Maintaining a budget is a key factor for many active adults entering retirement. Luckily, living in a 55+ community helps retirees stretch their dollar with budget-friendly homes, maintenance covered by some homeowners’ association (HOA) fees, and the inclusion of onsite amenities and social activities. Compared to other Florida retirement hotspots like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami, the Tampa Bay area holds its own with scenic Gulf Coast beaches, urban centers teeming with attractions and conveniences, and an affordable cost of living. To help 55+ homebuyers, we’ve assembled the most most affordable retirement communities near Tampa, FL.
Paradise Shores – St. Petersburg, FL
Below $100k – High $100ks
Paradise Shores is a 55+ community consisting of 330 low-maintenance condominium homes. The affordable homes range from 640 to 1,210 square feet, providing an ideal opportunity for retirees to downsize. Homeowners can focus on relaxation and exploration thanks to a HOA that takes care of interior and exterior maintenance.
The location puts residents on the west side of St. Petersburg and five miles from Gulf Coast beaches. The amenities include a clubhouse with multipurpose spaces, an outdoor resort-style pool, shuffleboard and bocce ball courts, and a barbecue area.
On Top of the World Clearwater – Clearwater, FL
Below $100k – High $300ks
With 4,959 condominium homes, On Top of the World Clearwater is one of the largest communities in the Tampa Bay area with affordable home options. Located 20 miles west of Tampa in Clearwater, this area offers homeowners easy access to nearby conveniences and scenic Gulf Coast beaches.
Residents share an abundance of amenities, including two clubhouses, four tennis courts, two golf courses, and an outdoor heated pool. Additionally, an onsite lifestyle director organizes dozens of clubs and lifestyle activities for residents.
Terrace Park of Five Towns – St. Petersburg, FL
Below $100k – High $300ks
Built between 1972 to 1987, Terrace Park of Five Towns offers homeowners a low-maintenance lifestyle, resort-style amenities, and affordable 55+ homes. Residents enjoy two clubhouses with fitness centers and gathering spaces, six outdoor pools, and an assortment of athletic courts.
The homes range from 610 to 1,876 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and screened-in patios and porches. The location in western St. Petersburg gives homeowners easy access to the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Tampa, and Gulf Coast beaches like Madeira Beach.
Patrician Oaks – Dunedin, FL
Low $100ks – High $100ks
Patrician Oaks is a 55+ community in Dunedin, a small seaside city five miles north of Clearwater and 25 miles west of downtown Tampa. Residents of Patrician Oaks will find a variety of shopping and restaurants close to home, as well as white sand beaches ten miles away at Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island Beach.
The exclusive community includes 120 affordable condominium homes with five floor plans ranging from 815 to 1,125 square feet. Also, homeowners can access a clubhouse with a fitness center and billiards room, an outdoor resort-style pool, and shuffleboard courts.
Springwood Villas – Pinellas Park, FL
Low $100ks – High $100ks
Retirees seeking affordable homes in the Tampa Bay area should consider Springwood Villas, a 55+ community with 264 attached homes. The amenities include a clubhouse with multipurpose gathering spaces and an outdoor resort-style pool with a patio to soak up the Florida sunshine.
Springwood Villas is in Pinellas Park, a city centrally located between Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. The St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport lies only five miles north of the community, for when homeowners want to travel. The attached homes range from 625 to 1,410 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and attached one-car garages.
Vendome Village – Pinellas Park, FL
Low $100ks – High $100ks
Vendome Village is a close-knit community that includes 304 attached homes built between 1970 and 1974. The 55+ community offers residents well-appointed amenities, such as a clubhouse full of versatile social spaces, an outdoor resort-style pool with a patio, and bocce ball and shuffleboard courts. A convenient location in Pinellas Park puts homeowners within easy reach of shopping, dining, and health care.
The attached homes range from 902 to 1,118 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one-and-a-half or two bathrooms, and open concept floor plans. A dedicated HOA takes care of exterior maintenance, providing more time for homeowners to explore the surrounding area or pursue new hobbies.
Green Dolphin – Tarpon Springs, FL
Low $100ks – High $200ks
Located 25 miles northwest of Tampa, Green Dolphin offers retirees affordable home options in Tarpon Springs. The 55+ community borders Tarpon Springs Golf Course, and the location provides quick access to Gulf beaches and Tarpon Lake for freshwater fun.
