Is Debary Florida Orlando's Best Suburb?

Living in Debary, Florida: The Friendly River City Next to Orlando

If you’ve been thinking about relocating to the Orlando area and Debary, Florida has popped onto your radar, you’re in the right place. Debary is one of those small Florida cities that surprises people — in good ways and, yes, in some not-so-good ones. As local real estate professionals who spend a lot of time exploring Central Florida communities, we’re giving you the full picture of what life in Debary is really like.

A Dinosaur Mascot? Yep — Welcome to Debary.

One of the first things newcomers notice is… the dinosaur. Yes, an actual giant dinosaur statue. For years, it stood proudly at Clayton & Son Salvage Yard. When the shop closed, the city adopted him — and now he gets dressed up for every holiday. It’s quirky. It’s fun. It’s very Debary.

Life on the Water: St. John’s River & Lake Monroe

Debary's nickname is The River City, and it fits perfectly. At the southern tip of the city, you’ll find Lake Monroe Park, where you can fish, camp, launch a boat (for two bucks), ride the cycling trails, or simply enjoy the waterfront views.

This is Florida outdoor living at its finest — at least for eight months out of the year. (Let’s be honest: summer is hot, humid, and occasionally miserable.)

Nearby towns are close and convenient:

• Sanford: 10–15 minutes
  
• Lake Mary: 15–20 minutes
  
• Orlando: 35–45 minutes depending on traffic
  
• New Smyrna Beach / Daytona: 35–40 minutes
  

If your career takes you outside Debary, you won’t be alone. Most residents commute to Sanford, Lake Mary, Orlando, DeLand, or even the coast for work.

The SunRail: A Game-Changer for Commuters

Debary is the northernmost SunRail station, and if you commute to Orlando, that’s a big deal. SunRail runs from DeLand down to Poinciana, helping you skip the dreaded I-4 traffic.

• Leaves around 5:15 AM
  
• Last return around 8:00 PM
  
• Monthly pass: about $112
  
• 50% discount for seniors, kids & disabled riders
  
• Round trip to Orlando: about $8

It’s clean, affordable, and far less stressful than white-knuckling I-4 at rush hour.

Disc Golf, Trails & Outdoor Fun Everywhere

If you love outdoor recreation, you’ll feel at home here. Debary has one of the most active disc golf communities in Central Florida — free to play, open year-round, and nestled along the St. John’s River.

Cyclists also love the River-to-Sea Loop, connecting Debary to:

• DeLeon Springs
  
• Blue Springs
  
• Sanford
  
• Lake Mary
  
• Winter Park
  
• Edgewater
  
• New Smyrna Beach
  
• Even all the way to the West Coast of Florida

You could ride for miles — literally hundreds of them.

Dining in Debary: Limited but Charming

Debary isn’t a foodie town, but it has some gems.

Local favorites include:

• Swamp House Grill – Riverfront dining with live music on weekends
  
• Four B’s – A beloved breakfast spot
  
• Nona Maria’s – Cozy Italian
  
• The Salted Goat – Farm-to-table vibes
  
• Debary Diner – A classic

Most locals head to Orange City, DeLand, or Sanford for more restaurant options. (Sanford’s historic district is fantastic for breweries and foodies!)

Gemini Springs: Quiet, Beautiful, and Very “Debary”

Right in the heart of town, Gemini Springs offers a peaceful setting with:

• Fishing docks
  
• A playground
  
• Dog park
  
• Hiking trails
  
• Open fields for picnics, frisbee, or events

The springs feed 6.5 million gallons of water into the river daily. Years ago, people even swam here!

Pros of Living in Debary

🌳 Outdoor Lifestyle
Boating, biking, fishing, bird-watching, nature trails — this is a nature-lover’s paradise.

🏖 Beaches Nearby
30–40 minutes to some of Florida’s best beaches.

🙂 Friendly Community
Small-town feel with welcoming neighbors and active community pages.

🚗 Close to Orlando, but Less Congested
You’re near all the amenities, but without the constant chaos.

💰 More Affordable Than Many Orlando Suburbs
 Generally more budget-friendly than Lake Mary, Longwood, Maitland, or Winter Park.

Cons of Living in Debary

It's not perfect — and it’s important to know what you’re getting into.

❌ Not Many Restaurants or Stores
Most residents drive to Orange City, DeLand, or Sanford for options.

❌ No Real Downtown (Yet)
A transit-oriented downtown is being built, but it’s still in progress.

❌ Heat & Humidity
Summer is no joke. Expect 90–95°F with heavy humidity.

❌ Traffic Spikes When I-4 Backs Up
And trust us… I-4 backs up a lot.

❌ Property Taxes Are Rising
 Volusia County has one of the higher millage rates in Florida.

Grocery Shopping: Publix Wins, Every Time

While Debary has a Winn-Dixie and a Walmart Neighborhood Market, most locals prefer Publix (in nearby Orange City). The quality, cleanliness, and produce are simply better — plus, Wednesday sushi is half-price.

Rumor has it a new Publix is coming to Debary soon, near the future downtown area.

Housing in Debary: Something for Everyone

Whether you love golf communities, waterfront living, or new construction, Debary has options.

🏌️ Debary Golf & Country Club (Debary Plantation)

1,400+ homes, great golf course, gated sections, and a beautiful, established community.

🛶 Riviera Bella

Guard-gated, Mediterranean-inspired, with a private boat ramp on the St. John’s River.

🏡 Older Established Neighborhoods

Lake Marie Estates, Plantation Estates, and others offer 60s–80s ranch homes with big yards

🏗️ Rivington (New Construction)

980 homes (including townhomes), resort-style amenities, and direct access to Alexander Island’s nature trail.

New construction has pros (customization, incentives, brand new everything) and cons (wait times, rising rates), but we help clients navigate both — and often get access to homes before they hit the market.

Is Debary the Best Suburb of Orlando?

For some people — absolutely.
For others — not at all.

It depends on what you’re after:

✔ Love the outdoors?
✔ Want a quiet, friendly community?
✔ Like being close to Orlando without living in Orlando?
✔ Want affordability, nature, and a slower pace?

Debary might be perfect.

But if you want nightlife, shopping, restaurants, or walkability… you might be happier in DeLand, Sanford, Lake Mary, Winter Park, Mount Dora, or other nearby towns.

Either way — The Shaver Group is here to guide you.
 We help people relocate to Central Florida every day, and we’d love to help you too. Give us a call at 352-250-9617 or check out our website at https://www.theshavergroup.net/