55+ Central Florida (34)

Central Florida retirement communities are generally about 90 minutes to the Atlantic Ocean beaches and 40 minutes to the Gulf. As it's name implies it is the central area of Florida, excluding the coasts and the extreme north and south regions; however, this is open to debate and not any official area.

The great theme parks are in this area. It may offer a lower cost of living than areas on the coast.  Depending on the community, you may have so many amenities and activities you won't miss being at the Coast.  There are major builders here offering classic retirement communities in an area known for a lower cost of living.

Content by County and Cities 

Alachua County: Gainesville

Marion County: Ocala; Summerfield

Sumter County: The Villages (also in Lake and Osceola)

Lake County: Mount Dora; Leesburg, Clermont, Altoona

Volusia County: Deland

Orange County: Orlando

Polk County: Polk City; Lake Wales; Winter Haven; Poinciana

Highlands County: Sebring; Lake Placid

Guide: Most Popular, Map, and Newest

See the Florida Index for all other Florida pages. (On mobile, see Navigation.)

Alachua County

Gainesville 

• Oak Hammock at the University of Florida

LOCATION:  Central Florida near university

FEATURE:    CCRC affiliated with the University of Florida.  Life care program available with emphasis on an active lifestyle and lifelong learning as we age.

CONTACT:    5100 S.W. 25th Blvd., Gainesville - Ph: 352-548-1024

Affiliated with the University of Florida. Life care program available with emphasis on an active lifestyle and lifelong learning as we age.  Resort amenities.  Entrance and monthly fees.  Apartments and villas.  Physical and financial assessments before entrance. 

Communities with a university environment are accessible to lifelong learning.  Upscale lifestyle with many amenities. You do not have to be an alumni of U of Florida. 29 residences of apartments, free-standing homes and villas. Pet friendly. Please verify all information.

Marion County

Ocala 

Ocala is 90 minutes to the Atlantic Ocean beaches and 40 minutes to the Gulf beaches. Also, it is 90 minutes North of Orlando and the theme parks.

Ocala has 4 area hospitals and nearby Gainesville has a regional VA hospital. A sportsman's paradise with lake fishing and boating. This is also horse farm country.

• On Top of the World Communities

LOCATION: Ocala  

FEATURES: Privately owned with many amenities; visit tour (verify)

CONTACT:  8447 SW 99th St., Ocala - 1-800-421-4162

Price $$-$$$, This large 55 community features village-style living with their Circle Square Commons. One of the oldest builders of Central Florida retirement communities specializing in active adult communities. Their first community was in Clearwater.  Senior lifestyle amenities include 3 golf courses, 6 pools, clubhouses, and restaurants.   They are known for their unique R/C flying field. 
An Energy Star program and "Building America" partner.  Prices start in $200,000's for new homes.  

• Candler Hills West by On Top of the World - Open Daily - This is a new championship 18-hole golf course neighborhood of single ranches starting in $200's.  Visit tour.
  Sales Office: 8445 SW 80th St. - Ph: 352-854-3600- Open Daily

• Stone Creek by Del Webb

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:  18-hole Championship Golf

CONTACT:  6320 SW 89th Court Rd., Ocala - Ph: 877-333-5932 - Open Daily 

22 Designs! Price $-$$, Size-small to large - Single homes starting $200's. Upcoming events are a good way to see the community.

• JB Ranch by DR Horton 

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:  Spacious ranch homes - now starting $361's 

CONTACT: 9047 SW 62nd Terrace Rd., Ocala - 844-509-7696 - Open daily

• New - Cherrywood Preserve

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:   New homes in an established community

CONTACT:    352-427-2478  

This is a resort community by Armstrong Homes of single homes with amenities.  Near I-75 with many conveniences.

Resale in Ocala 

• SummerGlen 

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:  Gated, golf, resort amenities, sports courts

CONTACT:  15480 SW 13th Circle - See local Realtors for resales.

15 minutes to Ocala - Price $-$$, Large, gated, award-winning resident-owned community with no CDD fees - by Florida Leisure Communities - golf course for residents and public (residents can choose to be equity owners in golf course with fee and dues and have unlimited play); some of the many amenities: beach-entry pool, spa, sports courts, softball and more. Free on-site secure RV storage. Homes have energy features and started in mid-$100's.   
   

• Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club 

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:  Large golf community

CONTACT:  5000 North Highway 27  - Ph: 352-732-5000

Price $-$$$, Size-Large - Also see Palm Isle Townhomes.  Lots of amenities. By Venture Associates Corp. 24-hour Gated active adult golf community.  Prices affordable. Also, homes for rent listed on website. 
 

• Oak Run Country Club

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:  Gated country club community  with golf

CONTACT:  10983 SW 89th Avenue - Ph:  352-854-5775

Price-$$-$$$, Size-Large - by Decca Gated luxury resort living - 2 golf courses and clubhouses with dining. Pro shops. Bocce ball, pools, fitness, activities and more.

• Stonecrest by Armstrong Homes in Summerfield  - Country club living and golf cart community. 11048 SE 174th Loop, Summerfield  

Single-family homes started at $140's (verify). Floor plans from 1200SF - Amenities include Stonecrest Golf and Country Club with golf, multiple pools, tennis, Cultural Arts building, softball, bocce ball, shuffleboard and more. Near The Villages community for additional activities, shopping and healthcare. 

• JB Ranch - By Armstrong Homes

LOCATION:  Ocala

FEATURES:  Clubhouse, pool, recreation

CONTACT:  6260 SW 90th St., Ocala  

Single family homes close to amenities in Ocala.  Sold.

Sumter

New and Resale at The Villages 

• The Villages of Lady Lake Community 

LOCATION:  Lady Lake

FEATURES:  Large, gated, village-style with golf

CONTACT:  1000 Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages - Ph: 352-753-2270

Lady Lake 24 miles north of Ocala - Price-$-$$$, Size-Large, Village-style - Large, well-maintained and popular golf community. Spread out over three counties: Sumter, Lake and Osceola.

Town Centers for entertainment.  Resident demographics are heavily weighted to couples (verify).  

For golf lovers:  they are well-known for being a golf course community with an abundance of golf courses; the 9-hole courses are free to residents to play; the championship courses charge a fee (please verify information regarding golf courses). Pools, restaurants and more.  New and resale properties.  Visit tours.

New Homes site-built and manufactured.  Visit program (verify).

Manufactured resale homes are affordably priced.  
Also, see our interview of residents of The Villages  

Lake County

Mount Dora 

This area is much more relaxing than the city-like Orlando and at a higher altitude bringing more breezes and less humidity (verify).

• The Lakes of Mount Dora - Now sold out

LOCATION:  Mount Dora

FEATURES:  Award-winning, gated waterfront with connected lakes

CONTACT:  8124 Bridgeport Bay Circle

In Mount Dora by Pringle - Size-Medium - gated waterfront community - interconnected lakes - designer pool Sustainable landscape and Energy Star programs. Started $190's to $500's. 950 homes.  With this community now being completed, Pringle has retired its brand.

Clermont 

• New Phase Now Palms at Serenoa

LOCATION:  Clermont

FEATURES:  Within master community Serenoa; gated; 500+ homes

CONTACT:   16124 Yellowed Dr., Clermont - 844-509-7696 - Open Daily 

By Freedom Homes - Singles and villas starting in low $300's.  New phase now.

• Final phase now Esplanade at Highland Ranch

LOCATION:  Clermont 

FEATURES:  Within the Highland Ranch master community; homes designed to include the most-wanted features for the 55+ lifestyle  

CONTACT:  983 Ridgeglen Way, Clermont - 352-415-4235 - Open Daily

Single 1 and 2-story single homes by Taylor Morrison in gated resort-styled community. Walking trail connects to 19-mile West Orange Trail. 2 and 3-bedroom homes start $300's.  Final phase now. 

• Heritage Hills - Sold Out

LOCATION:  Clermont

FEATURES:  Gated; Community Center, pool, basketball court, Fitness

CONTACT:   3195 Heritage Hills Blvd.

By Lennar - 4 gated communities of estates and villas. Villas started in mid-$100's. Single homes started in mid-$200's.   

• Kings Ridge - Sold

LOCATION:  Clermont

FEATURES:  Large, gated, 2088 homes

CONTACT:  Kings Ridge Blvd - Ph: 352-242-9653

Clermont - Golf cart community with pools, spas, golf, social activities and more.  Convenient to shopping in your golf cart.  Resales from $200's.

