Are you considering retirement? In our last publication, we shared some of the fine retirement communities across the country. To contrast, today we shine the light on some wonderful senior community selections in Florida. Whether you are interested in golf, boating or relaxing at the pool, these destinations have so much to offer. Joins us for a stroll through some of the top retirement communities in the Sunshine State.
Senior Communities in Western Florida – Gulf of Mexico Coast
Colony Cove, Ellenton
The Herald Tribune of Bradenton named Colony Cove the Best Retirement Community in three consecutive years.
Colony Cove is located in Ellenton, Florida, in the Sarasota/Bradenton metro area. Ellenton is a small, quaint town with tropical breezes and a friendly atmosphere. In addition, over a fifth of the area within Ellenton is water. As a result, waterfront properties are everywhere, including at Colony Cove.
This resort-style senior community is a design for the active 55+ lifestyle. It has a private dock, great fishing and beautiful views. Also, the senior community has five heated swimming pools, shuffleboard and tennis courts. Colony Cove has on-site management, laundry, RV storage, woodworking shop, two fitness centers and a dog park.
Jamaica Bay, South Fort Myers
Jamaica Bay is a beautiful gated community of manufactured homes in South Fort Myers, Florida. This area is well known for its 50 miles of sandy shoreline, fantastic fishing and natural beauty. Jamaica Bay is a private community with a gate, and sits on 230 acres of palm trees in paradise.
Some of the many things to do include two heated swimming pools, a whirlpool spa, fitness center, tennis, shuffleboard and bocci ball courts as well as horseshoe pits. Add to that, free RV and boat storage and three fish stocked lakes. The residents also have access to numerous planned activities and events. As a result, it is a wonderful place to call home.
Oak Crest/Acorn Mobile Home Community, Largo
Largo is the fourth largest city in the Tampa area. Enjoy long walks on the world-famous Clearwater Beach, the highest-rated white sand beach in balmy Florida. Explore The Pier with its shops, observation deck, aquarium, boating and just plain fun. In addition, Largo is home to the Florida Botanical Gardens and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Oak Crest/Acorn Mobile Home Community is a gated senior community. It has a heated swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, and picnic area with a gas grill. A game room with billiards and library is in the clubhouse. Pets are welcome at Oak Crest/Acorn. So your furry friends can enjoy the Gulf too!
Windward Village, Spring Hill
Windward Village is located on Florida’s Adventure Coast, in Spring Hill, in Hernando County just 40 miles north of Tampa. The community is near U.S. 19 and Windward Boulevard, nestled over 81 acres of stunning landscape surrounded by beautiful nature preserves.
Windward Village is near numerous recreational activities such as golf, boating, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking. But Lake Jared is on site and is the community’s own catch and release pond. A nature preserve that surrounds many homesites offers residents the inspiring sights and sounds of nature.
Del Tura Country Club, North Fort Myers
Del Tura Country Club is the perfect retirement destination for the avid golfer. It boasts an on-site golf course. When you aren’t out on the fairways and greens, there are five swimming pools, five spas, a fitness center, library and even a restaurant on site. Additionally, this waterfront property has a huge clubhouse, a fishing pond, shuffleboard and tennis courts and planned activities. You certainly never will run out of things to do or ways to enjoy Florida’s beautiful weather.
Central Florida Senior Communities
Mid Florida Lakes, Leesburg
Mid Florida Lakes can be found in Lake County. Located in the northwest segment of the Orlando Metro area, Lake County is a step away from the big city, but with a small-town atmosphere. In fact, Leesburg was voted one of the top 100 Places To Retire-2014 by TopRetirements.com.
This pet-friendly, gated senior community has a swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center and great fishing opportunities. Homes located on the water provide covered and open boat slips. With boat ramps and palm trees, you’ll get the full taste of Florida!
Sunlake Estates, Grand Island
Talk about natural beauty! Lake Yale sets the stage for this Central Florida senior community. Plus, Sunlake Estates is just five miles from the Ocala National Forest. It is ten miles from everyday conveniences, including restaurants, shopping, banks, medical facilities and churches. Add to that attractions and small-town charm, residents enjoy visiting the nearby towns of Eustis, Leesburg and Mount Dora.
Sunlake Estates residents enjoy the community’s fabulous clubhouse with resort-style amenities, 48-slip marina, nine-hole golf course, community garden and 10-acre recreational park with softball field. There is a lakeside park with BBQ and picnic areas. With great fishing and boat and RV storage, Sunlake Estates has everything you need for your relaxing water side Florida retirement!
