Master-Planned and Gated Communities by the Beach
If you’re a lover of the sun, sand, and surf, a city near the beach may be the perfect place for you to retire. A beach-side lifestyle can be very enticing for those who enjoy the low-key, mellow atmosphere often found in these towns and cities. It’s hard to resist the temptation of retiring to a place where you can spend your days with your feet in the sand and the wind in your hair—so why fight it? Start looking now for the perfect coastal community that fits your personality and interests.
Which Beach Community Is Best For You?
Believe it or not, luxury communities by the beach are not all the same. Beach life varies depending on where you settle, so it’s important to think about the kind of lifestyle you want by the ocean. The East Coast already has a well-known and beloved reputation for seaside residences, but states like North Carolina or Virginia are going to have different atmospheres than communities in Florida. Retirement communities in North Carolina, like ones you’ll find in Wilmington, combine the beach lifestyle with a charming historic feel. Retiring in Savannah, Georgia, is much the same, where you’ll typically be only a few short miles from the beach or the city and its historic sites. If this is the kind of mixture you think about when you consider living at the beach, communities in these areas might be the perfect fit for you.
Further down the East Coast, retirement communities in Florida have a different beach vibe—and even access to different bodies of water, depending on if you choose to settle along the Gulf coast or the Atlantic coast. Some beach towns offer up more than just coastline when it comes to retirement communities near water. Orlando, Florida, for example, has inland lakes to take advantage of. Attractions like amusement parks also make it a prime location for visiting grandkids.
Keep in mind that seaside locations aren’t limited just to the south. Beach towns in northern states like Delaware provide different experiences, varying from beach to beach. Outside the US, beach communities in places like Playa del Carmen lend an exotic flair. So, while beach retirement may circle around one collective idea, it actually has many different facets, allowing you to live by the coast the way you want to.
It’s Not All About the Water
As with all retirement plans, other factors should be considered alongside the destination. Does the community offer other amenities you want and need to live comfortably when you’re not on the beach? If you’re looking to lead an active lifestyle, make sure you select a community that’s centered around active adult living. If you love to golf, communities with courses will keep your game at its best. A top priority of many retirees is being near exceptional healthcare facilities, if only for peace of mind. Cost of living and tax benefits also matter. You want your hard-earned money to go a long way, and some states are more forgiving in these areas than others. Weather, proximity to travel, and big city offerings are other things to include on your list.
Research and Explore Beach Communities
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The Bluffs on the Cape Fear
Gated Riverfront Living, Boundless Joy in Nature
The Bluffs on the Cape Fear is a vibrant, master-planned community perched on a pristine stretch of the Cape Fear River. Just 15 minutes from the classic waterfront hometown of historic Wilmington, NC, The Bluffs is a private, coastal haven for the families who call it home.
The unique vision of The Bluffs is realized every day: natural woodlands and the unspoiled riverfront landscape are preserved and celebrated. Classically-styled coastal homes exist in harmony with lush woodlands, and the riverfront.
Our visionary developers created The Bluffs with access and abundance in mind. Accordingly, residents here enjoy a close-knit, active lifestyle with total access to the riverfront and an impressive collection of amenities. We invite you to experience the joy of our authentic riverfront community, The Bluffs on the Cape Fear, with our 3 day-2 night Discovery Package.
Amenity List:
– 50-Slip Marina with Scenic Boardwalk
– 2-Acre Riverfront Park with Boat & Kayak Launch
– Lakefront Clubhouse with Resort-Style Salt Water Pool
– Private Beach Club on Oak Island – with Full Ocean Access
– Winding Walking & Biking Trails
– Golf Cart Friendly Community
– Tennis & Pickleball Courts
– Fully-Stocked Lake
– Community Boat & RV Storage
– And soon, a New State-of-the-Art Fitness & Wellness Center
Schell Brothers – Delaware Premier Home Builder
At Schell Brothers, our mission is to bring happiness to ourselves and our homeowners by not only creating exceptional homes and communities, but also by providing an extraordinary home buying experience.
Located in the heart of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, we pride ourselves on building homes that provide a healthier and more comfortable living environment for our homeowners. As a leading builder on the coast of Delaware, we specialize in new homes that offer a variety of architectural styles, innovative floorplans and extensive personalization in highly desirable communities in Sussex and New Castle Counties.
