The Oaks at Waterman Village. Waterman Village’s flagship community since 1989
Waterman Village Independent Living Information Center address link (Google Maps ):
150 Waterman Avenue, Mount Dora
Phone: (352) 385-1120
Email: info@watermanvillage.com
Open Monday through Friday from 8-4:30 and evenings and weekends by appointment
The Oaks is Waterman Village’s ‘flagship’ retirement community that was founded in 1989. Independent living ranch, duplex, and quad-plex homes grace the beautiful tree-lined streets in the The Oaks neighborhood. It truly looks and feels like a ‘neighborhood’ with no two homes exactly alike.
At The Oaks, all 260 independent living residences come with either an enclosed garage or covered carport. You just pull right up to your front door. Each residence has at least two bedroom and two baths. Floor plans and styles are below. It’s a beautiful established, tree-lined campus that will remind you of the Midwest or New England states.
When you inquire or visit, you’ll enjoy a calm, friendly, NO pressure environment. We frequently hear from visitors to Waterman Village express to us about the high/uncomfortable level of pressure they experienced when visiting other area retirement communities. They always say how refreshing it is to work with Waterman Village. We place zero pressure on our retirement living counselors. We strive to live by the ‘Golden Rule’ in all we do.
Some residence at The OAKS require a lump-sum lease fee and some don’t. If a lump sum lease fee is paid, The Oaks offers high life-time refunds. They don’t decline. This is unique in Florida for a community that offers all four levels of living on one campus. Not only does this help 90%+ of our residents save money, it also helps them avoid the situation of being ‘trapped’. Because, if they move to Waterman Village and desire/need to move out, and this does happen, they will still receive the bulk of their original life-lease fee that they paid, back. Unlike some retirement communities where after you live there only a few years, there is a much lower percentage refund of initial lump sum monies paid, or, there is no refund back at all if one desires to move out or passes away. This is a very important factor to consider before you choose a retirement community for yourself or loved one, and a factor many people overlook and regret later on. Moving to Waterman Village can avoid this very real/stressful scenario in the future.
Some retirement communities require large entry fees that are mostly or completely non-refundable after just a few years of residency, by promising a discounted rate in the community’s on-campus nursing home if ever needed. For the vast majority of people, statistics show this is not a wise financial decision. Why?
- On average, 92% of people who move into a retirement community’s independent living area, will not move into the community’s on-site nursing home long-term.
The Oaks has a gatehouse that is staffed 24/7
Amenities and Services
- Art studio
- Three dining venues to choose from
- Lawn bowling courts
- Podiatry services
- Nature trail
- Outdoor pool and spa
- Fitness center with complimentary trainer
- Woodworking shop
- Outpatient therapy clinic (PT, OT, Speech, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy)
- Walking/golf cart access to two full service dental offices
- Walking/golf cart access to two physician clinics
- Shuffleboard courts
- Library
- Walking/golf cart access to a Dermatologist office
- Church
- Gift shop
- Card room
- Resident business center
- Numerous support groups
- Complimentary on campus transportation
- Complimentary local shopping trips
- Complimentary medical appointment transportation to Leesburg and surrounding areas
- Golf membership to the C.C. of Mount Dora
- Priority access to the Edgewater health & rehab. center
- Priority access to the Bridgewater assisted living facility
- Priority access to the Springwater memory support house
- Waterman Home Health Care agency on site
- 24/7 security/staffed gate house
Resident Comments
“We researched & visited several retirement communities. We moved from Summerfield to ‘The Oaks’ Retirement Community at Waterman Village in Mount Dora. We wanted a community that offered all three levels of living: independent, assisted, and a Medicare 5-Star rated nursing and rehabilitation center. We wanted a community that refunded back the majority of the entry fee, regardless of how many years we lived there. We wanted a location with a small town feel, yet one that was still close to everything we needed as we aged. We wanted to live close to a top rated hospital and closer to MCO airport. And, we wanted a community that was part of an organization with stable leadership and had a strong history and track record”. Waterman Village met our criteria”.
– Jack and Carol (moved from Summerfied)
“We did much online research and physical looking at retirement communities. We had lived in Orlando for 21 years and enjoyed spending time in Mount Dora. We both had lived in small towns in Pennsylvania, and we came to love the atmosphere of Mount Dora. We wanted to make a move while we’re still young and able to live independently. The activities here are many and suit us well. We have no children or family so we feel very comfortable knowing progressive care is available should one of us need it. The community is top notch in all departments. After living here for two years, the residents are like family.”
