The bad news first: Odessa, being on lake land, is prone to sinkholes; although a thorough land survey should tell you if you might encounter such problems. The good news: sinkholes aside, Odessa is home to several beautiful communities that offer large home sites surrounding natural lakes. North Bridge at Lake Prettyis one such community; to enter you drive over and through a covered, wooden bridge just like those that reflect small town America of 200 years ago. The community offers 32 luxury home sites amidst towering oaks and cypress trees, as well as a community park and other amenities. Ivy Lakes Estates is another community; it includes three distinct villages—Water’s Edge, Eagles Nest and Palisades—as well as a 2.5 acre park, sand volleyball pit and more.
Grey Hawk at Lake Polo is a popular Odessa community, promising peace and quiet, and trees and nature, including a butterfly garden, a tropical waterfall, and boardwalks and fishing piers. With homes starting in the mid $300s, gated access and heavily wooded conservation areas, Gray Hawk is often a top choice of Tampa-area executives. Van Dyke Farms is another Odessa residential neighborhood; it offers 422 homes on tree-lined streets, walking paths, a community park, tennis and racquetball courts and more. The median home price in Odessa is $409,000; the average home price is $671,000.