Retirement should be about diving deeply into a lifestyle of comfort, elegance, and extraordinary experiences. After working and raising families for most of their lives, discerning adults aged 55 and above deserve nothing less. Luxury 55+ communities offer the finest settings with premium amenities, breathtaking landscapes, and meticulously designed residences.
These remarkable destinations blend world-class facilities, sophisticated home designs, and comprehensive lifestyle services catering to refined tastes. From championship golf courses and private clubhouses to personalized concierge services, these communities represent the pinnacle of retirement living.
Here’s a pleasant surprise: The most upscale luxury 55+ communities aren’t always in cities with the highest costs of retirement living. Of course, you’ll find many in the towns like West Palm Beach, Florida, but why not expand your horizons? We’ve curated a list of some of the finest active adult properties on the East and West Coast and divided them into categories.
Luxury 55+ Communities With Golf Courses
A country club lifestyle is synonymous with championship golf courses, upscale clubhouses, tennis, spas, and fine dining. But you needn’t be a golfer to enjoy the amenities—many residents are more drawn to the other on-site facilities, while others golf daily.
Sun City Anthem – Henderson, NV
High $300ks – High $1Ms
Featuring over 7,000 luxury homes with stunning views of the Las Vegas Valley, Sun City Anthem offers resale single-family, attached, and condo homes. There are 10 gracious home collections from different builders, sized from 1,080 to 3,175 square feet. Standard features include covered front entrances and covered patios; luxury options vary by model and may include front courtyards, fabulous gourmet kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, plantation shutters, and extended awnings.
Sun City Anthem has three high-end clubhouses with resort-style amenities and 36 holes of golf at The Revere Golf Club. The indoor amenities include hobby studios, a woodworking shop, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a full-service spa, an indoor pool, and a computer lab. The warm weather gives residents plenty of time to take advantage of outdoor features like swimming pools, bocce ball, pickleball, championship tennis courts, and biking and hiking trails.
This 55+ community is also close to the Las Vegas Strip for world-class dining and entertainment, but far enough away from the noise and crowds. Nearby attractions include Clark County Wetlands Park, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and restaurants, bars, and retail shops on South Eastern Avenue.
Lely Resort – Naples, FL
Low $300ks – High $3Ms
Here’s a premier Southwest Florida location with a sophisticated atmosphere and no age restrictions. Lely Resort is on Florida’s west coast, along the Gulf of Mexico. It has over 4,500 resale custom one-level villas, single-family homes, townhomes, coach homes, flats, and condos with diverse luxury designs. They range from 1,000 to over 4,000 square feet, with gorgeous features like spa-like bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and welcoming great rooms.
Lely Resort residents enjoy three championship golf courses, spa services, and high-end dining. The courses are at the property’s Classics Country Club; one is private, and two are public. The largest amenity center covers nine acres and features a full-service spa, a modern fitness center, and an outdoor lagoon-style pool with waterfalls; there’s also an outdoor lap and exercise pool, a Tiki Bar, 12 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, and an outdoor yoga garden. A second amenity center in the community’s Ole neighborhood is exclusive to those residents.
The community’s Village Center has a pristine outdoor pool and two restaurants. Lely Resort is ideally located close to Fifth Avenue in Naples, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, and some of the best beaches in the Sunshine State.
Sun City Hilton Head – Bluffton, SC
Mid $300ks – High $2Ms
As the largest active adult community in South Carolina, Sun City Hilton Head is also one of the state’s finest luxury 55+ communities. When construction is complete, this gated property will have 10,100 new and resale single-family and attached homes ranging from 1,039 to 3,728 square feet. The exclusive waterfront Riverbend neighborhood is especially appealing, with custom-built homes on oversized lots.
Sun City Hilton Head has 54 holes of golf. Two of these 18-hole golf courses are championship-level: The Okatie Creek Golf Club and Hidden Cypress Golf Club, both designed by PGA Tour professional Mark McCumber. Additional luxury features include multiple pools, sports courts, social clubs, and a 45-acre Town Center with refined amenities.
This stunning neighborhood is 13 miles west of Hilton Head Island in Bluffton, SC, about half an hour from Savannah, Georgia. Talk about a prime location—live here, and you’ll be near landmarks like Sergeant Jasper Park, Palmetto Oaks, Hilton Head golf courses, and the charming Savannah historic district.
Resort-Style Coastal Communities
Retirees dreaming of beachside living with unparalleled amenities find idyllic escapes in these coastal luxury 55+ communities. There’s something extraordinary about ocean breezes and short walks or drives to the beach. Some retirees won’t settle for anything less than coastal living, and we can’t blame them.
Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA
High $200ks – High $1Ms
Falling in love with Laguna Woods Village is easy! It’s a premier Southern California retirement destination just 10 minutes from the Pacific Ocean. This 55+ gated community offers more than 80 floor plans, most of which are high-end condominiums. It caters to luxury living and downsizing, with 12,736 resale condo, attached, and single-family homes. The 90+ floor plans range from 675 to nearly 2,600 square feet; these homes fit beautifully into three neighborhoods.
There are two golf courses, five swimming pools, and an arts center on the grounds. The 27-hole championship golf course is world-class; there are seven clubhouses, sports courts, and a convenient community bus service. Laguna Woods Village also has an equestrian center, garden centers, and five inviting outdoor pools. Nearby attractions include Santa Ana Zoo, Laguna Art Museum, and Dove Canyon Golf Club.
