Tampa Bay real estate covers everything from single-family homes in the rural suburbs to downtown lofts and cozy condos on the beach. There are lots of golf course communities in the Tampa area, but there are also plenty of 55+ communities without the traffic, noise, and distraction of players getting in their 18 holes.

Active adults looking for Florida retirement communities without golf courses have numerous options around Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg. The one you choose will depend on the amenities you desire, whether it’s a waterfront location or a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Valencia LakesWimauma, FL

Low $200s – Mid $600s

The outdoor lap pool at Valencia Lakes in Wimauma, Florida
Valencia Lakes is a great choice for buyers who want all the luxury of a golf course community without the greens themselves.

Just south of Tampa is Valencia Lakes in Wimauma (pronounced Why-Mama), and a golf course is about the only thing this 55+ community doesn’t have. Valencia Lakes offers a 40,000-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center and dance studio, which are next to the saunas and steam rooms. There’s a restaurant and an internet cafe as well as a grand ballroom with a raised stage for live performances. There’s also a resort-style pool as well as a resistance pool. For some fun exercise, there’s pickleball and shuffleboard as well as basketball courts and softball fields.

New and resale homes are available in single-family and attached models. The villas are between 1,321 to 1,857 square feet and have two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Single-family homes are between 1,597 and 3,273 square feet and have between two and four bedrooms. Valencia Lakes is a great choice for buyers who want all the luxury of a golf course community without the greens themselves.

Request more information about Valencia Lakes.

Town Shores of GulfportGulfport, FL

Below $100k – Mid $400s

A balcony overlooking the outdoor pool at Town Shores of Gulfport in Gulfport, Florida
Active adults who love being on the water will feel right at home in this 55+ condominium community.

Gulfport is a small town on the water that’s full of art, cafes hosting open mic nights, and restaurants serving excellent seafood. There’s no golf at Town Shores of Gulfport, but there’s a boat slip and a kayak launch that takes residents right onto Boca Ciega Bay and through to the Gulf of Mexico. Active adults who love being on the water and surrounded by seabirds and dolphins will feel right at home in this 55+ condominium community.

The condos come in a range of sizes, starting at one-bedroom models with 815 square feet and going to homes with three bedrooms and 2,210 square feet. A total of 1,327 units are spread out over 18 buildings, and some of them are pet-friendly.

Amenities include a clubhouse and exercise room, pickleball courts, tennis courts, and a gardening area. Residents get together for yoga class, book club, and billiards. Also, Florida Orange Groves Winery, one of Florida’s best wineries for tropical wines, is just a few minutes away.

Request more information about Town Shores of Gulfport.

Esplanade of TampaTampa, FL

Low $300s – Low $400s

A wooden boardwalk in Lettuce Lake Regional Park in Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida
This community of single-family homes is near Tampa’s best attractions.

If living close to the city is important, Esplanade of Tampa is a solid choice for 55+ buyers. There’s no age restriction in place, so buyers can move in with adult children or even grandchildren.

This community of new and resale single-family homes is near Tampa’s best attractions, including the Tampa Bay Museum of Art, Amelie Arena (which hosts concerts, shows, and Tampa’s professional hockey team), and great shopping and dining right off Interstate 75 at The Shops at Wiregrass.

Models have two or three bedrooms and between 1,856 and 3,006 square feet. There’s lots of outdoor living space, huge walk-in closets, and open floor plans that make entertaining easy. Numerous golf courses and nature preserves are nearby, and the community is close to the airport, malls, and retail centers.

Request more information about Esplanade of Tampa.

Heather RidgeDunedin, FL

Below $100k – High $100s

Grass and shrubs surrounding the community sign for Heather Ridge in Dunedin, Florida
This 55+ community is cozy and close, with 273 attached villas and condo properties.

One of the most affordable places to find Tampa Bay real estate is at Heather Ridge in Dunedin. This 55+ community is cozy and close, with 273 attached villas and condo properties. Dunedin is fun for nature lovers and beachgoers, especially at nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, where there’s great shelling, fishing, and hiking.

None of the residents notice that they don’t have a golf course on-site because they’re too busy playing shuffleboard, enjoying one of the three outdoor pools, and organizing community picnics and other events. Ducks can be found enjoying the community’s pond, and there are pleasant places to take a stroll or enjoy a morning coffee.

Attached villas have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a one-car garage. They range from 1,040 to 1,580 square feet. Condos have one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and a parking space. The square footage starts at 815 and goes up to 1,060.

Request more information about Heather Ridge.

Villas of Lake ArborClearwater, FL

Mid $100s – High $100s

A walkway beside the water at Villas of Lake Arbor in Clearwater, Florida
There’s no golf course, but the 55+ condo community is close to several championship courses.

Waterfront real estate is affordable and fun at Villas of Lake Arbor. There’s no golf course, but the 55+ condo community is close to several championship courses for residents who want to play from time to time.

This community of attached villas and low-maintenance condos is also close to Clearwater Beach and Pier 60, which is famous for its sunsets. Most of the homes have views of the lake, and there’s also a fishing pier and trails for walking, biking, and jogging.

The condos come in two-story buildings and 1,135 to 1,225 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The villas are a bit larger, with between 1,205 and 1,650 square feet and two or three bedrooms.

In addition to the fishing lake and pier, residents enjoy a clubhouse with a multipurpose room for holiday parties, socials, and events, and an outdoor heated pool. It’s not a sprawling neighborhood; there are only 121 homes, making it a great choice for buyers who enjoy a secure sense of community.

Request more information about Villas of Lake Arbor.

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