Schalamar Creek, Lakeland
Winner of 2014 National Community of the Year award, Schalamar Creek is recognized for its attention to detail, amenities, community design and professional management. It has a history too! Schalamar Creek is the 1999 and 2000 Reader’s Choice first-place award winner for best community in a survey by The Lakeland Ledger.
Situated on 500 acres of waterways and natural beauty, the neighborhood provides fairway, lake frontage and wooded homesites. Schalamar Creek also offers one of the area’s finest golf courses. The Ron Garl-designed, 18-hole championship course can challenge even the most experienced golfer, as well as introduce someone new to the game. There are year round tournaments for fun, trophies and cash. Schalamar Creek has a PGA teaching pro on staff and offers a full-service golf shop. The course sits aside Saddle Creek Park, a bird 750-acre bird sanctuary. During a round, players may see a variety of beautiful birds.
Lake Point Village, Mulberry
Centrally sited to the south of Lakeland and just east of Tampa, Mulberry has all the charm of small-town living with all the modern metro conveniences. Mulberry is “The Crossroads of Florida” due to its central location in the state. Mulberry is a small town perfect for fun and exploration.
The design of this senior community is unique. Homesites encircle two large nature preserves and a crystal blue lake encompasses the eastern property line. In addition, residents at Lake Pointe Village enjoy an array of fun activities – from socializing in the beautiful 12,000 square-foot clubhouse to playing tennis, shuffleboard, and a 9-hole putting green. Poolside parties are a way of life, as is ballroom dancing, billiards, cards and bingo.
Heartland Estates, Haines City
Heartland Estates is a 55+ manufactured housing community in Haines City, regarded as “the Heart of Florida.” Heartland Estates is on lovely Lake Hester. There are a number of challenging golf courses in a 15-mile radius. Disney World is 18 miles away, and many other famous attractions also are within a short drive.
Heartland Estates is big enough to support a full, active lifestyle, yet still small enough to serve as a true neighborhood. It has a clubhouse overlooking the pool and Lake Hester. Other amenities include a library, billiards room and exercise room. Residents enjoy a wide range of activities and organizations, including bingo, craft shows, computer club, game nights, coffee hours, shuffleboard and much more.
Rolling Greens, Ocala
Rolling Greens has a perfect central Florida spot on the edge of the Ocala National Forest. Located in North Central Florida, there are many old trees, picturesque horse farms and pleasant year -round temperatures. A dream come true for horse enthusiasts!
As you can tell from the name, it also is a haven for golfers. Rolling Greens has an 18-hole Executive Golf Course and a Pro Shop. For the non-golfer, there are three swimming pools, tennis and shuffleboard courts, horseshoes and billiards. They also have group activities with everything from BBQs to dance lessons.
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Senior Communities in Eastern Florida – Space Coast
Lamplighter Village, Melbourne
Just off the Atlantic Coast, Lamplighter Village boasts one of the finest climates in Florida. The average temperature is 73 degrees, and the prevailing breeze off the ocean is lovely. Fans of the U.S. Space Program also know the area as the Space Coast serving as home to many who worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. The Space Coast has 75 miles of coastline with nationally recognized beaches and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Situated on 110 acres, Lamplighter Village offers a 5-star clubhouse, heated pool and hot tub, pool-deck bar, dog park, spacious card and meeting room, fitness center, billiards room and tennis courts. This senior community is pet-friendly and has new and professional refurbished homes available.
Lauder Lakes, Fort Lauderdale
In sunny South Florida’s famous Fort Lauderdale, Lauder Lakes is minutes from seven miles of beaches, the airport and Las Olas Boulevard’s renowned shops and eateries. 
This private community offers a large clubhouse and heated pool, sauna, laundry room, kitchen, billiards, shuffle board, petanque court and showers. Streets have tropical vegetation at every turn, and they’re closed to through-traffic. The combination of scenic and minimal motor traffic makes for ideal avenues to stroll. All residents have their own private and often covered parking. Also, homes surround two large lakes.
Find the Senior Community That is Right For You
Florida provides a nearly endless number of spectacular senior retirement communities. What we provide here is a glimpse, to give you the idea. If you are interested in learning more, check out our in-depth guide to finding the right senior mobile home park and you will be fully prepared to begin your search!
