9 minute read
- 1. Parkland Preserve – St. Augustine, FL
- 2. Liberty – Rio Vista, CA
- 3. Imagery – Mount Holly, NC
- 4. Four Seasons at El Dorado Hills – El Dorado Hills, CA
- 5. Venue at Smithville Greene – Eastampton, NJ
- 6. The Village at Tuscan Lakes – League City, TX
- 7. Independence – Millsboro, DE
- 8. Harmony Reserve – Vero Beach, FL
- 9. Del Webb at Traditions – Wake Forest, NC
- 10. Regency at Damonte Ranch – Reno, NV
The appeal of smaller, close-knit 55+ communities is growing. As more and more active adults seek idyllic retirement living, the demand for attractive homes in age-restricted neighborhoods has increased. Moreover, these intimate neighborhoods offer a unique blend of comfort, camaraderie, and convenience that larger developments may struggle to replicate.
From picturesque settings to carefully designed amenities, these communities are redefining what it means to retire in style. Whether you’re seeking an active lifestyle filled with recreational activities, a peaceful haven for relaxation, or a combination of both, these small 55+ communities have something to offer every retiree’s dream.
Join us as we take a closer look at these 55+ communities with fewer than 500 homes.
1. Parkland Preserve – St. Augustine, FL
Earning the top spot on our list of The Best Small 55+ Communities, Parkland Preserve is an emerging 55+ community developed by D.R. Horton. When finished, it will consist of 367 single-family homes spread across 275 acres, offering residents a gated community experience. The amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a patio, pickleball courts, natural greenspaces, and a dog park. Additionally, the community enables active lifestyles with activities like swimming, pickleball, and bocce ball, along with various events and clubs.
This 55+ community in St. Augustine, Florida offers homes ranging from 1,604 to 2,033 square feet with two to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. Some homes also offer a den that can be used as an office or additional bedroom. Most homes have views of lakes and natural wetlands within the community.
Also, Parkland Preserve offers nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, and health care providers. It’s also close to various dining and entertainment options along Dixie Highway. Nature enthusiasts can explore nearby parks and greenspaces, while golfers have access to several golf courses. For urban adventures, Jacksonville is just a 35-minute drive away, and Jacksonville International Airport is 45 minutes away.
2. Liberty – Rio Vista, CA
Mid $400ks – Low $500ks
As our runner-up, Liberty is a new 55+ community in Rio Vista, California offering single-family and attached homes with modern amenities. This community features homes by LGI Homes and DeNova Homes, offering two to three bedrooms and attached garages. These homes also come with modern appliances, granite countertops, and other upgrades.
The community includes a clubhouse, a fitness center, a pool, a fire pit, and outdoor spaces for socializing. Located in Rio Vista, the community offers easy access to shopping, dining, and outdoor activities. Additionally, nearby cities provide more entertainment options, and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy golfing, hiking, and water activities in the surrounding area.
Liberty is less than an hour from Sacramento and 60 miles from San Francisco, making it easy for residents to explore nearby cities and access airports.
3. Imagery – Mount Holly, NC
High $500ks – Low $800ks
Imagery is an active adult community in Mount Holly, North Carolina with 483 single-family homes on 293 lakefront acres. Homes in this community offer first-floor master suites with optional second levels. The community features a clubhouse with fitness studios, arts and crafts rooms, and athletic courts. Outdoors, residents enjoy a pool, a patio, and hiking trails, as well as bocce ball, pickleball, and tennis courts.
Lennar started construction in 2017, offering 23 unique floor plans in three collections: Grove, Meadows, and Pinnacle. These homes range from 1,436 to 3,292 square feet with two to four bedrooms and attached garages. Additionally, Imagery residents enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle with common area maintenance and lawn care provided by the homeowners’ association (HOA).
Imagery’s location offers easy access to daily necessities, health care facilities, dining, shopping, and outdoor activities. Moreover, the community is 25 minutes from Charlotte and 20 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
4. Four Seasons at El Dorado Hills – El Dorado Hills, CA
Low $600ks – High $800ks
Four Seasons at El Dorado Hills is a 55+ community near El Dorado Hills Town Center. It offers 460 single-family homes, a 12,500-square-foot clubhouse, outdoor amenities like a lap pool and tennis courts, and a two-acre community garden. Additionally, the community provides various clubs, activities, and events, from art and yoga to poker and pickleball. Homes range from 1,389 to 3,245 square feet with two to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms.
The area offers shopping, dining, and easy access to Sacramento. Residents also enjoy the proximity to Folsom Lake and outdoor activities. The location makes travel convenient, with Sacramento International Airport just 30 minutes away.
