Life in Mount Dora, Florida: The Real Pros and Cons of Living Here
Thinking about making Mount Dora, Florida your next home? You’re not alone. Mount Dora is centrally located in Florida, so you can enjoy the ease of access to both the tranquility of small towns and the culture of the city.
Thinking about making Mount Dora, Florida your next home? You’re not alone. Mount Dora is centrally located in Florida, so you can enjoy the ease of access to both the tranquility of small towns and the culture of the city.
They call it the “Festival City”, and once you’re here, you’ll see why. Every season brings something new to celebrate - from art and music festivals to craft fairs and parades that fill the streets with laughter and color.
It’s easy to fall for Mount Dora’s charm - the festivals, the friendly faces, and the lakeside views. But every love story has its reality checks. So, let’s explore both sides - the charm and the challenges - to see if this town really matches your dream life.
Pro #1: Location
Mount Dora’s location is one of its biggest advantages. You get the charm of a small town while being close to all the attractions of Orlando. In fact, it takes just about 40 minutes to get to Orlando, giving you access to all the wonders of Disney World, Universal Studios, or Sea World, all in less than an hour.
Easy Access to Beaches
If you like the beach, you will love Mount Dora as well. You can reach all major East Coast beaches in about an hour. Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach are all a little over an hour away.
Convenient Airports for Travelers
If you love to travel, Mount Dora is an ideal location. You can reach two major airports. Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a small airport, but it is only 30 minutes away and you can catch flights on smaller carriers like Allegiant and Sun Country. The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the largest airport in the area and is less than an hour away.
Proximity to Schools and Universities
Students and professionals will appreciate the proximity to schools like UCF, Rollins College, and Full Sail University that are all within about an hour’s drive. If you are traveling west, Tampa is about an hour and 25 minutes away, while St. Petersburg is about two and a half hours, which is a little less than two and a half hours.
Mount Dora is a small town that gives you a little bit of everything. However, this does come with the driving, traffic, and tolls which will be covered in the cons.
Con #1: Driving Traffic and Toll Roads
Getting from Mount Dora to Orlando involves a bit of driving as Mount Dora is in Lake County, while Orlando is in Orange County. Depending on where you go in Orlando, the trip takes about an hour. Once you get to Mount Dora, the area is pretty quiet.
You may run into traffic on the main roads, like US-441, or get caught in some light traffic on the bigger intersections, but the traffic is pretty standard for small towns and is not a problem for large stretches of the day.
The only time you may have a problem is during the rush hour, on the weekends of the local festivals, or during other special events, and events are frequent in Mount Dora. Route 429 is the most common way for people going to Orlando and it can be a toll road, or you can choose one of the winding country roads.
The 429 is very useful because it connects you directly to most of Central Florida, but you have to pay tolls. If you are going to be travelling to Orlando often, it is a good idea to keep around $100 for tolls in a month. This makes the cost of travelling to the city a lot easier as you get fast, and good access to the main areas.
Pro#2: Cost Of Living
While the cost of living is rising across the country, Mount Dora remains a relatively affordable place to live compared to other parts of Florida. Let’s start with housing. As of February 2025, the median home price in Mount Dora is $425,000, compared to $620,500 in Miami, $430,000 in Tampa, and $700,000 in New York.
Utilities in Mount Dora average around $175 to $200 per month, though this depends on the size and age of your home. The city manages its own water system, so utility costs tend to remain stable year over year.
Although grocery prices have increased in 2025, Mount Dora has a special benefit: local farmers and farmers’ markets. Fresh eggs, & meat are available for 10-20% less than retail prices. And the quality is great!
Con #2: Insurance
Moving to Mount Dora means you'll need to think about insurance. To be honest, this is one of the largest costs to consider in the Florida cost of living. If you are buying a home, it is extra important to consider the cost of insurance in your budget, since it tends to get expensive.
Homeowner’s insurance is a must in Florida. An effective way to reduce expenses associated with this insurance is to compare quotes, especially bundling your home with your auto insurance, as it will allow you to save a good amount.
Newer or recently updated homes typically come with reasonable insurance costs, but older homes—particularly those over 40 years old or with outdated systems—are likely to increase in value quickly. To avoid disappointing surprises, it is best to check these details during inspection before making an offer.
● Roof Age: Roofs over 15 years old may be harder to insure or could come with higher premiums.
● Electrical System: Older electrical panels may not meet current insurance standards.
● Plumbing: Homes with polybutylene piping (common in the ’90s) are often not insurable.
● Water Heater: Surprisingly, this can also affect rates.
Car Insurance in Mount Dora
Auto insurance is yet another expense you need to plan for. Florida has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country. Uninsured, older, and student drivers, and unpredictable weather all play a part. Don’t forget to include that in your budget.
If you plan to move to Mount Dora, you should order insurance quotes. This will help your move go a lot smoother and prevent any shock when you arrive.
