Guide to 55+ Communities in Florida
Guide to 55+ Communities in Florida
Retirees and seniors who prefer an active lifestyle may want to consider 55+ communities. With resort amenities such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and social clubs, the biggest problem residents may face is fitting all this fun into the daily schedule. These communities are a great place to make new friends who share your desire to be active and social in retirement.
Resort Living
Residents of 55+ living communities enjoy a resort lifestyle every day. Clubhouses with spa and fitness facilities are available for daily use. Onsite restaurants and bars give residents a night on the town without having to leave their neighborhood.
Houses within these communities provide a mix of comfort and luxury. Generally, these single-family homes can be updated and customized. Newly constructed houses are outfitted with energy-efficient appliances. In some communities, landscaping and lawn care are also included in HOA dues so residents don’t have to spend hours trimming the lawn and shrubs.
Common areas within the neighborhood are also maintained. Residents will find manicured lawns, clean clubhouses, and trimmed pathways.
Safety and Privacy
Entry gates allow only residents and their guests into the neighborhood. There may also be extra security systems or patrolling units that make sure streets are safe.
Active Social Calendars
Holiday parties, themed dinners, golf tournaments, and tennis mixers are just a few events that are often on the calendar. Clubs for special interests, such as gardening and woodworking, are available so like-minded residents can gather and share their love for their hobbies.
Sample Communities to Discover
WaterSong at RiverTown
WaterSong offers a truly unique take on active 55+ living. As a charmingly styled and self-contained neighborhood, WaterSong is designed in harmony with the rest of master-planned RiverTown. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind setting on the banks of the St. Johns River, with gently lapping waves and ancient oaks beckoning you for a kayak ride, pier fishing session or amphitheater concert.
Two separate amenity complexes — RiverHouse and RiverClub — offer fitness, dining, social and recreational options, with pools, playgrounds, parks and trails galore. WaterSong also has its own exclusive, resort-style amenity center featuring a fitness center, social room, pool, hot tub, fire put, pickleball court, events lawn and more — plus a full-time activities director to lead the fun.
Within this gated, low-maintenance community, you can choose from thoughtfully designed villas or single-family homes. Our splendid variety of exterior styles and convenient features make everyday living more spacious, stylish and fun.
Ave Maria
Ave Maria is an award-winning master-planned community that combines an active lifestyle with the charm and friendliness of a small town in the Gulf Coast region of southwestern Florida. The Collier County community encompasses multiple residential neighborhoods, schools, a town center with shopping and dining, office space, business parks, and recreational amenities located 20 minutes east of Interstate 75 near Naples, Immokalee and Bonita Springs.
One of the best-selling communities in the nation, Ave Maria features a resort-style water park and two expansive community parks with picnic areas, sports fields, playgrounds, tennis, bocce and pickleball courts. Residents also have access to quality K-12 education, 100 miles of nature, hiking and biking paths, a dog park, a fitness center, 2 championship 18-hole golf courses, and much more.
Real estate options within Ave Maria include several family-friendly neighborhoods of homes in a variety of styles- from single-family homes to condominiums, plus the Del Webb Naples 55+ active adult community
Cresswind at Hammock Oaks
Cresswind at Hammock Oaks by Kolter Homes is a resort-style, 55+ community near The Villages in Lady Lake, Florida, famously known as the “home of lakes and sunshine.” Located near The Villages the community is only minutes from Leesburg and convenient to Orlando. New homes are designed for active adults featuring a collection of flexible floorplans with hundreds of design and structural personalization options.
Cresswind at Hammock Oaks gives residents access to a variety of daily conveniences. The future resident-exclusive clubhouse will feature a state-of-the-art Cresswind SmartFIT Training Center equipped with EGYM technology, art studio, event area and several indoor and outdoor gathering spots. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool with sundeck, tennis and pickleball courts, walking trails, dog park and community garden.
Homebuyers can choose from various floorplans designed for optimal flexibility to create a home Built Around You. Cresswind at Hammock Oaks features three collections of 13 floorplans, ranging from 2- to 5 Bedrooms. Kolter Homes offers a minimum of 25 structural options per plan, so you can have the ability to add bedrooms, expand garages, second floor bonus rooms and more. Plus, choose from hundreds of design personalization opportunities.
KOLTERHOMES created the Go Guide to Active Adult Living and Homebuying to help put buyers in control of the homebuying experience. After gathering suggestions from homebuyers, and with guidance from industry experts, KOLTERHOMES developed this comprehensive online guide with the best active adult locations, insider tips, insights, and driving tours. View the FREE guide at www.cresswind.com
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right 55+ community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the best 55+ communities in Florida, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
Free Package includes:
- ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
The ultimate guide to find your ideal destination, life and home. This annual guide contains more than 15 state maps, a location-based cost of living and climate comparison chart and discovery travel packages.
- ideal-LIVING Magazine
Quarterly print magazine features the best places to retire and/or purchase your ideal second home.
- ideal-LIVING E-Newsletter
Receive our digital newsletter, two to three times a month, highlighting communities around the country and abroad.
- Tickets to ideal-LIVING Live Events
The ideal-LIVING Resort & Retirement Show has helped retirees and second-home buyers find their ideal community and home for more than 30 years.
© 2025 ideal-LIVING Magazine • 265 Racine Dr #201 • Wilmington, NC 28403 • 910.763.2100