The Villages, FL 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

The Villages is a popular retirement city in Central Florida. It is known for its abundance of golf courses, vibrant and engaging town centers, and pleasant year-round temperatures. Besides this, its proximity to multiple large metropolitan areas makes it an in-demand destination for active adults.

Climate & Geography 

Located nearly 50 miles inland, The Villages experiences warm, humid summers and short, mild winters. Thunderstorms are frequent in the late summer, producing higher than average rainfall. There is no snow, and residents can expect about 238 days of sun each year.

The Villages is a Census-Designated Place and, according to the U.S. Census, the fastest-growing U.S. city in 2014. The Villages is mostly a developed, suburban-style area, lacking any natural terrain. It is comprised of several neighborhoods on almost 750 miles of private roads, each with its own Declaration of Restrictions, which regulates design and operational aspects like landscaping and housing exteriors. 

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

The Villages is located in a part of Florida that is densely populated with lakes. Residents can enjoy water sports, boating, kayaking, and fishing at Lake Deaton, Lake Miona, Lake Weir, Lake Sumter, and more. For ocean swimming and sport, the Gulf Coast is just under an hour away. 

The region is also filled with golfing opportunities ranging from championship courses, challenging executive courses, and driving ranges. 

There are several town centers located in the various neighborhoods. Spanish Springs Town Square, with Spanish-style architecture, has a movie theater, restaurants, and live music every night. Another center is Lake Sumter Landing, located on the water, with cafes and coffee shops. Residents seeking more restaurants, bars, and a Saturday farmers market can head to Brownwood Paddock Square.

Residents looking for a wider variety of dining, shopping, and recreational activities can head to Ocala, nearly a half-hour away, or Orlando, an hour southeast.

Cost of Living & Taxes 

The Villages’ cost of living matches Florida’s, which is slightly above the national average. Housing is the most costly figure, followed by utilities. Other indexes like groceries, health care, and transportation are below average.

Florida is very tax friendly for retirees because there is no state income tax. In addition, property taxes are relatively low, and sales taxes don’t apply to two major expenses: groceries and medicine.

Health Care

The Ocala metro area, which includes The Villages, ranks in the top 30 communities in the U.S. according to Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

The local hospital, Villages Regional Hospital, is rated high performing by U.S. News in chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and heart failure. Nearby Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Leesburg is also rated as high performing and the No. 3 hospital in the Orlando metro area. The closest nationally ranked hospital is AdventHealth Orlando, the No. 1 hospital in the state.