The 100 most popular active adult communities as compiled by the team at 55 Places offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone in search of the perfect 55+ or active adult community. From sea to shining sea we highlight the most popular communities on 55places.com, as evidenced by the number of visitors to each community page over the past year. Below are profiles of the top five most popular active adult communities in 2013, followed by a list of communities rounding out the top 100.
1. The Villages – The Villages, Florida The Villages is one of the largest age-restricted active adult communities in the world spanning three counties, three zip codes and over 20,000 acres. Construction on this 55+ mecca planned for some 75,000 households began in 1978 and continues still today. The Villages is a self-sustaining town complete with retail establishments, restaurants, banks, hundreds of active adult amenities and over 100 miles of golf cart legal streets and trails.
Residents flock here for the unmatched lifestyle highlighted weekly in a 50+ page newsletter and special perks including free golf for life. The Villages boasts more amenities per capita than any other city or active adult community in the country. At last count there were 48 recreation centers, 35 golf courses, 50+ swimming pools, 200+ retail shops, 60+ restaurants, 10 worship centers, and even a hospital. The outstanding collection of amenities and the superb lifestyle have drawn residents to The Villages from across the country and worldwide
2. Sun City – Sun City, Arizona Sun City Arizona holds the distinction of being the very first 55+ community in the country. Opened in 1960 by Del Webb, Sun City Arizona pioneered the concept of active adult living. Today over 26,000 homes complete Sun City Arizona where residents appreciate the low cost of living thanks to attractively priced homes plus low property taxes and reasonable homeowner association fees. The amazing collection of amenities includes 7 recreation centers, 11 golf courses, 19 shopping areas, 31 worship centers, 2 bowling alleys, 2 fishing lakes, and countless other amenities designed to encourage an active lifestyle.
As the pioneer of active adult living, Del Webb believed residents should have access to nearly every imaginable amenity as well as opportunities to engage in countless activities and events. An estimated 200 clubs and interest groups encourage residents to make the most of living the famous Del Webb lifestyle. Over 50 years since opening, Sun City is still a highly sought after active adult community among today’s new generation of Baby Boomers and retirees. A brand new community recreation center and newly updated homes continue to attract residents to this one-of-a-kind Arizona retirement destination.
3. Sun City Hilton Head – Bluffton, South Carolina Sun City Hilton Head is the largest 55+ community in South Carolina with over 8,000 homes. Since opening in 1995, this Del Webb active adult community has won highly acclaimed awards and enjoys the distinction of being one of the most desirable 55+ communities on the east coast. Residents experience world-class amenities including 54 holes of golf, a 45-acre town center and amenity complex, grand social hall, performing arts center, 4 swimming pools, 2 fitness centers, 10 tennis courts, 2 restaurants, and countless additional amenities.
A mild climate with average yearly temperatures in the 70s enables residents to enjoy exciting outdoor recreations nearly all year long. Del Webb caters to the active adult lifestyle by supporting over 200 chartered clubs and special interest groups as well as organizing special events throughout the year. An ideal location just 13 miles west of Hilton Head Island gives residents a true taste of coastal living combined with world-class active adult amenities.
4. Sun City Anthem – Henderson, Nevada Sun City Anthem is one of the largest active adult communities in the Las Vegas area with just over 7,100 households. Built between 1998 and 2008, this Del Webb 55+ community offers ranch homes in nearly every price range situated in the foothills of the Black Mountains, 800 feet above the valley floor. The unique location ensures a comfortable year-round climate and offers breathtaking views of the mountains and the nearby Las Vegas strip.
An impressive collection of world-class amenities are featured throughout three community clubhouses boasting over 130,000 square feet of indoor amenity space plus acres dedicated to outdoor recreations. The communities’ Revere Golf Club is one of the most premiere golf clubs in the area with two 18-hole championship courses, a 23,000 square foot pro-shop, driving range, and putting greens. Residents enjoy an exciting social life with a wide variety of special events plus over 50 clubs and interest groups. At Sun City Anthem residents share in a passion to live life to the fullest in a picturesque setting tucked away for privacy yet minutes from the entertaining Las Vegas Strip.
5. On Top of the World – Ocala, Florida On Top of the World is one of the largest 55+ communities in Florida planned for 10,000 homes upon completion. Retirees from around the world have flocked to this retirement mecca in Ocala for its impressive collection of amenities and reasonably priced homes. The lifestyle offers something for everyone with over 200 organized clubs and interest groups as well as daily events and activities. The community has a myriad of facilities that include enviable amenities such as three golf courses, several clubhouses, fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis courts and restaurants. The Circle Square Commons is the social hub of the community featuring an 800-seat cultural center where residents gather for theatrical productions, concerts and conventions. The Master the Possibilities Education Center caters to continuing education where residents have several hundred course options available to discover. The lifestyle at On Top of the World Florida is scarcely matched by any active adult community in the country.
