"The Best Selling Community" badge over an aerial view of Sun City Hilton Head in Bluffton, South Carolina — Here are the 50 best-selling active adult communities of 2021.

For the sixth consecutive year, 55places is pleased to announce the 50 best-selling 55+ communities of the previous 12 months. Refining the process used to determine last year’s communities, 55places included both our own sales data and external sales data from listing services across the country. Also, we compiled this year’s list by considering each community's total home count and compared it against sales.

The results produced a classic line-up of communities that many active adults have come to know and love, but there may also be a name or two that surprise you. All the traditional retirement states like Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina are here, but there are also some up-and-coming options like Tennessee and Colorado.

Let’s take a look at 2021’s best-selling active adult communities across the country.

1. Sun City Hilton Head - Bluffton, SC

Low $200s - Mid $1Ms

Sun City Hilton Head is the best-selling community in the nation.

This year, the illustrious Sun City Hilton Head is the best-selling community in the nation. Among residents and interested homebuyers, this is hardly a shock as the age-restricted community of 9,000 homes consistently garners attention for its impressive amenities, appealing homes, and idyllic Hilton Head area location.

Sun City Hilton Head sold thousands of homes over these last 12 months, attracting a massive number of new residents. Homeowners in this community have access to numerous resort-style amenities, including a 45-acre Town Center and Amenity Complex with an 18,000-square-foot social hall, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, and the Yemassee Crafts Center.

There are over 200 chartered clubs and interest groups within this community alongside a Director of Lifestyle Services to manage events and provide additional support to clubs and groups.

Request more information about Sun City Hilton Head.

2. On Top of the World - Ocala, FL

Below $100k - Low $400s

An indoor pool at On Top of the World in Ocala, Florida — On Top of the World has consistently been the highest seller and most popular community on 55places.com.

Taking second place is our two-time Community of the Year champion: On Top of the World. This gated 55+ community in Ocala, Florida needs no introduction, but for active adults at the start of their homebuying journey, this is a noteworthy option to be aware of.

Over the past few years, On Top of the World has consistently been the highest seller and most popular community on 55places.com due to its vast selection of world-class amenities, including three 18-hole golf courses, two restaurants, a not-for-profit education center, several clubhouses, and even an R/C airplane field—just to name a few.

With 10,000 homes in this community, interested homebuyers are guaranteed a wide variety of floor plans among the low-maintenance single-family homes and attached villas.

Request more information about On Top of the World.

3. Wynmoor Village - Coconut Creek, FL

Below $100k - High $200s

Palm trees outside a community building in Wynmoor Village in Coconut Creek, Florida — Wynmoor Village provides easy access to great shopping and dining.

Homebuyers seeking a country club atmosphere in Southeast Florida have found it in Wynmoor Village. With 5,260 condo units spread across 133 mid-rise buildings, this 55+ community is ideal for active adults seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle with more leisure time to enjoy.

The condos range from 550 to over 1,250 square feet with one to three bedrooms, one to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and ample parking lot spaces. Each unit also boasts scenic golf course, lake, or garden views.

Located in Broward County, Wynmoor Village provides easy access to great shopping and dining as well as local attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. The community itself is also home to a 50,000-square-foot clubhouse where residents can socialize with neighbors and participate in activities.

Request more information about Wynmoor Village.

4. Century Village East - Deerfield Beach, FL

Below $100k - Mid $200s

The Deerfield Pier at sunrise in Deerfield Beach, Florida — Century Village East sold thousands of homes as new residents came in pursuit of a leisurely retirement.

If Wynmoor Village isn’t quite the right fit for you, it has a best-selling neighbor in Broward County. Century Village East is a gated 55+ community with 8,508 condo units available on a resale-only basis. Offering 650 to almost 1,100 square feet, these condos have one or two bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and lot parking.

This year, Century Village East sold thousands of homes as new residents came in pursuit of a leisurely retirement with the option to be as active as they want. With two clubhouses, homeowners have access to a fitness center, an indoor pool, a sauna, a cafe, multipurpose rooms, 24 shuffleboard courts, a 1,600-seat performance theater, and much more.

