While Philadelphia is often associated with historic attractions, major league sports teams, and cheesesteaks, most people don’t immediately associate it with golf courses. Yet those who live in the area know that golf in Philadelphia can be a rewarding pursuit, especially in active adult communities that have them on-site.
Here are five 55+ communities to consider, and even if golf courses in the Philadelphia area aren’t a priority, they offer many other appealing amenities, retirement-friendly floor plans, and great locations. Keep in mind that the courses normally charge membership fees. If the courses are public, you’ll have to pay as you go.
Hershey’s Mill – West Chester, PA
Mid $200s – High $900s
Located an hour’s drive west of Philadelphia, Hershey’s Mill was completed in 2005. It offers 1,720 resale attached homes and a sought-after country club lifestyle. Its Hershey Mill Golf Club is located within the community, and it’s great place to play golf in the Philadelphia area. It’s a full-length, par-71 championship golf course with a 24,000-square-foot clubhouse that features a restaurant and a ballroom. You don’t have to live at Hershey’s Mill to play here, but membership fees are required.
Besides the golf course, Hershey’s Mill has a vibrant community center, an outdoor pool, sports courts, a pet park, gardening plots, its own TV studio, and a woodworking shop. There’s also dozens of clubs and activities to keep you busy when you’re not playing golf.
There are nine floor plans ranging from 1,000 to over 3,000 square feet, with one to three bedrooms, two to four baths, attached or detached garages, first-floor master suites, and low-maintenance exteriors. Upgrades may include fireplaces and enclosed porches. Hershey’s Mill’s homeowners’ association (HOA) fees cover lawn maintenance, exterior maintenance, trash pickup, water, and snow removal.
Traditions at Inniscrone – Avondale, PA
Low $400s – High $400s
Here’s an intimate 55+ community with only 167 resale single-family homes. It also has one of the top golf courses in Philadelphia—Inniscrone Golf Club.
The golf club offers different membership options, with discounts for players who are ages 55 and up. It also has a clubhouse, a restaurant, and a driving range. Traditions at Inniscrone is about an hour’s drive from Downtown Philadelphia.
Residents also enjoy spending quality time at the outdoor pool, sauna, media room, and scenic walking and biking trails. Some of the most well-attended group activities are their Italian nights, water aerobics, golf leagues, and holiday parties.
There are eight different models on the property, ranging from 1,406 and 2,788 square feet with two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Some of them also have desirable features like nine-foot ceilings, gourmet kitchens, and hardwood floors. There’s also an HOA that provides for lawn maintenance, common area maintenance, snow removal, and trash pickup.
The Villas at Five Ponds – Warminster, PA
$400s – Low $600s
This sophisticated active adult community of 280 resale attached homes was completed in 2006. The Villas is about 1.25 hours outside of the downtown area, and it’s the site of the Five Ponds Golf Club, an award-winning club that is recognized as one of the best in all of Bucks County.
If you’re not a fan of golf, there are many other amenities to take advantage of like the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, exercise room, and business center. Many of the group activities take place at the community clubhouse, which has a ballroom, a catering kitchen, and other activity rooms. There’s even a singles club, an annual craft show, water Zumba, and a spring prom that residents look forward to every year.
Throughout this lovely community, there are 280 ranch-style villas set up in quad configurations in 70 buildings. Each unit benefits from a corner exposure.
The models range from 1,800 and 2,300 square feet, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two-car garages, and either patios or decks. You’ll be impressed by the luxury features, like gourmet kitchens with 42-inch cabinets, solid wood floors, French doors, built-ins, and expanded breakfast rooms. The reasonable monthly HOA fee covers your lawn maintenance, snow and trash removal, and common area maintenance.
Foxfield – Garnet Valley, PA
Low $300s – Mid $400s
Reasonably priced (especially with a golf course) and located 45 minutes from Philly, Foxfield is a large retirement community with 520 residences. It has a smaller golf course that offers six holes and a putting green—perfect if you don’t have the time or energy for a full game.
There’s also a 9,200-square-foot clubhouse, with its own indoor and outdoor pools, an exercise room, a grand room, a catering kitchen, and activity rooms. Popular clubs and activities here include Canasta, men’s lunches, game nights, computer classes, coffee klatches, and Friday night socials.
These low-maintenance homes are grouped into three collections. The Villas are newer, and have 132 condo units housed within multi-unit buildings. The five models range from 1,114 to 1,400 square feet and offer two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and one-car garages.
The four Carriages attached home models are sized from 1,708 and 1,836 square feet with one to three bedrooms, one-and-a-half to three baths, and attached one- or two-car garages. Some also have lofts.
Lastly, the Ranches collection has 233 single-family homes ranging from 1,586 to 1,831 square feet. These offer two to four bedrooms, two or three baths, attached two-car garages, and optional lofts. Upgrades may include gas fireplaces, Corian countertops, high ceilings, and morning rooms. The HOA covers lawn care, exterior building maintenance, trash pickup, and snow removal.
Indian Valley Greenes – Telford, PA
Low $400s – Low $500s
As part of Indian Valley Country Club, this small 55+ community of 96 resale attached homes. The community offers a refined lifestyle, with membership access to a William Gordon golf course, an upscale clubhouse, two outdoor pools, tennis courts, and two restaurants.
The homes were built from 2005 to 2007, and they’re generously sized from 3,025 to 4,825 square feet with three to four bedrooms, two-and-a-half to four bathrooms, and two-car garages. Options may include finished walkout basements, gourmet kitchens, fireplaces, sunrooms, and two-story foyers. Indian Valley Greenes also has an HOA.
This elegant neighborhood is in Montgomery County, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia.
