Over the past few decades, the Clermont–Leesburg area has emerged as a sought-after destination for retirees looking to enjoy the good life. Just 22 miles west of Orlando, this scenic region offers the perfect mix of convenience and tranquility, ideal for Disney fans, avid golfers, and anyone who prefers an inland Florida lifestyle. Nestled among rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and championship golf courses, the Clermont-Leesburg area offers a refreshing contrast to the state’s famously flat landscape. Residents can relax on lakefront beaches or take an easy 90-minute drive to coastal resort towns like Daytona Beach. Centrally located yet comfortably removed from the state’s busiest tourist hubs, this part of the Sunshine State truly offers the best of both worlds.
Adding to its appeal, the area features a wide selection of gated 55+ communities that provide both comfort and security. Residents enjoy peace of mind in these well-maintained neighborhoods, free from heavy traffic and unwanted solicitors, and they benefit from resort-style amenities such as clubhouses, swimming pools, and golf courses.
Let’s explore some of the best gated 55+ communities in the Clermont-Leesburg area.
Esplanade at Highland Ranch – Clermont, FL
High $400ks
Esplanade at Highland Ranch was completed in 2022 and offers 475 resale single-family homes from builder Taylor Morrison. This age-restricted neighborhood spans 579 acres and sits strategically near Old Highway 50 West and Blackstill Lake Road. Residents enjoy convenient access to Winter Garden, South Lake Trail, West Orange Trail, Waterfront Park, and numerous shopping and dining options.
Taylor Morrison offers four home collections, with two to three bathrooms and attached garages. These stunning homes feature one-story living, open layouts, gourmet kitchens, luxurious master suites, and energy-efficient construction. Many also have scenic lake views.
This community’s main hub is a luxurious clubhouse with resort-style amenities, including a fitness center, multipurpose rooms, a card and billiards room, and a coffee bar. Outside is a resort-style pool and spa, a resistance pool, four pickleball courts, two bocce ball courts, a tennis court, and walking trails. Also, the covered lanai, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen provide perfect spaces for socializing.
Highland Lakes – Leesburg, FL
Low $200ks – Mid $300ks
Highland Lakes sits amid seven pristine lakes and natural wetlands, creating an ideal setting for active adults who enjoy model sailboat racing and fishing. Three designated nature trails wind through the property, and residents often see eagles and cranes. And despite its peaceful atmosphere, Highland Lakes provides convenient access to the Florida Turnpike for trips to Orlando and the surrounding areas.
Highland Lakes homes range from 1,040 to 1,852 square feet, offering two to three bedrooms and one to two-car garages in attached villa and single-family floor plans. The interiors feature open layouts, screened lanais, and Florida rooms designed for year-round outdoor living. Outside, you’ll see mature Florida landscaping with citrus trees.
The expansive clubhouse has modern fitness facilities, including an exercise room, indoor walking track, and heated pool. Residents use the indoor tennis and pickleball courts and take advantage of the well-equipped woodcraft shop and craft rooms. This community’s social spaces include card rooms, a library, and an event catering kitchen. Also, outdoor facilities include courts for bocce, tennis, horseshoe, and shuffleboard, complemented by a lap pool and softball field.
Kings Ridge – Clermont, FL
High $200ks – Mid $400ks
Kings Ridge is an upscale active adult lifestyle in the rolling hills of Clermont, Florida, with established landscaping throughout the property. It’s perfectly poised on Highway 27, just three miles from State Route 50. That means residents have easy access to nearby shopping and dining venues, including the Kings Ridge Publix plaza, accessible by golf cart.
Kings Ridge homes typically offer two to three bedrooms and feature open layouts. Many are situated on oversized lots or overlook golf fairways. A main attraction here is the Royal Club clubhouse, which offers premium recreational opportunities, including fitness facilities, aerobics studios, hobby spaces, and a ballroom for entertainment and community events. Also, the outdoor amenities include swimming pools, spa facilities, and courts for bocce, tennis, shuffleboard, and pickleball.
