Offering resort-style pools, fitness centers, golf courses, group activities, and clubs, 55+ communities are a great option for those looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle and resort-style living. Luckily the Orlando and Central Florida area offers a wide variety of options, and starting home prices may be less expensive than you think, with some communities starting in the low $200’s.
Below are a few great communities in the Central Florida area ranging from new construction to one of the largest 55+ communities in the country.
Solivita
Solivita is a 55+ active lifestyle community located in south Kissimmee. Where to Retire Magazine named it one of the country’s best master-planned communities, and it’s not hard to see why. Solivita allows you to be right by all the action of Orlando’s theme parks and tourist attractions, yet its location and scenery allow you to feel entirely secluded. This Taylor Morrison community features new homes ranging from 1,295 to 2,840 square feet with prices starting in the mid-$200’s.
One of the greatest benefits of living in Solivita is the 150,000 square feet of premier amenities. Residents can enjoy a large spa and fitness center complete with state-of-the-art equipment and classes, indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, lighted tennis, bocce, and pickleball courts as well the two-story Waterfront Galleries which holds games, arts, and crafts, library and computer lab. Residents also have access to the semi-private Stonegate Golf Club, which includes two championship 18-hole golf courses.
Trilogy
Trilogy is located in Groveland, approximately 30 miles west of downtown Orlando. As one of the more established 55+ communities in Central Florida, Trinity features a 57,000 square foot recreation center with a game lounge, artisan studio, tennis and sports courts, and a golf simulator. The community offers a large outdoor resort pool as well as an indoor pool where aqua classes are held. For fitness, residents have access to a well-equipped athletic club as well as over two miles of paved walking trails located within the community. Dining options are also available as Trinity features an onsite restaurant and bar.
Built by Shea Homes, Trinity homes are priced from $233,000 and range in size from 1,540 – 2,295 square feet.
Del Webb
Del Webb is located in Davenport and is one of the closet communities to Walt Disney World and I-4. Featuring a 30,000 square foot clubhouse, Del Webb offers a multitude of activities and amenities including an amphitheater, library, community garden and fishing dock. Residents have over 30 clubs available to join with everything from crafts to travel. The Del Webb community focuses on an active lifestyle and offers an expansive fitness center and indoor and outdoor sport courts.
Built by Pulte, homes start at just under $200,000 and feature six floorplans to choose from.
Esplanade at Highland Ranch
Esplanade at Highland Ranch is a boutique resort-style 55+ community located in Clermont, west of downtown Orlando. This Taylor Morrison new construction community delivers amenities such as a fitness room, pool, hot tub, billiards, and tennis, bocce and pickle ball courts. A dedicated lifestyle director will plan activities and community events. Homes are one-story and start in the mid-200’s.
A great feature of Esplanade at Highland Ranch is the access to walking trails. Residents have access to 3-miles of internal walking trails that connect to the 7-mile South Lake Trails that also links to the 19-mile West Orange Trail.
The Villages
Located approximately 45 miles northwest of Orlando, The Villages is one of the largest retirement communities in the country. Between 2010 and 2017, it was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States, growing from 94,279 residents to 125,165. Made up of 17 special purpose districts, a key centerpiece of The Villages is its over 50 golf courses. Even though The Villages community is expansive, residents have access to 32 neighborhood centers, 17 village centers, and eight regional centers. There are also numerous parks, walking trails, and dog parks.
Shopping and dining are abundant, and residents have easy access to both small and large big-box retailers. One of the newest restaurants, Wolfgang Puck, recently joined the Brownwood Hotel and Spa, a place where residents and their guests can enjoy accommodations and medi-spa.
Homes in The Villages vary in prices and styles with Patio Villas starting in the low $160’s and larger Premier Homes starting in the $600’s.
Serenity Reserve
Serenity Reserve is a boutique community located near Lake Nona, one of Orlando’s newest and fastest growing areas. The community features a newly built 4,200 square foot clubhouse, a fully equipped fitness center and a heated outdoor pool. Residents also have access indoor banquet hall and dining room, and an outdoor covered lounge with summer kitchen.
Homes start in the mid-$300’s and feature concrete barrel-shaped tile roofs and paver driveways. There are four floorplans to choose from with square footage ranging from 2,200 – 3,500 square feet.
King’s Ridge
King’s Ridge is located south of Clermont conveniently off of Highway 27. With over 2,100 homes set around two superb golf courses, Kings Ridge is one of the most popular choices for those who wish to be close to Disney World. There are many shopping and dining options nearby with the Publix shopping plaza accessible by golf cart.
A major perk of living in King’s Ridge is the accessibility of two premier golf courses that offer residents-only play three days a week. Residents can enjoy the 18-hole, par-70 South course designed by Lloyd Clifton or the 18-hole, par-57 North course designed by Ron Garl.
The 25,000 square foot Royal Clubhouse offers an array of amenities. Not only does it include a fitness center with two exercise rooms, but residents can also enjoy a game of billiards or cards, arts, and crafts, or a social event in the ballroom. Residents have access to one of the three pools, two of which are heated or access to tennis courts, shuffleboard, and bocce ball. Kings Ridge allows its residents to be a part of a resort lifestyle offering a variety of clubs, classes, and activities. Events such as charity dinner-dances, organized trips, bus rides to malls, clubs, and cruises, are planned by the full-time activities director. There are also a handful of social clubs such as book lovers and photography.
Four Seasons Orlando
Four Seasons Orlando is one of the newest 55+ communities and one of the closest communities to Disney World. Technically located in Kissimmee, Four Seasons is situated among many vacation resort communities and minutes from the town of Celebration.
The new construction homes, built by K. Hovnanian range from 1,400 – 2,400 square feet and start in the low $200,000’s. There are nine designs to choose from, with many featuring large owner’s suites and home offices.
The expansive community room offers a fitness room and an activity room where events and activities are planned by an on-site coordinator. Additional features include an 18-hole golf course, large resort pool and tennis courts.
Ready to start your home search? Don’t go at it alone.
Howell Home Group at Keller Williams at the Parks has helped countless people find their Central Florida dream home. Contact Howell Home Group at 407-765-1525 or RonHowell@KW.com to begin your home search!