Looking to downsize? You’re not alone. Downsizing is an increasingly popular lifestyle choice among active adults looking to declutter, destress, and save money.
Whether it be a single-family home with less square-footage, an attached townhome, or a condo, downsizing comes with a host of benefits. Take a look below at a few beautiful 55+ communities in Orange County that are perfect for downsizing.
1. Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA
Mid $100s – Mid $1Ms
With a large mix of single-family, attached, and condo-style homes, Laguna Woods Village is a great choice for downsizing. Homebuyers can choose from a variety of low-maintenance homes. This sprawling 55+ community has 12,736 homes in total, built from 1964 to 1985, and it’s the largest 55+ active adult community on the West Coast. That means there’s a steady stream of affordable homes on the market alongside a staggering amount of resort-like amenities.
Homes in Laguna Woods Village come in 94 floor plans and range from 675-square-foot condos to 2,600-square-foot single-family homes. The gated community boasts seven clubhouses, an 814-seat performing arts center, and a 27-hole golf course. There are numerous fitness centers, outdoor pools, and tennis courts as well as horseshoes, lawn bowling, and pickleball, bocce ball, and shuffleboard courts, among other amenities.
Learn more information about Laguna Woods Village here.
2. Leisure World Seal Beach – Seal Beach, CA
Mid $100s – High $500s
The well-established and friendly 55+ community Leisure World Seal Beach offers downsizers a large selection of resale attached and condominium homes. This gated community was built from 1960 to 1981, and it includes 6,608 homes divided into 17 neighborhoods. There are ten floor plans that range from 550 to 1,540 square feet, featuring one to two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and a carport.
The amenities at Leisure World Seal Beach keep residents active, social, and entertained, with six clubhouses, five studios and workshops, plenty of fitness centers, outdoor pools, a nine-hole golf course, and a 2,500-seat outdoor amphitheater. The community even has its own post office, free shuttle, and health care center.
Learn more information about Leisure World Seal Beach here.
3. Huntington Landmark – Huntington Beach, CA
Mid $300s – Mid $600s
Huntington Landmark is another great option for active adults looking to downsize. It’s located close to the beach, where affordability can be an issue, but downsizing may make it possible. Built from 1972 to 1986, Huntington Landmark is well established, with 1,238 low-maintenance attached and condominium homes.
Resale homes in this gated 55+ community are offered as ranch-style townhomes or two-story condos. The condos range from 860 to 1,132 square feet with one to two bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and a carport. The attached homes range from 1,074 to 1,336 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a carport or one-car garage.
Plenty of amenities await homebuyers at Huntington Landmark, where residents can enjoy a fully equipped clubhouse and fitness center. There’s also a ballroom, a library, an arts and crafts studio, a ceramics studio, a woodworking shop, and a hobby and game room. Outdoors, shuffleboard, volleyball, pickleball, and tennis courts keep residents active. The two resort-style pools are also popular amenities.
Learn more information about Huntington Landmark here.
4. San Juan Hills – San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mid $500s – Low $700s
With 182 attached and single-family homes, San Juan Hills is an intimate 55+ community where neighbors are friendly and hospitable. Built from 1968 to 1978, this scenic community offers a low-maintenance, worry-free lifestyle.
Attached homes range from 1,450 to over 1,700 square feet with one to three bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a two-car garage. Modestly sized single-family homes range from 1,350 to nearly 1,750 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage. Resale homes are modestly priced and comfortable.
Residents of San Juan Hills take the outdoor lifestyle seriously, with a whopping 15 outdoor pools to enjoy, each with its own patio. Golfers will delight in the San Juan Hills Golf Club, which provides a beautiful par-71 course. There are also plenty of paved trails for enjoying a scenic walk or bike ride.
Learn more information about San Juan Hills here.
5. Casta del Sol – Mission Viejo, CA
Low $500s – Mid $800s
With the excitement of urban living in a beautiful, pastoral setting, Casta del Sol is a peaceful and serene community offering both modestly sized single-family homes and attached homes. This gated 55+ community is comprised of 1,920 homes built from 1972 to 1987.
The single-family detached homes range from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet with two or three bedrooms and a one- or two-car garage. Attached homes range from approximately 1,000 to 1,600 square feet with two or three bedrooms, attached garages, and an optional extra loft or third bedroom upstairs. Most resale homes offer gorgeous views at reasonable prices.
Casta del Sol offers plenty of amenities, including two outdoor pools, two recreation centers, tennis and pickleball courts, a library, fitness centers, and an 18-hole Casta del Sol golf course with an onsite restaurant and a pro shop.