Helpful Guides for Your Move
If this helps you imagine life in Mount Dora, we’ve put together a FREE Moving to Mount Dora Guide, which covers the best neighborhoods, schools, things to do, and more. You can grab it here:
Want a full calendar of events? Download the Mount Dora Festivals Guide here:
Pro#3: Small Town Charm with Big Outdoor Living
Celebrations and Outdoor Activities in Mount Dora
Mount Dora has the genuine charm of a small town and plenty of fun activities year-round. For example, in 2025, the city will throw 29 official festivals and events, and those are just the ones financed by the city! No matter the season, there will always be events for music, food, art, and community gatherings.
Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home here. From boating, fishing, and kayaking to hiking, there are endless ways to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather. Mount Dora sits on Lake Dora, part of the Harris Chain of Lakes, which spans 75,000 acres across Central Florida.
Nearby Lake Eustis, just a short drive away, is considered one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. Local clubs and organizations also offer opportunities to join others in outdoor adventures, making it easy to meet people and explore the area.
Arts, Culture, and Community Activities
If you’re more of an artsy type, Mount Dora has plenty to offer. The town boasts art galleries, theaters, dance studios, and book clubs, plus numerous other cultural activities for all ages. There really is something for everyone, whether you enjoy creative pursuits, social clubs, or just exploring the local scene.
From young families to retirees, residents of all ages can find ways to get involved and enjoy life in this vibrant, welcoming town.
Con #3: Heat, Humidity, & Hurricanes
Summer Weather and Hurricane Preparedness
There are many activities to enjoy in Mount Dora, but summer can be uncomfortable. The combination of heat and humidity can make summer days extra hot, and the afternoon thunderstorms that pop up are common.
The hurricane season lasts from June to November. While Mount Dora is inland and will be less likely to take a direct blow, residents still need to prepare for heavy rain and strong storms. If the heat and humidity are a concern for you, summer should factor in your decision to move.
Pro #4: Strong Sense of Community
People in Mount Dora genuinely love their town, and it’s easy to see why. The community is full of life and is welcoming. There are neighborhood events, farmers’ markets, and other community social events that happen regularly, and people make you feel right at home.
A Diverse Mix of Residents
Even though we are in the South, Mount Dora gets everyone from the South and the rest of the country, New York and New Jersey. You will most likely meet someone who shares a bit of your and their background. This is one of the most wonderful parts of small-climbing life: the strong sense of connection.
A Perfect Blend of Generations
You can expect cozy and warm, yet surprisingly modern, comfortable living in Mount Dora. The younger generations are settling in as professionals with families and it is easy to understand the appeal.
There certainly are a variety of people and families there as people come from crowded areas like Orlando. The town is a true blend of privacy and community, and an ideal mixture of both.
Con #4: The Infamous Mt. Dora Smell
As you look into the area, you might come across Mt. Dora smells. This is an ongoing odor problem in the Mt. Dora area, especially in neighborhoods like Sullivan Ranch and Stoneybrook Hills, which are near the Wekiva Parkway entrance to Mt. Dora.
What's Been Causing It?
For quite some time, residents have been complaining about a persistent "rotten egg" smell. Consequently, the city has dedicated much time (and a lot of money) to pinpoint the cause.
About $750,000 was spent upgrading the local wastewater treatment facility, as it was initially thought to be the cause. Unfortunately, this didn't resolve the issue.
After this, Mt. Dora hired engineers to conduct more thorough studies. Their reports so far say the wastewater treatment plant is not the cause of the smell, and they are now investigating other sources, possibly industrial activities or landfills.
What the City Is Doing
The City knows the problem, and there are still no answers, but that is not because nothing is still being done. The problem is being researched, and the community is still understanding and hopeful that it will get sorted.
How It Affects Daily Life
The smell does not affect the whole town. The odor is primarily concentrated around a few neighborhoods close to the parkway. So, if you’re sensitive to smells, it might be best to avoid areas like Sullivan Ranch and Stoneybrook Hills. Once you get closer to or past downtown Mt. Dora, you’ll hardly notice anything at all.
Why is Riley Hoffer Your Best Choice?
Finding a house in Mt. Dora is far more than just picking a house. It is also picking a community. This is what makes Riley Hoffer a perfect guide for all those transitioning to this beautiful town. Riley is familiar with all the streets, neighborhoods, and hidden gems.
No matter if you are a first-time buyer, relocating family, or retiring, Riley makes the process seamless, creating an environment of confidence and excitement surrounding your new place.
Bottom Line
So, at the end of the day, Mount Dora is the kind of place that wins you over with its personality. It’s cozy, colorful, and full of character - where weekends mean farmers’ markets, lakeside sunsets, and familiar faces saying hello downtown.
If you crave connection, slower mornings, and a community that still feels like home, you’ll fall in love here. But if your heart beats for skyscrapers, late-night coffee runs, and the constant city buzz, Mount Dora might feel a little too quiet.
And that’s okay - because this town isn’t trying to be the next big city. It’s proud of itself: charming, peaceful, and a little bit magical. Move here for the warmth, stay for the way it makes you feel - like you’ve finally found your spot in the world.