Quick Facts
- Price Range
- High $100s - Mid $600s
- Home Types
- Attached, Single-Family
- Number of Homes
- 10,000
- New / Resale
- New And Resale Homes
- Age Restrictions
- 55+
- Gated
- Yes
- Construction Dates
- 1981 - Present
- Builder
- On Top of the World Communities, On Top Of The World
- Reviews
On Top of the World Overview
On Top of the World in Ocala, FL is a scenic 55+ community in the heart of Central Florida. The planned 10,000 homes make the community one of the largest in the state. This community has attracted retirees from across the country with its finely crafted homes, world-class amenities, and active lifestyle. On Top of the World Ocala, known as OTOW to residents, is located just six and a half miles west of Interstate 75. The setting provides the perfect escape for active adults who want to explore Ocala while living a low-maintenance lifestyle. With everything that On Top of the World Ocala has to offer, it is easy to understand why so many buyers have chosen to call this 55+ community their home.
Buyers looking for On Top of the World homes for sale will enjoy life in Ocala, FL.
On Top of the World Amenities
On Top of the World Ocala is renowned for its world-class amenities that cater to a wide variety of interests. This community has myriad facilities that include amenities such as three golf courses, several clubhouses, fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, restaurants, even an R/C airplane field, and an R/C car track. The Recreation Center, Hobby Building, Arbor Club, and Conference Center are all open to residents.
There are three 18-hole golf courses at On Top of the World Ocala. The Candler Hills Golf Club is a semi-private, par 72, 4,877 to 7,233-yard course, depending on which of the five tees you start from. This course was designed by architect Gordon Lewis. The Links and The Tortoise & The Hare are private courses reserved exclusively for residents and their guests.
After a round of golf, On Top of the World Ocala residents can gather for drinks and a meal within the community. There are two restaurants available: The Pub, which is reserved for residents and their guests, and The Club at Candler Hills, which is adjacent to the golf course and is open to the public.
Circle Square Commons is the entertainment and social hub for the public and On Top of the World Ocala residents. Circle Square Cultural Center (CSCC) at Circle Square Commons brings top-name entertainment to the Ocala area, featuring various events and performers every year. With seating for over 830 guests theater-style, residents can enjoy a fun concert experience in this unique intimate setting. In addition to concerts, Circle Square Culture Center is the largest indoor venue for banquets in Ocala. This beautiful auditorium also hosts theatrical productions, dances, conventions, expos, fundraising events, and more.
The Ranch Fitness Center and Spa is Ocala's first world-class spa and state-of-the-art fitness center designed to provide cardiovascular and strength-training equipment with specialized fitness programs. In addition to the fitness center, The Ranch also includes a full-service day spa and professional salon.
Master the Possibilities is a not-for-profit lifelong learning center at Circle Square Commons and was designed to cater to the growing trend of active adults who wish to continue their education and learn new pursuits. This adult learning center offers several hundred courses throughout the year, including academic and special interests, fine arts and crafts, health and wellness, computer training, and culinary classes. Most classes are free to On Top of the World Ocala residents or require a nominal fee to participate.
There are also several everyday conveniences located right at The Commons such as an ice cream shop, deli, and a weekly farmers market with fresh, locally grown produce. Anchoring the Circle Square Commons is the Town Square, which showcases live entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening. The Town Square is complete with a stage gazebo that provides the perfect location for residents to gather and unwind after a long week.
On Top of the World Homes & Real Estate
On Top of the World real estate features a variety of unique floor plans designed for low-maintenance living. Homebuyers can choose from single-family homes and attached villas that range from approximately 1,000 to over 3,000 square feet. Most homes feature concrete block, steel stud, and stucco construction. All new homes are built by employing innovative building techniques to save on energy costs.
In addition to the new construction homes, there is a wide assortment of resale homes at On Top of the World Ocala. Construction of the community started in the early 1980s and there have since been numerous home styles and floor plans offered. Buyers looking for On Top of the World Ocala resales can select from intimate villas all the way to stately homes with golf course views.
This 55+ community is divided into two distinct communities with several neighborhoods to choose from, depending on the buyer's budget and the conveniences included. The Villas attached homes offer 1,092 to 1,856 square feet. These homes have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached one or two-car garages.
