Pennsylvania is one of the best retirement states in the country and is a huge draw for both retirees and active adults. Its 156 active adult communities are mostly concentrated in the central and eastern parts of the state, although there are some out towards the west. We have analyzed the 55places.com page views for Pennsylvania 55+ communities from January 1, 2018, up until now to figure out which communities get the most interest on the site. Here are the top five out of all of them.
1. Hershey’s Mill – West Chester
Low $200s – High $700s
Active adult homebuyers do not want cookie-cutter homes and amenities, and this is one reason why Hershey’s Mill cam in at No. 1. With 1,720 attached resale homes on its grounds, this 55+ gated community was built from 1978 to 2005 by several different builders. There are nine models, starting at a cozy 1,158 square feet and going up to a roomy 3,153. The floor plans include one to three bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and garages.
What really makes Hershey’s Mill unique are the small-town features that you won’t find in most active adult communities. It has its own community center, the Sullivan House historic mansion, and its own golf club. Homeowners also spend high-quality time at the community’s woodworking shop, gardening plots, nature trails, pet park, outdoor pool, and tennis courts. There is even a TV studio, where HMC-TV, the community’s own TV station, is produced. And if all that weren’t enough, there is a wealth of social groups, yearly events, theatre productions, trips, games, support groups, trips, and other rewarding activities for residents.
2. Village of Buckingham Springs – New Hope
Mid $100s – High $200s
If you’ve never been to New Hope, PA you are missing out on a charming, historic area along the Delaware River that is known for its natural beauty and artsy locals. Village of Buckingham Springs is a well-established, gated 55+ community of 646 single family homes built from 1985 to 2001 by McKee Builders. Its nine floor plans range from 1,056 to 1,680 square feet, with two to three bedrooms and two baths.
A homeowners’ association’s fee provides for common area maintenance, trash pickup, snow removal, and bus trips. There is a private clubhouse with a library, ballroom and exercise room. Indoor bocce, a heated outdoor pool and spa, and a community bus are also on offer. Neighbors here gather together for bingo, aerobics, casino trips, ladies’ nights out, dinner dances, poker, exercise classes, shopping trips, and more.
3. The Villages of Flowers Mill – Langhorne
High $200s – Low $400s
Like Village of Buckingham Springs, our #3 winner is also in Bucks County. The Villages of Flowers Mill is a gated property that features 675 attached and single-family homes built from 1999 to 2004 by McGrath Homes and Realen Homes. Golf aficionados love the fact that there are seven golf courses within a 10-mile radius. Core Creek Park is also close by, and downtown Langhorne has lovely restaurants and shops. Other nearby attractions include Sesame Place and the Oxford Valley Mall.
There are three categories of homes here: Quads, duplexes, and single families. The smallest quad is 1,488 square feet, and the largest single-family is 2,117 square feet. There are many different floor plans and options to pick from, with options for downsizing, upsizing, or anywhere in between. A homeowners’ association fee provides for lawn care, snow removal, and common area maintenance. There are many luxurious amenities for residents, including a modern clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, scenic trails, and a putting green.
4. Heritage Creek – Warwick Township
Mid $200s – Mid $500s
Also in Bucks County, Heritage Creek offers condos and single-family homes in a wide range of pricing and floor plans. Built from 2000 to 2004 by Mignatti, there are 517 residences on the property. It is minutes away from Heritage Creek Golf Club, and several other courses. Peddler’s Village, a well-known outdoor shopping mall development, is also just 10 miles away. There are 12 home models between styles. They range from 1,217 to 2,604 square feet of living space and have two or three bedrooms, and two to three-and-a-half bathrooms.
Heritage Creek’s exclusive clubhouse, The Marquis Club and Spa, has an indoor pool and spa, saunas, an exercise room, and activity rooms. There is also an outdoor pool, plus tennis, pickleball, bocce, and shuffleboard. Residents can be seen enjoying Aqua Zumba classes, playing bridge, singing in the community chorus, or at special holiday events.
5. Fox Hill Farm – Glen Mills
Mid $200s – Low $300s
Last and not least is Fox Hill Farm, located in Delaware County about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia. It’s only five miles from beautiful Ridley State Park, and less than 10 miles from the Delaware state border. Homeowners can travel easily to sales-tax-free Delaware, the Brandywine Valley (with its legendary covered bridges), and Philadelphia International Airport.
Fox Hill Farms was built from 1995 to 2003 by McKee Builders with 491 attached and single-family homes. They range from 1,373 to 2,109 square feet and include two bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half bathrooms, and one- or two-car garages. A state-of-the-art, 14,000 square-foot clubhouse features activity rooms, an arts & crafts studio, ballroom, library, exercise room, and an indoor pool and spa. There is also an outdoor pool, tennis courts, bocce courts, shuffleboard courts, nature trails, and community transit.