6. Sun City Center – Sun City Center, Florida
7. Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, California
8. Sun City Lincoln Hills – Lincoln, California
9. Sun City Summerlin – Las Vegas, Nevada
10. Sun City Carolina Lakes – Fort Mill, South Carolina
11. Robson Ranch – Denton, Texas
12. Sun City Palm Desert – Palm Desert, California
13. Carllon – Plainfield, Illinois
14. Sun City Texas – Georgetown, Texas
15. Sun City Huntley – Huntley, Illinois
16. Kings Point – Sun City Center, Florida
17. Sun City West – Sun City West, Arizona
18. Frisco Lakes – Frisco, Texas
19. Pebblecreek – Goodyear, Arizona
20. Carolina Preserve – Cary, North Carolina
21. Timber Pines – Spring Hill, Florida
22. Stone Creek – Ocala, Florida
23. Solivita – Kissimmee, Florida
24. Del Webb Charleston – Summerville, South Carolina
25. Carillon Club – Naperville, Illinois
26. Del Webb Ponte Vedra – Ponte Vedra, Florida
27. Hill Country Retreat – San Antonio, Texas
28. Four Seasons at Beaumont – Beaumont, California
29. Oak Run – Ocala, Florida
30. Sun City Grand – Surprise, Arizona
31. Trilogy at Glen Ivy – Corona, California
32. Anthem Ranch – Broomfield, Colorado
33. Lely Resort – Naples, Florida
34. Sun Lakes – Sun Lakes, Arizona
35. Heritage Isle – Viera, Florida
36. Lake Providence – Mount Juliet, Tennessee
37. Sun City Festival – Buckeye, Arizona
38. Plantation at Leesburg – Leesburg, Florida
39. Trilogy at Encanterra – Queen Creek, Arizona
40. Kings Ridge – Clermont, Florida
41. Sun Lakes Country Club – Banning, California
42. Rossmoor – Walnut Creek, California
43. Heritage Ranch – Fairview, Texas
44. Sun City Shadow Hills – Indio, California
45. Del Webb Naples – Ave Maria, Florida
46. Sun City MacDonald Ranch – Henderson, Nevada
47. Sun City Roseville – Roseville, California
48. Saddlebrooke – Tucson, Arizona
49. Siena – Las Vegas, Nevada
50. Ocean Hills Country Club – Oceanside, California
51. Spruce Creek Country Club – Summerfield, Florida
52. Villages of Citrus Hills – Hernando, Florida
53. The Elms of Charleston – Charleston, South Carolina
54. Valencia Lakes -Wimauma, Florida
55. Stonecrest – Summerfield, Florida
56. Oakmont Village – Santa Rosa, California
57. Heritage at Eagle Bend – Aurora, Colorado
58. Palm Isles – Boynton Beach, Florida
59. Sweetwater – Jacksonville, Florida
60. Pelican Preserve – Fort Myers, Florida
61. Rossmoor Village – Monroe Township, New Jersey
62. Casta Del Sol – Mission Viejo, California
63. The Colony – Murrieta, California
64. Solera at Anthem – Henderson, Nevada
65. Sun City Peachtree – Griffin, Georgia
66. Province – Maricopa, Arizona
67. Covered Bridge -Manalapan, New Jersey
68. Trilogy at Vistancia – Peoria, Arizona
69. Concordia – Monroe Township, New Jersey
70. Trilogy at Rio Vista – Rio Vista, California
71. CantaMia – Goodyear, Arizona
72. Del Webb Sweetgrass – Richmond, Texas
73. Carillon Lakes – Crest Hill, Illinois
74. Carolina Arbors – Durham, North Carolina
75. Oceana – Oceanside, California
76. Seasons at Prince Creek West – Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
77. Canal Walk – Somerset, New Jersey
78. Sierra Canyon – Reno, Nevada
79. The Villages Golf and Country Club – San Jose, California
80. Heritage Grand at Cinco Ranch – Katy, Texas
81. Four Seasons at Hemet – Hemet, California
82. Solera at Stallion Mountain – Las Vegas, Nevada
83. Summerset – Brentwood, California
84. Sunriver St. Greorge – St. George, Utah
85. Southshore Falls – Apollo Beach, Florida
86. Sun City Mesquite – Mesquite, Nevada
87. IslandWalk at West Villages – Venice, Florida
88. Solera at Oak Valley Greens – Beaumont, California
89. Del Webb Orlando – Davenport, Florida
90. Spruce Creek South – Summerfield, Florida
91. Prescott Lakes – Prescott, Arizona
92. Lake Ashton – Lake Wales, Florida
93. Four Seasons at Murrieta – Murrieta, California
94. Heritage Park – Sacramento, California
95. Clearbrook – Monroe Township, New Jersey
96. Ardiente – North Las Vegas, Nevada
97. Trilogy Orlando – Groveland, Florida
98. Four Seasons at Gold Hill – Fort Mill ,South Carolina
99. The Haven – Bluffton, South Carolina
100. Windsor Gardens – Denver, Colorado