The single-family homes of On Top of the World Ocala come in seven collections and more than 100 floor plans. These homes range from 1,204 to 3,039 square feet and offer two to three bedrooms and bathrooms with attached two- to three-and-a-half-car garages. Many of these homes also offer den spaces.
On Top of the World Lifestyle
Residents of On Top of the World Ocala enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle with common area maintenance, security, and other tasks covered in homeowners' association fees. Owners of homes in the Longleaf Ridge and Crescent Ridge neighborhoods also enjoy lawn care, exterior maintenance, and basic Wi-Fi. With more free time, members of the community can participate in community activities and events.
On Top of the World Ocala offers over 175 organized clubs and interest groups that are sure to keep residents busy and socially active all year long. Plus, there is a vast array of community activities, events, and classes offered every day of the week.
Homeowners can join a club, take a class, or pick up a new hobby such as painting, ceramics, yoga, or fresh-air fitness. Some of the other clubs and activities include R/C flyers, red hatters, golf, bocce, bowling, happy hour, pickleball, singles’ club, garden club, travel club, theatre club, teachers' club, and snowbird club. With so many activities and clubs to participate in, residents of On Top of the World Ocala can easily connect with neighbors.
Ocala, FL Area
On Top of the World is located in Ocala, just over 10 miles from the city's center. This prime location puts residents close to daily necessities as well as local attractions.
Grocery stores such as Save A Lot, Publix, ALDI, and Earth Fare are all within 20 minutes of the community. Pharmacy needs can be met at Walgreens and CVS in less than 10 minutes.
On Top of the World Ocala is also close to several health care providers, including Ocala Family Medical Center, West Marion Community Hospital, and Ocala Regional Medical Center.
When homeowners are looking for dining and entertainment options, they can travel along SW State Road 200 which is home to several local restaurants, cafes, and bars. Additional attractions in the area include the Appleton Museum of Art, The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park, and Silver Springs State Park. Places like the Kennedy Space Center, Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios are accessible in less than 90 minutes
Nature lovers can explore greenspaces and parks such as Sholom Park, Ocala Tuscawilla Park, and Halpata Tastanaki Nature Preserve. Golfers can tee off at courses such as Stone Creek Golf Club, Candler Hills Golf Course, and Juliette Falls Golf Course and Community.
Those who want to visit metropolitan areas are in luck as On Top of the World Ocala is just about 30 minutes away from Historic Downtown Ocala. When it comes to long-distance travel, Ocala International Airport is just 15 minutes away.
On Top of the World Homes for Sale
Showing Filtered Results: 0 Homes for Sale
Sorry, no listings in this community match your search criteria. Adjust or reset your filters to see available homes.
On Top of the World Models
Showing 28 Models with area.floorplan.default_home_size_filter_label for All Collections
Olympia - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1092 sqft
1-car Garage
Grand Lafayette - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1215 sqft
1-car Garage
Philadelphian - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1249 sqft
1-car Garage
Charlotte - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1322 sqft
1-car Garage
Birmingham - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1369 sqft
1-car Garage
Delphina - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1420 sqft
1-car Garage
Bostonian - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath,
- 1504 sqft
2-car Garage
Newport - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath
1-car Garage
Philaphelphian II - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath
1-car Garage
Sienna - Villas
- 2 Bed,
- 2 Bath
2-car Garage
On Top of the World Amenities
Recreation Center
The Recreation Center, Hobby Building and Arbor Club and Conference Center are open to all residents.
- Recreation Center
- Group Exercise Room
- Steam Rooms & Saunas
- Whirlpools
- Locker Rooms
- The Pub Restaurant
- Library
- Meeting Room
- 1,500 Seat Ballroom
- Golf Shop
- Outdoor Pool & Whirlpool Spa
- 2 Racquetball Courts
- 12 Pickleball Courts
- 8 Shuffleboard Courts
- Basketball Court
- Horseshoe Pits
- Mini-Golf
- Softball Field
- Picnic Pavillion
- Dog Park
- Gardening Plots
Hobby Building
The Craft Building provides spaces for arts & crafts and other recreational activities.
