55+ or Active Adult Communities

Post updated August 2019
55+ communities are now called “Active Adult Communities.” That sounds so much better and doesn’t look so “ooold.” What a relief. The homeowners in such communities now feel a lot younger although the threshold of 55+ remained the same. What happened?

Find Homes in 55 plus and active adult communities

What is a 55 or active adult community?

As the name suggests, no folks younger than 55 years of age can live in a 55 Plus community. Although, this statement is not 100% correct. The law says that at least one of the owners of the condo, house, villa or apartment needs to be 55 years or older.

This is still not entirely correct because there is also the second rule in place:  only 80% of the individuals living in a 55 Plus community need to be of that age, the remaining 20% can be younger than 55. But not too young!  When the husband is 55, and his spouse is only 50 …no problem. If he brought his new 20-year-old “bird” from China, it might be a different story.

Has the percentage of “younger people” already reached the 20% threshold, nobody younger than 55 can move into that community anymore. Does it make sense? Of course, it does. If 50% or more were younger than 55, it would not be a 55 Plus community anymore.

In some communities, younger people can buy a home in a 55+ community, but they cannot move in. They can rent it to seniors, though. Does that make sense? We don’t know.

By the way, when a community wants to become a 55 Plus community it has to observe specific state and federal laws. The district also has to register with the FCHR (Florida Commission on Human Relations) if it doesn’t want to jeopardize the legal status of the later. 

Who wants to live in a 55 Plus community?

55 Plus neighborhoods are for people who do not want to have all hell break loose when 20-year-old Mister “Nice Guy” next door fires up his Harley Davidson at 5 o’clock in the morning.

So, does that mean that age-restricted communities are more like…..hm.. a graveyard?  Not necessarily,  55 and over communities attract people of their age group. They share common interests and still want to live an active lifestyle in Florida’s warm climate. Nothing wrong about that, right?

Do the residents who choose to live in a 55 and better community have no kids?

That may not be true! Most of them have kids and grandkids, a lot of them were educators, school bus drivers or worked with children all their life. They don’t move into a 55+ because they suddenly don’t like kids.  They just do not want to go through all the hassle with their neighbor’s teenagers again. They don’t want to have to experience the teens years for the third time. The new 200 w stereo, the scooter, the incredible subwoofer in their first car, their..whatever. Been there, done that. They are just looking for an active lifestyle with people in their age group.

Can children or grandchildren come to visit?

Of course, they can. Since the general rule states that at least one owner needs to be 55 or older does that effect visits of the kids or grandkids?  Yes and no. Of course, they  can stay for a limited time-frame, which is called a “visit.” But the meaning of “visit”  is usually explained in the rules and regulations of the community.  A month-long stay (or longer) most likely doesn’t qualify as  a “visit.” Therefore, a 19-year-old teenager can stay for a little while, but he can not move in for good…and he can not have wild parties with other teens while visiting. How boring is that??

What about the “active lifestyle”?

You may not believe it, but in many 55+ communities, the homeowners can live a very active lifestyle. You may have noticed that we put the emphasis on the word “many.”

Not every 55 Plus community is like the other; the variation ranges from neighborhoods with almost low activities to a full schedule. You choose which one is right for you and keeps you happy.

Maintenance Free! No time for gardening

Most 55+ communities offer a maintenance-free lifestyle with amenities like community pool, fitness center, dancing, tennis, golf, pickleball, golf, shuffleboard and a variety of social activities.  Weekly dinners, bingo, casino nights, exercise classes, craft classes, computer classes, yoga, zumba, exercise classes, mahjong, and other card games. Group travel trips are often activities offered in 55+ communities. More and more 55 and over communities now employ an activities director.

If this stresses you already out, don’t worry. When you are 55+, you are old enough to say “no” and relax at home.

55 Plus communities are often conveniently located within walking or biking distance to grocery stores, shopping, and medical facilities.   In some communities, you can even use your golf cart to get around. Sweet!

Summary: What are the attributes of a 55 Plus community? 

Low maintenance and a hassle-free lifestyle year-round outdoor activities, social life in an all-inclusive community.

Now you have decided that a 55 Plus community is attractive. What are your choices? Homes in 55 Plus communities range from Single-Family Homes, paired villas, Condos to Manufactured Homes. If you consider purchasing a property in a 55 Plus community in Venice or Sarasota and surrounding area,  keep in mind that at least one of the homeowners and/or tenants must be at the age of 55.

When you choose us as your Buyer’s Agent, we will make sure that you will exactly get what you are looking for. Give us a call (941-244-8341) or send us an email.

Below is a list of our favorite 55+ communities in Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, and Nokomis:

Venice  55+ or active adult Communities

Fair Winds Village in Nokomis is a waterfront community with boat docks and walking distance to Casey Key Beach.

Villas of Chestnut Creek, Venice is a mature community in the heart of Venice with winding streets and mature oak trees.