Aside from these main amenities, the community also offers 15 satellite pools and nine tennis courts so residents are never far from a little fun and relaxation.

Request more information about Century Village East.

5. Solivita - Kissimmee, FL

Mid $100s - Mid $500s

Palm trees and a fountain on the grounds of Solivita in Kissimmee, Florida — Solivita enjoys lasting popularity due to the attractive lifestyle it offers homeowners.

Coming in a No. 5 on our list of the best-selling communities of 2021 is Solivita, located in Kissimmee, about an hour’s drive from all the excitement and big-city amenities of Orlando. A 4,300-acre master-planned active adult community, Solivita offers over 150,000 square feet of amenities as well as picturesque greenspaces, lakes, and waterways.

With over 20 home collections to choose from, it’s no surprise that hundreds of homes sold in this community over the last 12 months.

Solivita enjoys lasting popularity due to the attractive lifestyle it offers homeowners. The community hosts dozens of classes every week, and the full-time Activities Director and Lifestyles Team ensure that there are plenty of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Request more information about Solivita.

6. Latitude Margaritaville - Daytona Beach, FL

Low $200s - Low $500s

Palm trees and cabanas surrounding the resort-style pool at Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach, Florida — Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach set an entirely new standard for 55+ communities.

Since it’s opening, Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach set an entirely new standard for 55+ communities. Inspired by the music and lifestyle of legendary musician Jimmy Buffett, this community has a large variety of unique amenities.

In addition to the Town Square, residents have access to the state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center, the Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, the Last Mango Theater, the Workin’ ‘N’ Playin’ Center, the Barkaritaville Pet Spa, and many other facilities. Recently, the community even opened a private beach club.

Homes in Latitude Margaritaville are just as varied as the amenities. The energy-efficient, attached and single-family homes offer 15 floor plans ranging from 1,204 to 2,564 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two- to three-car garages.

Request more information about Latitude Margaritaville.

7. The Villages - The Villages, FL

Mid $100s - High $1Ms

A picturesque pond at The Villages in Florida — The Villages provides everything active adults could ever want or need right inside the community.

You may have heard a lot of myths and rumors about this particular community, but that hasn’t stopped The Villages from selling over a thousand homes and bringing in an array of new residents. Spanning three Florida counties, three zip codes, and over 20,000 acres, this community is connected by over 100 miles of golf cart-friendly streets and trails.

As an entirely self-sustaining town, The Villages provides everything active adults could ever want or need right inside the community; there are stores, boutiques, restaurants, banks, post offices, medical centers, and even outdoor recreation opportunities.

In terms of amenities, the 35 community centers, over 80 outdoor pools, and 41 executive golf courses are just a sampling of the options within The Villages.

Request more information about The Villages.

8. Sun City Huntley - Huntley, IL

Mid $100s - Mid $400s

The outdoor pool and whirlpool spa at Sun City Huntley in Huntley, Illinois — There are 5,489 homes in this Northern Illinois community.

As the second community on this list located outside of Florida, Sun City Huntley may not offer the sun and sand that its southern counterparts have, but residents still enjoy the vacation atmosphere in this community.

The amenities center around the beloved Prairie Lodge with its 94,000 square feet of fun and activities. Residents can dine at Jameson's Charhouse, swim in the indoor pool, and catch a show at the performing arts theater.

There are 5,489 homes in this Northern Illinois community, offering over 55 floor plans across the single-family homes, ranch townhomes, and condos. The single-family home models come in 37 floor plans ranging from 1,130 to over 3,000 square feet with a minimum of two bedrooms, two baths, and a two-car garage.

Request more information about Sun City Huntley.

9. Century Village at Pembroke Pines - Pembroke Pines, FL

Below $100k - Low $200s

Interior view of a lounge at Century Village at Pembroke Pines in Pembroke Pines, Florida — This condominium community enjoys a prime location near Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Back in the Sunshine State for No. 9, let’s take a look at Century Village at Pembroke Pines. This condominium community enjoys a prime location nearly equidistant from both Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Because of this, residents have easy access to shopping and dining options as well as big-city entertainment.

The 7,700 condo units in this community offer 600 to 1,500 square feet with one to two bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and golf course or water views. All units are in secured buildings with lot parking. These low-maintenance condominiums provide residents with more free time to enjoy the resort-style amenities housed within the 135,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Request more information about Century Village at Pembroke Pines.

10. Kings Point in Tamarac - Tamarac, FL

Below $100k - Mid $300s

Lounge chairs on the patio beside the outdoor pool at Kings Point in Tamarac in Tamarac, Florida — Kings Point in Tamarac sold a large number of homes this year.

Situated between the Florida Turnpike and Sawgrass Expressway, Kings Point in Tamarac provides residents with easy access to popular Florida destinations. However, the amenities within the community provide residents with more than enough to keep them both physically and socially active. Homeowners can work out in the fitness center, enjoy a casual game in the Ping Pong room, or grab a bite to eat in the cafe.

Kings Point in Tamarac sold a large number of homes this year, resulting in a high population of new residents. With 4,869 condominiums, villas, and coach homes in total, it’s easy to see why so many new residents were drawn to the variety of floor plans.

For the ultimate in low-maintenance living, the condos offer one to three bedrooms and one to two-and-a-half bathrooms, while the coach homes (the largest homes in the community) offer two to four bedrooms, two to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and an attached one to two-car garage.

Request more information about Kings Point in Tamarac.

11. Tellico Village - Loudon, TN

Low $300s - High $1Ms

Boats tied up at docks at Tellico Village in Loudon, Tennessee — Tellico Village earned its spot in the top 20 of this list by selling hundreds of homes this past year.

For active adults seeking a best-selling community in Tennessee, Tellico Village earned its spot in the top 20 of this list by selling hundreds of homes this past year. Located in Loudon, Tellico Village is just 31 miles southwest of Knoxville and minutes away from Interstate 75 and Interstate 50, providing residents with easy access to major cities like Nashville and Atlanta.

The amenities within this master-planned community include the 27,000-square-foot Wellness Center—with two indoor pools, a fitness center, locker rooms, and a sauna—as well as the 17,460-square-foot Chota Recreation Center and the Kahite Activity Center.

Situated across 4,600 acres of greenspace, homes in Tellico Village range from low-maintenance townhomes to single-family homes with views of the Smoky Mountains, Tellico Lake, and rolling golf course hills.

Request more information about Tellico Village.

12. Sun City West - Sun City West, AZ

Low $100s - High $600s

Palm trees surrounding the outdoor pool at Sun City West in Sun City West, Arizona — Sun City West is a 16,900-home community with enviable amenities.

Just 2.5 miles west of the original Sun City, Sun City West is a 16,900-home community with enviable amenities and all the benefits of the warm Arizona climate. To help residents stay active, there are over 100 chartered clubs and interest groups as well as an activities director to facilitate a lineup of fun classes, parties, and organized trips.

Homebuyers interested in purchasing a home within this community can select from single-family or attached homes. The single-family homes range from 800 to over 4,600 square feet, while the attached homes range from about 760 to 1,880 square feet. For homebuyers on a budget, this is also a community with a wide selection of affordable homes for sale.

Request more information about Sun City West.

13. Holiday City at Berkeley - Toms River, NJ

Below $100k - Low $300s

The outdoor shuffleboard courts at Holiday City at Berkeley in Toms River, New Jersey — Homes for sale in Holiday City at Berkeley come in over 20 floor plans.

Our first best-selling community in New Jersey, Holiday City at Berkeley is an affordable community that also made hundreds of home sales in the past 12 months. Retirees from all parts of the country flock to this community due to its low-maintenance living, attractive amenities, and idyllic location in Ocean County.

Homes for sale in Holiday City at Berkeley come in over 20 floor plans ranging from 750 to over 1,850 square feet with one to two bedrooms, one to two bathrooms, and one- to two-car garages. Also, residents pay a monthly homeowners’ association fee that covers lawn service, common area maintenance, snow removal, as well as a private bus service.

Request more information about Holiday City at Berkeley.

14. Laguna Woods Village - Laguna Woods, CA

Mid $100s - Mid $1Ms

A sunset over a golf course and condo buildings at Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods, California — Laguna Woods Village is only 10 minutes from the beach.

As our top best-selling community in California, Laguna Woods Village offers all the best that an Orange County retirement has to offer. With an equestrian center, 36 holes of golf, five swimming pools, and over 250 clubs and organizations, this 12,736-home community has all the ideal amenities for active adults who want to fulfill their dream of a Southern California retirement.

Situated on 2,100 acres of rolling hillsides, Laguna Woods Village is only 10 minutes from the beach. Also, if you’re a homebuyer seeking extra peace of mind, this community is gated with 24-hour patrols and a private bus system.

With 94 floor plans to choose from, homes in Laguna Woods Village can fit the housing preferences and budgets of almost any active adult buyer.

Request more information about Laguna Woods Village.

15. Kings Point - Sun City Center, FL

Below $100k - Low $300s

A pelican on a bridge over Tampa Bay in Florida — Kings Point is in a region that enjoys roughly 300 days of sunshine.

Many retirees seeking an active lifestyle, low-maintenance living, and a warm climate found their home in Kings Point this past year. Homes in this community come in the form of attached villa condos arranged in duplex configurations with 800 to nearly 2,000 square feet.

Located in Sun City Center, Kings Point is in a region that enjoys roughly 300 days of sunshine, making outdoor activities possible nearly every day of the year. For avid golfers, the greater Sun City area offers eight golf courses, and the community itself has three of these courses on-site.

Residents can also enjoy convenient golf cart access to retail and dining options in Sun City Center. In addition to golf, homeowners have access to two clubhouses as well as nearby beaches and big-city entertainment in Tampa and Orlando.

Request more information about Kings Point.

16. Windsor Gardens - Denver, CO

High $100s - High $300s

The golf course at Kings Point at Windsor Gardens in Denver, Colorado — Windsor Gardens is a 55+ community offering 2,689 attached townhomes and condos.

For homebuyers looking to retire in the MIle High City, Windsor Gardens offers 143 acres of sprawling lawns, picturesque gardens, and mature trees. It’s just minutes away from Denver’s finest shopping, dining, and cultural activities, but homeowners also have plenty of on-site amenities, such as a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Windsor Gardens is a 55+ community offering 2,689 attached townhomes and condos. Built between 1962 and 1973, the homes in Windsor Gardens are reasonably priced and range from 720 to 2,145 square feet. Also within the community, there’s a 24/7 security patrol and a shuttle service to transport residents to nearby attractions and stores.

Request more information about Windsor Gardens.

17. Sun City - Sun City, AZ

Below $100k - High $800s

Lounge chairs on the outdoor patio surrounding the pool at Sun City in Sun City, Arizona — Sun City was the very first 55+ community in the country when it opened 1960.

The community that started it all is (and will likely stay) a perennial best-seller. Selling hundreds of homes and welcoming waves of new residents this year, Sun City was the very first 55+ community in the country when it opened 1960. Since then, it’s only gotten bigger and better.

Aside from its recreation centers and leisure amenities, this community also offers practical facilities, such as 30 churches, a synagogue, a performing arts theater, two libraries, and an on-site hospital. There are also about 200 clubs and interest groups to keep neighbors active and social. Interested buyers have the option of attached or single-family homes, with price ranges that accommodate many budgets.

Request more information about Sun City.

18. Sun City Center - Sun City Center, FL

Below $100k - Mid $500s

Palm trees surrounding a community building at Sun City Center in Sun City Center, Florida — This community has no trouble attracting new residents with its reasonably priced homes and resort-style amenities.

Heading back to Sun City Center, we have another best-selling community in the popular Tampa Bay area. Sun City Center is a self-contained village complete with retail options, grocery stores, worship centers, and a hospital.

Selling hundreds of homes this year, the community has no trouble attracting new residents with its reasonably priced homes, resort-style amenities, and active lifestyle with nearly 200 clubs. Also, the streets in this community are golf cart-friendly, meaning residents can access shopping plazas, restaurants, and amenities without a car.

Request more information about Sun City Center.

19. Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head - Hardeeville, SC

Mid $200s - Mid $600s

Greenery and a water feature surrounding the community sign for Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head in Hardeeville, South Carolina — Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head provides homeowners with every convenience.

We started this list in the Hilton Head area, and for No. 19, we’re returning to the picturesque beaches and world-class golf courses in Coastal South Carolina. Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head brought everything homebuyers loved about the Daytona Beach location to retirees seeking a milder climate in the South.

With plans for more than 3,000 attached and single-family homes and an impressive lineup of amenities, Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head allows its residents to enjoy the best that the area’s natural beauty has to offer. Featuring a 290,000-square-foot retail center on-site, this community provides homeowners with every convenience.

Request more information about Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.

20. Hilton Head Plantation - Hilton Head Island, SC

Low $400s - High $1Ms

Greenery surrounding a community building at Hilton Head Plantation in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina — Hilton Head Plantation attracts new residents with the promise of low-maintenance, coastal homes.

Rounding out our top 20 best-selling communities of 2021, Hilton Head Plantation deserves some attention. Situated on 4,000 acres, this 4,278-home community attracts new residents with the promise of low-maintenance, coastal homes in a breathtaking location.

On Hilton Head Island, shopping and dining options are only a short walk or drive away, but for retirees who want to lounge in the community, there are plenty of resort-style amenities to enjoy. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of over two miles of beaches, a full-scale marina, fishing lagoons, six miles of walking and biking trails, and two nature conservancies.

Request more information about Hilton Head Plantation.

21. Pelican Preserve - Fort Myers, FL

22. Heather Gardens - Aurora, CO

23. Fairfield Glade - Crossville, TN

24. Sun City Lincoln Hills - Lincoln, CA

25. Sun City Texas - Georgetown, TX

26. Sun City Anthem - Henderson, NV

27. Green Valley Recreation - Green Valley, AZ

28. Savannah Lakes Village - McCormick, SC

29. Brunswick Forest - Leland, NC

30. Sun City Grand - Surprise, AZ

31. Sun City Mesquite - Mesquite, NV

32. Sun City Summerlin - Las Vegas, NV

33. Spruce Creek Country Club - Summerfield, FL

34. Kings Point in Delray Beach - Delray Beach, FL

35. Colonial Heritage - Williamsburg, VA

36. Del Webb Lake Providence - Mt. Juliet, TN

37. The Landings on Skidaway Island - Savannah, GA

38. Rossmoor - Walnut Creek, CA

39. Stone Creek - Ocala, FL

40. Century Village at West Palm Beach - West Palm Beach, FL

41. Sun Lakes - Sun Lakes, AZ

42. Del Webb Nocatee - Ponte Vedra, FL

43. Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay - Summerville, SC

44. Oak Run - Ocala, FL

45. Province - Maricopa, AZ

46. Pebblecreek - Goodyear, AZ

47. Lakeside Crossing - Conway, SC

48. Carillon - Plainfield, IL

49. Robson Ranch - Eloy, AZ

50. Valencia Lakes - Wimauma, FL

Methodology

To determine the best-selling communities, we weighed the number of both 55places home sales and MLS home sales for 2020. We calculated all homes that were listed in a community and divided it by how many of those homes actually sold for the entire year to get a sales conversion number. We also factored in the size of each community to remove bias from communities with more homes to sell.

Cedar Knolls, NJ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

1 Community in Cedar Knolls

Viera at Hanover

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

Financing is the difference!