- Card Room
- Billiards Room
- Arts & Crafts Studio
- Woodworking Shop
- Meeting Room
Arbor Club & Conference Center
Arbor Club & Conference Center offers the following amenities:
- Arbor Club - 10,000 Sq. Ft.
- State-Of-The-Art Fitness Center
- Locker Rooms
- Olympic-sized Indoor Pool
- Aerobics & Dance Studio
- Ballroom
- Outdoor Pool & Whirlpool Spa
- 6 Ten-Ply Plexicushion Tennis Courts
- 4 Bocce Ball Courts
Candler Hills Community Center
Candler Hills Community Center is open only to residents of Candler Hills neighborhood.
- Candler Hills Community Center
- Card Room
- Catering Kitchen
- Indoor Lounge
- Ballroom
- Meeting Room
- Outdoor Pool & Whirlpool Spa
- Outdoor Fire Pit
Indigo East Community Center
Indigo East Community Center is open to residents of Indigo East neighborhood only.
- Clubhouse
- Fitness Center
- 3 Social Gathering Rooms
- Aerobics Studio
- Catering Kitchen
- Outdoor Pool & Whirlpool Spa
- Outdoor Patio
- Walking Trails
Circle Square Commons
Circle Square Commons is the entertainment and social hub of the community open to residents and the public.
- Master the Possibilities Education Center
- The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa
- On Top of the World Design Studio
- Circle Square Cultural Center
- Sid's Coffee Shop & Deli
- Mr. B's Big Scoop Ice Cream Shop
- Town Square
- Bridgenet Communications
On Top of the World Clubs, Groups, Activities & Classes
There are plenty of activities available in On Top of the World. Here is a sample of some of the clubs, activities and classes offered here.
- 100 Grandparents
- Alpha Investment Group
- American Jewish Club
- Aqua Belles
- Arbor Club
- Arbor Tennis Club
- Artistic Crafts & Gifts
- Avalon Social Club
- Ballet Club
- Basketball
- Billiard Club
- Blood Bank
- Bocce Ball
- Bowling
- Bridge Practice
- Bunco
- Bundicious Chicks
- Bus Ocala Run
- Candler Connection
- Candler Hills Men's Golf Assoc.
- Car Scanner Decals
- Cardio Mix
- Cards
- Caribbean Club
- Casino Nights
- Ceramics Class
- Cert
- Chess
- Chorus
- Chorus Concert
- Circle Squares Square Dancers
- Community Patrol
- Computer Club
- Continuing Education Classes
- Craft Fairs
- Crocheting & Knitting
- D'Clowns
- DBD Classes
- Dance
- Dancin' on the Top
- Dancing Singles
- Day Trips
- Decorating Committee
- Democratic Club
- Dominoes
- Embroidery Chicks
- Entertainment on the Town Square
- Expos
- Family History
- Farmers Markets
- French Club
- Fresh-air Fitness
- Game Night
- Garden Club
- Genealogical Society
- General Frances Stamp Club
- Get Acquainted Coffee
- Girls Night Out
- Glow Bunco
- Golf
- Greyhound Club
- Hand & Foot
- Happy Hour
- High Tea
- Hoofin it for Hospice
- Hoosier Club
- Horseshoes
- Illinois Club
- Indigo Social Club
- Irish Club
- Italian/American Club
- Karaoke Friends
- Kickboxing
- Kingdom of the Sun
- Knit Witts
- Ladies Golf
- Lambda
- Library
- Lifelong Learning
- Line Dancing
- Men's Golf
- Miniature Golf
- Model Railroaders
- Monday Night Bridge
- Music Concerts
- NY/NJ Club
- Native Plant Group
- Neighbors of Windsor
- New England Club
- Original Karaoke Group
- Painting
- Pickleball
- RC Flyers
- ROMEO Club
- Racquetball
- Rags to Riches Sale
- Red Hatters
- Republican Club
- SPCA
- Sail Away Cruise Club
- Scandinavian/American Club
- Sewing
- Sewing Bees
- Shuffleboard
- Shuffleboard Club
- Shutterbugs Photo Group
- Side Kick Western Dance Club
- Singles Club
- Snowbird Club
- Softball
- Southern Club
- Square Dancing
- Stamp Club
- Sunshine Quilters
- Sunshine Singers
- Tai Chi
- Talent Shows
- Tall Tale Traveler's
- Teachers Club
- Tennis
- Theatre Group
- Travel Toppers
- Unique Birders
- Veterans Club
- Visually Impaired Support Group
- Women of the World
- Wood Carving
- Woodworking
- Yoga
On Top of the World Reviews (57)
Average Rating for this Community
My only complaint is that I wish they would extend the golf cart paths to be able to cross 80th St to get to Lowes and the neighborhood WalMart..