Sold Out in Leesburg 

South of Orlando. One hour to Orlando and theme parks.

• Legacy of Leesburg (Resales)

LOCATION:  Leesburg

FEATURES:  Beauty of nature at affordable prices

CONTACT:  5280 Legacy Blvd., Leesburg - Ph: 888-739-2979  

Started from mid-$100's - Gated community by Florida Leisure Communities known for affordability in their communities and some smaller floor plans.  Also see their community SummerGlen in Ocala. Spacious country club retirement living with all the luxury amenities such as clubhouse, pool with walk-in beach-style entry, fitness center, tennis, bocce ball, softball field and more. Previous builder was Pringle.  See new neighborhood Enclave.

• Enclave at Legacy of Leesburg - Final collection there--just 38 premier sites.  From high mid-$100's. 
  

• Arlington Ridge - New homes sold out - see resales on their site

LOCATION:  Leesburg

FEATURES:  18-hole Golf; affordable ranch homes new and resale  

CONTACT:  4460 Arlington Ridge Blvd. - Ph: 352-702-0244 - Open Daily

Leesburg by D R Horton.  The community has a town center with theater, restaurants, pools, fitness.  The homeowners website shows any rental availabilities.  Designer or Estate Home Collections started from upper $100's. Lot prices and home prices listed separately.  Named by Where to Retire magazine as one of the top communities in Florida.

Floorplans for RV with motor coach garages.

• Fairways at Arlington Ridge - sold

LOCATION:  Leesburg

FEATURES:  Golf lots

CONTACT:   Part of the Arlington Ridge community

Homes were priced in mid-$100's (lot not included and priced separately).  Call 844-212-7872

• Pennbrooke Fairways - Resales

LOCATION:  Leesburg

FEATURES:  Golf community

CONTACT:  501 SR 44, Leesburg - Realty Office: 800-304-0084

Older, established golf community in Leesburg by Florida Leisure Communities celebrating 25 years.  Clubhouse and pool, Activity Center and pool, tennis and more.  Beauty salon, library, real estate and post office on site.  Numerous social clubs and activities including Veterans club and RV club with a storage site.  Three 9-hole golf courses and Grill.

• Plantation at Leesburg - Resales

LOCATION:  Leesburg

FEATURES:  Guard-gated golf community

CONTACT:  25201 Highway 27, Leesburg (North or South gate) - 352-326-1250

Large, established guard-gated golf community of  single homes with many clubs and activities.  Lots of interesting general Florida info on their website.  

Independent Living in Lake County 

Lakeview Terrace

LOCATION:  Altoona

FEATURES:  Life Care Community

CONTACT:  441 Raintree Dr., Altoona - 800-343-1588

Life care community on 2 lakes on 100 acres in the countryside of Lake County - lifestyle includes Independent living, home health care available, and assisted living.  Skilled nursing and rehab facilities coming soon.   

Volusia County

DeLand

• Cresswind at Victoria Gardens

LOCATION:  DeLand

FEATURES:  Contemporary ranch homes at good value in great location  

CONTACT:  117 Old Moss Circle - 386-873-4680/888-714-0989 - Open Daily 10-6

Gated community by award-winning Kolter Homes.  This community was winner of the Southeast Builders Conference Grand Aurora Award for best single-family detached home under 2000SF. 

55+ community is part of Victoria Park Master Golf Community. Just 30 some miles northeast of Orlando - Quaint and historic downtown 2 minutes - 20 minutes to the beach at New Smyrna - Collections start $400's. Clubhouse, resort pool, Social Director and activities, walking trails, tennis, pickle ball, golf and more.  

Orange County

Orlando

Go here for Orlando (separate page) to see these cities:

• Championsgate
• Clermont
• Davenport
• Deland
• Groveland
• Harmony
• Kissimmee
• Orlando
• St. Cloud
• Winter Park
• Winter Garden

Polk County

Lakeland

•   Lakes at Laurel Highlands - By DR Horton

LOCATION:  Lakeland

FEATURES:  Spacious ranch homes - Start $300's

CONTACT:   2223 Airport Rd. - 844-509-7696 - Open Daily

• Lake James

LOCATION:  Lakeland

FEATURES:  Clubhouse, pool, social activities

CONTACT:  Ph: 863-683-2782  - 8216 Lake James Dr. - Open 1-5 PM Sat and Sun; weekday by appt.

