The 12 Largest Active Adult Communities in the East – They’re Big!
Category: Active adult communities
August 17, 2021 — There are active adult communities everywhere, and most have all kinds of great activities and amenities. And then there are the really large active communities, those with almost 10,000, or even over 130,000 residents. As for the popularity of really large communities, The Villages, the grandaddy of all, just showed up (again) as the fastest growing Metro in the U.S. So obviously, they are doing something right for a certain segment of the population.
These super communities offer a truly amazing variety of amenities and lifestyle options. Many have hundreds of clubs and a dizzying number of choices for non-stop activities every day. The problem there is not finding something to do on a given day, rather it is narrowing down the choices.
Exact figures are hard to come by, but we estimate that there are at least 10 active communities in the eastern U.S. with more than 10,000 residents. If you know of some that we have overlooked, please let us know about them! Because of their size they feature a range of recreational and social options that smaller communities generally cannot provide. Here are some of what they typically offer:
– Wide choice of sports suitable for all ages of retirees (multiple golf courses and tennis courts, swimming pools, softball, pickleball, bocci, etc.)
– Active social program with planned events on a daily schedule
– Wide array of clubs to match many different interests. Sometimes there are hundreds of different clubs
– Planned activities to enjoy such as crafts, woodworking, arts, singing, theater, etc.
– Classes and opportunities for life-long learning on campus
– Clubhouses, community centers, ballrooms, and performance venues that bring people and talent together
– Many of these communities have restaurants, stores, medical facilities, etc. on the premises
– Golf carts are usually permitted on internal roads – many people rely on them for their daily transportation needs
– Not all of the communities we list here are exclusively for adults 55+. Some are open to residents of all ages and even have schools for the children that live there. But some have distinct 55+ neighborhoods within them.
Comments on "The 12 Largest Active Adult Communities in the East – They’re Big!"
HEF says:
Such a large environment seriously intimidates us! Too easy to get lost and no easy chance of making friends - like living in a giant subdivision (and we've done that - sad but true)
One place we toured said a study was done that showed people are most comfortable in a community of around 300. We're on a wait list for two places - one has 59 residents and one has 385 (including cottages). The above list is not for us.
Drew says:
I do respect what HEF has said and understand these communities seem really large and maybe hard to navigate. But we moved to one that is all-ages in Florida because of the location and the amenities and actually have found that each neighborhood has its own bond. We have made great friends right on our street and have neighborhood events including social gatherings at our own park or someones driveway for morning coffee or evening cocktails. But having a town center with lots of events and music along with restaurants, health care and shopping is a plus even if we only go a few times a month. I can't imagine though living in one of the large communities as mentioned that are all 55+ even though I am 73 years old, I like being around the young folk.
judy beeman says:
Hello Drew
Haven't read this in quite a while and just happened to read today and was interested in your comment. Where you live sounds wonderful to me and was wondering if you'd be able to post the name or at least the state. I'm a widow now and am looking for a neighborhood that has some life to it. Love to hear the voices of kids playing.
Thank you for any info you can give. Enjoy your living arrangements sounds. Sounds great to me. Thanks JEB
Jennifer says:
I have often been wary of communities that encourage only certain age groups. They may eventually age out and while some people like quiet boredom, that is exactly what I do not want in my old age. A community that incorporates all age groups seems more vital to me. I find many of the over 55 communities geared towards couples reliving their youth with wild abandon as if they can turn back the clock, which is fine if that is what is wanted. I will attempt to age gracefully and accept any limitations that come with it. Living where young people are part of the community life is actually what I think keeps one younger if not physically, then perhaps in thought. It can also encourage a can-do attitude and hopefully one will keep up with the world and developing new technological skills. Living in a time capsule of perpetual resort life, while fun now and then, is not something I want a steady diet of.
Drew says:
Hi Judy we live in Lakewood Ranch near Sarasota Florida which is mentioned above and have been here for years in an established neighborhood, there weren't nearly as many as there are now when we looked. It certainly has grown but like I remarked above it's good for us. If you are interested in Florida you should look here and the Town Center will be helpful but I think the closer you live to the town center the better those are the older communities but nice. We are here year round but many residents are snowbirds.
Jemmie says:
Drew and Judie, I just wanted to chime in since we discovered Lakewood Ranch just a few years ago. We chose it for the reason Drew mentioned -that we wanted an all ages community (and we wanted to be near Sarasota). Although ours is an all-ages neighborhood it is still 80% older, 55+ adults, mainly because it is made up of small, 2-bedroom homes. I suggest before anyone buys in a large development that they spend a day or two driving through the different communities or neighborhoods to see what they are all about, especially in which communities most of the schools (and school buses) are located, and how far away the amenities actually are. The community we chose was perfect for us and we did have Saturday morning coffees in driveways during Covid.