The exclusive North Spa offers residents well-earned relaxation, featuring steam rooms, dual pools, and private cabanas. Additionally, golfers can play on two 18-hole courses. Lloyd Clifton designed the challenging par-70 South course, while Ron Garl created the shorter par-57 North course.
Lakes of Mount Dora – Mount Dora, FL
Mid $400ks – Low $900ks
Lakes of Mount Dora broke ground in 2006 and features homes by D.R. Horton, Medallion Home, and Pringle Development. Upon completion, this gated 55+ community will have 950 single-family residences. Located about 20 miles northeast of the Clermont-Leesburg corridor, Mount Dora offers residents access to Central Florida’s attractions while maintaining its charming small-town atmosphere.
Centered around 178 acres of interconnected lakes, this waterfront community showcases upscale New England-inspired architecture. Also, about 70% of the homesites enjoy direct water access. The homes range from 1,263 to over 3,700 square feet, with two to four bedrooms and attached garages.
The spectacular Island Club is the community’s social centerpiece, a welcoming 18,000-square-foot clubhouse surrounded by water and accessible by bridge or boat. Inside are advanced fitness facilities, game rooms, craft spaces, and a banquet hall for special events. The outside amenities include a resort-style pool complex with lap lanes and a spa, walking trails, and a special fitness trail with exercise stations.
Legacy of Leesburg – Leesburg, FL
Mid $200ks – Low $400ks
Legacy of Leesburg offers low-maintenance, luxury 55+ living in Central Florida, just 45 minutes northwest of Orlando. This peaceful community covers 275 acres of protected conservation land along the undeveloped Palatlakaha River corridor. It comprises 1,000 single-family homes and offers an unhurried lifestyle with easy access to historic Downtown Leesburg.
Development at Legacy of Leesburg began in 1996, with multiple builders contributing a variety of home designs over the years. In 2011, Florida Leisure Communities took over construction, introducing three distinct model series: the Garden Series, the Designer Series, and the Estate Series. Homes from other builders range from approximately 1,000 to 2,700 square feet and often feature scenic water or conservation views.
At the heart of the community stands the striking Clock Tower Hall, easily recognized by its impressive 35-foot clock tower. Inside, residents enjoy a well-equipped fitness center, dual catering kitchens, a grand ballroom, and multiple game rooms. Also, the outdoor recreation complex is equally impressive, featuring a resort-style pool and spa, tennis, pickleball, and bocce courts, and even a softball field. A scenic trail system winds through protected natural areas, offering opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, and outdoor exercise. For added convenience, residents also have access to onsite boat and RV storage.
Palms at Serenoa – Clermont, FL
Mid $300ks – High $500ks
If your heart’s set on a tropical paradise atmosphere with palm-lined streets and resort-style amenities, consider Palms at Serenoa. This active adult enclave within the larger Serenoa master-planned community offers convenient access to Orlando’s attractions alongside a peaceful residential setting.
Construction started here in 2018, and plans call for 570 attached and single-family homes. All residences emphasize single-level living and have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two-car garages. Also, the open-concept designs integrate kitchens, dining, and living areas with outdoor spaces, while the owner’s suites feature walk-in closets and private bathrooms.
The 6,700-square-foot Serenoa Club has modern fitness facilities and flexible meeting spaces. Outdoor life at Palms at Serenoa centers around a resort-style pool with beach entry, a dedicated lap pool, a splash pad, and a covered patio with a fireplace. Residents enjoy 16 acres of preserved natural areas with walking trails and event lawns. Additionally, a full-time activity director coordinates social programs and community events.
Pennbrooke Fairways – Leesburg, FL
Mid $100ks – Mid $300ks
This 55+ golf course community has quite a story. It started as a manufactured home development before Florida Lifestyle Community saw its potential. The company transformed the 538-acre property in the 1990s. Today, it has 1,200 manufactured, single-family, and attached homes. Behind the gates, neighbors gather at the community restaurant, join clubs that match their interests, and enjoy events planned by their full-time activities director.