Green Dolphin contains 315 attached and condominium homes across several budget-friendly floor options. The attached homes range from 802 to 1,570 square feet, while the condos range from 565 and 1,125 square feet. Benefits of living in Green Dolphin include exterior maintenance and grounds maintenance provided by the HOA as well as amenities like a fitness center, an outdoor resort-style pool, and tennis courts.
Timber Oaks – Port Richey, FL
Low $100ks – High $200ks
Timber Oaks offers 1,000 single-family and attached homes for active adults considering retirement in the Tampa Bay area. The single-family homes range from 714 to 1,430 square feet, and the attached homes range from 921 to 1,404 square feet, providing the opportunity to downsize and save on home costs. The HOA takes care of landscaping for all residents and exterior maintenance for owners of attached homes.
The amenities included in the 55+ include a clubhouse with a fitness center, a card room, and a theater. Outside, residents enjoy a resort-style pool, tennis courts, and walking trails around the neighborhood. Port Richey is a city 40 miles northwest of Tampa that provides residents of Timber Oaks with seclusion and conveniences.
Heather Lake Condominiums – Dunedin, FL
Low $100ks – Low $200ks
A clubhouse, heated outdoor pool, and barbecue area are some of the amenities awaiting retirees at Heather Lake Condominium. This 55+ community features 200 affordable condominium homes. The condos range from 700 to 1,110 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and assigned covered parking. The HOA that takes care of interior, exterior, and grounds maintenance, giving homeowners more free time to do the things they enjoy.
The location of Heather Lake Condominiums in Dunedin provides residents with easy access to parks, beaches, shopping, and entertainment. Homeowners can drive 20 miles to Downtown Tampa for a day in the city or five miles to Honeymoon State Park for a day with their toes in the sand.
Heather Ridge – Dunedin, FL
Low $100ks – Low $300ks
Heather Ridge is a 55+ community in Dunedin with 273 attached and condominium homes. In addition to a low-maintenance lifestyle with exterior maintenance and lawn care included, residents enjoy amenities such as three outdoor resort-style pools, three barbecue areas, six shuffleboard courts, and walking trails throughout the community and its greenspaces.
All homes at Heather Ridge include open concept floor plans, walk-in closets, and ample space for entertainment. The attached homes also include lanais. Homeowners can find many golf courses in the area, as well as other conveniences like grocery stores, restaurants, health care options, and shopping malls.
Sea Towers – St. Petersburg, FL
Low $100ks – Mid $300ks
Spread across nine high-rise buildings, Sea Towers in St. Petersburg includes 800 condominium homes. Homes vary from 485 to 1,140 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, balconies, and spacious living areas.
Homeowners can access a clubhouse with a fitness center, sauna, library, game room, and auditorium. Outside, residents enjoy two resort-style pools, barbecue areas, an event lawn, and a private dock with a fishing pier and boat slips. Neighbors gather for a number of social activities, including game nights, community performances, and day trips.
Beacon Lakes – New Port Richey, FL
Mid $100ks – High $100ks
The 55+ community of Beacon Lakes holds 210 condominium homes and several resort-style amenities for homeowners to explore. The homes are approximately 1,144 to 1,150 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, walk-in closets, spacious living rooms, and balconies. Homeowners can access a clubhouse with a fitness center and billiards room, an outdoor resort-style pool, and gardening plots.
The desirable location in New Port Richey puts residents less than five miles from scenic white sand beaches. Tampa is also only 35 miles away, providing access to world-class attractions and shopping. Since the HOA handles exterior maintenance, homeowners have more time to go on day trips or relax by the pool.
Country Oaks – Hudson, FL
Mid $100ks – High $100ks
Country Oaks is an exclusive 55+ community in Hudson with 42 attached homes. The tight-knit community enjoys an outdoor resort-style pool, barbecue area, and private fishing pond for anglers. The community’s location in Hudson provides residents with convenient access to grocery stores, health care, dining, and big-city entertainment in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The homes range from 1,049 to 1,516 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and carports. Features in many of the homes include open concept floor plans, and lanais.
Seminole Hill Villas – Seminole, FL
Mid $100ks – High $100ks
Seminole Hill Villas is a well-established 55+ community in the Tampa Bay area. The age-restricted community includes 168 attached homes ranging from 625 to 885 square feet with one to two bedrooms, one bathroom, and one carport.
