Every year, active adults who reside in the north flock to the south to escape harsh winters. The cleverly named snowbirds do not permanently move to their balmy retreats, but rather keep a home in both locations and return to the north in the warmer months of the year. Maintaining two homes in two different states can be complicated and expensive, which is why many seek snowbird retirement communities with affordable options. Some snowbirds also choose to downsize their winter home to save money and spend more time out of the house enjoying their community.
Many 55+ communities in popular destinations like Florida, Arizona, and Texas cater specifically to snowbirds, offering budget-friendly homes, desirable amenities, and low-maintenance lifestyles that allow residents to live carefree during their stay.
Fledgling snowbirds looking to plan their retirement years and experienced snowbirds looking to find a new nest can all stay up-to-date on the latest trends and budget-friendly options in 55+ real estate. We’ve put together a list of some of the most affordable 55+ communities to flock to this winter.
California
Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA
High $200ks – High $1Ms
As the largest 55+ community on the West Coast, Laguna Woods Village presents itself as an ideal snowbird destination in Southern California. The well-established community consists of 12,736 single-family, attached, and condominium homes, including many affordable options. The condominium homes lend themselves well to the preferences of snowbirds thanks to their low-maintenance lifestyles and floor plans ideal for downsizing.
Laguna Woods Village is located only 10 minutes from Laguna Beach and 45 minutes from Los Angeles with convenient access to major highways and interstates. Inside the community, residents can enjoy seven clubhouses full of amenities, a 27-hole championship golf course, an 814-seat theatre, and a lifestyle calendar filled to the brim with clubs, activities, and events.
Desert Vista Village – Yucca Valley, CA
Low $300ks – High $300ks
Snowbirds wanting to escape the cold of northern winters will find what they’re looking for at Desert Vista Village in Yucca Valley, California. Located 40 minutes north of Palm Springs and one hour east of San Bernardino, this secluded 55+ community feels like a desert oasis. Residents can reach the border of Joshua Tree National Park in just 20 minutes, providing opportunities to soak up the California sunshine while hiking and exploring.
The 105 single-family homes of this exclusive community range from 1,241 to 1,501 square feet and come with several energy-efficient features to minimize utility payments. The homes are priced from the mid $300ks to the high $300ks, offering relatively affordable options when compared to coastal California homes. The amenities of Desert Vista Village include some of the most desirable offerings, such as a clubhouse, fitness center, and an outdoor resort-style pool.
Jess Ranch – Apple Valley, CA
High $100ks – Mid $400ks
A total of 2,120 affordable single-family, attached, and condominium homes make up Jess Ranch in Apple Valley, California. Home prices range from the high $100ks to the mid $400ks, offering snowbirds the option to choose between compact, low-maintenance condos or more spacious attached and single-family homes. Outside of the home, residents can also find thoughtful amenities like a clubhouse, an outdoor resort-style pool, and paved walking trails.
The gated 55+ community can be found in California’s high desert area where homeowners can expect year-round sunshine and pleasant weather. Conveniences like grocery stores, restaurants, medical centers, retail, and entertainment venues can be reached in less than five minutes, and the surrounding area offers scenic hiking and easy access to major Southern California metropolises.
Florida
On Top of the World – Ocala, FL
Low $100ks – High $600ks
On Top of the World is located 30 minutes from the heart of Ocala, one of America’s most affordable snowbird destinations. The surrounding area showcases the lush natural landscape of Central Florida, with ample opportunities to hike, kayak, fish, golf, and explore. On Top of the World is one of the best communities in Florida for snowbirds due to its highly regarded amenities, with many retirees seeking out the community’s three 18-hole golf courses, restaurants, town square, and Circle Square Cultural Center performing arts theatre.
For those not wanting to break the bank, some of On Top of the World’s 10,000 single-family and attached homes start in the low $100ks. Combine that with Florida’s famous tax cuts for retirees, and snowbirds can find an ideal opportunity to save while travelling south for the winter. Some of the homes even cover lawn care and exterior maintenance so residents can spend less time doing chores and more time choosing how to spend their time between over 175 organized clubs and interest groups.
Vista Gardens – Vero Beach, FL
Below $100k – High $100ks
Snowbirds looking to get some major bang for their buck this winter should look into Vista Gardens in Vero Beach, Florida. The 404 condominium homes are listed from below $100k to the high $100ks, making them downright affordable compared to other 55+ communities in the area. Homeowners can reach the Atlantic Coast and its scenic beaches in under 10 minutes and then come home to play a round of golf on the community’s 9-hole course.
The condominium homes range from 601 to 1,100 square feet with one or two bedrooms and one or two bathrooms, making them ideal options for snowbirds looking to downsize. The homeowners’ association takes care of all exterior home and grounds maintenance, creating a hassle-free environment while residents relax by the community’s pool.
Pennbrooke Fairways – Leesburg, FL
Below $100k – Mid $300ks
Although it started as a small manufactured home community, Pennbrooke Fairways has since grown to include 1,200 single-family, attached, and manufactured homes total. The homes range in price from the low $100ks to the high $300ks, presenting budget-friendly options for snowbirds looking for a location within one hour of Orlando. Homeowners who enjoy spending time on the water will find an abundance of lakes and waterways nearby to boat, kayak, swim, and fish.