Award-Winning Homes. Our innovative floorplan designs are based on local experience, industry knowledge, and customer input. Your new home will include personalized features and specially crafted details, meticulously designed for comfort, aesthetics, and livability.
Extensive Personalization. Our design process provides you with all the tools and resources necessary to make choosing beautiful finishes fun and easy. In addition to spending a full day with one of our experienced design consultants in our award winning design center, you can also browse our Online Design Center to view inspiration photos and create collages of your favorite selections.
Energy Efficiency. We pride ourselves on building homes that that provide a healthier and more comfortable living environment for our homeowners. That is why we developed Schellter™ an advanced building science technology that delivers high performance and healthy living, and is included in our all of our homes. You will love the comfort, durability and, best of all, the savings our energy efficient homes provide.
Low Tax Living. Leave the taxing life behind! When you own a home in Delaware, you will pay no tax on social security benefits, personal property or sales tax. You’ll love the tax-free shopping and, the best of all, you’ll financially benefit from living in a state with one of the lowest property taxes in the nation.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SCHELL BROTHERS AND DELAWARE COMMUNITIES
Let us know if you’re interested! We are ready to help you with your new home search. To learn more about us and our award-winning homes and communities in Delaware.
Horizon Homes of Wilmington LLC
Horizon Homes of Wilmington is a family-owned custom home builder in Southeastern North Carolina. Every Horizon home starts with your “wish list”. Robin Hackney, a Green Certified Professional with the National Association of Home Builders, designs every home with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. Providing quality, energy efficient, custom homes designed around the individual wants and needs of their customers is what sets Horizon Homes apart. Send your “wish list” directly to Robin at BuyHorizonNewHomes.com and begin your dream home journey today!
Riverlights
Nestled along the Cape Fear River in the coastal town of Wilmington, NC, Riverlights is a vibrant, master-planned community full of small-town charm. The perfect location makes all the difference – along the Cape Fear River and just five miles from historic Wilmington, rated the most charming beach town on the East Coast with award-winning restaurants and shops. When you live in Riverlights, your days radiate with the positive energy that happens when you live on the water in the Carolina sunshine.
There are plenty of opportunities to walk, run, or ride bikes along miles of trails, kayak in the 38-acre freshwater lake, or roam free in any one of the community’s many parks. Whether enjoying a riverfront walk along the boardwalk and dock, gathering with neighbors for an oyster roast, or watching the sunset on the waterfront, exploration happens here daily. Our Lakehouse clubhouse includes a zero-entry pool with lap lanes, a fitness center, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, including a firepit overlooking the lake. Our brand-new Riverhouse clubhouse features a resort style pool with lap lanes, four pickle ball courts, fitness center, plus gathering spaces with a scenic backdrop.
Riverlights has home options suited to any stage of life – from low-maintenance townhomes to luxury and single family homes – from six quality homebuilders The coastal North Carolina community offers 10 beautifully decorated model homes open daily for walk-ins allowing home shoppers to get a feel for the lifestyle that awaits in Riverlights.
Elounda Hills – Greece
Elounda Hills is a 138-acre integrated coastal destination on Crete’s northeastern shore, a fully realised residential and hospitality enclave conceived to redefine Mediterranean coastal living. Hospitality is fundamental to the residential experience at Elounda Hills, and the introduction of Greece’s first 1 Hotels & Homes resort reinforces the development’s commitment to a lifestyle centered on exceptional service, wellness, and mission-driven luxury. 1 Hotels & Homes has built its reputation on creating luxury experiences inspired by the natural world and rooted in a strong sense of place, values that align seamlessly with the vision for Elounda Hills. For residents, hospitality is woven into daily life, with personalized service, thoughtfully curated experiences, and access to world-class amenities creating a seamless extension of home while fostering wellbeing and a meaningful connection to the surrounding environment.
The masterplan brings together more than 130 branded residences managed by 1 Hotels & Homes across five distinct clusters —Hilltop, Marina Collection, Waterfront Villas, Mirabello Villas, and Terrace Villas— alongside a 129-key 1 Hotel & Homes. It also includes a vibrant marina village with a boutique second 1 Hotels & Homes property, a 64-berth private marina, two beach clubs, and a 2-kilometre waterfront promenade. Additional amenities feature a Bamford Spa, over a dozen dining concepts, botanical gardens, a curated retail piazza, and a 2,000m² wellness village.
