over 55 communities near Orlando

[mbw12]

Hi everyone....just wondering if anyone lives in or knows of anyone that lives in an over 55 community near Orlando (within half hour). In talking, my Dh and I seriously want to consider this. We still have quite a few years (12 to be exact)....but just wanted to get an idea of places in the area, so we know where we would like to target. We thought about the Carolinas or someplace....but always come back to the fact that we want to be near an entertainment area for various reasons (visitors, jobs, and lets face it excitement...we dont want to be bored.) We are NJ people and frequent NYC and all the hot spots and the NJ beach alot....so we dont want to be in a major cuture shock of too much relaxation....we want a balance of both) Just looking for suggestions and ideas (and yes, I know things and the area will probably change over the next decade...but it is never to early to start planning and dreaming!!!!)

 

[GeorgeG]

If you have twelve years to decide you'll have plenty of choices. The building in the area is going strong, including where I live. We're an hour away from Orlando/WDW, but we are currently at about 80,000 and have lots of entertainment built in. We can see lots of new communities going up from the turnpike every time we go to WDW or Orlando. I suggest taking vacations to the area and scouting around from now until you're ready to buy.

 

[mbw12]

I understand that things will be different in 12 years...however, I just wanted to get an idea of what is out there now. Where/what is your community...is it gated? We visit often, so we know some of the areas...but want to branch out a litte. have been looking online also, but can only get so much info. thanks.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

The first one that comes to mind is Polo Park on 27 (just south of the intersect with 192 West). It's both mobile and site built homes. Nicely maintained, and very community oriented.

There really are loads of them, Solavita is another one and in the general area.

It really does take some visits and research to see what area appeals the most.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I live in Solivita, which is just over the Osceola County line in Polk County. The development is about eight square miles (extremely large) and about 3,400 houses. The master plan is to go up to about 6,100 houses in total. I have been here for five years.

I like it a lot. One of the very unusual things they did was have the Village Center with the amenities, including the health club, complete and open when the first family moved in. They have neighborhood pools, as well as the main one, and some subsidiary village centers. There are many clubs and monthly activities.

Check out www.solivita.com for more information. And we have a WDW Casting Job Fair here every month, as well as a club for WDW CMs who live here.

 

[wgn5580]

There are a ton of these communities around Orlando. Most of them are located northwest of the area and might be a bit out of the 30 minute range you are looking for but there are definetely some really nice ones close to Orlando. Do you want a 55+ age-restricted community or would you consider one that is more "age-targeted" (i.e. no age-restriction but very favored by mature adults). If so, check out Celebration, VillageWalk at Lake Nona and Bella Trae by Del Webb.

As for 55+ communities, there is Solivita and Del Webb Orlando to the south. To the west in the Clermont/Leesburg area like Heritage Hills, Kings Ridge and Summit Greens. Or there is a newer one by Shea Homes called Victoria Gardens north of Orlando or the Lakes of Mt. Dora to the north. I found a site called 55Places.com that has a ton of info on these place. Here is a link to their page with central Florida 55+ active adult communities, which includes a bunch near Orlando: 55places.com/florida/central_florida

Good Luck!

 

[Buckalew11]

Good question and nice answers. It will fun to look and see what is out there.

 

[Art 1]

Palm Valley in Oviedo very close to Univ of Central Fla.

 

[dlm1017]

I am also doing research on this very same thing. My husband and I are 45 and I am thinking about our future. We live in North East Pa and work in North Jersey, we are tired of the snow and cold but to move full time would be hard because our kids are here and are not interested in moving. I was thinking about an RV because we could drive down and camp from Jan to May. But the prices to camp are way more expensive than I expected. I think it might be less to just purchase a small home and either rent it out in the summer months or just keep it empty for short visits throughout the year. Who knows we may want to move full time. But at least we would have a place ( and a tax deduction) Can you purchase a home in advance BEFORE you are 55?? or are there nice places that are like the 55 and older that dont restrict your age?
What can we do now to plan for our future?
have any of you done this and re-located from the north how did you do it?
Thanks!:

 

[Muushka]

I have dreamed of retiring in FL (but not to the area where we used to live). As I do my research, I am stunned at the foreclosures in the area.

Any tips on which area would be the most stable?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is a tie-in with the Federal Age Discrimination Act. A senior community has certain rues that must be followed. Specifically is that each unit must be owned and occupied by at least one person age 55 or older. There is also a limit of no more than 20% of residents may be under 55, which does allow for spouses, etc. And third is that nobody under age 18 is permitted to be a resident, although visits by people under a8 are permitted provided no one person spends mre than 30 days in a year in the community.

A few years ago there was a tragic situation where a married couple were both killed in some sort of accidnet and the parents of one of them became the Guardians of the children. The Association made a special exception for them and gave them six months to find another place to live outside of the development so as not to ruin the status of the development.

 

[goofyernmost]

The first one that comes to mind is Polo Park on 27 (just south of the intersect with 192 West). It's both mobile and site built homes. Nicely maintained, and very community oriented.

I'm familiar with the area that you are referring to and to be honest I have never gone by there without thinking to myself...good grief, if God ever wanted a place to do target practice for Hurricanes or Tornado's this would be the ideal location.