Thinking about trading your starter home for more space, smart design, and a true resort lifestyle? If the idea of paddleboarding before dinner or hosting birthday parties by a crystal-clear lagoon sounds right, Mirada in 33576 deserves a close look. You want room to grow and amenities that feel like a vacation, without losing practical access to schools, shopping, and Tampa work hubs. In this guide, you’ll learn how Mirada’s 15-acre lagoon works, which builders fit move-up needs, how HOA and CDD costs break down, what to know about schools, and how the commute feels day to day. Let’s dive in.
Why Mirada attracts move-up buyers
Mirada sits in San Antonio, Pasco County, within ZIP 33576. The master plan spans roughly 2,000 acres with a long-term vision of about 5,000 homes, offering a wide mix of townhomes, single-family homes, larger estate lots, and a dedicated 55+ enclave. You get variety without giving up that community feel. The developer’s Mirada overview highlights the location’s quick access to SR 52 and I-75, the range of builders, and the signature lagoon lifestyle.
The headline here is lifestyle plus choice. Whether you need a 4-bedroom plan with a bonus room, a bigger yard, or a lower-maintenance villa with single-story living, Mirada has options across price points and phases that can meet a growing family’s needs.
The 15-acre Mirada Lagoon: how it works
The Mirada Lagoon is run by MetroLagoons and measures about 15 acres. It offers sandy beaches, a kid zone, water slide, floating obstacle course, kayak and paddleboard rentals, private cabanas, and food and drink service. You’ll also see a full schedule of special events and day-ticket options for guests. Check the MetroLagoons Mirada page for features, ticketing, and hours.
A key detail is access. The lagoon sits inside the Mirada master plan, but access rules, memberships, and guest passes are set by the lagoon operator and through HOA/CDD arrangements. Some homes and sections may have direct resident membership or benefits while others rely on separate ticketing. Confirm with the builder and HOA whether your specific lot includes lagoon access, what guest rules look like, and how reservations work. The Mirada FAQ is a good starting point, and MetroLagoons publishes operating details and safety practices.
Lagoon operations are specialized and ongoing. Trained water-quality teams, seasonal lifeguards, and event staffing are part of the program. Industry reporting notes that water-centered amenities can boost buyer demand and community appeal, but they also carry recurring operating costs that need to be budgeted. If you are balancing value with monthly costs, read up on lagoon operations and long-term maintenance trends in this industry overview.
Builders and floorplans made for more space
Several builders are active across Mirada. Product varies by phase and parcel, so verify details with each sales office. Here’s how the move-up landscape typically looks.
Homes by WestBay: large single-family and estate product
Homes by WestBay offers some of the largest plans in Mirada. Their series includes homes around 2,101 to 4,846 square feet, with marketing that ranges from the $470s up to around $1.1M for estate-style offerings. Expect 3 to 5 bedrooms, flex or media spaces, covered lanais, and 2 to 3 car garages that fit a growing household. See current plans and community disclosures on the Homes by WestBay Mirada page.
D.R. Horton, LGI Homes, and other single-family options
Across different Mirada sections, you will find townhomes and single-family homes from builders such as D.R. Horton and LGI Homes. Many move-up single-family plans in Mirada fall in the 2,000 to 3,200 plus square foot range and can include lofts, home offices, and outdoor living spaces. Inventory changes quickly, so confirm current offerings and quick-move-in homes directly with each builder’s Mirada sales team.
Townhomes for entry move-up
If you want more space than a starter condo but want to keep maintenance lighter, townhomes can be a sweet spot. Maronda Homes markets townhomes in Mirada around 1,600 to 1,700 square feet, typically with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. See current details on Maronda’s Mirada Townhomes page.
55+ option: Medley at Mirada by Lennar
For age-qualified buyers, Medley at Mirada is a gated 55 plus enclave with its own private clubhouse, pool, and lifestyle programming. Villas often range from about 1,396 to 1,731 square feet, and single-family plans from roughly 1,683 to 2,775 square feet. Many offerings are designed for low-maintenance living. The Medley clubhouse has been cited around 15,600 square feet by the design team, which gives you a sense of scale. Learn more about the project’s amenity design on the Medley at Mirada profile from BSB Design. Always confirm the active-adult age restrictions and exactly what the HOA includes for the section you are considering.
HOA and CDD costs: know before you buy
Every Mirada buyer should understand HOA versus CDD because the monthly and annual numbers can differ by section and lot type.
- HOA. The HOA manages neighborhood maintenance and enforces community standards. Dues vary by section and can include items such as ULTRAFi internet and cable in many Mirada marketing materials. Verify the inclusions for your specific neighborhood and plan. You can see examples of inclusions and disclosures on the Homes by WestBay Mirada page.
- CDD. A Community Development District is a special-purpose unit of local government that funds major infrastructure through bonds, with assessments appearing as non ad valorem line items on your tax bill. Mirada has more than one CDD, and assessments vary by lot width and series. The Mirada CDD site posts budgets and assessment materials for reference.
Here is a concrete example from Mirada II CDD budgets. The adopted materials show an operating and maintenance assessment methodology with a net per ERU O&M amount around $1,666.46. Debt service allocation tables in the same documents show typical annual ranges roughly from about $675 to $1,600 depending on lot type and series. That means total CDD for a given home can vary more than you might expect. Review the Mirada II adopted budget and assessment tables for the current methodology.
Builder disclosures sometimes publish an all-in CDD example for a given product line. One Homes by WestBay Mirada page, for instance, listed a CDD of $3,723.03 annually as a community example. Treat these as helpful reference points, not universal facts. Always request a buyer-specific CDD assessment letter and current tax estimate before you write an offer.