Designed as a cohesive living ecosystem, the vision integrates year-round residences with five-star hospitality and an extensive wellness offering, all set within architecture that follows the site’s natural amphitheatrical contours. The layout prioritizes privacy, uninterrupted Aegean views, and a low-impact built form, reflecting Mirum Group’s environmental approach and the sustainability ethos of 1 Hotels & Homes.
Zanzi Homes – Malta
The best way to truly understand Malta is to experience it first-hand through our 6-Day Discovery Package. This personalised and carefully curated experience is designed for clients who wish to explore Malta as both an investment destination and a place to live, work, and enjoy life.
Over the course of a few days, you will gain meaningful insight into the property market, lifestyle, infrastructure, and overall opportunities Malta has to offer, helping you decide, with confidence, whether Malta is the right fit for your plans.
This Special Package Includes:
Pick-up and drop-off at the airport in Malta
6 days/ 5 nights in one of our carefully selected Four and Five-star Hotels
Breakfasts
Lunches
Guided Tours
Chauffeur Car
SayeBrook
Located just minutes from the beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, SayeBrook offers a coastal lifestyle shaped by thoughtful design, walkable living, and a strong sense of community.
Every detail of SayeBrook has been thoughtfully designed to enhance the way people live, connect, and enjoy the coast. Located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, just minutes from the beach, SayeBrook blends timeless Lowcountry architecture with welcoming front porches, tree-lined streets, sidewalks, inviting outdoor spaces, and resort-style amenities.
At the heart of the community is a walkable town center that brings shopping, dining, and wellness-focused destinations together. From everyday conveniences to casual meetups with friends, the town center adds energy and serves as a natural gathering place for the community.
SayeBrook’s amenities are designed to draw residents outdoors and bring people together. The SayeBrook Club features an expansive kitchen, spacious gathering areas, and a screened porch overlooking a resort-style pool and fire pit. Residents also enjoy a dog park, playground, pickleball courts, a half basketball court, and a dedicated space for outdoor community events.
Homes at SayeBrook reflect the same attention to detail found throughout the community. Built by respected regional and national builders, homes feature thoughtful layouts, welcoming front porches, and architectural character inspired by the Lowcountry. A range of floor plans offers flexibility for modern living, whether you’re relocating to the coast, looking for a place that fits your next chapter, or raising a family.
With renowned golf courses and miles of beach just minutes away, SayeBrook offers an elevated coastal lifestyle that feels both relaxed and dynamic. It’s a place where craftsmanship, attention to detail, character, and community come together—creating a neighborhood that feels deeply rooted, welcoming, and unmistakably home.
Lakewood Ranch
Live the Florida lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of—with 30+ villages, each featuring distinctive homes, amenities, and features, Lakewood Ranch is designed to support every aspect of your life. New homes include townhomes, condos, attached villas, single-family homes and estates, with prices from the $200s to over $2 million.
We set out to build a community that is more than just the homes it’s made up of. Here, you’ll find all the shopping, dining, entertainment, education, healthcare, nature, and recreational options you could want to make the most out of every day. And the best part is that it’s all already here. You don’t have to envision it—you can simply start living it.
Our 46% open space plan and mixed-use component work together to provide each village on The Ranch with easy access to parks, trails, and recreational opportunities like three town centers, a sports campus featuring pickleball, Sarasota Polo Club, and The Farmers’ Market.
Just beyond our backyard you can enjoy Sarasota’s white sand beaches and arts scene, Tampa’s sports teams, and quick access to four airports.
ideal-LIVING has named Lakewood Ranch Best Health and Fitness Community and Best Golf Community. Lakewood Ranch has also earned the spot as the #1 multi-generational best-selling master-planned community since 2018.
Come explore America’s favorite place to call home. LakewoodRanch.com
What to expect at The Ranch:
• 20+ villages, 2 are 55+
• 3 town centers & 8 neighborhood shopping plazas with Publix Grocery stores
• 150 miles of multi-surface trails
• 10,000+ acres of lakes, parks, and preserves
• 60+ clubs and groups
• Over 300 shops and eateries
• 13 community parks
• 192 holes of golf
• 32 courts for racquet sports
• A-rated schools & higher education campuses
• Sarasota Polo Club
• Farmers’ Market voted #1 in the U.S.
• Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club
• 22 fields at Premier Sports Campus
• Sights and Sounds Performing and Fine Arts Series
Ready to discover it? Great. Request more information below to receive discovery tour packages
and specials. You won’t know until you go!
Grande Dunes
Discover Grande Dunes, an expansive 2,200-acre master-planned community providing a distinctive coastal lifestyle to over 1,000 families. Nestled along the scenic Grand Strand, Grande Dunes showcases a diverse array of over 5,000 homes, retail venues, and commercial spaces, spanning from the serene shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the tranquil expanses west of the Intracoastal Waterway, and from Water Tower Road to Grissom Parkway.
Enriching the Grande Dunes experience are many exclusive club amenities. Play at your leisure at the pristine courses at The Resort Club and The Members Club. Relax at the newly-renovated Ocean Club and its inviting pool complex overlooking the Atlantic Center. Or nearby, the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA offers additional recreational opportunities. On the shimmering waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Marina at Grande Dunes boasts 126 wet slips.
From stylish and spacious townhomes to luxurious single-family residences, these thoughtfully designed communities provide a blend of comfort, convenience, and coastal charm. Explore beautifully crafted homes with modern features, scenic surroundings, and access to outstanding amenities. Stay tuned for exciting new opportunities and additions!
In the heart of Myrtle Beach, Grande Dunes embodies the essence of coastal living amidst a backdrop of many golf courses, upscale shopping destinations, and vibrant entertainment venues. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance retreat or an elegant residence with ample space, there’s a perfect home waiting for you. Embark on your journey with us today by requesting more information.
Delamar
Welcome to Delamar, Hampstead’s newest premier waterfront community, where timeless coastal charm meets modern resort-style living. Perfectly positioned between the quiet serenity of Hampstead and the vibrant energy of nearby Wilmington, Delamar is designed for those who dream of building not just a home, but a lifestyle. Here, every detail has been carefully planned to capture the essence of North Carolina’s coast—wide stretches of Intracoastal views, luxury amenities that feel like a year-round retreat, and a sense of community that invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and truly live where others vacation.
From the moment you arrive, Delamar makes an impression. A private gated entrance ensures peace of mind, while the community’s waterfront setting provides the perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation alike. Delamar is uniquely designed for those who feel most at home by the water. Beyond the shoreline, thoughtfully planned amenities create the feeling of a resort right outside your front door. A luxury amenity center with a fitness facility, resort-style pool, and club house is at the heart of the neighborhood. Residents can also enjoy tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor fire pits and grilling stations, golf cart paths, and tranquil spaces designed to bring neighbors together and families closer.
Delamar is also defined by its unbeatable location. Just minutes from public beach access and surrounded by direct Intracoastal access, it offers the ultimate in coastal convenience. Local dining, shopping, and entertainment are close at hand, and Downtown Wilmington is only a 30-minute drive away, placing you near the region’s cultural hub while allowing you to retreat to the tranquility of Hampstead whenever you choose.
Now is your opportunity to be among the first to call Delamar home. Homesites will be released in phases, with the first round available exclusively to reservation holders. To learn more about how to secure your reservation, visit DelamarNC.com. Delamar proudly partners with Bluecrest Homes the community’s exclusive builder, known for their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and deep understanding of coastal living. From spacious family retreats to elegant coastal escapes, these homes are built to enhance the natural surroundings. You can browse available floorplans and learn more about the building process at DelamarNC.com.
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Kent Island
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Kent Island is a resort-style active adult 55+ community offering waterfront, Chesapeake Bay living with new single-family homes and luxury elevator condominiums. After decades of anticipation, this community is finally open—and homes are selling fast.
Ten versatile single-family home designs offer from 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,693 square feet and a 2-car garage to 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 3,601 square feet and a 3-car garage, so you can find your perfect fit, whether you’re looking to downsize or keep plenty of space for family and friends to visit. Each of our single- family homes are finished in one of our designer-curated interior Looks, so your home is cohesive, stylish and fits your taste: Loft, Farmhouse, Classic or Elements. Three luxury condo designs offer elegance, spaciousness and a low-maintenance lifestyle with up to 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2,602 square feet and a 1-car garage.
