For the best balance between economy and opportunity, consider Florida homes for sale in a 55+ community on the Central Gulf Coast or in Southwestern Florida.
On Top of the World – Clearwater
Below $100k – Low $200s
There’s always something going on for the active adults living at On Top of the World, a 55+ community close to the water and incredibly affordable for buyers who are looking for low-maintenance and low-cost condo living.
Clearwater homes for sale are in high demand; this part of the Gulf Coast offers stop-and-stare sunsets, beaches that are routinely rated top in the nation, and a variety of shopping, golfing and nature-related activities.
This community has 96 high-rise condo buildings with nearly 5,000 units. Resale properties range from 850 to 1,700 square feet and have between one and three bedrooms. Upgrades such as hurricane shutters, large pantry spaces, and walk-in master bedroom closets are common.
The main clubhouse is found in the East Recreation Center, where there’s a fitness center, shuffleboard courts, and two golf courses. The West Recreation Center also has a fitness center as well as an indoor spa and a fishing pier.
There are so many clubs, activities, and classes available at this community that active adults will never find themselves bored. It’s affordable resort-style living at its best.
Summertree – New Port Richey
Below $100k – High $100s
Just outside of Tampa, Summertree in New Port Richey offers residents a comfortable home with tons of amenities and easy proximity to the Gulf Coast and its beaches.
This 55+ community has 800 single-family and attached homes, and many of the resale properties are priced well below the going rate for Tampa Bay real estate. Some attached homes have one or two bedrooms and either an attached garage or assigned outdoor parking. Other villas are a bit larger, with two or three bedrooms and an attached two-car garage. Affordable duplex homes are also available with golf course views.
The golf course is one of the most impressive amenities at Summertree. It’s a public course with reasonable greens fees, and there’s also a pro shop and a driving range. The Summertree Recreation Facility includes a clubhouse, an exercise room with a steam room and sauna, pools, a library, spots for gardening, tennis, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. Residents are committed to staying social.
There’s a friendship club, line dancing classes, and an entertainment committee. New Port Richey is in Pasco County, a growing Tampa Bay area where award-winning health care facilities, championship golf courses, and easily accessible beaches are within a 10-minute drive. Anclote River Park is where you’ll find local residents fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and birding.
Riviera Golf Estates – Naples
Below $100k – Mid $200s
Golfers who want access to 18 holes can choose to live cheap at Riviera Golf Estates. Not only are condos and single-family homes available in a modest price range, the on-site golf course allows residents to pay when they play. There aren’t any long-term memberships or extra fees required.
In addition to the golf course, amenities include eight shuffleboard courts and two courts for tennis and pickleball. There’s also space for bocce and a main outdoor pool and spa as well as satellite pools sprinkled throughout the community. The clubhouse includes a fitness center, card room, and library with computers.
The condos are the most affordable properties at Riviera Golf Estates. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and between 1,025 and 1,700 square feet, they are spacious and comfortable. Each unit is in a two-story building with either a balcony or patio. The single-family homes are between 625 and 2,158 square feet and have two or three bedrooms.
Homeowners’ association fees are on the lower end and due monthly. They cover cable, street maintenance, security, access to amenities, and common area upkeep.
Naples is an area that provides plenty of shopping, golf, nightlife, and beach fun. A favorite local place for tasty, inexpensive food is Goldies Restaurant, a family-owned breakfast and lunch spot that’s been around for 20 years.
Seven Lakes – Fort Myers
Below $100k – High $100s
Golf is free on the 18-hole executive course for residents of Seven Lakes, which makes it a hard place to pass up for buyers looking for affordable Fort Myers homes for sale.
This gated 55+ community has other impressive amenities, such as a ceramics studio, a woodworking shop, three card rooms, a pro shop, and a travel agency. Residents take classes at Seven Lakes University and can use community transit when they want to get out into Fort Myers or go to the beach without taking their own car.
Activities include movie nights, poker nights, social hours, and classes in aerobics and yoga. A full-time recreation director is on staff to help with planning and coordination.
Buyers can choose one of the affordably priced condos or attached homes available in more than 30 models and floor plans. Most homes have between one and three bedrooms and their size ranges from 700 to 1,600 square feet. Models like the Pebble Beach condo have a den as well as a terrace and extra storage space.
In Fort Myers, residents can enjoy spring training baseball when the Boston Red Sox or the Minnesota Twins are in town.
Town Shores of Gulfport
Below $100k – Mid $400s
Buyers seeking an affordable 55+ community on the water in an artsy and culturally diverse area on the Gulf Coast should consider Town Shores of Gulfport.
Only steps from the shore and nestled into a beach town that’s known for open mic nights and local live music, this neighborhood provides active adults with everything they need to feel creatively inspired and healthy. There are 1,327 condos in a wide range of sizes and floor plans. The homes are between one and three bedrooms and have between 815 and 2,210 square feet.
There’s a kayak launch and a boat launch as well as an exercise room, pickleball courts, and four outdoor pools. Residents enjoy shuffleboard, bocce ball, and tennis, and there’s a space for gardening. With a yoga group, a kayak club, and activities like bingo and book discussions, residents always have something to do when they feel like being social.
Gulfport is a cozy and intimate town, but less than half an hour from Saint Petersburg, which offers big-city entertainment and recreation. While exploring Gulfport, be sure to rent a community bike, check out local art galleries, and have ice cream at Micki’s Ice Cream Shoppe.
