The Florida Gulf Coast cities of Venice and Port Charlotte are known for their remarkable stretch of shoreline, stunning golf courses, and numerous opportunities for shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation. Strolling down the beach in Venice, you’re likely to find shark teeth, and in Port Charlotte, you can drop in on the Tampa Bay Rays during spring training.
More than a dozen communities for active adults can be found in Venice, Port Charlotte, and surrounding towns like North Port and Punta Gorda. Here are five of the most viewed Venice and Port Charlotte 55+ communities on 55places.com in 2018.
1. IslandWalk at West Villages – Venice
Mid $200s – Mid $400s
New and resale homes are available to buyers of all ages in IslandWalk at West Villages, a gated community that’s still under construction and will ultimately have 1,869 single-family and attached homes.
There is a lot of luxury and plenty of amenities for residents here, including a 14,000-square-foot Resort Center and a separate Entertainment Center. You’ll find an outdoor lap pool as well as a resort-style pool, eight tennis courts, pickleball courts, and bocce courts. There’s also a movement studio and a therapy room. Residents take fitness classes and enjoy holiday parties and casino trips.
Single-family homes are available in five models of varying sizes, and there are duplex properties with two or three bedrooms and garages. If you’re interested in new construction, you can work with the builders to create your perfect space. This community is close to the Myakka River, where you’ll have opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, fishing, and camping.
2. Kings Gate – Port Charlotte
High $100s – High $200s
Leave the car and take the golf cart when you need to get around at Kings Gate in Port Charlotte. This gated, 55+ community is popular for a lot of reasons, including the 18-hole, well-landscaped executive golf course. The Kings Gate Golf Club has annual or seasonal memberships, which include free play on the course without green fees as well as an opportunity to take golf lessons.
A full-time activities director is on-site at Kings Gate to organize events and activities and help residents take advantage of the outstanding amenities in this community. There’s a pool, shuffleboard, tennis, lawn bowling, a fitness center, and a theater.
Resale homes are available as single-family properties or attached golf villas. Choose a home from 1,390 square feet to over 2,000 square feet. Models range in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom homes, some with dens and all with garages.
3. Sarasota National – Venice
Mid $200s – Low $500s
One of the newest communities to arrive in the Venice area is Sarasota National, where active adults can find new and resale homes in single-family or attached models. They range in size from 1,375 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet.
Residents have the option of joining The Golf Club, which comes with numerous golfing and social options. There’s an 18-hole golf course as well as a bar and a restaurant exclusively used by members. If you’re not a golfer, you still have plenty of amenities to enjoy at Sarasota National. The Palm Club is a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse that has a fitness center, a spa, a pool, an event lawn, and a dog park.
It’s not an age-restricted community, so residents of all ages and stages enjoy seasonal parties and dances as well as pickleball, cards, and special events. The active homeowners’ association covers outdoor maintenance and landscaping as well as trash removal. This community is located right off I-75, making it easy to plan a trip to Tampa or even Miami.
4. Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club – Venice
Mid $100s – Mid $700s
It’s easy to understand the popularity of Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club. This elegant community in Venice offers gorgeous homes, impressive landscaping, and 36 holes of golf. Each neighborhood has its own amenities, resulting in 20 clubhouses and 20 outdoor pools. The lush surroundings are meant to replicate the Bermuda lifestyle, and residents enjoy strolling and biking along the trails, paths, and scenic lakefronts.
Condos, attached villas, and single-family homes are available on a resale basis in dozens of models and floor plans. Two- and three-bedroom homes range in size from 1,279 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet. You can choose a simple and low-maintenance condo or a sprawling estate that’s perfect for entertaining.
It’s an active community, where movie nights and parties occur regularly. Visit the breakfast buffet or sign up for a bus trip. Enjoy trivia night and enroll in one of the many fitness classes available to residents at Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club.
5. Venetian Falls – Venice, FL
Mid $200s – Mid $300s
If it’s all about location, it’s no wonder that Venetian Falls is one of the most popular communities in this region. Close to Venice Beach, this gated, 55+ community has 700 single-family homes and attached villas. Homes are available on a resale basis in two- or three-bedroom models.
The amenities are state-of-the-art, including a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse and a modern fitness center that offers all the best weight lifting and cardio equipment as well as a range of exercise classes for every level. There’s a library, a computer center, and a 9-hole putting green. Check out the resort-style pool or get some exercise in the resistance pool.
Being close to the beach means you’re close to the Venice Fishing Pier, where you don’t need a fishing license to fish. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset or grab a drink at Sharkey’s on the Pier.
