RCLCO is a real estate advisory company that provides planning, development, and property investment services to real estate investors, developers, and other groups. Each year, they conduct a survey that lists the top-selling master-planned communities (MPCs) in the United States.
Their 25th annual report shows 50 MPCs, many of which include age-restricted neighborhoods. The majority are located in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas, but there are other states represented as well.
Master plan communities differ from other developments, because they are like small towns, with their own retail stores, grocery shops, a library, offices, golf courses, walking trails, parks, and other features. These perks can serve as meeting places, and foster a nice sense of community among the residents. The homes themselves are thoughtfully designed, with more attention to detail than you might find in other subdivisions.
Homeowners often work together to create planned events that the neighbors can participate in. These can include festivals, blood drives, holiday parties, and yard sales. Basically, MPCs are geared for living, working, and playing, all in the same community. If this active adult lifestyle sounds appealing, read on to learn more about some of the best MPC communities for 55+ homebuyers.
The Villages® – Florida
The Villages has earned the number one spot on this list for several years in a row. With 56,268 attached, manufactured, and single family new and resale homes, this expansive, gated MPC fits every lifestyle. Construction started in 1978, and it has grown to encompass over 20,000 acres in three counties! Over 100 miles of golf cart-legal streets and paths connect this development. Homeowners do not even need to leave The Villages since it has its own healthcare centers, post offices, shops, restaurants, banks, golf courses, and more. P.S. Active adult homeowners at The Villages® receive free golf for life and have 48 community courses to play on.
Lakewood Ranch – Florida
Lakewood Ranch is a group of master-planned villages that are located about 10 miles from Sarasota on Florida’s west coast. It has five different active adult sections. Del Webb Lakewood Ranch, Indigo, and Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch, all offer new and resale homes.
The newest communities, Cresswind Lakewood Ranch and Lakewood National, both have new home construction. Del Webb is the largest section, with 1,300 homes. All five have highly desirable amenities, such as outdoor heated pools and spas, and golf courses. Lakewood’s property also has a great mix of shops, restaurants, and other outdoor activities.
West Villages – Florida
Though its name is similar to The Villages®, West Villages is about 150 miles south, closer to the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota. Its eight neighborhoods were built on a former agricultural center, and it has two neighborhoods that are perfect for active adults.
With plans for 1,869 new and resale attached and single family homes, IslandWalk at West Villages is affordably priced, from the mid $200s to the mid $400s. Renaissance at West Villages has 120 new, affordable single family homes from the mid $200s to the high $300s.
Nocatee – Florida
Located near Florida’s east coast near Jacksonville, Nocatee is a large master-planned community in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Plans call for a total of 12,000 homes on 14,000 pristine acres. There are over a dozen neighborhoods, two of which are age-restricted. Del Webb Ponte Vedra has close to 2,000 new and resale attached, condo, and single families, and lovely Artisan Lakes offers 196 new, single-family homes. Nocatee and Del Webb have plans to add a third 55+ community in the neighborhood in the name of Deep Creek Landing.
