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Browse our original content for tips, ideas, and inspiration for your right-sized lifestyle. Also explore helpful articles describing life in a Simple Life community including our properties, grounds, fees, and the philosophy of our lifestyle.

May 26, 2023
Accessory Dwelling Units: Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to the ADU enthusiasts’ happy place! Whether you’re seeking to maximize your property’s value,...

May 12, 2023
Discover the Charm of Hendersonville, North Carolina

The Village and The Hamlet are perfectly located in the small town of Flat Rock,...

May 09, 2023
How To Design Your Snowbird Lifestyle

Are you considering the snowbird lifestyle? It makes sense! Many adults are desiring more months...

May 05, 2023
Choosing a Style For Your Cottage Home

When furnishing a new home or redecorating your current living space, it is important to...

May 02, 2023
Top 10 Inspiring Cottage Porch Ideas

There are few things better than starting the day sitting on your front porch, sipping...

Apr 29, 2023
Lakeshore – a New Kind of Housing Choice

Simple Life originated on the premise of a unique way of living. We often talk...

Apr 22, 2023
The Zion Cottage at The Hamlet

At The Hamlet, we offer a unique way of living. It is a true tiny...

Apr 21, 2023
Helpful Tips to be a Great Host

Hosting goes beyond just providing a space for guests. It’s about creating a warm and...

Apr 10, 2023
5 Ideas for Your Guest Cottage

At Lakeshore, you can now add a guest cottage onto select lots. These cottages sit...

Apr 07, 2023
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe

In this series, we will be sharing weekly recipes to add to your repertoire. You...

Apr 05, 2023
Ideas For Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

It’s that time of year where the weather warms up, the plants are in bloom,...

Mar 28, 2023
Meal Prep 101

Meal prepping has become very popular among the 9-5-ers of the world. It makes life...

Mar 25, 2023
Tips to Maximize Space in Your Tiny Home

Our tiny homes at the Hamlet come as small as 399 square feet. With that,...

Mar 23, 2023
7 Ways To Live Simpler Right Away

In today’s world, it can be challenging to be present. Most of us are always...

Mar 21, 2023
Tips for Setting Up a Yoga Studio

Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago, becoming a widely practiced form of exercise and...

Mar 17, 2023
6 Reasons To Move To Lakeshore Today

Florida has long been a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, active adults, and retirees, who...

Mar 16, 2023
Adventure Awaits Near Lakeshore by Simple Life

The locations of all Simple Life communities are thoughtfully chosen. Our communities are designed to...

Mar 02, 2023
How to be More Green in Daily Life

In more recent years, the topic of being “greener” or more eco-friendly has become popular,...

Mar 02, 2023
10 Tips For Downsizing in the New Year

One of the best things about starting a new year is getting a fresh start....

Feb 24, 2023
Helpful Tips for Downsizing with Dogs

Downsizing is a relatively simple concept – it involves simplifying your possessions, decreasing space, changing...

Feb 23, 2023
5 Benefits of Move-in Ready Homes

If you’re a house hunter looking to simplify the buying or building process, opting for...

Feb 21, 2023
8 Tiny Home Upgrades

Choosing to live in a smaller home has an abundance of personal and practical benefits...

Feb 16, 2023
10 Benefits of Living In New Home Communities

Old homes and communities offer a sense of nostalgia, but some are far beyond their “use...

Feb 12, 2023
Practice Self Love This Valentine’s Day

When we think about Valentine’s Day, most of us would think about couples, romantic dates,...

Feb 08, 2023
11 Small House Interior Design Hacks

If you live in one of today’s tiny houses or small homes, you may find...

Jan 18, 2023
5 Hot drinks to keep you warm this winter

For us Floridians, there aren’t many opportunities to enjoy hot drinks – usually, we reach...

Six actions that will make you a better person
Jan 13, 2023
6 Actions That Will Make You a Better Person

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way...

