144 E PLANTATION BOULEVARD Under contract-accepting backup offers. Welcome to The Forest, a sought-after gated 55+ community in the heart of Lake Mary. This well-designed home offers a comfortable and functional floor plan with an updated kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, abundant cabinet space, and generous counters—perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Natural green space on both sides of the home provides added privacy and a peaceful setting. The spacious primary bedroom features sliding glass doors that open to a side/rear patio and Florida room, creating a relaxing indoor-outdoor retreat. A large second bedroom and ample carport parking add to the home’s appeal. The Forest is known for its outstanding amenities and active lifestyle. Residents enjoy a stunning, architecturally unique clubhouse with soaring two-story ceilings, walls of glass, and warm wood accents—available for resident private events. The community also features two pools (including an Olympic-size pool and a heated pool open year-round), a hot tub, men’s and women’s locker rooms with separate saunas, a large activity and gathering hall, library, craft room, resident laundry facility, billiard room, poker room, tennis courts (one striped for pickleball), and shuffleboard courts with organized leagues. An active social committee plans events and activities year-round, including water aerobics, line dancing, exercise classes, and more. The low monthly HOA of $232 includes cable and internet. One of the community’s best features is its unbeatable location—centrally located in Lake Mary and within walking distance to Publix, restaurants, and shopping—yet once inside the gates, you’re surrounded by mature trees, natural landscaping, and scenic walking areas that make this community feel like a hidden retreat.