Crystal River
The city of Crystal River is small yet comparatively prosperous, this is mainly due to the beauty of the area which has attracted wealthy residents and retirees from Florida and many other parts of the US. The result is a rapid rise in real estate prices particularly for waterfront property. This has been escalated by the influx of tourism associated with the Manatee. However, the fact that much of the area has been declared a natural park limits any excesses normally associated with tourism. High rise buildings are not permitted which has prevented the building of huge hotel or codominium complexes on the waterfront.
Crystal River exists because of Kings Bay. Many of the older houses front onto Kings Bay or waterways connecting to it. The Bay is supplied with water from a number of fresh water springs which have a constant temperature of 72°F throughout the year, this makes it a magnet for the manatee when the sea temperatures fall and several hundred winter in Kings Bay. The Bay is very attractive for diving partly due to the manatee and also the springs which are occasionally quite deep, the clear spring water makes for interesting and safe diving. This has resulted in the establishment of several diving schools which cater for beginners as well as more experienced divers.
Temperatures are more temperate than Central Florida (Orlando etc.) and the mid-summer is much more pleasant due to the sea breeze. The Suncoast Parkway from Tampa has been recently completed to just south of Crystal River and has resulted in an increasing population as it is now possible to commute to Tampa. This has also reduced the journey time to Tampa Airport to around 60 minutes.
Tourism has been traditionally associated with people from more northerly climates (central and north USA and Canada) who either own second homes in the area or who rent houses for the entire winter. The are known locally as Snowbirds. However there are now increasing opportunities for short term vacation rentals. The fact that winter vacationers have been the most common explains why rental rates and golf fees are lower in the fall, spring and summer months.