Loving it at OTOW.!!
I've been here for 2 years and am one of the "younger" generation, only 60+. I live in OTOW's best kept secret - the older villas or attached homes. Of course OTOW wants to sell their new homes and for those who want 3,000+ sq. ft and can afford to spend upwards of $150-300K, that's fine. However, you have to maintain your own yard. Here in the villas we don't.
This is the place to be if you play golf. Two grocery stores are right outside the front gate. The Route 200 corridor is going to be built up in the next few years so there will be a lot more things available close by. The city of Ocala proper is about 10 miles away with many interesting places to visit, a quaint town square, many different shops and restaurants.
Prices for the villas have risen over the past 2 years with the uptick of the real estate market. They are extremely affordable, now going for the low 60's to mid 80's. Not bad for a cement block structure house, 2 BR 2 bath, garage, yard maintenance, basic cable, water. They maintain the outside of the home (painting) but you are responsible for the cost of the roof replacement. Prices very depending the sq. footage of your roof.
Everyone is very friendly. Of course there are the usual curmudgeons, but they are few and far between.
There are a kazillion clubs (about 200) and you're only bored if you want to be. The only comment that I have are that some of the clubs are aimed at those older than I. Yeah - I guess I could try them, but frankly, bingo, mah jong, bridge, canasta don't interest me. If you're into crafts, that's wonderful.
Classes abound. They used to be free for residents but lately they're charging $5 a class for residents and more for non-residents. There are some interesting ones - a virtual gold mine of interesting subjects.
It's very safe here. I walk all over all the Friendship communities. I like the fact that there's a 24 hour guard at every gate. A neighbor was going out of town and her Dad was coming to pick her up. It was around 4 a.m. and the guard called her house. Her cell was out on the porch on her suitcase - she had run back inside for something. Since the guard couldn't get an answer, he wouldn't let Dad in. Good move! That's shows he did his job.
All in all, I like it here. It's very quiet. I'd recommend it to anybody. OTOW is a great place to live!
Imagine a community with all of the amenities of The Villages (clubs, pools, gyms, sports facilities of all kinds, beautiful grounds and life-long learning center) but with only about 5,000 homes. That's On Top of the World. Oh, we also have something that you won't find in The Villages, a beautiful, large indoor heated swimming pool!
We built a home in the Candler Hills neighborhood in 2012. A few months ago, we wrote to the developer to comment that in the almost 3 years we had lived in the community, we had yet to find anything to complain about!
Although we have been lucky with weather since we have been in Florida, should we get a big storm, all the homes and villas here are sturdy masonry construction. No stick-built, vinyl-sided stuff here.
We were able to sell one of our two cars when we moved here because there are two shopping plazas (one with a Publix, the other with Winn-Dixie) accessible by golf cart. Several restaurants are also golf cart accessible, and there is a Dunkin Donuts where you can take your golf cart through the drive-thru lane!
Of course management would like to sell you a new single-family home, but they have also formed a real estate company specifically to handle resales in the community. They will happily show you both single-family homes as well as villas.
Looking for an economical way to live in Florida? We have friends who purchased a villa 2 years ago for $40,000 (including the golf cart). The kitchen and master bath were somewhat dated, so they spent $25,000 on updates and now have a lovely 1500 sq. ft. home.
Whether you're looking for a well-built single family home at a reasonable price or really economical living in a villa, we're convinced that On Top of the World deserves a look.
They have recently opened the Stonebridge section of Candler and are currently constructing a new lodge with resort style swimming pool.
I would highly recommend OTOW to anybody looking for a 55+ community.
and we get our yards done every 3 weeks and terrible when they do it. They leave big
patches that they miss mowing and the trimming is terrible. Sure they have a lack of employees
and dont pay them very good as I was told by one of the workers.
