amenity lineup. - The community expects continued interest from buyers looking to make Florida’s Nature Coast a permanent address. - Additional growth will likely build on the same mix of custom homes, recreation and retirement-oriented services.

The bottom line: - The 2026 Best of Florida Award gives Villages of Citrus Hills another credential in a market built around lifestyle, location and long-term retirement appeal. - More information is available through the company’s announcement More information