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Dec 21, 2022
Upsides to Leading a Lock-and-Leave Lifestyle

Today is the day! You have booked your flight, packed your bags, and you’re turning...

Safe and Effective Weight Bearing Exercises for Seniors
Dec 02, 2022
Safe and Effective Weight Bearing Exercises for Seniors

If you’ve heard of squats, lunges, or push-ups, you’re already familiar with the concept of...

Antioxidants
Nov 11, 2022
Antioxidants – The Guardians of Your Cells

It should go without saying that maintaining good health goes together with a good and...

Nov 01, 2022
Upgrade Your Yard

The possibilities for creating the perfect outdoor space are endless – but we’ve pinned down...

It’s a Beautiful Day for a Neighbor: Benefits of Social Participation and Engagement for Older Adults
Oct 17, 2022
Impacts of Social Activities for Older Adults

Enjoying alone time is natural. Solitude can be healthy, giving you opportunity to de-stress, reflect,...

Fun and easy crafts for adults to make at home
Oct 10, 2022
Fun and Easy Crafts for Adults to Make at Home

When you think of arts and crafts, you may picture elementary school children using safety...

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Sep 15, 2022
Five Small Kitchen Cooking Tips

Having a smaller kitchen space doesn’t mean you have to give up making your favorite...

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Sep 08, 2022
The Best Animal Sanctuaries in Florida

Florida wetlands teem with native flora and fauna, some of which are regular sights at...

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Aug 31, 2022
Top Tips For Decluttering Your Home

Downsizing isn’t a one and done activity – it takes dedication, reflective thinking, and even...

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Aug 22, 2022
8 Benefits Of Yoga In Your Golden Years

How do you typically spend your time at Lakeshore? Do you engage in activities that...

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Aug 15, 2022
Top Tips To Approach Gardening For Seniors

When the first flower blooms on a plant that you have been caring for, it...

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Aug 08, 2022
6 Best Summer Cocktails to Try

There’s nothing better than the feeling of drinking a cool, refreshing drink on a scorching...

Feb 14, 2022
The Benefits of Move-In Ready Homes

Determining the type of house that will best suit your needs is just as important...

Simple Life Garden Envoy
Jan 28, 2022
Simple Life Garden Envoy

Envoy Groups are one of the best ways for residents to get involved in their...

Christmas Celebrations in Western North Carolina
Dec 13, 2021
Christmas in Western North Carolina

It’s that time of the year! The time where friends and family gather together, traveling...

Dec 13, 2021
6 Holiday Films for a White Christmas Fix

Here in Florida, we make Christmas as festive as can be. Lights, trees, flamingos dressed...

A North Carolina Thanksgiving
Nov 19, 2021
A North Carolina Thanksgiving

I gave you some Florida themed recipes, now it’s time for some good North Carolina...

A Floridian’s Twist on Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov 05, 2021
A Floridian’s Twist on Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving, the absolute favorite holiday for some, is upon us once again. The usual spread...

The Charming Small Town of Flat Rock, North Carolina
Oct 22, 2021
The Charming Small Town of Flat Rock, NC

From the artistic city of Asheville to the ski slopes of Boone, North Carolina offers...

Oct 15, 2021
Experience Asheville While Living at The Hamlet

Asheville is one of the most popular cities in North Carolina- and for good reason....

Simple Life Envoy Groups
Oct 08, 2021
Simple Life Envoy Groups

Residents at Simple Life have the opportunity to get involved in their community in a...

Sep 24, 2021
Cottage Home Decor Ideas for Fall

Fall is many people’s favorite season- beloved for its seasonal scents and treats, the beauty...

New Amenities Coming Soon to Lakeshore
Sep 17, 2021
New Amenities Coming Soon to Lakeshore

We are excited to announce the coming of several brand-new amenities at our Lakeshore community!...

Sep 10, 2021
Easy One-Pot Recipes from a Cottage Kitchen

What’s not to love about one pot recipes? They save time, make less dishes, and...