We pay good HOA fees and they have their rules but the yard maintenance needs a lot of improvements. Other than that I love it here. Why cant they work on the maintenance in our section.
Our villa is 1,341 square feet contains a living room, dining room, kitchen, lanai, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is plenty for two adults. Our second bedroom is used as a guest room. As for the comment about the grounds, OTOW maintains everything in front of the house and the lawn and leaf removal in both front and back. Trimming bushes or flowers in the back is the homeowners responsibility.
We enjoy it here and are year-round residents.
Yes, in the ads for the community, you won't see the villas mentioned. I guess this is supposed to be a well-kept secret that the On Top Of The World real estate people don't want you to know about. They want to sell the big bucks housing! While I am sure that the stand-alone homes are beautiful, the square footage is just too much for some people, myself included. I never even considered a free-standing home. They were too expensive for me. I live in one of the villas and it is just fine for me.
I feel very safe here. This is a gated community with a guard, the streets are private so not just anybody can drive through. There are security cameras everywhere. One at each gate records the license plate of every vehicle leaving. Even the local sheriff's department agrees that this is a very safe community to live in.
For those who have posted comments in this section regarding "bikers" or stating that OTOW does not keep up the lawns here - that's just balderdash! Yes, there are motorcyclists here but they are not the rowdy Hell's Angels that the complainers insist they are. No, I haven't experienced bikes blasting in and out of the community.
Regarding the complaint about the maintenance, there are crews who work diligently and cover this ENTIRE community once a week, excluding Saturdays and Sundays. I walk my entire "Friendship" community here every week and see them doing different streets every day. This is a HUGE job! They work their way across the entire expanse of OTOW, then the next week, start at it all over again! There are some people here who are totally fanatical about their property and are out there every day blowing leaves off lawns and driveways. Me? I am very happy to leave it to the groundskeepers once a week.
If golf is your thing, this is a wonderful place. As far as the other amenities are concerned, there are a ton of classes - many offered for free - presented by Master The Possibilities. As I am at the bottom of the age bracket allowed here, most of the clubs seem to be for those older than I am. I guess in the coming years, with the older generation of residents passing on, things will change.
In closing, I'd like to say that this is an enjoyable place to live. Very convenient to grocery stores and banks. Downtown Ocala is not 10 minutes away.
I would highly recommend OTOW to anybody looking for a 55+ community.
That statement is entirely, completely, without qualification, a lie. False, without any truth. The rest of his bilious post is false too. He doesn't actually have any knowledge or experience of On Top of the World.
numerous and you can be as busy as you want. I bought a house for
a reasonable price with the only problem being the landscaping in the
backyard. I figured I could work with the Master Association to fix
problems and I was willing to spend some money. In my opinion the
landscaping up keep is the worst I have ever seen. I have lived in Condos and HOA'a throughout Florida and again never have seen
this level of indifference. In my opinion this is a good buy but be
aware that landscaping in my opinion, is the worst problem here.
I feel the need to say that the motorcyclists currently living in OTOW are very respectful, as we are. Change is hard to handle sometimes, and people 20 years younger than I am are definitely going to have their own ideas, but I find that to be refreshing and just another reason for an HOA to be successful.
The On Top of the World communities are by far the best in the area. It has three nice golf courses if you play golf you will love this. We have lived her for 7 years and this is our second purchase. We wanted to downsize because of health issues and did not want to leave OTOW.
The plus of living here is that we are close to doctores and hospitals. Ocala Fl. has the best hospitals and doctors in Florida!
The information on this page is aggregated from third-party sources and presented as-is for your convenience. It has not been verified or approved by the developer or homeowners association. 55places.com does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information or assume any liability for its use. 55places.com is not affiliated with the builder, developer, or HOA of any communities displayed on this website.
55places.com is not affiliated with the developer(s) or homeowners association of On Top of the World. The information you submit is distributed to a 55places.com Partner Agent, who is a licensed real estate agent. The information regarding On Top of the World has not been verified or approved by the developer or homeowners association. Please verify all information prior to purchasing. 55places.com is not responsible for any errors regarding the information displayed on this website.