The 25 Best Retirement Communities in Orlando, Florida

It‘s hard to make a choice when looking at the best retirement communities in Orlando, Florida! We can’t decide which community you’ll find your home in, but what we can do is give you lots of great options to choose from.

Check out our list of the 25 best retirement communities in the Orlando, FL, area — curated by our real estate professionals at Explore55Plus:

1. Solivita

In the Orlando and Celebration areas, the Solivita retirement community is a very popular choice in retirement communities near Disney World. The homes range from the mid $200,000s to mid $600,000s, and the community currently holds 5,900 homes. Building for Solivita began in 2000 and is still going strong. HOA fees are $392 per month, and CDD fees are $52 per month. These numbers may seem high, but they fund 11 outdoor pools, several indoor pools, multiple gyms, clubhouses and a few golf courses. There are tons of things to do within the gates of Solivita, and the surrounding area is growing to match it — with a newly built hospital and a host of restaurants. It's easy to see why this tops our list of the best retirement communities in Orlando.

2. Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes is situated in St. Cloud, one of the more rural parts of Florida. St. Cloud is very much growing though, and among its build sites you can find plenty of beautiful natural areas. The community itself boasts a lake with a dock so owners can kayak and boat. The homes in this community run from the low $300,000s to the high $600,000s, including villas and single family homes. Both types of homes can be bought new, as building started as recently as 2016. HOA fees are $373 per month for villas and $293 for single family homes, with a monthly CDD of $80. There are currently 1,650 homes at Twin Lakes, making this a perfect mid-sized community.

3. Del Webb Sunbridge

Del Webb is a respected builder in the Central Florida area, and it’s easy to see why! Building for Del Webb Sunbridge started in 2019, and homes are still being built on the property. These homes range from the low $300,000s to the high $600,000s, with HOA fees at $423 for villas and $370 for single family homes. The CDD fee is an additional $102 per month for villas, and $114 per month for single family homes. Del Webb plans on making Sunbridge a master community. And although there are already 1,300 homes, new homes and improved amenities are still coming in hot.

4. Del Webb Orlando

Despite its name, Del Webb Orlando is actually based in Davenport, Florida — about 20 minutes from Orlando. Building ended recently in 2021 and the community is already sold out with 830 homes in total, but resale is available. These beautiful homes are being sold at prices between the high $200,000s and high $500,000s. HOA fees are $251 per month, and master community fees are an additional $840 per year. The community is gorgeous, with a pier on the nearby lake, a beautiful clubhouse and a pristine golf course.

5. Four Seasons at Orlando

Built by K. Hovnanian, the upscale custom homes at the Four Seasons retirement community are very reasonably priced for their quality. The cheapest home build was sold in the low $300,000s, and the most expensive was in the high $600,000s. HOA fees are $255 per month, and CDD fees are $134 per month. Building started for this community in 2017, and there are currently 554 homes. There are so many things about the Four Seasons Orlando 55 plus community to love — especially since it’s only 10 minutes from the Orlando parks and features the prestigious Mystic Dunes golf course, which runs right through the property. Being relatively small, the community is also very friendly and tight-knit.

6. The Lakes at Harmony

With prices ranging from the high $200,000s to the mid $400,000s, The Lakes at Harmony is a great option for people seeking variety with mid-range price points. HOA fees are $345 per month, and CDD fees are $114 per month at The Lakes of Harmony. Building for this community started in 2016 and is ongoing, with 400 homes currently. There are two builders: Lennar and Jones Home, meaning there are plenty of options if you’d like to build new. And for those who want plenty of diversity, The Lakes at Harmony’s town center blends into a number of other neighborhoods for easy meshing, in addition to its shared golf course.

7. Tohoqua Reserve

This community is brand new! Del Webb began building in 2022, and there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the community. Homes are already selling for prices between the low $300,000s and the high $400,000s. HOA fees are set at $242 per month, and CDD fees will be $82 per month for villas and $144 per month for single family homes in Tohoqua Reserve. Communities by Del Webb tend to be larger and very active, generally with a restaurant or tavern and ample activities. However, Tohoqua Reserve will be a bit different! Meant to be calmer and more tight-knit, this community will be deeded & smaller than usual (there are only 258 homes projected so far) with the amenities of a larger community.

