Here are some tips on getting started in the Astor area, in both Lake and Volusia County!
Someone once said that relocating to a new community can be a "moving" experience, and we hope that this information will help provide a smooth transition.

RELOCATION GUIDE FOR ASTOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

Information provided by www.astorflorida.com  and www.floridawebdesignandhosting.com
Beth (Allison) Strop   352-205-1208   tropicalred@gmail.com

LAKE COUNTY

  

TELEPHONE SERVICE:

 Provided by Century Link.  For residential  or business service call 1-888-723-8010.  Or, visit their website at http://www.centurylink.com
ELECTRICAL SERVICE: Provided by Clay Electric Co. at 1-800-224-4917  or visit their website at  www.clayelectric.com
WATER & SEWER: Provided by St Johns River Utilities at 352-759-2260;  or Aqua America at 1-800-250-7532 or visit their website at www.aquaamerica.com  (Check with your new neighbor or real estate agent to determine which service is utilized in your neighborhood.)
CABLE T V: Local service is provided by Fla. Cable at 1-800-779-2788 or visit their website at www.floridacable.com Use your phone book to determine other options.
INTERNET SERVICES: Local service is provided by Fla. Cable at 1-800-779-2788 or visit their website at www.usa2net.net  Use your phone book to determine other options.  Century Link DSL is available at http://www.centurylink.com
DRIVERS LICENSES: Phone: (352) 742-6165 (Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) Location: 28129 County Road 561, Tavares, Fl. 32778  For additional information visit: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/dlnew.html
VEHICLE & BOAT REGISTRATION: Registration, tag and title services for cars, trucks, trailers, vessels & mobile homes, along with  specialty tags and disability parking permits can be obtained at: 320 West Main St., Tavares, Fl. Ph:  352-343-9602 Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm  For additional information visit:  http://www.laketax.com/
TAXES: The State of Fl.  does not impose a personal income tax.  The State Sales Tax is 6%; however, Lake Co. has an additional Discretionary Surtax of 1% for a TOTAL Lake Co. Sales Tax of 7%. Visit http://www.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/ to learn about other Fl. taxes.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: $25,000 Homestead Exemption - Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides on the property onJanuary 1 and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible. Generally, initial application for property tax exemption must be made between January 1 and March 1 of the year for which the exemption is sought. Initial application should be made in person at the property appraiser's office.  OFFICE LOCATION:  320 W Main St, Tavares, FL  32778-1027.  PH:  352-253-2150 For additional information visit:  http://www.lakecopropappr.com/
VOTER REGISTRATION: To register for the first time,  you must fill out a Florida Voter Registration Application Form.  LOCATION:  315 West Main St. Room 144, Tavares, Fl.  Ph:  352-343-9734 For additional information visit:  http://elections.co.lake.fl.us/voter_information.asp
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES: Location:  317 West Main St., Tavares, Fl.  Ph:  352-343-9602  For additional information visit:  http://www.laketax.com/occupational_licenses/general_information.htm
FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES: Call 1-888-FISH FLORIDA or 1-888-HUNT FLORIDA For additional information visit: http://myfwc.com/
HOSPITALS & MEDICAL: Astor/Volusia has its own Doctor at Astor Medical Care at 23939 State Road 40, Astor, Fl.   Ph:  352-759-3900.  Florida Hospital Waterman is located at 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares, Fl. Ph:352-253-3333.  For additional information visit their website at:  http://www.fhwat.org  
SHOPPING: Astor/Volusia has a grocery store, florist, bait stores, hardware, marine stores, beauty shops, barber, and two convenience stores with gas.  A 20 to 30 minute drive to Umatilla, Eustis, Deland, or Ormond Beach  will provide additional shopping.
SCHOOLS:
Spring Creek Elementary
44440 Spring Creek Road
Paisley, Fl. 32767
352-669-3275		 Umatilla Middle School
305 East Lake St.
Umatilla, Fl. 32784
352-669-3171		 Umatilla High School
320 North Trowell Ave.
Umatilla, Fl. 32784
352-669-3131

Additional information on LAKE COUNTY schools can be found by clicking on:  http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/lakeschools/site/default.asp 
FLORIDA GOVERNMENT: Visit  http://myflorida.com to learn everything about our State Government.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Visit http://www.lakegovernment.com to learn everything about Lake County Government.
ENTERTAINMENT/TOURISM:  Astor/Volusia area offers several fine restaurants, bars, marinas, campgrounds, and motels to satisfy all of your needs.
NEWSPAPERS: Visit The Leesburg Daily Commercial http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/701/public/cat2981.html  or call: 352-365-8200.Visit the http://www.orlandosentinel.com or call:  1-800-359-5353. Call The North Lake Outpost at: 352-669-2430.
WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES:  Curbside neighborhood trash service is provided once a week and is charged to your real estate taxes. Astor Transfer Station hours: Tues and Sat, 7.30a-5p, 352-759-2776  http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/environmental_utilities/solid_waste_operations/index.aspx: (larger yard waste & construction
materials, M-Sat 7:30a-5p, 352-343-3776, 13130 County Landfill Rd. in Astatula on Highway 561)
LIBRARY SERVICES: Astor has a fine Library with WIFI services located at 54905 Alco Rd., Phone:  352-759-9913  Website:  http://www.mylakelibrary.org/
 
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS: Astor is home to a Chamber of Commerce, Garden Club, Little League, Athletic Association, Kiwanis Club, VFW, Moose Lodge, Bass Club, Friends of the Library, Blackwater Yacht Club, Cemetery Association, and Astor Forest Properties Owners Assoc. and has a Community Center.
CHURCHES: Astor has two Churches, First Baptist Church 352.759.2135 and St. Hubert's Forest Mission 352.759.3983 and many others in the surrounding areas.
   

