Best Over-55 Communities in the U.S.

Where should you spend your golden years? These over-55 communities may have the answer.

Best Over-55 Communities in the U.S.

A senior woman smiles while kayaking with her husband

Over-55 communities are not a new concept, but they are more popular than ever. Nearly 100 million Americans will reach retirement age by 2050, and they don't have to spend those years alone in a cold and sometimes unforgiving climate.

While active adult communities are all over the United States, these retirement resorts are consistently highly rated by their senior residents. From small neighborhoods to cities teeming with social activities, there's something for every retiree out there.

These are the best over-55 communities in the U.S.

10. Laguna Woods Village

Laguna Woods Village golf course in Orange County, California

Location: Orange County, California

Median home price: $475,000

California's stunning Laguna Woods Village is the largest retirement community on the West Coast. With a little over 12,000 residences, the community has its own performing arts center and championship golf course, several ballrooms and banquet facilities. There are 10 tennis courts, five pickleball courts, a bocce ball court and shuffleboard court as well as other outdoor games and activities. There's even an equestrian center for horse lovers and riders.

For people who aren't as active or who wish to indulge in a quiet hobby, there's an arts and crafts clubhouse with professional equipment for everything from jewelry making and woodworking to sewing, painting, photography and ceramics.

The Laguna Woods Village Library boasts over 140,000 books and magazines. To top it all off, a free community shuttle drives residents from one activity to the next.

9. Sun City Summerlin

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Median home price: $440,000

Las Vegas has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. Sun City Summerlin is a low-key oasis 20 minutes from the always-active Vegas strip.

There are nearly 8,000 attached and single-family homes in the community. Its residents have 80 different clubs and interest groups to choose from and can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities in the winter months and take part in everything from dance, jewelry making, ceramics and stained glass-making indoors in the summer months. There's even an activity director to help residents chart their own fun-filled weeks.

Of course, for those who love the nightlife, an easily accessible shuttle will take you to your destination.

8. The Villages

Location: Sumter and Marion Counties, Florida

Median home price: $390,000

There are plenty of stories about the Villages out there — the good, the bad and the ugly — but regardless of what you may have heard, it continues to be one of the most popular retirement communities on the planet. It's also the largest in the U.S., with over 100,000 people that live in the area.

You can relax at The Villages, but should you choose to be more social, there's always something to do and somewhere to be. "Villagers," as they are called, enjoy small-town living with luxury resort amenities.

There are over 80 recreation centers, 50 golf courses, 2,500 clubs and activities, and three town squares. Everything is just a short golf cart ride away.

7. Del Webb Charleston at Nexton

Del Webb Charleston entrance in Summerville, South Carolina

Location: Summerville, South Carolina

Median home price: $362,500

For retirees who need a little breathing room, with plans for only a thousand homes over 350 acres, Del Webb Charleston at Nexton is a great destination.

That doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing to do. Residents enjoy resort amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center and plenty of clubs and hobby groups to meet your needs.

6. WaterSong at Rivertown

The lake and clubhouse in St. Johns, Florida

Location: St Johns, Florida

Median home price: $573,731

Developers broke ground on Watersong in 2019, and it's already become a favorite destination among seniors. It will eventually have 800 residences, making it a much smaller community than most. But that quiet and space are what draw people to it.

Residents have access to amenities such as a waterfront cafe, fitness center, yoga studio and game room. Outdoors, residents can enjoy the massive beach entry pool and an Olympic-size lap pool.

There's also a fishing pier, kayak launch, boardwalk and nature trails a stone's throw from the scenic St. John’s River.

5. Sun City Texas

Location: Georgetown, Texas

Median home price: $420,000

Sun City is a Del Webb property with over 10,000 residents. The Village Center at Sun City is the central hub for whatever activities you choose.

It boasts 86,000 square feet of indoor amenities with everything from a grand ballroom to a computer lab, billiards hall and library. Hobby and arts and crafts studios as well as a 20,000-square-foot fitness center with an indoor lap pool and spa are also available to residents.

Sun City does not skimp on outdoor amenities, either. There's a nearly 10-mile scenic trail, numerous tennis, pickleball and bocce ball courts, a softball field, gardening plots and a dog park.

And don't forget the golf. The community's Legacy Hills course was designed by PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper.

4. Robson Ranch Casa Grande

Location: Eloy, Arizona

Median home price: $480,000

Arizona's only entry into this top 10 list is hard to beat. This community features 4,600 attached and single-family homes, and residents enjoy its unique amenities and desert living. Southwestern-inspired dishes are all the rage here, and the Robson Ranch golf course offers fun for golfers of all skill sets.

It is also conveniently located near health-care providers Banner Casa Grande Medical Center, Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital, Florence Hospital and Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital. Getting to nearby Phoenix and Tucson is also a breeze.

3. Pelican Preserve

Pelican Preserve homes in Fort Myers, Florida

Location: Fort Myers, Florida

Median home price: $543,750

Pelican Preserve is a 1,100-acre golf course community located just a few miles from Fort Myers. It features 2,500 residences, from condos to carriage homes, villas and single-family homes.

Residents can participate in all sorts of activities on the property, as there is a clubhouse, tennis courts and a fitness center. They can also become members of the famed Pelican Preserve Golf Club.

If you want to venture into nature, the property has nearly 60 ponds and 20 conservation areas. It also has several walking trails and a soon-to-be-constructed 38-acre observation boardwalk where you can view the local flora and fauna.

2. Del Webb Nocatee

Del Webb Nocatee in Ponte Vedra, Florida

Location: Ponte Vedra, Florida

Median home price: $539,500

Del Webb Nocatee is relatively new. Developers broke ground on it in 2007. This retirement community will have nearly 2,000 residences when all is said and done.

It currently features the Anastasia Club, a 37,800-square-foot clubhouse, which boasts a fitness center, aerobics studio, indoor pool, whirlpool spa, steam room and sauna. The club also features a sun deck, whirlpool spa and barbecue pavilion.

Outdoorsy members can use the two event lawns, six tennis courts, six bocce ball courts and eight pickleball courts featured on the property, as well as a six-mile nature trail nearby.

For members who enjoy quiet time and hobbies, there's an arts and crafts studio, a library, lounge and cafe as well as a fully equipped catering kitchen.

1. Latitude Margaritaville

The community at Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head in Hardeeville, South Carolina

Location: Hardeeville, South Carolina

Median home price: $550,000

Singer Jimmy Buffett created Latitude Margaritaville, a retirement community for those who want changes in latitudes and attitudes. If you're not already a Parrothead, you will soon be taken in by the laid-back lifestyle these properties offer. There are currently locations in South Carolina and Florida. However, Latitude Margaritaville also has plans for Texas communities.

The South Carolina location offers a variety of amenities, including a pool, indoor and outdoor dining, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, pet spa and even a theater. Here, you'll easily find that lost shaker of salt.