Tampa 55+ Communities Big on Pickleball

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While it used to be all about shuffleboard and tennis, the newest fitness craze to take hold in 55+ communities is pickleball, a sport played on a badminton court with a net, perforated plastic ball, and wooden paddles. Several Tampa area communities specialize in this modern game.

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Pickleball 55+ communities in Florida are turning out to be exactly where active adults want to be. 

While pickleball courts were once a niche amenity that a few communities could offer, it’s become wildly popular among people of all ages, and specifically among those who are in or heading towards retirement

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines a little bit of tennis with a little bit of badminton. Players serve and volley a plastic ball over a low net on a court. Games are pretty competitive, but it’s more of a social sport that’s accessible to people of all ages, abilities, body types, and skill levels. It’s a low-impact exercise that’s fun for meeting new people and spending time with favorite friends. 

The high demand for pickleball courts has made this a must-have amenity in a lot of 55+ communities. At 55Places, we are always looking for ways to help active adults find their next perfect home. When pickleball is a priority, check out our curated list of pickleball communities  in Florida that also happen to be desirable places to live. Our criteria for the perfect pickleball community includes:

  • Pickleball courts, obviously.
  • Pickleball clubs, so for social purposes.
  • At least 2,000 homes. We want you to have a diverse pool of pickleball partners to choose from.

Check out these pickleball 55+ communities in Florida, and enjoy living in a neighborhood with dedicated courts.

Villages of Oriole – Delray Beach, FL

Below $100k – Low $800ks

With more than 13,000 homes in single-family, condo, and attached floor plans, residents are sure to find a pickleball partner at the Villages of Oriole in Delray Beach. This 55+ community has pickleball courts and clubs as well as other amenities such as shuffleboard, tennis, and a pool. Close to shopping, entertainment, and both Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, this community is ideal not only for pickleball but also for exploration and activities. Construction of this community began in 1973, but homes were updated and pickleball courts added in the 2000s. This is a great option for pickleball players who want to be close to the beach and seek a home on South Florida’s Atlantic Coast.

The Villages of Citrus Hills – Hernando. FL

High $200ks – Mid $1Ms

Over on the Gulf Coast, just north of Tampa, is The Villages of Citrus HIlls, a community in Hernando with no age restrictions. It’s a collection of private neighborhood villages, some of them gated. With over 10,000 homes, it’s a large community with new construction homes still being built. Buyers can choose luxury single-family homes and attached villas. The pickleball courts have lights, enabling nighttime play, and there’s a pickleball club. Residents who love paddle sports will also enjoy the table tennis club and the frequent tennis clinics that are held. Other amenities in this community include a day spa, fitness center, resort pool and lap pool, and a comfortable outdoor patio with cushioned lounge chairs. There are three championship golf courses as well. With multiple clubhouses, there is a great selection of restaurants, social events, and activities for residents to choose from. 

On Top of the World – Ocala, FL

Low $100ks – High $600ks

One of the most popular communities in Central Florida is On Top of the World, and it’s easy to understand why. Found in Ocala, which is known as the Horse Capital of the World, residents at this 55+ community enjoy abundant amenities, a wide variety of homes to choose from, and a growing community that’s embracing art, equestrian activities, and outdoor fun like hiking and biking. There’s also the pickleball. With 29 courts for all paddle sports, 12 are dedicated pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets. Six of the courts have lights. There’s a pickleball club and a number of other clubs and activities that focus on fitness, including racquetball, kickboxing, golf, and yoga. There’s an Activities Director onsite, making it easy to find resources when scheduling play time or setting up a friendly tournament. Homes at On Top of theWorld have more than 100 floor plans, and the community is right off Interstate 75, making it easy to travel to Tampa, Orlando, or the University of Florida Gators games in Gainesville. 

Sun City Center – Sun City Center, FL

Below $100k – Low $600ks

There is a lot to do in Sun City Center, a 55+ community just south of Tampa and close to the Bay. Pickleball courts are available, and there’s a club for people who like to play together. Pickleball lessons are available in the community to Sun City Community Association members, and the pickleball pro puts together group lessons and competitions. Other amenities in this active adult neighborhood include pools, an indoor walking track, shuffleboard, and a fitness center. There’s a boat launch and a library, and community transit is available for people who don’t want to keep a car but still need to get around town. The community is fairly self-reliant, with retailers and shops available within walking (or golf cart) distance. Homes are mostly single-family models but there are condos and attached townhomes, too. Over 11,000 residents make their home here, either full-time or for part of the year as snowbirds. 

Solivita – Kissimmee, FL

High $100ks – Mid $700ks

New and resale homes are available in the 55+ community of Solivita, which is in Kissimmee and close to Orlando. This has been a popular community with active adults since it was developed in 2000. Four lighted pickleball courts are found in the The Palms Amenity Complex, which also has a fitness center, an aerobics studio, and a pool. Freedom Park is a large outdoor recreational sports complex that includes additional pickleball courts. The park also has a softball field, bocce courts, and horseshoe pits. Two championship golf courses are available at Solivita, as well as restaurants, shops, a spa, and a business center. The well-landscaped community features a number of lakes and ponds. There’s a pickleball clinic for residents, allowing players to stay sharp when it comes to skills and practice.  Homes at Solivita are found in 21 separate neighborhoods, in collections that offer single-family and attached models. Kissimmee is full of entertainment and recreation options, from theme parks to state parks.