5. Venue at Smithville Greene – Eastampton, NJ
Mid $300ks – Low $500ks
Venue at Smithville Greene is a 55+ community in Eastampton, New Jersey, offering new homes in seven models by Lennar. It features indoor and outdoor amenities, including a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with fitness and craft rooms, a theater, a sports lounge, and more. Outdoors, residents can also enjoy a heated pool and sports courts.
The single-family homes range from 1,728 to 1,936 square feet with two or three bedrooms, while attached Carriage Homes come in one- and two-story models with two to three bedrooms. The community offers easy access to shopping centers, restaurants, and cultural attractions in Eastampton.
Residents also have access to nearby golf courses, parks, and health care facilities. Venue at Smithville Greene is a 40-minute drive from Philadelphia and about an hour from New York City, with convenient access to major airports.
6. The Village at Tuscan Lakes – League City, TX
Mid $300ks – High $400ks
The Village at Tuscan Lakes is a gated 55+ community in League City, Texas, just 30 minutes from Houston. Onsite, the community offers a clubhouse, a fitness center, an aerobics studio, a library, an arts and crafts studio, a ballroom, an outdoor pool, a putting green, and sports courts. Residents can also enjoy walking trails and a stocked pond.
The community features 358 single-family homes and offers three home series: Gardens, Classics, and Estates, with various models and sizes. Additionally, an annual HOA fee covers lawn care and maintenance, allowing residents to focus on hobbies and socializing.
7. Independence – Millsboro, DE
Low $400ks – Low $800ks
Independence by Schell Brothers is a 55+ active adult community with 455 elegant homes on 330 acres in Millsboro, Delaware. This community features low-maintenance, single-family homes with energy-efficient options and a spacious clubhouse with a range of amenities. It’s also situated near inland bays, ocean beaches, shopping outlets, and cultural events in Coastal Delaware.
Additionally, the clubhouse spans 24,000 square feet and includes a fitness center, an aerobics studio, an indoor pool with a sauna, a ballroom with a bar, a conference room, a lounge, and hobby rooms. Outdoors, residents can enjoy tennis, volleyball, horseshoes, a putting green, an outdoor pool, a barbecue area, and parks.
This community also offers 12 single-family home styles in two collections, ranging from 1,443 to 3,082 square feet, with two to four bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached garages. Homes include green features and customization options.
8. Harmony Reserve – Vero Beach, FL
Low $300ks – Mid $600ks
Featuring 397 residences across 120 lush acres, Harmony Reserve is a new 55+ community in Vero Beach, Florida. The gated community offers resort-style amenities centered around a 15,000-square-foot clubhouse. Indoor facilities include a fitness center, a banquet hall, and a card room, while outdoor spaces feature a pool, sports courts, and scenic lakes. Additionally, residents can enjoy various events and activities, including card games, fitness classes, and recreational sports like pickleball and shuffleboard.
The community is located near major roads, shopping, dining, and cultural attractions, with easy access to the Indian River and Atlantic Coast beaches. Orlando International Airport is also within reach for travel.
9. Del Webb at Traditions – Wake Forest, NC
Mid $500ks – High $700ks
With 452 single-family homes, Del Webb at Traditions is a new active adult community in Wake Forest, North Carolina. The community offers an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse with amenities like a fitness center, an indoor pool, and an arts and crafts studio. Outdoors, residents can also enjoy pickleball, tennis, bocce ball, a community garden, and walking trails.
Homes are offered in nine ranch floor plans, ranging from 1,656 to 2,536 square feet, with two to four bedrooms, two to four-and-a-half bathrooms, and two-car garages. The community also promotes an active lifestyle with various classes and clubs, and an HOA fee covers maintenance.
Located near Raleigh and Durham, residents have easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, museums, and medical facilities, making it an ideal place for 55+ living in the Raleigh-Durham area.
10. Regency at Damonte Ranch – Reno, NV
High $600ks – Mid $1Ms
Last but not least, Regency at Damonte Ranch is a new 55+ active adult community in Reno, Nevada, with 650 single-family homes designed for single-story living, private outdoor spaces, and gourmet kitchens. The community also offers an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse with an indoor pool, fitness center, game room, and outdoor amenities like tennis, pickleball, and walking trails.
Homebuyers can choose from nine single-family floor plans across three collections, featuring two to three bedrooms and attached garages. Additionally, the community fosters an active lifestyle with social gatherings, philanthropy events, golf outings, and continuous learning opportunities.
Conveniently located in Reno, residents also have easy access to shops, parks, and downtown attractions, making it an ideal choice for 55+ living in Western Nevada.
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