Ocala is one of the most popular and fastest-growing areas for active adults, especially those who are looking to downsize into an enjoyable and fun-filled Florida retirement. Buyers seeking Ocala real estate without all the acreage and maintenance might want to consider one of these 55+ communities.
1. Spruce Creek North
Below $100k – Low $300s
Affordability and economy are big parts of downsizing. Buyers looking for well-maintained single-family homes in an attractive price range will want to consider Spruce Creek North. This 55+ community is all about resale properties offering 800 to 1,800 square feet, two or three bedrooms, and one or two bathrooms. Look for features like wood or tile floors and stainless steel appliances as well as enclosed Florida rooms and attached one- or two-car garages.
Downsizing doesn’t mean downgrading amenities. At Spruce Creek North, residents have access to a clubhouse with an exercise room, a catering kitchen, and a multipurpose room. There’s also a library, a billiards room, and space for table tennis. Residents enjoy cooling off in the outdoor pool, getting competitive at the shuffleboard court, or playing a little bocce ball. Pancake breakfasts, Friday mixers, and seasonal events are frequent.
The community was constructed by Del Webb, and the homeowners’ association (HOA) takes care of common area maintenance, access to the clubhouse, trash pick up, security patrol, and even basic cable.
Request more information about Spruce Creek North.
2. JB Ranch
Low $200s – Low $300s
Buyers who plan to downsize into a new construction home can find affordable Ocala houses for sale at JB Ranch. This 55+ community is designed to be small and intimate; D.R. Horton is only building 346 properties. The HOA is already in place, and it handles lawn care and watering as well as exterior home maintenance, providing active adults with a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Homes at JB Ranch offer 1,641 to 2,034 square feet with two to three bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Current prices range from the high $200s to the low $300s. Amenities include a clubhouse, a fitness center, multipurpose rooms, a catering kitchen, an outdoor pool and patio, and plenty of open greenspace for walking, biking, or jogging.
Request more information about JB Ranch.
3. Oak Run
Low $100s – Low $300s
Oak Run is a large 55+ community with 3,509 properties, but it’s an ideal place for active adults who want to downsize. It offers low-maintenance and affordable homes that are spacious without being overwhelming.
Duplex properties are available in four models. They have two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached one- or two-car garage. Attached duplex homes are between 1,049 and 1,489 square feet. There are also single-family homes for sale that come in 20 two- and three-bedroom models with between 1,112 and 2,275 square feet. Current prices range from the mid $100s to the mid $200s.
A long list of amenities is available at Oak Run, making this community one of the best-selling in Ocala. The Royal Oaks Golf Club offers 18 holes of championship golf as well as a restaurant and a pro shop. The Orchid Club provides tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, and a place to play sand volleyball. There’s also a fitness center, game room, library, and ceramics studio. Plenty of indoor and outdoor pools can be found throughout the community, and there are multipurpose and meeting rooms for club and social activities.
Request more information about Oak Run.
4. Cherrywood
Low $100s – Low $300s
Another great place for active adults seeking to downsize into a comfortable, low-maintenance home in Ocala is Cherrywood. This community is affordable and located just off Interstate 75, giving residents easy access to Tampa, Orlando, or any of the other Florida cities they might like to explore. There are 700 single-family homes that are modern and attractive, and the price tags are in an ideal range for buyers who want to save some money while living with less space.
The clubhouse has a fitness center, ballroom, sewing studio, card room, billiards room, and library. Outside, there’s a pool and spa as well as tennis courts, a basketball court, bocce ball courts, shuffleboard courts, and horseshoe pits. Residents enjoy social events and activities and participate in the quilting club, chess club, pickleball club, and travel club, among others.
When choosing a resale home in Cherrywood, buyers can consider more than a dozen models that have between two and four bedrooms. The homes have one or two bathrooms and attached garages with space for one, two, or three cars. Homes start at 800 square feet and get as large as 2,281 square feet.
Request more information about Cherrywood.
5. Marion Landing
Below $100k – Low $400s
Marion Landing has a lot of options for downsizing buyers who are looking into Ocala homes for sale. This 55+ community is a collection of 600 properties with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Homes are between 864 and 2,400 square feet. Current prices range from the mid $100s to the low $400s.
The Lifestyle Center includes an exercise room, craft room, billiards space, and even a bowling alley. There’s an outdoor pool with a patio and a spa, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, and an area for shuffleboard. The fishing pond is also a popular place for walking or casting a line.
There’s plenty of RV parking for buyers who might like to travel or maybe only come to Ocala for part of the year. Clubs and activities include fitness classes, card games, fishing derby fun, and weekly social events. Marion Landing is close to Downtown Ocala, which has some great restaurants, good shopping, and local art galleries. Golf courses are within easy reach and residents are just a few minutes away from Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon, which provides hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming in cool, crystal spring water.