8. Gatherings at Lake Nona

Lake Nona is a young and hip area with plenty of high-quality restaurants and boutiques, and it’s still growing today! Growing with it are the 55 plus communities in Lake Nona like the Gatherings at Lake Nona, where building started in 2017 and is ongoing. These homes are priced from the mid $300,000s to the mid $500,000s. HOA fees are $575 monthly, and CDD fees are $64 monthly. There are 216 homes currently, and there’s something special about them … they’re the only condominiums on our list of the best retirement communities! This allows the community to keep reasonable pricing in a highly sought-after area, and it doesn’t negatively affect the activities available.

9. Del Webb Oasis

This is another brand-new community by Del Webb! Building started in 2022, and there are 422 homes planned currently. These will be priced between the high $300,000s and the high $500,000s, and HOA and CDD fees are still to be determined. Although the community isn’t fully planned out yet, there’s plenty to be excited about! The land for the community is within 10 miles of all the major Orlando theme parks and attractions, like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Plus, the community will be completely new, so future homeowners can look forward to the infamous Del Webb quality. Model homes for this community are available in Del Webb Sunbridge, if you’d like us to take you for a look!

10. The Plantation at Leesburg

This is one of our most affordable communities, with home prices between the low $100,000s and the high $400,000s. HOA fees are only $105 per month, with no CDD fees. Building for Plantations at Leesburg began in 1993 and ended in 2008, with 2,820 homes in total. It’s easy to find friends in Leesburg, as there are many other 55+ communities in the area! This community is also very well established, with resale getting a bit hard to find in recent years due to the beautiful and well-maintained amenities and warm atmosphere.

11. Kings Ridge

Kings Ridge is located in the Leesburg area on what some call “55+ Row.” There are plenty of good options on this strip, and quite a few things that separate Kings Ridge from the rest. Firstly, this community is right by downtown Clermont — a cute area with plenty of shopping and dining options. Plus, Kings Ridge is the only community in the Leesburg area that is only a short golf cart ride from Publix. This is also a nice mid-sized community, with 2,088 homes built between 1995 and 2005. Luckily, the location didn’t raise the prices. These homes run between the mid $200,000s to mid $400,000s. The HOA fees are between $343 and $412 per month, depending on the age of the property, and there is no CDD. If this hasn’t convinced you to check out the community, let Explore55Plus take you by the beautiful nearby golf courses!

12. Royal Highlands

With homes from the mid $200,000s to the mid $400,000s, an HOA fee of $176 per month and no CDD, Royal Highlands is another of our most affordable options. Building for this community started in 1990 and ended in 2007, with 1,500 homes in total. It’s situated between Clermont and Leesburg, and has a rural feel. The property is surrounded by conservation areas with great bird watching and plenty of nature, so it’s the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando. It’s not too removed, though — Publix is only eight minutes away, so you’re still close to the essentials.

13. Trilogy Orlando

Trilogy is one of our favorite 55 plus communities in Orlando, Florida, for sale — and for good reason! Building just ended in 2021 after beginning in 2005, and there’s a lot of variety in home prices: anywhere from the high $200,000s to high $600,000s. It’s easy to find something that works well for you! HOA fees are $431 per month, and CDD fees are $485 per month. These may seem like high numbers, but Trilogy is among the best 55+ communities in Orlando, Florida, because it has the most amenities per capita in the area. There are only 1,100 residents, making it a relatively small community with all the resort-style amenities of a much larger community, including the ability to order lunch by the pool, a huge restaurant area and music on the weekends! The staff at Trilogy is incredibly attentive to the needs of the residents.

14. Pennbrooke Fairways

Pennbrooke Fairways is one of the more affordable retirement communities in Orlando, Florida. Built between 1980 and 2004, this community has plenty of homes available for resale between the high $100,000s and high $300,000s. The HOA fees are $302 for villas, $337 for arbors and $217 monthly for single family homes. There are no CDD fees, and there are 1,200 homes total. One of the best things about Pennbrooke Fairways is that it’s right by The Villages. There are three nine-hole golf courses and a restaurant on the property, but if residents want a little more excitement they can head right across the street to access everything The Villages has to offer.

15. Heritage Hills

As a Lennar community, Heritage HIlls is in very high demand. Lennar communities have a great reputation for being very mindfully maintained and very well maintained. With 1,154 homes built between 2006 and 2020 and ranging from the high $200,000s to high $400,000s, Heritage Hills is a perfect mid-range community in both size and price. HOA fees at Heritage Hills are between $338 and $375 per month, and there are no CDD fees. The community is located in Clermont, and there are both villas and single family homes available for resale. There is a golfing simulator available for residents in the clubhouse, and the walking trails are also a favorite.

