The Best Mid-Sized 55+ Communities

8 minute read

Mid-sized 55+ communities offer the perfect balance of amenities, social opportunities, and prime locations. These communities, neither too small nor too large, cater to residents who desire a sense of community and a degree of independence.

To help with your home search, the team at 55places found the best mid-sized 55+ communities across the country. Each entry is an ideal haven for retirees looking for comfort, style, and the company of like-minded individuals. They also offer scenic landscapes, vibrant social scenes, and the best of the 55+ lifestyle.

Join us as we take a closer look at these top 55+ communities with 500 to 1,000 homes.

1. Four Seasons at the Lakes of Cane Bay – Summerville, SC

Mid $400ks – Low $900ks

Earning the top spot on our list, Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay in Summerville, South Carolina is the best mid-sized 55+ community in the country! This age-restricted neighborhood offers a wide range of resort-style amenities, including a fitness center and multiple pools. Residents can also indulge in various water activities in the community’s 300-acre lake system, and Downtown Charleston is a short drive away, offering easy access to the area’s charms.

Homebuyers have a choice of 14 floor plans ranging from 1,320 to 3,400 square feet, offering two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and two- to three-car garages. Also, the community promotes a low-maintenance lifestyle through its homeowners’ association (HOA), allowing residents to enjoy an active social calendar with various events.

Situated in Summerville, Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay provides easy access to daily needs, health care facilities, dining, and entertainment options. Parks and golf courses are also nearby, and Charleston International Airport is only about 30 minutes from the community.

2. Lake Ridge – Toms River, NJ

Low $300ks – Low $400ks

Next on our list, Lake Ridge in Toms River, New Jersey boasts a 13,800-square-foot clubhouse with various indoor and outdoor amenities, including a fitness center and an indoor pool. Outdoors, residents can also engage in activities like tennis, bocce, and horseshoes. Lake Ridge is known for its lovely lakes, with one home to swans and the other perfect for light fishing. Additionally, a full-time activities director and in-house cable TV channel keep residents informed about community happenings.

Built between 1994 and 1998, Lake Ridge offers ranch-style homes with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The community fosters an active lifestyle with numerous clubs and activities, such as sports, music, bridge, and even a model builders club. Also, Lake Ridge’s location off Route 70 offers easy access to shopping, health care, and beaches.

3. Sweetwater – Jacksonville, FL

High $200ks – Low $400ks

If you’re seeking a mid-sized community for your Florida retirement, Sweetwater is worth a look. Developed from 2005 to 2016, this Del Webb community has 950 homes and a pet-friendly environment. Also, the impressive 22,000-square-foot Summerland Hall clubhouse offers a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and various hobby and game rooms.

Housing options are diverse, including single-family homes, condos, villas, and carriage homes, all built with quality materials. Additionally, the community fosters an active lifestyle with numerous social clubs and activities. Sweetwater provides easy access to shopping, entertainment, and local attractions. Beaches, health care facilities, and airports are all also within a short drive, making it a great choice for active adults looking for a vibrant community in Jacksonville, Florida.

4. Trilogy at Lake Frederick – Lake Frederick, VA

Mid $400ks – Low $800ks

Trilogy at Lake Frederick, located in Virginia, is a vibrant 55+ community that combines cozy living with resort-style amenities. Residents have access to the Shenandoah Club complex, featuring a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor pool, an art studio, a restaurant, and more. With access to a 117-acre lake, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There’s also a resort-style pool, along with tennis, pickleball, and shuffleboard courts, all set in a vast natural landscape.

Originally developed in 2006, Trilogy at Lake Frederick offers a range of homes, with various floor plans and sizes. Additionally, the community’s diverse lifestyle caters to a variety of interests through social clubs, sports, games, and special hobby groups.

Nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley near the Blue Ridge Mountains, this gated community offers a peaceful living environment while remaining close to the Washington, D.C. area. Trilogy at Lake Frederick is a highly sought-after 55+ community in Northern Virginia, thanks to its blend of amenities and well-crafted homes.

5. Del Webb Southern Springs – Spring Hill, TN

Low $500ks – Mid $800ks

Del Webb Southern Springs spans 309 acres and offers a variety of single-family homes. It’s Del Webb’s second venture in Tennessee, and it’s known for its low-maintenance living, top-notch amenities, and active lifestyle. A 19,000-square-foot clubhouse serves as the community’s social hub, featuring a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, sports courts, and more. Residents also enjoy easy access to Nashville.

