With great climate, lower taxes, beaches, lakes, attractions and outdoor activities Florida remains the #1 retirement choice. If you’ve decided that’s where you’d like to be, have you considered moving to an active adult or 55+ community? The options are better than ever!
In addition to maintenance free home ownership, there are so many advantages:
Sense of Community: Know your Neighbors and Get Together with those with similar interests.
Amenities: Golf courses, Swimming pools, Activity centers, Gyms, Restaurants,
Activities: Clubs, Organizations and Classes. You’ll never be bored!
Active Lifestyle: Walking and Biking Trails, Tennis, Softball, Bocci and Pickleball (yes, pickleball)
Peace, Quite and Security: Gated Communities
There are over 60 Active Adult Communities in Central Florida alone; definitely something for everyone!
I have highlighted 5 in which I’ve worked, each offering a wide variety of homes from starting prices in high 100’s:
Solivita: Located in Poinciana, FL just southeast of Orlando, this community just 35 minutes from Disney is First Place and Grand Prize Winner, Parade of Homes!
Community boasts 7 pools (1 indoor), the Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with on staff trainer, state of art gym and aerobic classes and Outdoor Sport Complexes. The golf enthusiast will find two 18 hole championship Golf Courses, practice greens and an aquatic driving range. Grab a golf cart and head to “main street” and enjoy dinner at 3 restaurants, catch a movie or go ballroom dancing. There are over 70 clubs so finding friends is easy here! Homes are well constructed by AV Homes and you do not need to be over 55 to buy new. Homes range mid $100’s -high $400’s
Del Webb: Located in Davenport, FL southwest of Orlando and minutes from Disney World. Del Webb offers a more intimate community with just over 800 homes by
completion. But don’t let that fool you, there is certainly plenty to do! The 38,000 sq. ft. clubhouse is home to an indoor pool, state of art gym, fitness classes, dance studio , billards room, cyper café and more! Outdoors you’ll find tennis courts, resort pool, horshoe pits and bocci ball courts. There is a full time activities and fitness director on site. Homes are surrounded by walking trails, pristine lakes and mature trees. Shopping, Dining, Medical are all just outside the gates and with proximity to major roads you can be at either coast (gulf/ atlantic) in less than an hour! Homes range High $100’s – High $300’s
Heritage Hills: built by Lennar and nestled in the hills of Clermont, FL. This is a smaller 55+ community with just under 1200 homes. The center of activity is the Community
Center which holds 24 hour fitness center (machines and weghts), aerobic rooms, billards room, card room, library and a 60 course golf simulator! Outside, enjoy tennis, basketball and pickleball courts and then relax in the resort style pool and spa. And if that’s not enough, the on-site Acitvites Director makes sure there is always something planned. Clermont is a growing city with plenty of shopping and dining. Proximity to 429 and turnpike make an easy trip to Winter Garden, Orlando and Mt. Dora which are all within 1/2 hour. Homes range high $100’s – Mid $300’s
Trilogy: Resort style community built by Shea homes in Groveland, FL. Just off Florida Turnpike and literally minutes from LakeRidge Winery, Trilogy offers latest in dining,
fitness and relaxation. At the heart is the Magnolia House which is 57,000 sq. ft. with sports pavilion, athletic club, indoor outdoor lap pool, resort pool and 3 restaurants (dining is a big deal here) . They even have a demo kitchen & cooking classes! And then there is a “man Cave” with golf simulator, billards and tvs. The grounds are extremely well manicured. Outside the gates you’ll find peaceful surroundings, pristine lakes and plenty of hiking/biking trails. Homes range High $100’s – mid $300’s
Lakes of Mount Dora Mt.Dora . FL community 40 miles north of Orlando. Pringle is the builder of these custom and semi-custom homes, a total of 950. The Island Clubhouse
hosts the fitness center, library, billard room, live production stage and a 6000 sq. ft hall! Outdoor you will find fitness trail with stations and a lap pool with adjoining resort pool. This is just minutes from downtown Mt. Dora with amazing restaurants, outdoor festivals, cultural events and the beautiful Lake Dora! If you like to boat this could be the place for you !
Each of these communities offer weekend getaway packages allowing you to come and stay for a few days and enjoy the lifestyle they offer. It’s a great opportunity to go and meet the people who live there, tour the amentities and review their social calendars. While you are there remember to ask about what is included in your HOA fees (lawn maintenance?, cable?) and what are restrictions (can children under 18 come and stay and for how long?). The Baby Boomer Generation brought a whole new meaning to retirement living, it’s not all shuffleboard and bingo and there is sure to be something to fit your lifestyle!
Mariana Wartella
REALTOR, RELOCATIOIN SPECIALIST at Chamberlain Realty Founder at Moving Central Fl Heroes Veteran Rebate Program Phone: 507-283-1929 Email: wartellam@gmail.com