5 Tips for Storing Summer Sports Equipment in a Cottage Home
Aug 23, 2021
Storing Sports Equipment in a Small Home

Beautiful, warm, summertime weather often inspires us to get outside and get active. From gardening...

Aug 09, 2021
Evaluating Your Living Space Before Downsizing

There may come a time in your life when you wonder ‘what exactly do I...

Jun 18, 2021
Meet the Sunny Isle Cottage at Lakeshore!

Over the years, our Sunny Isle home has become increasingly popular at Lakeshore. If you’ve...

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May 18, 2021
Lakeshore Amenity Center Comes to Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE2ZyM06Kuc Friday, April 17 was everything Simple Life hoped it would be! The sun was...

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Apr 22, 2021
Simple Life Offers Busy Lifestyle

Dozens of people were on hand last Friday, to celebrate in the official opening of...

Lakeshore Amenity Center Grand Opening
Apr 15, 2021
Lakeshore Amenity Center Grand Opening

On Saturday, April 17, 2021 Lakeshore is pleased to open its luxury Amenity Center with an open...

Apr 05, 2021
North Carolina Communities Near Conveniences

Nothing seems more inviting than a cottage home tucked away in the mountains of Western...

Lakeshore by Simple Life is peacefully tucked away under a gorgeous live oak canopy with stunning views of a 40-acre lake. You can rest assured that an abundance of top-notch services are close by when you need them, though. Lakeshore residents enjoy a high-end cottage tucked away in a quiet, relaxed community with several options for grocery, home and garden, and veterinary needs just a short drive away. In fact, a brand new ALDI opened within walking distance in 2021! Also nearby are several new top-notch medical facilities, including the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood, the adjoining Brownwood Hotel & Spa, and UF Health The Villages® Regional Hospital. Below you’ll find a list of some of the premier services that are located in the immediate area surrounding Lakeshore. We invite you to check out our interactive surrounding area map for a more precise location of each service. We hope that the abundance of care and convenience eases your mind as you consider a move to Lakeshore or enhances your hassle-free, low stress lifestyle if you already call Lakeshore home. GROCERY Publix Supermarket – The well-known Florida supermarket chain offers a wide selection of groceries, plus a deli featuring Boars Heads® meats and a robust bakery department. In addition to in-store shopping, this Publix offers curbside pickup, no-contact delivery, and in-store pickup. ALDI – (Walking distance!) ALDI grocery stores offer standard grocery items, meat, and dairy at prices reduced by 20% – 40% on average. Within easy walking or biking distance, a brand new ALDI opened just down the street from Lakeshore in 2021. HOME GOODS Walmart – There isn’t really anything you can’t pick up at Walmart. Less than 5 minutes from Lakeshore, Walmart Supercenter offers curbside pickup, delivery, as well as in-store shopping. Open daily until 11pm, it is a great convenience for a number of reasons. Marshalls and HomeGoods – Whether you’re looking for discounted prices on seasonal fashion or décor for your new Lakeshore home, these two stores (located side-by-side) offer a variety of furnishings, bedding, kitchenware, holiday goods and more. DINING Gio’s Deli – Hungry for an authentic Italian dish? Just 3-4 minutes up the road from Lakeshore is this incredible deli specializing in Old World meats and cheeses available to go. Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille – Located in Lake Sumter Landing, you can enjoy great seafood and the sunset over Lake Sumter. Red Sauce – Only a 15-minute drive, this local favorite offers familiar Italian-American meals and regular live entertainment. VKI Japanese Steakhouse – Ranked best Japanese in The Villages®, this authentically decorated restaurant offers tableside hibachi, sushi and traditional Japanese kitchen entrees. TRANSPORTATION UBER and Lyft – While originally limited to larger cities and metropolitan areas, rideshare companies have quickly expanded to a number of locations including Oxford, FL. If you are looking for a ride to the airport, the doctor, or even just around town, either of these services are perfect solutions. Sumter County Shuttle – In coordination with the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Commission for Transportation, door-to-door shuttle services are available in the county from 8:30 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. This method of transportation is usually reserved