VOLUSIA COUNTY

  
TELEPHONE SERVICE: Provided by ATT For residential or business service call 1-800-205-6268.  Or, visit their website at  www.att.com
ELECTRICAL SERVICE: Provided by Clay Electric Co. at 1-800-224-4917 or visit their website at www.clayelectric.com and some areas use Progress Energy at (800) 700-8744 or visit their website at www.progress-energy.com
WATER & SEWER: Provided by St Johns River Utilities at 352-759-2260;  or Aqua America at 1-800-250-7532 or visit their website at www.aquaamerica.com  (Check with your new neighbor or real estate agent to determine which service is utilized in your neighborhood.)
CABLE T V: Local service is provided by Fla. Cable at 1-800-779-2788 or visit their website at www.floridacable.com Use your phone book to determine other options.
INTERNET SERVICES: Local service is provided by Fla. Cable at 1-800-779-2788 or visit their website at www.usa2net.net  Use your phone book to determine other options.  Visit www.att.com for internet services.
DRIVERS LICENSES:  Phone: (386) 736-5332 (Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) Location: 330 East New York Ave., Deland, Fl. 32724  For additional information visit: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/dlnew.html
VEHICLE & BOAT REGISTRATION: Registration, tag and title services for cars, trucks, trailers, vessels & mobile homes, along with  specialty tags and disability parking permits can be obtained at: 123 West Indiana Ave., Deland, Fl.  Ph:  386-736-5936 Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm  For Additional Information visit:  http://www.volusia.org/permits/
TAXES: The State of Fl.  does not impose a personal income tax.  The State Sales Tax is 6%; however, Volusia Co. has an additional Discretionary Surtax of .5% for a TOTAL Volusia Co. Sales Tax of 6.5%. Visit http://www.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/ to learn about other Fl. taxes.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: $25,000 Homestead Exemption - Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides on the property on January 1 and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible.  Generally, initial application for property tax exemption must be made between January 1 and March 1 of the year for which the exemption is sought. Initial application should be made in person at the property appraiser's office. OFFICE LOCATION: 123 West Indiana Avenue, Room 102, Deland, Fl. 32720.  PH:  386-736-5901   For additional information visit:  http://www.volusia.org/property/
VOTER REGISTRATION: To register for the first time,  you must fill out a Florida Voter Registration Application Form.  LOCATION: 125 N. Florida Ave., Deland, Fl.  Ph:  386-736-5930 For additional information visit: http://www.volusia.org/elections
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES: Location:  123 West Indiana Ave., Deland, Fl.  Ph:  386-736-5936 For additional information visit:  http://www.volusia.org/permits/
FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES: Call 1-888-FISH FLORIDA or 1-888-HUNT FLORIDA  For additional information visit:  http://myfwc.com/
HOSPITALS & MEDICAL: Astor/Volusia has its own Doctor at Astor Medical Care at 23939 State Road 40, Astor, Fl.   Ph:  352-759-3900.  Florida Hospital in Deland is located at 701 West Plymouth Ave.  Ph:  386-943-4522.  For additional information visit their website at: http://www.fhdeland.org
SHOPPING: Astor/Volusia has a grocery store, florist, bait stores, hardware, marine stores, beauty shops, barber, and two convenience stores with gas.  A 20 to 30 minute drive to Umatilla, Eustis, Deland, or Ormond Beach  will provide additional shopping.
SCHOOLS:
Pierson Elementary
1 West First Street
Pierson, Florida 32180
386-740-0850		 Taylor Middle School
100 East Washington Ave.
Pierson, Florida 32180
386-740-9800		 Taylor High School
100 East Washington Ave.
Pierson, Florida 32180
386-740-9800

Additional information on VOLUSIA COUNTY schools can be found by clicking on:  http://schools.volusia.k12.fl.us/
FLORIDA GOVERNMENT:  Visit  http://myflorida.comto learn everything about our State Government.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Visit http://www.volusia.org to learn everything about Volusia County Government.
ENTERTAINMENT/TOURISM:  Astor/Volusia area offers several fine restaurants, bars, marinas, campgrounds, and motels to satisfy all of your needs.
NEWSPAPERS:  Visit The Daytona News Journal http://www.news-journalonline.com or call: 386-734-2070.Visit the http://www.orlandosentinel.com or call:  1-800-359-5353.
Call The North Lake Outpost at: 352-669-2430.
WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES:  West Volusia Transfer Station, 3151 E. New York Ave. DeLand, FL 32724 (386) 943-7889 - Open 7 am-5 pm, M-Friday 8 am-3 pm, Saturday
Call for Residential Curbside pickup:  (386) 774-6162 or (800) 828-0140 Volusia County Waste Mgt. Website for further information
LIBRARY SERVICES: Those who live on the Volusia side of the bridge, may obtain an Astor Library card as long as they have a Volusia County Library Card.  Website:  http://volusialibrary.org/
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS:   Astor is home to a Chamber of Commerce, Garden Club, Little League, Athletic Association, Kiwanis Club, VFW, Moose Lodge, Bass Club, Friends of the Library, Blackwater Yacht Club, Cemetery Association, and Astor Forest Properties Owners Assoc. and has a Community Center.
CHURCHES: Astor has two Churches, First Baptist Church 352.759.2135 and St. Hubert's Forest Mission 352.759.3983 and many others in the surrounding areas.