Schools in 33576: verify by address
Community materials and MLS listings commonly reference San Antonio Elementary for elementary school. Middle and high school assignments seen in older or nearby references include Pasco Middle and Pasco High or Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High. Pasco County has been actively adjusting boundaries to manage growth in 2024 to 2026. Do not rely on a general community statement. Use the district’s tool to confirm the current assignment for the exact address you are considering. Start with the Pasco County Schools Planning and Rezoning page.
Commute and location: what to expect
Mirada sits near SR 52 and I-75, which connect you to Wesley Chapel and Tampa. Community materials generally estimate about 35 to 45 minutes to downtown Tampa and about 30 to 45 minutes to Tampa International Airport, depending on traffic and destination. Wesley Chapel shopping and dining hubs like Wiregrass and The Grove are often described as under 20 minutes in off-peak conditions. See the Mirada FAQ for the community commute context.
For a real sense of your day-to-day, map your drive during the exact times you plan to commute. Morning and evening traffic patterns on I-75 and SR 52 can change your timing significantly.
Pricing context and long-term value
Recent snapshots from local listing aggregators show the 33576 median list price in the high $300,000s to mid $400,000s, depending on the source and date. Inside Mirada, new construction typically spans townhomes in the $200,000s to $300,000s, move-up single-family in the $300,000s to $700,000s, and estate product in higher ranges, based on builder marketing. Use current MLS data and builder price sheets for exact comparisons.
On long-term value, the lagoon brings clear lifestyle and marketing appeal. Industry reporting points to a “lagoon effect” that can increase buyer interest and traffic. The flip side is straightforward. Large amenities bring operating and maintenance costs. Your best move is to weigh both the demand benefits and the carrying costs for your specific home and section. If you want a deeper industry view, this Builder article on lagoons and master plans is a useful primer.
Move-up buyer checklist for Mirada
Use this list to make sure you cover the details that matter before you write an offer.
- Identify the exact lot and which CDD it falls under. Request a buyer-specific CDD assessment letter and review the current tax estimate. Use the Mirada CDD site and the Mirada II adopted budget to understand O&M and debt by ERU or lot width.
- Ask the HOA and builder to put inclusions in writing. Confirm internet and cable, landscaping, exterior maintenance, lagoon membership and reservation rules, and guest pass limits. Review builder pages such as Homes by WestBay’s Mirada info for examples.
- Verify school zoning with the district’s tool for your exact address due to ongoing boundary updates. Start at Pasco County Schools Planning.
- Compare floorplans for flex spaces you will use, like lofts, dens, or first-floor suites for multi-generational living. If you want lower maintenance with more living area, review larger villas or paired-home products.
- Understand lagoon operations. Check features, hours, and ticketing on the MetroLagoons Mirada page. Confirm resident registration steps and any guest or rental rules that matter to your household.
- Do a live drive test. Check AM and PM peak drive times from Mirada to your workplace and school stops. Community estimates are helpful, but your routes may differ.
- Review flood zone, survey, and any lot premium or elevation differences that affect insurance or build options.
Ready to tour Mirada like a local and compare homes that truly fit your next chapter? Let’s map the builders, costs, and lifestyle to your wish list and timeline. Reach out to the Home Selling Group of Florida for on-the-ground guidance, private tours, and a smooth path from offer to keys.
FAQs
What is the Mirada Lagoon and how do residents access it?
- The Mirada Lagoon is a 15-acre, resort-style amenity run by MetroLagoons with beaches, rentals, slides, and events. Access rules, memberships, and guest passes are set by the operator and HOA/CDD, so confirm what your specific home includes using the MetroLagoons Mirada page and your HOA documents.
How do HOA and CDD costs work in Mirada?
- HOA dues cover neighborhood maintenance and may include items like ULTRAFi internet and cable in some sections, while CDD assessments fund infrastructure and appear on your tax bill; Mirada II budgets show about $1,666.46 per ERU for O&M and typical debt-service examples around $675 to $1,600, but final numbers vary by lot so request a buyer-specific CDD letter and review the Mirada II budget.
Which schools serve Mirada and how can I confirm?
- San Antonio Elementary is commonly referenced, with Pasco Middle and Pasco High or Cypress Creek Middle and High appearing in some materials, but boundaries are changing; verify your exact address with the district’s tool on the Pasco County Schools Planning page.
How long is the commute to Tampa and Wesley Chapel from Mirada?
- Community guidance suggests about 35 to 45 minutes to downtown Tampa, 30 to 45 minutes to Tampa International Airport, and under 20 minutes to Wesley Chapel off-peak, but you should test your own routes; see the Mirada FAQ for context.
Which builders offer the most space for move-up buyers in Mirada?
- Homes by WestBay publishes the largest range, about 2,101 to 4,846 square feet, while other builders like D.R. Horton and LGI offer single-family plans often in the 2,000 to 3,200 plus square foot range; browse current offerings and disclosures on the Homes by WestBay Mirada page.
What is Medley at Mirada and who is it for?
- Medley at Mirada is a gated 55 plus enclave by Lennar with its own clubhouse, pool, and lifestyle programming, designed for low-maintenance living; the clubhouse is cited around 15,600 square feet in the project’s design profile, and you should confirm age restrictions and HOA inclusions for your section.
Do Mirada HOA dues include internet or cable?
- Many Mirada materials mention ULTRAFi internet and cable in HOA dues for certain sections, but inclusions differ by neighborhood and builder, so request a written breakdown for the exact home you are considering and review examples like the Homes by WestBay Mirada info.
