Sarasota and the surrounding Gulf Coast area is becoming more popular than ever among people looking for an active Florida retirement. With a long list of art museums, beaches, golf courses, dining opportunities, and shopping experiences, the Sarasota region is a desirable place to live.

The most popular 55+ communities in Sarasota offer stellar amenities, comfortable homes built for active adults who may be downsizing or looking for low-maintenance living, and locations that can’t be beat. Check out five of the most popular places to live in Sarasota.

LakeRidge Falls

Low $300s - High $300s

Sarasota real estate in the LakeRidge Falls neighborhood is about as hot as the summer temperatures in Florida. Buyers have been eager to purchase single-family and attached homes in this 55+ community near Downtown Sarasota and all of its culture and entertainment. It’s just minutes from the Asolo Repertory Theatre and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This community is attractive to buyers who are looking for a cosmopolitan lifestyle close to the energy and culture of a city.

Attached homes are available as duplexes or garden villas. They have 1,391 to 1,576 square feet, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. The single-family homes are between 1,500 and 2,100 square feet. They have two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Many properties have lake views, and there are a total of 399 homes at LakeRidge Falls.

Amenities for residents include a clubhouse, fitness center, library, card room, pool, yard chess, and bocce ball. 

Village Green

Below $100k - High $300s

Resale properties available at Village Green are also some of the most popular Sarasota homes for sale, most likely because of the adjoining 18-hole golf course. Residents can buy daily golf passes or annual memberships at a discounted rate. Other amenities at this 55+ community include a heated outdoor pool, a pleasant gazebo, and shuffleboard courts for competitive or recreational play.

Ranch-style villas are available at affordable prices with a variety of spacious floor plans. Buyers can choose a two- or three-bedroom model with between 1,045 and 1,979 square feet. The single-family homes have between 1,280 and 2,360 square feet, two to three bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Some also have dens, patios, and master suites that include large bathrooms and walk-in closets. 

This is a popular community for beach lovers. It’s only a 15-minute drive from the white sand shores of Siesta Key. 

Lakeshore Village

High $100s - Low $400s

The most popular condo community in Sarasota is Lakeshore Village, a 55+ community with a saltwater pool and several fishing lakes. There are also tennis courts and a horseshoe pit. In the clubhouse, residents can enjoy meeting rooms, billiards, a catering kitchen, and a library

There also are frequent social gatherings, especially on Friday nights, and neighbors enjoy getting together for concerts, educational speakers, and weekly coffee hours.

Nearly every resale condo unit has a water view, and the properties have open floor plans and high cathedral ceilings. Eight one-story models are available with two or three bedrooms and two or two-and-a-half bathrooms. These are spacious homes, ranging from 1,605 to 2,433 square feet.

The HOA is self-managed and supported by two full-time maintenance staff members. Quarterly fees take care of maintenance of exterior and communal spaces, homeowners insurance, basic cable, and landscaping.

Lake Tippecanoe

Low $100s - Mid $100s

Lake Tippecanoe is one of Sarasota’s most popular 55+ communities because of its affordability and low-maintenance lifestyle. The neighborhood is made up of 259 condos and attached villas. All of them have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and between 1,066 and 1,296 square feet.

Amenities include a clubhouse, a pool, and lovely spaces to stroll and bike. Monthly card games are popular among residents, and the HOA includes cable and common area maintenance.

Lake Tippecanoe is close to the beach as well as some of Sarasota’s best museums. The Ringling Museum is just a few minutes away, where visitors can view at classic and modern artwork, stroll through the sculpture garden, or attend a lecture. Also in the neighborhood is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a living museum that features some of the prettiest plants and flowers native to Florida. There’s also an opportunity to visit with birds and butterflies. Art exhibits and lectures are also frequently held at the botanical gardens.

VillageWalk of Sarasota

High $200s - High $500s

The hottest selling neighborhood in Sarasota is VillageWalk of Sarasota, a gated active adult community within the master-planned Palmer Ranch development. There are no age restrictions, but 55+ buyers looking for Sarasota homes for sale will appreciate the location, amenities, and options when it comes to finding a resale home that’s spacious, comfortable, and low-maintenance.

Choices include townhomes, which have two or three bedrooms, dens, and 1,628 to 1,858 square feet. Two attached villa models are also available, and they have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den, and an attached two-car garage. Single-family homes are larger, with three or four bedrooms, two-and-a-half or three-and-a-half bathrooms, and over 2,000 square feet.

Amenities in this community are pretty remarkable. There’s a Town Center, the VillageWalk Cafe and Market, a travel agency, a post office, a barbershop, and a gas station. More traditional amenities include pools, a fitness center, a library, and a ballroom with a catering kitchen. There are tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and plenty of trails and paths for walking, jogging, or biking. Workout clubs are popular, and residents get together for art classes, water aerobics, pottery, and book club.

The community is right off Interstate 75, which means travel to other cities like Tampa and Naples is easy and quick.