– Jack & Valerie (moved from Orlando)
“We recently moved into Waterman Village after a 2-year wait, and it has already been well worth the wait! We searched for over a year; and after visiting many places, we decided on Waterman as our future permanent home. What brought us here is the friendliness of the staff, the tree-lined neighborhood atmosphere, the professionally-run community, the many amenities, and the fact that we can get part of the entrance fee back. So happy we chose Waterman! Thank you Lord and thank you Waterman Village”.
– Richard and Jean (moved from Palm Coast)
“We were living in a 55+ community just outside Leesburg. The more we talked about it, the more we liked the idea of a simpler life, a maintenance-free home, having care nearby if needed, the ability to travel with greater ease, and peace of mind for our children. And so our search began, and we prayed for guidance.“The more we looked, the more Waterman felt like home to us. Parking was important, as was the house – both seemed to suit our needs. And of course,Mount Dora was a draw as well. Our children are scattered across the country. They were surprised, supportive and delighted for us when they learned of our decision to make ‘the big move.’“We’re going into our third month, loving our home, our front porch, and our neighbors. Our grateful prayer goes on…Bless you, Waterman Village…Thank you, God!
– Ron and Susan (moved from Leesburg)
Culinary Services at The Oaks
Past menus CLICK HERE
The Oaks Lodge Café
Located in the Lodge, the Waterman Village Café offers breakfast, homemade soups, sandwiches, entrees, salads, daily specials and weekly cookouts. Residents can purchase a loaf of bread, juice, milk, etc. There’s also a quick ‘grab and go’ section. You can either dine in or take out.
The Oaks Lodge Dining Room
The Lodge Dining Room. Open for lunch and dinner. Try one of our two home made soups, made fresh daily! You can select from a wide variety of entrees and side items each day. There is a fresh fruit and salad bar with a nice selection of fruits, vegetables, and salads. And, make sure to save room for our ‘world renowned’ 14 foot dessert area, with most of the desserts being made in-house, by our wonderful baker Lori, who has been a Waterman staff member for close to 15 years.
The Oaks Lodge ‘Bistro’
The intimate Five-Star Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, and Wednesday through Friday for lunch. The Bistro offers an elegant ambiance, with selections for a more sophisticated palette. Enjoy some twin lobster tails, grilled salmon, filet of premium beef. ‘In-the-Wings’ club members (those on our waiting list), are entitled to eat in the Bistro by advanced reservation. At one time, it was considered one of the top restaurants in Mount Dora, when it was open to the public.
Prefer not to drive or walk to one of the dining venues? Just call us and we’ll pick you up at your front door and return you back to your front door. Meal delivery service is also available for a nominal charge, and meal pick ups are also available.
- Bistro Dinner menu: CLICK HERE
Click Here to read the Waterman Village ‘Living Your Best Life’ magazine
Click Here to read a testimony from some of our newest residents who have moved to Waterman Village
Click here see some monthly activity calendars.
Click here to read WHY people choose Waterman Village from areas across the U.S.
Click here for a list of some of our regularly scheduled activities.
Click Here for a local online medical directory within 10 miles of Waterman Village/Mount Dora
Click Here to read some comments from residents as to why they chose Waterman Village (February 2023 resident survey)
Click Here to learn why moving to Waterman Village why STILL independent and active, is the best way to remain that way as long as possible throughout life.
Click Here to read about why Mount Dora, FL, is one of America’s ‘Best Small Towns’.
Click Here to view and use our independent living community comparison checklist. Many have.
Click Here to learn about Waterman Village’s ‘Not-for-Profit difference’.
Click Here for a rate overview.
Floor Plans
At present, all OAKS floor plans have wait lists, with varying wait times. Speak to a community information specialist for the latest information. Many people have and are joining our IN-THE-WINGS CLUB waiting list.
Click Here for an overview of Villa and Manor floor plans
Video of a Captiva style Villa
Video of a Sabal style Villa with a den
Video of a Sabal style Villa with a lanai
Video of a Key West style Villa
Video of a Sanibel style Villa with a den
Video of a Glenwood style Manor Home
PLEASE NOTE–Some of the Manor Videos need updating. All new Manor Home residents receive dining dollars as part of their monthly service fee.
Video of a Brentwood II style Manor Home
Video of a Wedgewood style Manor Home
The Independent Living Information Center is open M-F from 8-4:30, and evenings & weekends by appointment. It’s located at 150 Waterman Avenue, Mount Dora, FL, 32757
The phone is: (352) 385-1120, or you can email: info@watermanvillage.com
Or, you can fill out our information request form at the bottom of this page.
We can also set up a live online video call with you (and your family/parents) via SKYPE. It’s very easy and there’s nothing to download.

Maggie, Alondra, Ingrid, Abe, Cheryl, Colleen, and Jeff are all eager to help you. 100 years of combined senior living experience.