for hospital appointments and medical visits. Interstate 75 – I-75 passes through six different states. The highway runs the length of the Florida peninsula from the Miami area and up the Gulf Coast through Tampa. Entrance to the Interstate is conveniently just a few minutes away from the entrance of Lakeshore Community. Orlando International Airport – A major public airport located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, FL, and just 1.5 hours from Oxford, FL, the airport handled 50,613,072 passengers in 2019, making it the busiest airport in the state and tenth busiest airport in the United States. Photo via Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway SCENIC ATTRACTIONS Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway – Winding through several old Florida roadways and friendly communities, the Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway features pastoral farmlands and beautiful Lake Panasoffkee. Sharon Rose Wiechens Preserve – Dozens of animals and amphibians can be found on this 625-acre wetland. Make sure to bring binoculars and a camera to make the most out of the observation deck! Florida National Cemetery – Located in the Withlacoochee State Forest, the Florida National Cemetery has a variety of memorials to honor America’s veterans along its Memorial Pathway. Lake Okahumpka Park – At 130 acres, Lake Okahumpta Park includes bike trails, a 9-hole frisbee golf course, and a 2-lane boat ramp. Enjoy a series of exercise stations or walk your pup along clearly marked trails. Back Road Berries – Stroll fields of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. You can call ahead to pick your own or just stop by and pickup homemade pies and cobblers made from fresh, seasonal berries. Photo via UF Health HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE UF Health The Villages® Hospital – This 307-bed acute care hospital has been serving residents of The Villages® as well as patients in Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties since 2002. The hospital’s teams of physicians and clinical staff work together to offer specialty services, advanced technology, and clinical studies. Walgreens – Walgreens is your go-to for pharmacy, health & wellness and photo products. Known nationwide, Walgreens is the perfect place to refill prescriptions in-person and online, order items for delivery or store pickup, and create photo gifts for your friends and family. VETIRNARY CARE Oxford Animal Hospital – Oxford Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital. This facility welcomes pet patients for wellness exams and services as well as routine medical, surgical, and dental procedures. Whether it’s time for your pet’s annual wellness exam or they under the weather, need dental services or surgery, Oxford Animal Hospital has everything you need and is located just around the corner from Lakeshore by Simple Life. VCA Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital – Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital serves dogs and cats in The Villages®, Belleview, Summerfield, Oxford, and Wildwood areas. The hospital offers exceptional service and patient care. The full-service animal hospital combines the latest medical practices with state-of-the-art equipment and compassionate care. They also offer separate dog and cat boarding for a stress-free stay. Oxford, FL is the home of Simple Life Lakeshore and also offers the convenience of nearby shopping, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation. Visit us today in sunny, Central Florida and explore our options for right-sized living. Call or text us at 352-702-3266 to schedule your home showing. You can also LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, or follow us on Houzz.
Mar 16, 2021
Everything You Need Within 10 Miles – Lakeshore

Lakeshore by Simple Life is peacefully tucked away under a gorgeous live oak canopy with stunning...

Feb 01, 2021
Top 5 Things to Do at The Villages in Florida

There is no shortage of things to do within the gates of Lakeshore by Simple...

Lakeshore’s 3,500 sq. ft. Amenity Center is Almost Here
Nov 18, 2020
Lakeshore’s Amenity Center is Almost Here

At Simple Life we understand that “community” can play an essential role in one’s sense...

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Nov 05, 2020
Lakeshore Unveils Upcoming Amenity Center

The first residents moved in and amenities are on track to open early February 2021...

How To Store Your Adventure Gear In A Tiny Cottage House
Sep 17, 2020
Store Your Adventure Gear In A Tiny House

Downsizing is never easy, but it can be especially overwhelming when it involves outdoor recreation...