These homes reflect the community’s evolution, from cozy 1980s manufactured homes to site-built residences finished in 2004. The models include Arbor Courtyard villas, site-built block-on-stucco homes, duplex villas, and site-built cottages, ranging from 500 to over 2,000 square feet.
Golf lovers living at Pennbrooke Fairways especially appreciate having access to 27 holes to play, plus a pro shop and the Pennbrooke Grille for post-game meals. Life here also revolves around two main gathering spots. At the Grand Hall, residents stay active on the 4,500-square-foot dance floor or catch community theater productions. Additionally, the Activity Center is perfect for staying fit or pursuing hobbies like ceramics and crafts. Both centers have pools where friends swim or simply relax by the water. Also, like the other gated communities in Leesburg, FL, there are tennis, bocce, pickleball, and shuffleboard courts.
Plantation at Leesburg – Leesburg, FL
Mid $100ks – High $500ks
Plantation at Leesburg is a gated active adult community with 2,820 single-family homes. This established neighborhood welcomes residents with mature landscaping, round-the-clock security, and easy access to shopping, health care, and Orlando attractions like Disney World. This golf course community has two semi-private 18-hole courses with PGA professionals on staff, and many residents also enjoy the fishing ponds and marina access.
With thirty separate neighborhoods, Plantation at Leesburg offers homes ranging from 1,300 to 2,960 square feet. Options include concrete block construction, framed homes with siding, and manufactured residences. Some of the larger properties feature three-car garages, screened patios, private pools, and desirable water or golf course views.
At Plantation at Leesburg, residents enjoy three clubhouses. The Grand Manor houses the main restaurant, ballroom, and library; Ashley Hall features fitness facilities and meeting spaces; and Hermitage Hall offers additional workout areas and multipurpose rooms. Each clubhouse also includes its own pool and patio area.
Additionally, the outdoor recreation offerings include tennis, pickleball, bocce ball, basketball courts, softball fields, and walking trails. The golf courses (Otter Creek along the Palatlakaha River and scenic Cranes Roost) offer residents preferred rates and tee times, along with a pro shop and full-service restaurant.
Royal Harbor – Tavares, FL
High $200ks – Low $500ks
Royal Harbor in Tavares, located about 10 miles east of Leesburg, FL, is a waterfront active adult community. This award-winning 55+ community has 755 single-family homes in a resort-style, gated setting. Built between 1999 and 2008, homes in this community range from 1,013 to over 2,700 square feet and offer two to four bedrooms, one to three bathrooms, and one to three-car garages. Some properties also have private lake or dock access.
The waterfront clubhouse has an arts and crafts room, a ballroom, a fitness center, a library, and a computer room, hosting activities like aerobics, dancing, and quilting. The property’s outdoor amenities feature a Junior-Olympic pool, a whirlpool spa, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and three bocce ball courts. Residents also enjoy bike paths, walking trails, and a picnic pavilion overlooking Little Lake Harris. Also, just across Highway 19, Hickory Point Recreation Complex offers boat launches for fishing, water skiing, and jet skiing on the lake.
Royal Highlands – Leesburg, FL
Mid $200ks – High $400ks
Royal Highlands features 1,500 single-family homes designed by Pringle Development and completed in 2006. This world-class golf community spans nearly 1,100 acres with 35% dedicated to conservation, creating natural preserves for native wildlife. Also, it has four onsite lakes with fishing and canoeing, just ten minutes from Downtown Leesburg.
There are a few dozen ranch-style floor plans here, ranging from 1,100 to nearly 3,000 square feet. Premium options include golf course views, in-ground pools, three-car garages, and screened porches.
Royal Highlands has two clubhouses, an indoor fitness center, a covered pool, a card room, an arts and crafts room, and a library. With a ballroom and dance floor, the Great Hall hosts parties and interesting programs for residents. Also, the outdoor facilities include a pool, tennis and bocce ball courts, horseshoes, softball fields, and picnic areas. The 18-hole, par-72 championship Monarch golf course offers residents preferred rates and tee times.
Explore Gated Communities in Clermont, FL
These gated communities in the Clermont-Leesburg area are some of Central Florida’s finest retirement destinations. They offer the security, amenities, and social opportunities that turn retirement into a permanent vacation.
