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Dade City Featured As Great Place To Retire

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: December 21, 2008

DADE CITY - Its mild climate, hilly terrain, historic downtown and excellent golfing combine to make Dade City one of America's best places to retire, according to a national magazine.

Where to Retire, a Houston-based magazine with a circulation of 220,000, features Dade City in its January 2009 issue.

"Each issue profiles four different cities, and one of them is always in Florida because that state is so popular among retirees," spokeswoman Katie Davis said.
Dade City has been featured twice before in the magazine: in spring 1996 and fall 2002.

"We like to revisit some of the more popular retirement towns every few years because there is usually something new to report," Davis said.

The six-page article features several area couples, including golf enthusiasts Brenda and David Bartley. The Bartleys said they were familiar with the area because David Bartley's 91-year-old mother lives nearby. They moved into their home at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in 2007.

The Highlands at Scotland Yards, an age-restricted golf community, is also featured, and the article promotes the Annual Kumquat Festival, scheduled for Jan. 31.

Editor Mary Lu Abbott said Dade City attracts retirees who are "looking for a slightly different side of Florida."

City leaders are especially proud of the recognition. Dade City Mayor Scott Black made an announcement during the city commission's December meeting.

"The last time they featured us, we had it posted on our welcome signs," he said.

Black said upscale golfing communities such as Lake Jovita have brought a lot of "high-end retirees" to greater Dade City. People enjoy the town's shops, restaurants and laid-back lifestyle, he said.

"Everybody seems to say Dade City reminds them of where they came from," Black said.

The latest issue of Where to Retire is available now at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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