Venetian Falls in Venice is a newer built lifestyle community with villas and single-family homes

Sarasota 55 + or active adult Communities

Lakeridge Falls is a newer lifestyle 55 and over community in Sarasota with lots of activities. Enjoy walking distance to shops and cafes.

Center Gate Village, offers detached and attached villas with 2 car garages and community pool. Large living areas and super central South Sarasota location.

Cascades of Sarasota a lifestyle community with lots of action and newer construction.

Forest Pines, a friendly and walkable community.

Siesta Harbor Condominiums – walk to Siesta Key Beach and dock your boat for under $500 a year. Great 55+ Condo Community where you are able to rent your Condo a minimum of 30 days 12 times a year. Walk to Siesta Key Village and enjoy Island life with a Breeze. 

Whispering Sands – 55 and over beachfront community on famous Siesta Key. Choose from villas to Condos in a high-rise to a mid-rise building. Walk your private beach and to Siesta Key Village with lots of fun and entertainment. 

Mount Vernon at Sarasota Bay is 87 acres made in heaven. The waterfront community consists of 434 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condo and villa units, many with sweeping bay views. Social Life is active, and there are not as many hours in a day to do everything you want to do.

Clubhouse, community pool & spa, shuffleboard, sauna, tennis courts, library, walking paths, a bayfront park, kayak launch, bayside pavilion, lakeside gazebos, bird sanctuary, tidal pond. There is more: boat docks, RV/boat trail shuffleboard, picnic shelter with gas grill, fishing, bird watching……life is better with a Bay Breeze.

And the best thing is, you are just minutes away from the best beaches on Anna Maria Island.

Lake Tippecanoe a hidden Gem in Sarasota with low HOA fees and very reasonable Home prices.

Lakeshore Village is a lovely community in the heart of Sarasota. Best of it all is you can walk to grocery stores, restaurants, and medical facilities. Just a short drive to Siesta Key Beach.

Strathmore Riverside a waterfront community in Sarasota with boat slips.

Oakhurst in Sarasota is a well-established neighborhood with winding roads in a lush green surrounding. Centrally located and yet tucked away. Not many listings become available here. Don’t procrastinate if you know you want to live there.

Englewood 55+ communities

Would like to own a single family home in a 55 and older community? Find it here (coming soon)

Englewood Beach Condo Villa, charming free-standing villas on Lemon Bay within two walking Minutes to beautiful Englewood Beach. Lots of waterfront Restaurants nearby. You found the best-kept secret on the West Coast. 

Park Forest, a gated community in Englewood, with a heated community pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and RV parking. New construction is also available.

Quails Run, a well-established community in Englewood, with smaller Condos nestled in a Park like setting, no through traffic and pet-friendly.

Oyster Creek Golf & Country Club in Englewood has an appeal to this age group, although it is NOT a 55+ community. Low HOA fees, great community with lots of friendly people. We know because we used to live there for a while and just moved back recently. Read more here.

Village at Wildflower is a peaceful and quiet 55 and over neighborhood in Englewood, backing up to a nature preserve. Attached Villas are built around the community pool. Covered and guest parking

More 55+ communities in North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Lakewood Ranch, and Bradenton:

Cypress Falls – Gated active lifestyle community in North Port; with maintenance -free-living including an elegant State-of-the-Art Community Resort Center with 2 heated outdoor pools, a resistance pool, fabulous Fitness Center, Full-time Activity Director, Internet Café, Billiard room, and Tennis courts.

CocoPlum –  The community offers a year-round heated pool, assigned carport parking, lots of visitor parking, and a park-like area with a picnic table and a newer propane grill for your use anytime. Leasing is not allowed so every unit is owner-occupied.

Oak Forrest- affordable, lushly landscaped in a very central location in Port Charlotte. 3 Pools and lots of amenities with many social events. 

Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch – This is a brand new 55+ lifestyle community with all the activities you can imagine. Arts and craft club, learning & reading, social events, travel trips, potluck dinners, movie nights, walking and biking. Amenities include a lifestyle community pool with lap lanes, Pickle Ball, Bocce Ball, Tennis, Clubhouse with Wi-Fi Cafe, Walking Trails. Choose from Single Family Homes and paired Villas.

Mirabella At Village Green in West Bradenton is a LEED certified, energy efficient 55 and over community. Pursuing a healthy and social lifestyle and love new construction? This may be perfect for you. Oh by the way…we forgot it is so close to Anna Maria Island Beaches. 

Garden Lakes Village, is a maintenance-free and gated 55 plus community in Bradenton west of I-75 and south of SR. 70. The community offers an active lifestyle with pickleball courts, tennis, heated community pool and lots of activities. You can choose between single family homes, some with pool and courtyard villas. Close to UTC mall, downtown Sarasota, and several area beaches.

Rio Villa Lakes- This is a gated and maintenance free 55 and over neighborhood in Punta Gorda. Newer construction with community pool, tennis, and recreation facility and manicured grounds. Close to Punta Gorda historic downtown and the Fisherman’s village. Close to everyday shopping, yet a quiet place to live. 

Need inspiration? Contact us below – we can help.