Simple Life Envoys
Aug 31, 2020
Simple Life Envoys

A collection of Simple Life homes is more than a neighborhood, it’s a community. Life...

Introducing the Studio Shed by Simple Life
Jul 31, 2020
Introducing the Studio Shed by Simple Life

From storage and workspaces to home libraries and art studios, the Studio Shed is the backyard shed,...

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Jul 15, 2020
Tiny Home Included in the Parade of Homes™

Success in America was once measured by the bigger job, the bigger car, the bigger...

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Jul 02, 2020
Living in a Tiny Home Means More Time Outside!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends only 7% of their...

May 12, 2020
Discover Flavors of the World at Home

If there is one thing that differing cultures have in common, it is the love...

5 Ways to Be a Helper from Home
May 01, 2020
5 Ways to Be a Helper from Home

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my...

SIMPLE-LIFES-LAKESHORE-LANDING-AMENITY-CENTER-OPENS-TO-RAVE-REVIEWS-AND-A-RED-HOT-REAL-ESTATE-MARKET
Apr 17, 2020
Lakeshore Landing Amenity Center Opens

Oxford, Fla. – (April XX, 2020) Simple Life, the company that believes you should live...

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Apr 02, 2020
5 Tips to Stay-at-Home in a Tiny House

Across the globe people are being asked to “stay at home” in order to help...

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Feb 15, 2020
Living a Smarter and Simpler Life at Lakeshore

Since we are living in the prime time of technology development, high-speed internet is included...

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Dec 31, 2019
5 Tiny House New Year’s Resolutions for 2020

Turning a tiny house into a happy home is the key to a happy life...

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Dec 13, 2019
5 Gifts for a Simple Life in a Tiny House

Living in a small space does not mean living with less. However, no matter if...

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Dec 02, 2019
How To Host Holidays In Your Small House

There is nothing quite like gathering in the company of family and friends over the...

The Ideal Home Base for Your RV Lifestyle
Nov 01, 2019
The Ideal Home Base for Your RV Lifestyle

Home is where your RV is – the tried and true motto of many RV...

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Sep 23, 2019
Tips to Avoid the Overwhelm of Downsizing

Got a lot of stuff you need to get rid of? Can’t figure out how to...

Sep 11, 2019
Choosing a Cottage Home That’s Right For You

It’s time to design your life at Lakeshore! You can’t go wrong with any of...

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Aug 16, 2019
Downsizing and Decluttering 101

It is inevitable. One way or another, you’re going to downsize. It is part of...

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Jul 09, 2019
Empty Nesters Making the Switch to Tiny Houses

Life happens in stages. Childhood, school, jobs, marriages, children of our own, and so it...

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Jun 27, 2019
Working From a Tiny Home

People are often drawn to tiny houses by their charming, unique exteriors and undeniably minimalistic...

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May 31, 2019
Understanding Park Model Homes

The modern tiny house movement has been trending for the better part of the last decade. From...

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Apr 15, 2019
New Florida Community Named

It’s official! Simple Life is naming its flagship Florida community Lakeshore! Located just outside The Villages,...

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Jan 31, 2019
Our Newest Community In Central Florida

Simple Life’s newest community Lakeshore, which will provide 223+ tiny homes in a stunning, well...

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Dec 20, 2018
Leader of the Market for Desirable Tiny Home

While it may appear that Americans are working harder and wanting more out of life,...

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Nov 15, 2018
A Subtle Start to a Simple Life

There’s something to be said for the ease of moving into a pre-owned home in...

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Oct 30, 2018
Simple but Exciting Life in Hendersonville

Simple Life because we hope that our residents will embrace a life less hectic than...

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Sep 04, 2018
Sponsor of North Carolina Apple Festival

The temperatures in The Crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains are crisp and the area...