Award-winning single detached homes - Ernie White Construction      

Polk City

• Mt. Olive Shores

LOCATION:  Polk City

FEATURES:  Good for RV owners, lakefront, fishing, gated

CONTACT:   410 Nolane Lane, Polk City, FL - Ph: 888-667-6676

Polk City - CRF Community between Tampa and Orlando. This over-55 central Florida retirement community is a deeded lot development not rentals. For RV or RV/ranch homes.

RV enthusiasts community with storage space for RV's.  Please verify.     

Lake Wales - South of Orlando

• Lake Ashton

LOCATION:  Lake Wales

FEATURES:  Gated on Lake Ashton; RV garages in selected homes

CONTACT:   4140 Ashton Club Dr. - Ph: 866-525-3274 - Open Mon-Sat

Price $-$$ - Premier community on 1200 acres of ranch land fronting waters of Lake Ashton. Gated and many amenities. Some homes have garages for motor coach.  Price starts $200's. New and resale. Tour the community with a special rate from local motel (see rules on their website).

Winter Haven - South of Orlando

• Preserve at Lakeside Landings (Sold out)
  

LOCATION:  Winter Haven

FEATURES:  Gated with resort-style pool and cabana (verify)

CONTACT:   5727 Lakeside Landings Blvd.  

Ranch homes started from $180's in great location.  By DR Horton.   Nature trails.

• Traditions at Winter Haven (sold out)

LOCATION:  Winterhaven

FEATURES:  Boat slips and launch; Resort-like

CONTACT:   4070 Bedford Ave.  

Price $-$$ - Size-Large - From upper $100's - By Lennar - Gated - 60 minutes to Orlando. boat launch and slips on Lake Ruby. Landscaped homes, clubhouse, walking trails, pool and more. Resort-style. 

• Vienna Square Community (New villas coming)

LOCATION:  Winter Haven

FEATURES:  Homes and villas; Adjacent to CCRC if needs change

CONTACT:   701 Overlook Dr. - Ph: 877-791-9907

Winter Haven - Price $- Size-Large - Another CRF community.  Homes and villas start mid $100's (verify).

Poinciana - South of Orlando - (also in Osceola)

• Solivita (Sold)

LOCATION:  Poinciana

FEATURES:  Gated; Village Center; Tuscan-styled; golf; Award-winning

CONTACT:   395 Village Dr., Poinciana - Ph: 863-427-7000

Price-$-$$$$, Size-Large - Gated. Village center. They have a pickle ball court which is very popular. Two 18-hole golf courses and 21 miles to theme parks. Large variety of price ranges started mid $100's and up.  

Highlands County

Sebring - South of Orlando

• Highlands Ridge 

LOCATION:  Sebring

FEATURES:  Golf villas

CONTACT:  4106 Carter Creek Lane, Avon Park - Ph: 863-471-1171  

Sebring - Price $$-$$$, Size-Large - Fishing, (260-acre lake nearby) lake and golf course community - Southern Central Florida. Heartland Medical wellness programs. Golf villas from $100's to $200's. Priced affordably.  A Florida hospital wellness partner. Sold out - check status.

Lake Placid

• Tomoka Heights

LOCATION:  Lake Placid

FEATURES:  Gated ranch homes; lots for sale

CONTACT:  13 Oakwood Court - Ph: 863-465-6411

This central Location is near to many of the most popular areas of Florida.  Large gated community is selling new homes in phases plus resales are available.  Small town away from crowds for country quiet.  This is an area of hills and lakes but good shopping nearby.  Lake Henry for fishing and boating.  Clubhouse, pool, tennis, shuffleboard and more.  Gated with single 2 and 3-bedroom ranch homes. Built for energy savings. From mid-$100's to $400's.  New and resale.  

Separate page for:  55+communities in and around Orlando

Guide:

View Central Florida cities with senior communities in a larger map

Newest 55+ Communities in Central Florida Chart





NAME	Location/Starting Price	Link
1. Palms at Serenoa	Clermont/$280's	See More
2. Lakes at Laurel Highlands	Lakeland/$312's	See More

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