There are many reasons for desiring a gated community. Whether it’s peace of mind, serenity, or privacy, many active adults desire a community with a gate. These communities can be expensive, but that’s not always the case, especially in Florida.
The Tampa Bay area is flush with gated 55+ communities, and it’s an affordable area for retirees. So, if you’re in the market, consider these five gated communities in the Tampa area.
Kings Point – Sun City Center, FL
Below $100k – Mid $300s
About half an hour south of Downtown Tampa is Kings Point in Sun City Center, and if you’re not a resident, good luck getting past the front gate. But security isn’t the only benefit to living at Kings Point.
It’s one of the most popular and desirable communities for active adults in the Tampa area. There are 5,277 single-family and attached homes, and the floor plans are spacious with garages or covered parking. Homeowners’ association (HOA) fees include the cost of full-time security patrol and guard gate staff.
Activities and clubs at Kings Point include painting, lawn bowling, pottery, and meditation. There’s a chorus, a group for New England transplants, and even a club that’s dedicated to safety and security. This gated community includes a 97,000-square-foot clubhouse, shuffleboard courts, a fitness center, pools, a floating fishing dock, and a theater.
Timber Pines – Spring Hill, FL
Low $200s – Low $400s
Timber Pines is a gated, 55+ community made up of 3,452 single-family and attached homes.
Spring Hill is a suburban town near Tampa, and Timber Pines is a gated, 55+ community made up of 3,452 single-family and attached homes. The neighborhood stretches over 1,400 acres and includes four golf courses. There are also tennis and shuffleboard courts, a lodge, a ballroom, and two outdoor pools and hot tubs.
In addition to state-of-the-art amenities, residents enjoy a number of clubs and social activities. A snowbird club, a travel club, a bicycle club, and a pet lovers club all meet regularly. There are also fitness classes, group social outings, and community service initiatives.
Homes and villas come in seven models and dozens of floor plans. They’re available on a resale basis only, and perfect for homebuyers looking for privacy provided by a gated golf course community.
Boca Ciega Point – St. Petersburg, FL
Low $200s – Low $600s
Buyers looking for a gated boating community can check out Boca Ciega Point, just across the Bay from Tampa in St. Petersburg. This 55+ community offers homes with private docks, waterfront access, and plenty of living space.
There are 365 attached villas and condos that overlook Boca Ciega Bay and the shimmering St. Pete shoreline. It’s also close to Downtown St. Petersburg, where you can find museums, outstanding restaurants, and The Trop (where the Tampa Bay Rays play baseball).
Amenities include a clubhouse, a fitness center, a library, and an outdoor heated pool. There are shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a nine-hole putting course. Several scenic lakes can be visited and keeping the neighborhood gated means residents have their own private waterfront space.
Southshore Falls – Apollo Beach, FL
Mid $200s – Low $400s
Amenities in Southshore Falls are extensive and well-maintained.
For resort-style living in a gated 55+ community, Southshore Falls in Apollo Beach is an excellent option. There are 866 affordable and low-maintenance single-family homes and villas available on a resale basis, and current residents love the intimate, tightly knit community feel in this neighborhood. There are three models to choose from and several floor plans, with sizes ranging from 1,363 to 2,278 square feet.
Amenities in Southshore Falls are extensive and well-maintained. The Wellspring Club includes a fitness center, an aerobics studio, a ballroom, and a resistance pool. There’s also an outdoor lagoon pool with beach entry and a putting green as well as walking and biking trails. Residents stay fit with yoga, Zumba, line dancing, and a walking group. There are clubs for meditation and billiards, as well as scrapbooking and a gun club.
Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club – San Antonio, FL
Low $200s – Low $500s
Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club is a gated community for active adults who prefer to drive golf carts and leave their cars at home. There are 27 holes of golf available in this neighborhood, and 1,336 new and resale single-family homes developed by multiple builders. An activities director ensures that residents have plenty to do, whether it’s water aerobics, bunco, or regular coffee socials.
The community has its own restaurant, a 15,000-square-foot clubhouse, and two outdoor pools. In addition to the championship golf, there’s tennis and shuffleboard, as well as a billiards room and a volleyball court. Enjoy the serenity of the walking and biking trails and enjoy exploring the local area. St. Leo’s University is nearby and regularly holds campus lectures and events.
