There are many advantages to retiring close to a city. From loads of entertainment, shopping, dining, and recreation options to easy access to daily conveniences and top-notch health care facilities, cities provide plenty of things for active adults to see and do. The city of St. Louis, Missouri is no exception.
It’s an ideal location for retirees who are looking to settle down in a mid-sized, midwestern city with a myriad of entertainment options, cultural amenities, exciting attractions, and several professional sports teams. Additionally, the area boasts a number of appealing 55+ communities that offer a variety of housing options and price points for active adults who are interested in the area.
Here are four active adult communities to consider if you’re ready to retire and purchase a home in the St. Louis area:
Heritage of Hawk Ridge
Mid $300s – Mid $500s
Heritage of Hawk Ridge is a gated and age-restricted community located in Lake St. Louis. This St. Louis retirement community features a combination of 440 attached and single-family homes with a variety of floor plans from three different builders.
Single-family homes built by Lombardo Homes range from 1,336 to 2,271 square feet and have two bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and attached two- to two-and-a-half-car garages. Several Lombardo plans also include a den area that provides owners with a little extra space for entertaining or the option of converting the room into a third bedroom.
The community’s homes constructed by trusted builder Pulte range from 1,399 to 2,254 square feet. There are four different Pulte models that offer one to three bedrooms, three to four bathrooms, a den area, and an attached two-car garage.
Heritage of Hawk Ridge’s third builder, Whitaker Homes, offers potential buyers three distinct floor plans that range from 1,588 to 2,262 square feet and have two to three bedrooms, two to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Attached homes within the community are only available on a resale basis. Heritage of Hawk Ridge’s homeowners’ association (HOA) also takes care of lawn care and snow removal, giving residents a little peace of mind in the event of a snowstorm and more free time to enjoy the community’s amenities.
In addition to its variety of floor plans, Heritage of Hawk Ridge also provides its residents with several amenities, including the community’s popular 10,000-square-foot clubhouse. There, residents will find an arts and crafts studio, a woodworking studio, hobby rooms, table tennis and billiards, plus plenty of gathering areas where neighbors can socialize. The clubhouse is also home to a well-equipped fitness center that features several cardio machines and free weights.
Outdoors, residents have access to a heated pool; a 9-hole, par-3 golf course; and tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard, and bocce ball. Beyond its amenities, Heritage of Hawk Ridge also offers organized clubs, classes, and volunteer opportunities. There’s even a full-time lifestyle director dedicated to planning neighborhood events throughout the year, from holiday parties to potluck dinners and game nights.
Meadows of Wildwood
Low $400s – High $500s
Located within 30 minutes of Downtown St. Louis, Meadows of Wildwood is a small, tight-knit community that features a total of 64 detached villas available on a resale-only basis. The age-restricted development has five floor plans that range from 1,448 to 1,840 square feet. Each plan has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Some residences also include finished basements, giving owners plenty of additional storage space.
The community is ideal for active adults who want to live a maintenance-free lifestyle as all yard work and exterior maintenance is taken care of by the HOA. There are regularly scheduled handyman services to make sure properties stay in great shape.
The Meadows of Wildwood offers homeowners a number of amenities, including a large, 6,000-square-foot clubhouse that’s frequently used to host social events. The clubhouse also features a ballroom with its own bar area, a dining room and commercial kitchen, a billiards room, and a great room with a stone fireplace and a big-screen TV.
Outside the clubhouse, there are even more amenities, including a large patio and barbecue area where neighbors can gather and dine together. While Meadows of Wildwood doesn’t have its own private fitness studio on the property, residents do get free membership to the Wildwood YMCA where they can easily get in their daily workouts. There are also several walking trails spread throughout the community for those who like to stay active and spend more time outdoors.
Inverness
High $400s – High $700s
Spanning 106 acres, the age-restricted Inverness community features 266 single-family homes near St. Louis. There are seven distinct ranch-style floor plans that range from 1,626 to 3,601 square feet. New construction homes are available in both one- and two-story layouts with two to five bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two- or three-car garages. Plans that include a second story will have an additional guest suite perfect for homebuyers who plan to host overnight guests.
The list of amenities within the community includes scenic ponds, lots of natural space, and walking trails that are ideal for a leisurely stroll outside. As the new community grows, there’s plenty of opportunities for residents to start a variety of organized clubs and interest groups.
Inverness is conveniently located within a few miles of several shopping centers, health care providers, and local dining options. And, St. Louis is only 40 miles away, making it easy for Inverness residents to take advantage of all the cultural amenities and entertainment options the city has to offer.
Greendale Manor
Low $100s – High $100s
Greendale Manor is another St. Louis retirement community to consider, especially if you want to downsize or live a more low-maintenance lifestyle. The age-restricted development consists of 56 condominiums spread across two, four-story buildings with elevator access.
Condos are available on a resale-basis only. Glendale Manor floor plans offer 1,155 square feet and have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Layouts feature open floor plans with large living rooms, master suites with en-suite bathrooms, walk-in closets, and covered balconies. Residents are also assigned a carport parking spot and a private storage locker.
Greendale Manor amenities include a community room, a kitchenette, a library, a business center, and billiards. There’s also a fitness center on-site, making it easy for residents to stay fit. Homeowners will also appreciate the community’s close proximity to Downtown St. Louis, which is only 20 miles away.
