The 25 Best Value Communities for Retirement

On Top of the World in Ocala, Florida offers an active adult lifestyle that can\'t be beat, plus affordable homes.
On Top of the World in Ocala, Florida offers a fabulous lifestyle and amenities plus affordable homes.
On Top of the World in Ocala, Florida offers an active adult lifestyle that can’t be beat, plus affordable homes.

55 Places is excited to announce the 25 best value communities for retirement. Living in a resort-style community for retirement is achievable on any budget. There are wonderful age-restricted active adult communities and age-targeted communities offering homes at an unbeatable price point where residents enjoy a rewarding social lifestyle and world-class amenities.

To create this list the team at 55 Places took into consideration a wide variety of factors, starting with a review of the 100 most popular active adult communities for 2013. We considered the quantity and quality of amenities at each community, as well as the offering of lifestyle events and activities. We also reviewed the cost of homeowner association fees in addition to the latest real estate transactions looking closely at the average home selling price over the past year.

After a thorough analysis we chose only the communities we felt offered an excellent value: showcasing exciting amenities, a vibrant lifestyle, and attractively priced homes. Finally, to clarify the findings even further, we reviewed the findings from our comprehensive in-person community visits, including the 300+ communities our team personally visited last year alone. This complex formula resulted in this exclusive list of the 25 best value communities for retirement.

List of 25 Best Value Communities

1. On Top of the World – Ocala, FL -In Central Florida, On Top of the World is a resort-style 55+ community planned for 10,000 homes. Single-family homes and attached homes are very affordably priced from under $100,000. The impressive collection of amenities includes three golf courses, several clubhouses, fitness centers, pools, restaurants, and much more. Residents enjoy an amazing lifestyle with over 200 clubs meeting on a regular basis and special events happening nearly every single day.

2. Sun City – Sun City, AZ– Sun City was the very first active adult community in the country and pioneered 55+ living as we know it today. This sprawling community of over 26,000 homes boasts hundreds of amenities including 7 recreation centers, 11 golf courses, 19 shopping areas, and even a hospital. Residents enjoy a lifestyle second-to-none with daily events and countless social clubs. Homeowners find Sun City to be a fabulous value thanks to low property taxes, low homeowner association fees, and homes starting under $100,000.

3. Rossmoor Village – Monroe Township, NJ– Rossmoor was designed to combine old world charm with modern day amenities in a premiere New Jersey location. Budget conscious homebuyers will be impressed with the variety of resale single-family homes and condominiums priced from under $100,000. An 18-hole championship golf course is at the heart of the community where residents also enjoy a well-equipped clubhouse boasting 30,000 square feet of amenity space highlighted by elegant traditional design and décor.

4. Windsor Gardens – Denver, CO– Windsor Gardens is the only active adult community in the city of Denver and is highly sought after for its incredible value. The maintenance-free homes start well under $100,000 plus the monthly homeowner association fees also cover the cost of property taxes, heat, water, trash collection, building maintenance, snow removal, and more. The 35,000 square-foot clubhouse offers an impressive line up of amenities to encourage a physically fit and socially active lifestyle. Residents also enjoy a 9-hole golf course and on-site restaurant.

5. Oak Run – Ocala, FL– In Central Florida, Oak Run offers a wide variety of resale single-family and duplex homes in nearly 100 different floor plans priced from under $100,000. With 3,500 homes, this gated community has a close-knit community feel with an exciting offering of amenities. Multiple clubhouses boast swimming pools, fitness centers, activity rooms, and restaurants, in addition to outdoor amenities including an 18-hole golf course. Residents enjoy a robust lifestyle at Oak Run with access to over 100 special interest clubs. Active adult homebuyers in search of a great value community have plenty of options to choose from. Below are the remaining communities rounding out the list of the top 25 best value communities for retirement.

6. Kings Point – Sun City Center, FL

7. Timber Pines – Spring Hill, FL

8. Clearbrook – Monroe Township, NJ

9. Carillon – Plainfield, IL 

10. Kings Ridge – Clermont, FL

11. Spruce Creek Country Club – Summerfield, FL

12. Concordia – Monroe Township, NJ

13. Four Seasons at Hemet – Hemet, CA

14. Sun City West – Sun City West, AZ 

15. Southshore Falls – Apollo Beach, FL

16. Stone Creek – Ocala, FL

17. Solivita – Kissimmee, FL

18. Sun City Huntley – Huntley, IL

19. Sun Lakes Country Club – Banning, CA

20. Trilogy Orlando – Groveland, FL

21. Solera at Oak Valley Greens – Beaumont, CA

22. Heritage Isle – Viera, FL

23. Laguna Woods Village (Leisure World) – Laguna Woods, CA

24. Sun City Festival – Buckeye, AZ

25. Sun City MacDonald Ranch – Henderson, NV

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

Financing is the difference!

Get the details in The 62+ Loan Homebuyers Guide.

55places Mortgage is a joint venture between Mutual of Omaha Mortgage and 55places.com.
Details here.

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We’re changing the way people 55 and older are searching for their perfect next place. With a national network of hand-selected real estate experts, plus comprehensive information, unbiased content, and on-the-go insight about thousands of communities across the country, we’re a trusted resource paving the way from here to home. Whether you’re interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet.

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