Also, Seminole Hill Villas is located two miles from the Gulf Coast and 15 miles from Downtown St. Petersburg. Close to home, residents can access a clubhouse with a fitness center and multipurpose gathering spaces, an outdoor resort-style pool, and shuffleboard courts.
Pinehurst Village – Dunedin, FL
Mid $100ks – Low $200ks
A total of 240 condominium homes make up Pinehurst Village, a 55+ community 25 miles northwest of Tampa. Residents enjoy a fitness center and flexible shared spaces, an outdoor resort-style pool, shuffleboard courts, and a picnic area.
Homes are about 645 square feet, perfect for downsizing. Exterior maintenance and lawn care is included with HOA fees, opening up time for homeowners to attend social gatherings like holiday parties, fitness classes, and bingo.
Pine Ridge at Palm Harbor – Palm Harbor, FL
Mid $100ks – Low $300ks
Active adults searching for an affordable retirement community in the Tampa Bay area should look into Pine Ridge at Palm Harbor. The 55+ community is situated 20 miles northwest of Tampa in Palm Harbor, a compact city full of everyday conveniences.
Pine Ridge at Palm Harbor includes 264 attached and condominium homes with exterior maintenance covered by the HOA fees. The amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, an outdoor resort-style pool with a whirlpool spa, and shuffleboard courts.
Lakeview of Largo – Largo, FL
Mid $100ks – Mid $200ks
With 399 condominium homes, Lakeview of Largo is a 55+ community with resort-style amenities and a variety of floor plans. Among the amenities, residents can find a clubhouse with a fitness center, sauna, billiards room, and patio. The amenities continue outside with three pools, a whirlpool spa, tennis courts, and shuffleboard courts.
Access to Indian Rocks Beach on the Gulf Coast is only one mile west of Lakeview of Largo. Downtown Tampa lies 25 miles east, providing residents with easy access to all the Tampa Bay area has to offer. The condominium homes range from 660 to 1,150 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and features like balconies or Florida rooms.
Heritage Lake – New Port Richey
Mid $100ks – Mid $300ks
Active adults seeking a home within the Tampa Bay area should consider Heritage Lake. The single-family homes range from 922 to 2,307 square feet, and the attached homes range from 962 to 2,168 square feet. Lawn care is included for all residents of Heritage Lake, while attached home residents also receive exterior home maintenance.
The community boasts a number of amenities, including a clubhouse with spaces such as a ballroom, library, and billiards room. Outside, residents enjoy an outdoor resort-style pool, tennis courts, natural spaces, and a private boat launch. Heritage Lake homeowners get together for a number of social activities, including pancake breakfasts, dances, and holiday parties.
Heather Hills Villas – Dunedin, FL
High $100ks – Low $200ks
Heather Hills Villas is a 55+ community in Dunedin that provides a tight-knit community atmosphere with 64 attached homes. Residents enjoy a clubhouse with multipurpose spaces where neighbors and friends gather and socialize. Outdoor amenities include a pool, a patio, shuffleboard courts, and a scenic pond.
The attached homes range from 725 to 990 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and one-car garages. Also, with an HOA that covers lawn mowing and irrigation, active adults have more time to enjoy pastimes and hobbies. Heather Hills Villas boasts features that many retirees seek to support an active physical and social lifestyle.
Meadowcrest – Crystal River, FL
High $100ks – Mid $300ks
Meadowcrest is a well-established active lifestyle community in Crystal River, within 15 minutes of popular Gulf Coast destinations like Crystal River Preserve State Park, Fort Island Beach, and Three Sisters Springs. The community features five distinct neighborhoods with 725 single-family and attached homes. From expansive single-family homes to mid-sized attached homes, interested homebuyers can find a range of home styles to choose from.
The resort-style amenities at Meadowcrest include a luxury clubhouse, multipurpose gathering spaces, two resort-style outdoor pools, and athletic courts for tennis, bocce ball, and shuffleboard. The grounds of the community include scenic parks, natural spaces, community gardens, and walking and biking trails. With an HOA that takes care of lawn care, landscaping, and common area maintenance, residents enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Finding Your Dream Home in the Tampa Bay Area
There are many affordable retirement communities near Tampa, FL, perfect for saving money without sacrificing lifestyle. The Tampa Bay area offers retirees serene Gulf Coast beaches, the convenience of bustling cities, and vibrant 55+ communities. To learn more about Tampa Bay 55+ communities, explore our detailed community pages or contact us for more information.
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