Pennbrooke Fairways includes resort-style amenities favored by 55+ active adults, including three nine-hole golf courses, two amenity centers, an outdoor pool with a spa, and several athletic courts. Active adults can spend their winter months dancing to live music in the Grand Hall or socializing with neighbors in one of the dozens of clubs offered regularly.
Highland Fairways – Lakeland, FL
High $100ks – Low $300ks
Residents of Highland Fairways enjoy life in a close-knit 55+ community that welcomes snowbirds looking for affordable homes in Florida. Neighbors gather frequently for activities like art classes, group traveling, and coffee social hours, making this community ideal for snowbirds looking to have fun while the north experiences snowstorms. Highland Fairways includes amenities such as a semi-private 18-hole golf course, as well as a clubhouse with a fitness center, game rooms, a ballroom, and an outdoor resort-style pool.
The location of the gated 55+ community in Lakeland, just 45 minutes from Tampa and 60 minutes from Orlando, allows homeowners to reach either city any day of the week. Lakeland is full of municipal parks, local museums, entertainment venues, and sprawling nature preserves where homeowners can get their eyes on some Floridian wildlife. The 660 single-family homes range in price from the high $100ks to the low $300ks, a reasonable asking price for moderately sized homes with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Georgia
Peppertree Crossing – Brunswick, GA
Mid $300ks – High $300ks
Active adults looking to snowbird on the South Atlantic coast without paying the high costs of coastal Florida homes should consider Peppertree Crossing in Brunswick, Georgia. Residents of Peppertree Crossing can reach Savannah in about an hour, but they will be visiting the nearby beaches far more often. Snowbirds can visit the best-kept secrets of Georgia’s beaches within just 20 minutes, promising many days spent with toes in the sand and dinner at one of the local restaurants in town.
For fun closer to home, residents can check out the community’s amenities, such as a well-equipped clubhouse, outdoor resort-style pool, and barbecue area. The 117 attached and single-family homes begin in the mid $300ks and range from 1,459 to 2,457 square feet. Also, neighbors join together often for activities like movie nights, dinner outings, and community gardening.
South Carolina
Covenant Towers – Myrtle Beach, SC
Below $100k – High $100ks
Located in the vacation hotspot of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, Covenant Towers consists of 159 condominium homes. The homes are priced from below $100k to the high $100ks, making it one of the most affordable snowbird communities in South Carolina. The low-maintenance studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom models range from 450 to 1,468 square feet and come with bi-weekly housekeeping.
Residents of Covenant Towers can reach sandy stretches of shore just one mile away, where residents can sunbathe, swim, walk, and fish. In addition to nearby beaches, snowbirds can explore the quaint town of Myrtle Beach, play golf on one of several courses close to home, or explore one of the inland parks like Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. Don’t forget about the amenities—residents will find several to enjoy, including a resort-style pool, card room, and gardening plots.
Alabama
Oyster Bay Village – Gulf Shores, AL
Mid $200ks – Mid $300ks
Snowbirds seeking some peace and quiet should consider Oyster Bay Village, an exclusive 55+ community of only 92 attached homes in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Homeowners can reach scenic Gulf beaches in less than ten minutes without fighting the crowds found at other popular southern beaches. The town of Gulf Shores includes all expected conveniences like grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment as well as an international airport only 10 minutes away.
The low-maintenance attached homes range from 1,343 to 3,192 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one-car garages, and all lawn care covered by the homeowners’ association. For an affordable home price between the mid $200ks and mid $300ks, snowbirds can gain access to Oyster Bay Village’s amenities, including a clubhouse, indoor pool with a spa, fitness center, and a walking trail that winds around the community.
Arizona
Apache Villa – Apache Junction, AZ
High $200ks – Mid $300ks
Arizona remains a tried-and-true snowbird destination and Apache Villa offers an affordable 55+ option for active adults wanting to winter there. The age-restricted community consists of 425 single-family homes priced between the high $200ks and mid $300ks with two or three bedrooms and one to three bathrooms. The desirable amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, and an outdoor resort-style pool, and residents can involve themselves with a variety of clubs with neighbors.
Residents of Apache Villa can reach Phoenix in only 40 minutes, while the local town of Apache Junction includes opportunities for golfing, hiking, and entertainment. Arizona is traditionally a hotspot for snowbirds and retirees due to its low cost of living, low property taxes, and no tax on Social Security benefits.
Find Your Snowbird Retirement Community
The idea of buying a second home for the winter can seem cumbersome and expensive, but snowbirds often find that selecting the right home in an age-restricted community can be easy and affordable. Many active adult communities not only offer budget-friendly homes, but they also most often come with included amenities and low-maintenance lifestyles. For even more affordable options, snowbirds can find rentals to call home during winter.
When trying to decide where to snowbird, active adults should first choose a few states and regions they find appealing, then see what 55+ communities are within the area. For more help navigating the complex process of finding a home, contact 55places.com to connect with a local real estate expert in your desired snowbird destination.