Set along the banks of Maryland’s Chester River and Macum Creek, K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Kent Island offers stunning views and a wealth of outdoor recreation, including a canoe and kayak launch, a 450-foot in-community pier overlooking the Chester River and an in-community trail system, connected to the popular Cross Island Trail. From the game room and grand ballroom to the fitness center, yoga studio and sports courts to the resort-inspired indoor and outdoor pools, fire pit and waterside bar, you’ll find endless opportunities to socialize, exercise and relax at the 24,000 square foot Chester House clubhouse.
There’s even more shopping, dining and recreation to explore in nearby Washington DC, Baltimore and Annapolis—all just a short drive (or sail) away. Or, boat over to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to explore picturesque towns like Saint Michaels. With proximity to Route 50, excursions and commutes are a breeze!
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Baymont Farms
Located in Middletown, Delaware, K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Baymont Farms is a resort-style 55+
active lifestyle community featuring low-maintenance single-family homes. With endless amenities just
outside your front door and an ideal location offering plenty of shopping and dining to explore nearby,
you won’t need to go far to find your next adventure.
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Baymont Farms features a 6,000-square-foot clubhouse. It’s where you’ll
gather around the grand fireplace of the social lounge and bar area, or enjoy recreation of your choice in
the fitness center, game room, billiard room, card room or aerobics studio. The opportunities to relax,
socialize, and exercise continue outside, where you’ll find an outdoor pool and bar, pickleball courts and
walking trails.
K. Hovnanian Homes has decades of expertise curating exceptional active lifestyles for those 55 and
older. Their other active lifestyle communities in Delaware include K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at
Hatteras Hills in Magnolia, K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Scenic Harbor in Lewes, K. Hovnanian’s Four
Seasons at Silver Maple—which was Delaware’s best-selling 55+ community from 2014 until its
completion in 2016.
Contact a Community Specialist to learn more about this amenity-filled community or schedule a tour of
one of the stunning model homes!
Wildlight
Welcome to Wildlight
A town in nature
How do you describe a community that has so much to do, it’s become a destination in its own right? Wildlight calls it “a town in nature.” Where walkability and wellness make everyday life feel healthier, easier and more connected — whether you’re strolling to the supermarket or salon, taking a class at the Wildlight YMCA or scheduling appointments at UF Health, all right in the community. As for the nature part? You’ll find it in the 12+ miles of trailways weaving through the neighborhoods. The acres of preserved wetlands. And soon, access to the bluffs along the St. Marys River.
A place to call home
Wildlight offers multiple neighborhoods, each with a variety of single-family homes and townhomes. Of these, one is exclusive to 55+ active adults. Del Webb Wildlight is a gated 55+ enclave of thoughtfully designed single-story homes — all featuring luxurious details like chef-inspired kitchens, upgraded finishes and covered lanais. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to live close to Wildlight’s Village Center (or near family in the community’s other neighborhoods), while enjoying exclusive resident-only amenities. The hub of it all is the Horizon Club, where every day feels like a staycation, thanks to a resort-style pool (including lap lanes), pickleball courts, craft room, fitness and movement studio, dog park and more — there’s even an onsite restaurant. (“This is the life” might be a phrase you find yourself using frequently.)
An ideal location
Located in northeast Florida, Wildlight sits halfway between Amelia Island and Jacksonville — both under 30 minutes in either direction. Which means a day at the beach, a sporting event or the golf course is an easy drive. Making your schedule a question of “where to go” instead of “how to get there.”
A “try it first” opportunity
Relocating — or just moving in general — is a big decision. That’s why the Experience Del Webb program lets you try life in the neighborhood before making the leap. Spend three days and two nights in a beautifully furnished Del Webb Wildlight home. Get a guided tour of the homes and community. Then spend the rest of your time at Horizon Club, in the parks, on the trailways and pickleball courts, or at the Village Center.
Del Webb Wildlight features 16 floorplans priced from the $350s, with many homes available for move-in now.
Plan your visit
At the end of the day, you don’t just want to live at the beach. You want to live at the beach with everything that makes living there ideal for you. Take the time to browse some of the best beach communities below, and then make your move.