Stone Creek – Ocala, FL

Mid $200ks – Mid $800ks

They’re serious about their pickleball at Stone Creek in Ocala. This 55+ community is built by Del Webb, an active adult developer known for their attention to amenities. Pickleball courts are found alongside a softball field, tennis courts, golf courses, and miles of beautifully maintained walking and biking trails. A fishing lake is available for catch and release activities. Not only is there a pickleball club, there’s also a highly anticipated Pickleball Women’s Open that’s played annually. Attached and single-family homes are available in a number of collections at Stone Creek, all with open floor plans, attractive amenities, and some with recent upgrades. Life at this low-maintenance community often revolves around social activities and events, making pickleball partners easy to find. 

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound – Panama City Beach, FL

Mid $300ks – Mid $1Ms

A newer gated community in Florida’s panhandle, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound offers pickleball and white sand beaches to 55+ residents. Ten outdoor pickleball courts are available, and other amenities include pools, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a movie theater. There’s also a public marina and kayak launch, making water sports accessible and enjoyable. The Pickleball Club keeps residents playing together. Other clubs available center on travel, woodworking, wine, photography, and bowling. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is on the Intracoastal Waterway, with access to beaches and boating. The Margaritaville brand means Jimmy Buffet style features such as a Latitude Bar and Chill restaurant, an Overlook Bar, and the Last Mango Theater. There are 3,500 homes in this pet-friendly, gated community. An Activities Director is available, and residents enjoy fewer crowds and a calmer speed of life than other coastal Florida communities. 

Whisper Walk – Boca Raton, FL

High $100ks – Mid $400ks

In Boca Raton, there’s a 55+ community with four pickleball courts and a large community of players. Whisper Walk is where you want to live when seeking a South Florida lifestyle that’s affordable and full of fun activities like pickleball. Residents can also play handball and shuffleboard. There’s a selection of swimming pools, five clubhouses, and lots of outdoor space for walks and picnics. Attached, low-maintenance homes are available in floor plans ranging from 1,000 to 1,921 square feet. Active adults interested in competitions can join the community’s pickleball club and also follow the development of Florida’s first dedicated pickleball complex, which is scheduled to open in Boca Raton in early 2026. Boca Paddle will be constructed at the former Ocean Breeze Golf Course and is projected to be a $20 million luxury center for local residents who may want to play outside of the community. 

Plantation Golf & Country Club – Venice, FL

High $100ks – Low $1Ms

Plantation Golf & Country Club is an active lifestyle community on the Southern Gulf Coast of Florida, in Venice. This luxury community attracts plenty of golfers, thanks to its well-landscaped courses and country club amenities. Pickleball is another excellent reason to choose this community. There are outdoor courts with lights, and a pickleball club for those looking for consistent play. New residents who join the private country club can expect a warm welcome. There’s a new member breakfast, a new member cocktail reception, and a new member luncheon. Surely pickleball partners will be found at these social functions as well as at the live music events, the tapas tastings, and seafood buffet night. There are tons of social events and planned activities. Homes range from modest condos to large single-family floor plans with outdoor space. Views of the golf courses are available and some homes have lakeside views as well. Venice is an outstanding place for shark teeth, sunsets, and water activities.

Pelican Preserve – Fort Myers, FL

Mid $200ks – High $700ks

There’s rarely a wait for a court at Pelican Preserve, a gated 55+ community in Fort Myers, and that’s because 12 pickleball courts are available, and with lights. This is a community with a variety of housing options. Buyers can choose from single-family models, attached villas, and condos. The Town Center is where residents find the clubhouse and many of their amenities, including pools, a fitness center, sauna, and a movie theater. Outside, there’s a 38-acre nature preserve that includes a fishing pier and a butterfly garden. The Pelican Preserve Golf Club has a pro shop and a restaurant in addition to 27 holes of championship golf that are challenging for all skill levels. There is a pickleball club as well as clubs for tennis, yoga, gardening, and karaoke. Fort Myers is on the Gulf Coast, and close to beaches, hiking trails, and shopping and dining. 

With terms like “The Kitchen” (non-volley zone), and shots like a “Dink” and a “Smash,” who wouldn’t want to play? Pickleball has grown into a popular way for active adults to enjoy fitness and fun. It’s also a way to connect with new friends socially. It’s easy to learn, accessible to just about everyone, and for some people…a bit of an obsession. Pickleball clubs, pickleball lessons, and pickleball tournaments are easier to find when you’re living in a community that offers the right courts and provides some extra support for activities and events. These pickleball 55+ communities in Florida are worth exploring, so click on those links and get to know the neighborhoods. 

For a little extra support finding pickleball communities in Florida, don’t hesitate to connect with a 55places expert. We’re here to help.

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Cari Oleskewicz
Cari Oleskewicz is a writer based in Gainesville, Florida. She has been writing about real estate, property management, travel, and active adult lifestyles for 10 years. She has delivered lectures on the importance of high-value website copy for small businesses, and has ghostwritten books for real estate investors. Before settling in Gainesville, she lived in Tampa, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; and Florence, Italy. Before launching her writing career, Cari was a communications and editorial strategist for a digital advertising agency in Tampa and managed the communications department of a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities in Maryland. She has also taught middle school and writes poetry. Cari graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1994, with a BA in Communications/Journalism. She currently lives in Tampa, travels frequently, and recently helped her father find the perfect 55+ community to call home. View all authors
Connect with an agent
Want to learn more about 55+ communities in the Tampa Bay Area?
  • Insights and market stats
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Call us now: (800) 928-2055

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