Ready to explore your options and find the perfect gated community for your retirement dreams? Contact 55places.com today to connect with a local real estate expert and find the perfect 55+ community in the Clermont-Leesburg area for you!
FAQ: Gated Communities in Clermont–Leesburg, FL
1. What are the most popular gated 55+ communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
Standouts include Esplanade at Highland Ranch (Clermont), Kings Ridge (Clermont), Highland Lakes (Leesburg), Legacy of Leesburg (Leesburg), Pennbrooke Fairways (Leesburg), Plantation at Leesburg (Leesburg), Royal Highlands (Leesburg), Royal Harbor (Tavares), and nearby Lakes of Mount Dora (Mount Dora).
2. How much do homes typically cost in gated communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
Home prices in the Clermont–Leesburg area vary widely depending on community, size, and location. Most 55+ gated neighborhoods offer homes ranging from the mid $100s to the high $500s, with newer builds or properties featuring lakefront views commanding higher prices. For instance, homes in Lakes of Mount Dora can reach into the low $900s.
3. Are there gated golf-course communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
Yes. Several gated 55+ communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area feature on-site golf courses. Popular options include Kings Ridge, which offers two courses; Plantation at Leesburg, also home to two courses; Royal Highlands, with its 18-hole Monarch Golf Course; and Pennbrooke Fairways, which boasts 27 holes of golf.
4. Is the Clermont–Leesburg area golf-cart friendly?
Yes. Many gated communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area are designed with golf-cart living in mind. Residents can often drive their carts on internal roads to reach clubhouses, pools, and even nearby shopping plazas. Regulations vary, so it’s best to confirm each community’s golf-cart policies and any local road-use rules before purchasing.
5. Are pets allowed in gated neighborhoods in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
Yes. Most gated 55+ communities in this area are pet-friendly. Expect reasonable restrictions on the number of pets, breeds, or sizes, along with standard leash and cleanup rules. Some neighborhoods even feature dog parks or allow fenced-in yards. Always review the community’s pet policy before making a move.
6. How close are gated communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area to everyday needs and health care?
Most gated communities in the Clermont–Leesburg area are within 5 to 20 minutes of grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other daily essentials. For health care, residents have easy access to medical centers and specialists in Clermont, Leesburg, Tavares, and Mount Dora. Major hospitals and VA facilities are also located within a reasonable drive of Orlando.
7. What’s hurricane and weather risk like in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
The Clermont–Leesburg area’s inland location and higher elevation help reduce storm surge risks compared to coastal Florida communities. However, residents should still prepare for strong winds and heavy rain during hurricane season. Many homeowners choose policies that include windstorm, flood, or optional sinkhole coverage. Be sure to check with your insurer to confirm what’s required.
8. Can I get lake access, boat/RV storage, or waterfront living in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
Yes. Waterfront and storage options are readily available. Royal Harbor is set along Little Lake Harris, while Lakes of Mount Dora features interconnected waterways and plenty of waterfront homes. Several other communities also offer dedicated boat and RV storage. Be sure to ask about availability, storage fees, and access rules.
9. Is there new construction or mostly resale in the Clermont–Leesburg area?
You’ll find a mix of both. Some neighborhoods, like Esplanade at Highland Ranch, have recently completed construction and now offer resale homes. Others, such as Palms at Serenoa in Clermont and Lakes of Mount Dora, continue to expand with newer phases. Many established communities feature mature landscaping, well-developed amenities, and an active social scene.
10. How do I compare gated communities efficiently before I tour?
Start by creating a simple comparison chart that lists each community’s home prices, HOA or CDD fees, age restrictions, amenities (like golf, pickleball, or pools), pet and leasing policies, proximity to health care, and access to lakes or golf courses. Then, plan to tour during both peak activity hours and quieter times to get a sense of each community’s atmosphere and traffic flow. A 55places.com local expert can help organize tours and provide side-by-side comparisons of homes, fees, and amenities.
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