{"id":109,"date":"2026-06-28T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecentralonorangelake.com\/blog\/?p=109"},"modified":"2026-10-13T09:05:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T09:05:18","slug":"why-downtown-new-port-richey-is-one-of-floridas-most-walkable-places-to-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecentralonorangelake.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/28\/why-downtown-new-port-richey-is-one-of-floridas-most-walkable-places-to-live\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Downtown New Port Richey Is One of Florida\u2019s Most Walkable Places to Live"},"content":{"rendered":"

Developer Frank Starkey<\/a> once described Florida’s best downtowns as “tiny little dots of walkable downtown urbanism,” adding that New Port Richey “is one of those, and that’s what’s causing it to take fire.” Spend a week in Downtown New Port Richey<\/a> and you will see what he means.<\/p>\n

Most of Florida was built around the car. Downtown New Port Richey was built around people: waterfront parks along the Pithlachascotee River, and independent shops, coffee houses and restaurants a few blocks from each other. The Central on Orange Lake sits right in the middle of it all.<\/p>\n

What a Day Here Looks Like<\/h2>\n

Coffee is a few blocks away. Dinner is a spontaneous decision, not a reservation across town. Sims Park and the riverfront turn sunset into a daily habit instead of a weekend plan, and with paddleboard and kayak storage on-site, the river is part of the routine too.<\/p>\n

Why It Matters<\/h2>\n

Starkey has said he got into new urbanism to “create places where people want to put down roots and know their neighbors.” That is the difference here. Downtown is small enough that familiar faces show up at the same coffee shop and the same Fourth Friday every month, in a Downtown District supported by New Port Richey Main Street<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Downtown New Port Richey: Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

What is it like to live in Downtown New Port Richey?<\/h3>\n

Parks, the riverfront, restaurants and shops are all steps from home, no driving required.<\/p>\n

What is near The Central on Orange Lake?<\/h3>\n

Sims Park, Orange Lake, the Pithlachascotee River and the local businesses along Main Street.<\/p>\n

Life at The Central<\/h2>\n

Take a look at our community amenities<\/a>, check floor plans and availability<\/a>, or schedule a tour<\/a>. You can also call or text 727.478.0770<\/a> to learn more about life here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Developer Frank Starkey once described Florida’s best downtowns as “tiny little dots of walkable downtown urbanism,” adding that New Port Richey “is one of those, and that’s what’s causing it to take fire.” Spend a week in Downtown New Port Richey and you will see what he means. Most of Florida was built around the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32366,"featured_media":120,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[3,35,21,36,34,9],"class_list":["post-109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-downtown-living","tag-downtown-new-port-richey","tag-frank-starkey","tag-lifestyle","tag-new-urbanism","tag-pithlachascotee-river","tag-sims-park"],"metadata":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":["Living in Downtown New Port Richey | The Central"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Parks, the riverfront, coffee and dinner a few blocks from home: why Downtown New Port Richey stands out, and where The Central on Orange Lake fits in."],"_yoast_wpseo_metakeywords":[""],"_thumbnail_id":["120"],"_pingme":["1"]},"yoast_head":"\n