Latitude Margaritaville – Daytona Beach, FL
Mid $300ks – Low $800ks
With a lower price point and inspiration from Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back island lifestyle, Latitude Margaritaville is for retirees who want a vacation-like experience every day. This community offers 3,900 new and resale single-family and attached homes ranging from 1,210 to 2,564 square feet. All of these models have attached garages, and many have dens.
This tasteful, age-restricted community has the desirable amenities homeowners expect in luxury 55+ communities. Recreation opportunities include a resort-style pool and patio, athletic courts, and a state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center with a gym, indoor pool, and spa. There’s also a dynamic Town Square, The Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, and the Last Mango Theater—there’s even a pet spa.
These residents also benefit from proximity to Latitude Landings retail center, a golf-cart accessible shopping space with a grocery store and other shops. Daytona Beach Golf Club and Colin Park are short drives away and favorite spots to visit.
55+ Communities in Desert & Mountain Luxury Retreats
These prestigious active adult communities are serene and sophisticated, with breathtaking landscapes, cool, clear weather, and unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities. Typically located in the western U.S., these properties have that elusive zen factor that attracts retirees.
Sun City Summerlin – Las Vegas, NV
Low $300ks – High $1Ms
If you’re seeking a balance of luxury, entertainment, and tranquility, consider Sun City Summerlin. Its main draws are impressive: over 7,700 homes with stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip and nearby mountains, three golf courses, four clubhouses, and over 80 clubs and associations. This established 55+ community has 7,779 resale single-family and attached homes on a property just 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Summerlin’s single-family models range from 1,086 to 2,895 square feet, while the attached floor plans are 1,003 to 1,757 square feet. All have attached garages, and some offer additional storage space, patios, and private outdoor pools.
The property’s resident-owned golf courses have yearly membership options and fabulous restaurants. The clubhouses have fitness centers, a grand ballroom, swimming pools, pickleball and tennis courts, and indoor multipurpose rooms. There’s also a cultural center with a 312-seat theater that hosts live performances and movies. And when residents want to head away from the strip, they visit places like The Valley of Fire State Park, Reflection Bay Golf Club, and lovely Lake Mead.
Robson Ranch – Eloy, AZ
High $200ks – Low $800ks
Here’s an inspired, gated community near Phoenix offering a peaceful desert retreat that blends privacy with accessibility. Construction started in 2005. When finished, there will be 4,600 new and resale single-family and attached homes. These elegant floor plans range from 1,236 to 2,665 square feet, with features like extended outdoor living spaces, dens, and open-concept kitchens.
You’ll be impressed with Robson Ranch’s resort-style amenities, including a golf club, tennis courts, and 16 pickleball courts. Added perks include an indoor lap pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a softball field, tennis courts, and a creative art center with a painting and ceramics studio. Stop by The Robson Ranch grill for a delicious meal when you visit.
Since this 55+ community is less than 60 miles from Phoenix, these homeowners make day trips to this exciting city. Eloy is also close to multiple health care providers, many other golf courses, and plenty of shopping.
Sun City West – Sun City West, AZ
High $100ks – High $900k
Sun City West is a force to be reckoned with. It’s a massive luxury community with about 30,000 residents, seven superb golf courses, four recreation centers, and a bowling alley. It offers a fully self-sufficient lifestyle with entertainment, shopping, and health care within the community.
Built by Del Webb and K. Hovnanian, Sun City West has 16,000+ resale single-family and attached homes, ranging from 760 to over 4,600 square feet. These luxurious homes feature granite countertops, private pools, screened patios, and attached garages.
More about those resort-style amenities: This dynamic property has a theater, state-of-the-art fitness centers, golf courses, and nine restaurants. The recreation centers house attractions like indoor and outdoor pools and athletic courts. Sun City West also has the largest activity center in Arizona, with an indoor walking track, three pools, and a ballroom. This property is close to Phoenix and has many more amenities—you can see everything during a community tour.
55+ Communities With Luxury Amenities
Retirees appreciate exclusive luxury 55+ communities with resort-style amenities for maintenance-free living, custom homes, and leisure activities. The following selection is one of the finest in the country.
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes – Nipomo, CA
Low $1Ms – Mid $2Ms
Heading west of Arizona, we come to Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, located about 25 miles south of San Luis Obispo, California. It features high-end home designs, open floor plans, and a focus on active, elegant living. Once construction is complete, this exceptional community will have 1,350 new and resale single-family and attached residences ranging from 1,591 to 3,487 square feet. It is not age-restricted, but Trilogy at Monarch Dunes caters to active adult lifestyles.
This community’s heart is the 31,000-square-foot Monarch Club, which excels at luxurious spa services and fine dining. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness center with TechnoGym equipment and personal trainers for residents. Other amenities include lighted tennis courts, an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, Adelina’s Bistro, and the Monarch Dunes Golf Club with championship courses.
One of this community’s best features is its location. Nipomo is close to Pismo Beach and Avila Beach and has numerous riding stables, wineries, hot springs, and hiking trails. With so much of California’s Central Coast to explore, these homeowners live a proper luxury retirement.
Choosing Your Luxury Lifestyle With 55places
Selecting a luxury active adult community is a deeply personal journey. What are your priorities? Consider your passions, preferred climate, desired amenities, and social preferences. Contact 55places.com and connect with a local real estate expert to find your dream home!