Residents of Del Webb Southern Springs savor a relaxed, low-maintenance lifestyle, with the HOA taking care of maintenance. The community’s development began in 2017, with plans for 802 single-family homes across four series: Passport, Expedition, Estates, and Pinnacle. Additionally, the community offers over 70 clubs and activities, creating a vibrant social atmosphere. The community’s location also provides easy access to shopping, health care, dining, and entertainment options, making it an attractive spot for active adults seeking a 55+ community in Tennessee.

6. Del Webb at Mirehaven – Albuquerque, NM

High $400ks – Low $700ks

Heading now to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Del Webb at Mirehaven has 538 single-family homes in a picturesque, 300-acre setting. Residents enjoy an array of amenities within the Mirehaven master-planned community, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, sports courts, and social spaces. Additionally, the 10,000-square-foot Sandia Amenity Center is the heart of community social life.

Del Webb at Mirehaven offers diverse floor plans across two series. The Retreat Series features single-story homes with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,572 to 2,035 square feet, while the Encore Series offers larger homes with two to two-and-a-half bathrooms, two bedrooms, and 2,017 to 2,504 square feet.

Conveniently located in Albuquerque, residents have access to health care, daily necessities, dining, and entertainment. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore nearby parks and greenspaces, while golfers have several courses to choose from. Also, Albuquerque International Sunport is just 20 minutes away, making travel easy for residents.

7. Cresswind at Lake Lanier – Gainesville, GA

Mid $300ks – High $700ks

Cresswind at Lake Lanier, located in Gainesville, Georgia, is a gated community designed for active adults aged 55 and above. It has 934 single-family homes in a beautiful 300-acre setting. Also, the community’s centerpiece is the 36,000-square-foot Club at Cresswind, where residents have access to fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, and numerous social and hobby rooms. With a well-equipped learning center and culinary classes, there are plenty of lifelong learning opportunities.

Outdoors, there are sports courts, walking trails, and access to Lake Lanier for boating and water activities. Residents can also engage in social clubs, fitness classes, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Overall, Cresswind at Lake Lanier is a haven for active adults seeking a vibrant and maintenance-free lifestyle in a picturesque setting.

8. Cresswind Charlotte – Charlotte, NC

High $300ks – Low $600ks

Cresswind Charlotte is an emerging 55+ community by Kolter Homes in Charlotte, North Carolina. The community boasts an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse featuring an activities director to help residents make the most of the amenities. These include a top-tier fitness center, an indoor pool, meeting rooms for clubs, and gathering spaces for various events and holiday parties. Additionally, there’s a catering kitchen for game-day parties and potlucks.

Outdoor amenities include a resort-style swimming pool and patio, tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts located near the clubhouse. The community also features an events lawn for social gatherings and celebrations.

Kolter Homes commenced construction on Cresswind Charlotte in 2016 and plans to offer 850 single-family homes upon completion. Therefore, homebuyers can choose from several single-level floor plans, each available in different styles and sizes, with customization options.

The community’s location provides easy access to the city center yet it’s far enough away to avoid the daily urban hustle. Larkhaven Golf Club is nearby, and a shopping plaza, grocery store, pharmacy, and other shops are within a three-mile drive. Also, Downtown Charlotte is approximately 15 miles from Cresswind Charlotte, offering an array of amenities and the convenience active adults desire.

9. Shadow Lake Village – Red Bank, NJ

Mid $200ks – Mid $500ks

Another top mid-sized community in New Jersey, Shadow Lake Village is a serene 55+ community spanning 158 acres. The community’s hub is a private clubhouse, hosting an array of indoor and outdoor amenities. Fitness enthusiasts can stay active in the well-equipped gym or unwind in the sauna. Outdoors, there’s a pool, tennis courts, shuffleboard, and bocce ball courts. Also, nature lovers can explore walking trails and fish by the lake.

Red Bank provides a variety of dining options, shops, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities, with numerous events and festivities year-round. Additionally, its proximity to the Garden State Parkway, Newark, and New York City offers residents a wealth of entertainment.

10. Bridgewater at Viera – Melbourne, FL

High $300ks – High $800ks

Lastly, we complete our list of the best mid-sized communities back in the Sunshine State. Bridgewater at Viera is a thriving 55+ community in the master-planned Viera community. Developed by Lennar, this neighborhood has 870 single-family homes across 408 scenic acres.

Lennar began construction in 2017. The Villas, Grand Villas, and Classic series provide options from 1,593 to over 2,700 square feet, with two to three bedrooms, den spaces, and two to three-and-a-half bathrooms. Also, Bridgewater at Viera’s location within the Viera master-planned community ensures access to grocery stores, health care providers, dining options, and attractions.

Additionally, residents enjoy a wealth of amenities within the community, including a fitness center, an arts and crafts studio, a cafe, a theater, and an aerobics studio. Outdoor options include a resort-style pool and an outdoor bar as well as tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts.