By Dan Boyle, Florida realtor and guest writer for the MHVillager blog
You’ve spent most of your life working to provide for your family. From finishing school yourself, to providing your kids a decent education, you’ve worked hard day and night to be able to provide a good life for yourself. Now that you’re entering the golden years of your life, it is high time that you retire someplace where you’d feel relaxed and at home every day: near the waterfront.
There are millions of Americans that dream of retiring to a quaint, cozy community near the beach or somewhere near the water. Enjoying the fresh sea breeze and the bouncing waves, taking a quiet, relaxing walk by the shore or go fishing by the lake, that’s one picture that always comes to mind when you think of retiring near the waterfront.
Florida Waterfront Communities are among the best places to retire. There are many reasons why. Firstly, taxes. Taxes are lower in Florida primarily for retirees considering that they do not need to pay for city or state taxes. Cost of living is also lower compared to other progressive states. Another good reason is the warm, tropic-like weather and the abundance of beaches and bodies of water. It feels like you are on vacation all the time!
Related: Mobile Homes as Great Vacation Rentals
Mobile homes are now one of the great options for retirees to fulfill their dream of a waterfront retirement place without spending a ton of money. Many retirees on a fixed budget find it quite tricky to get a retirement home especially one near the waterfront. There are lots of beautiful mobile home communities near the waterfront in Florida that will suit your needs and fulfill your dreams and help you stay within your budget. Here are a few:
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Plantation Oaks
Plantation Oaks is a gated, active, 55+ community that provides a secure, secluded, tranquil environment located in Flagler Beach. This was previously a vast area of indigo, cotton, and sugar cane plantation in the 1800s that has now
been turned into an impressive retirement community.
Various amenities are available in this community such as a banquet hall, entertainment rooms for card playing, exercise, billiards, library, and others. There’s also an outdoor barbecue for outdoor celebrations or simply just hanging out and having a nice, fun barbecue with your friends. There’s also an oversized heated swimming pool for you to enjoy.
Plantation Oaks is also a short distance away from Bulow Creek where you can enjoy some outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, and going on picnics. Beaches such as the beautiful Ormond Beach and Flagler beach and just a short drive away from the community.
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Surfside Estates
Surfside Estates is an active 55+ community located in Oceanview Boulevard in Beverly Beach across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is just a short walk where you can go swimming and take walks along the shore. They also have a beautiful waterfront park along the Matanzas River where you can relax in the gazebo and have a barbecue with your neighbors and friends.
They have a very low monthly association fee of $125 which gives you access to a lot of useful benefits such as free cable TV, bi-weekly garbage pickup, home lawn care, and swimming pool maintenance. Surfside Estates is home to full-time and part-year residents and renters living in more than 240 manufactured/mobile homes. Residents in Surfside have an option to purchase a “share” which makes them a shareholder in the corporation and allows them a lot location thereby eliminating the need to pay for a monthly lot rent.
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Camelot Lakes
Camelot Lakes is a gated community in Sarasota that provides you the ultimate Florida lifestyle experience. With beaches just a few miles away as well as natural and historical attractions, you’ll surely have a great time getting in touch with nature in this community. This 55+ gated community offers security and fun recreational amenities such as heated pools, library, arts and crafts, pool tables, pickleball courts and so much more!
Bahia Vista Estates is another beautiful retired living community located on the west coast of Florida. There are plenty of fun activities to do in Bahia Vista Estates. There are sports facilities such as basketball courts and heated pools, and their social calendar is always full of fun events like bingo night! Bahia Vista is also a pet-friendly community, allowing up to two pets per home. There are also wellness activities such as yoga allowing to be at your prime health while here in Bahia Vista Estates.
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Villa Del Sol
Villa del Sol is a 55+ manufactured home community that is perfect for you if you love sightseeing and exploring! This beautiful community is close to theme park attractions like Universal Studios, MGM, Sea World and Disney World! Medical facilities are also within proximity to the community as well as the beach, meeting your health and wellness’ needs. Like most top-notch retirement communities, Villa Del Sol has plenty of recreational amenities to keep you active and social!
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Pescara Lake
If impressive lake views are what you are looking for, then Pescara Lake should be on your list. Pescara Lake is in central Bradenton, southwest of Florida. This active community boasts a four-star rating, and you can see clearly why. It is located within a short distance from a few of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and probably the entire United States! They have a low monthly site fee, and they are also a pet-friendly community. This community promotes an active lifestyle as they provide amenities like heated pools, shuffleboard courts, and water aerobics. They even have a 5-acre lake stocked with fish for those fishing enthusiasts!
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Swan Lake Village
Swan Lake Village is another 55+ active community in Bradenton that offers a quaint and relaxing environment for active retirees. They have beautiful lake views and large lot sizes giving you more space for your dream retirement home. It is well-lit and equipped with security cameras for your protection. They have a huge selection of previously owned and factory-built homes that will fit any budget. As the name implies, they have a huge lake with swans and other wildlife. They offer lots of excellent amenities for your entertainment and active lifestyle.
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Jamaica Bay
Jamaica Bay is located in the beautiful Fort Myers which boasts a fantastic location and tons of amenities. The monthly maintenance fee is low, but the inclusions are plenty. This community promotes an active way of life as they are equipped with pools, tennis courts, a modern fitness center and lots more. They have a variety of home designs that will surely suit your taste. They have three clubhouses, tons of indoor and outdoor sports activities as well as social activities that living in Jamaica Bay feels like you’re on vacation all the time!
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Rolling Greens
Rolling Greens in Ocala, FL is a modern active 55+ mobile home community that boasts lush, vibrant scenic views with modern facilities. One thing that’s great about Rolling Greens is that they care for the environment with their Community Center being environment-friendly with their LED lighting and their Low-E windows. The AC system is also energy efficient as well as their geothermal pool. Lots of enjoyable activities can be experienced in this dynamic community such as Pancake Day, card game nights, golf, arts and crafts, wood shop, water aerobics and so much more. It is also close to the Silver River where you can enjoy glass bottom boat rides. Take a sneak peek at their website and witness all the enjoyable benefits that you can experience.
Lakeshore Landings is one of the most peaceful 55+ communities there is in Orlando. It is located near Lake Catherine where you can enjoy boating and fishing or just hanging out by the lake and having a barbecue. It is complete with amenities such as heated pools, a gym, saunas and a clubhouse for social events. The community also offers a lush, vibrant environment that is perfect for nature lovers. If you love being near the waterfront and enjoying an active lifestyle, then Lakeshore Landings is your home.
MHVillager Contributing Writer Dan Boyle is a real estate agent in Marco Island Florida, specializing in waterfront and beachfront property. He is the team leader of The Boyle Team and has authored several in-depth guides to buying Florida real estate and second homes.