16. Legacy of Leesburg

With just under 1,000 homes, Legacy at Leesburg is another Central Florida favorite — with reasonable pricing and a fantastic reputation. Home prices range from the mid $200,000s to low $400,000s, with HOA fees at $235 per month and no CDD. Built between 1996 and 2020, these homes are sold out but resale is available, although difficult to find. Some of the resident favorites include the community’s ample and well-maintained nature trails and social clubs, along with its warm and friendly atmosphere.

17. Lakes of Mount Dora

Lakes of Mount Dora is one of the most unique communities in the Central Florida area. With homes in the high $200,000s to high $600,000s, HOA fees of $246 monthly and a one-time CDD fee of $1,000, you can get a brand-new home on the water! Building for this community started in 2005 and is ongoing, with 950 homes currently. Water separates the streets of the community so that residents can boat and fish throughout the community. Not only that but the Lakes of Mount Dora is also very close to downtown Mount Dora, so there is plenty to do and lots of nice restaurants and shopping areas nearby. This community is beautiful and welcoming, making it another one of the best retirement communities according to Explore55Plus.

18. Highland Lakes

Something that makes Highland Lakes one of the best retirement communities is — you guessed it — the beautiful natural lakes scattered throughout the property. With homes from the mid $100,000s to low $300,000s, the HOA fees at Highland Lakes sit around $252 per month for villas and $103 for single family homes and no CDD fees. These homes were built between 1990 and 2002, and there are 938 homes in total. Resale is very popular in this community because of its tight-knit neighborhood feel and the many updated homes available at reasonable prices.

19. Summit Greens

Summit Greens is a quaint golfing community in the Leesburg area. Home prices in this community range from the mid $200,000s to the low $500,000s, with monthly HOA fees of $360 and no CDD. The 750 homes in this community were built between 1990 and 2002, and the small number of homes makes Summit Greens a very friendly community. If the atmosphere doesn’t sell you, just wait until you see the plans being made for new golf courses and restaurants being built and updated within the year.

20. Royal Harbor

This community was built between 2000 and 2008 by Pringle, another prominent builder in the Central Florida area. There are 755 homes in total, ranging from the low $200,000s to the mid $800,000s. HOA fees are $173 per month, with no CDD. The great thing about this community is that you can see both Lake Dora and Lake Harris from the highest points in the community. With rolling hills sandwiched by two beautiful lakes, this is certainly a beautiful little community. It also happens to be the only community where homes have docks on Lake Harris! And even if you can’t score a home with a dock, a public boat ramp is available right outside the community’s gates.

21. Sullivan Ranch

Sullivan Ranch is the sister community to another multi-generational community, with shared amenities between the two neighborhoods. Homes at Sullivan Ranch run between the high $200,000s and mid $500,000s. HOA fees are $345 monthly, and there are no CDD fees. Building has been ongoing since 2005, and there are 692 homes currently. This is a great option for those who want to live close to their children, or for those who want a bit more vitality and excitement than what would normally be offered in a 55+ community.

22. Scottish Highlands

Scottish Highlands was one of the first communities built by Pringle in the Leesburg area, giving it an established reputation for being a friendly and affordable retirement community near Orlando. Home prices range between the mid $100,000s and mid $200,000s, with HOA fees resting at $165 per month and no CDD fees. The 653 homes in Scottish Highlands were built between 1983 and 1992, so the appliances may be outdated in some of the homes, but there are plenty of upgraded homes available. This community is truly loved by its residents for being safe and homey.

23. Arlington Ridge

Arlington Ridge was just completed in 2021, and already is a favorite of those in the Leesburg area. When building started in 2006, those nearby were excited about its proximity to other 55+ communities, not to mention the many high-quality golf courses, restaurants, bars and shopping centers. The community impressed its residents even more with the incorporation of a cute town square with a movie theater! Home prices at Arlington Ridge run from the high $200,000s to high $400,000s. HOA fees are $630 monthly for villas and $270 monthly for single family homes. The CDD fee is $1,972 annually. Because of the high demand, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled to get one of the 623 homes!

24. Palms at Serenoa

Palms at Serenoa is situated right by the Orlando parks, and it’s still pretty small with 570 homes currently. However building is still going strong, so you can get in early on this beautiful community and get a brand-new home for prices between the low $300,000s and high $400,000s. HOA fees are $130 monthly, and the CDD fees are $1,709 annually. Building started in 2018, and the community is on its way to being a master planned community. Plus, Palms at Serenoa is close to lots of other nice communities, so you could live a short golf cart ride away from your kids! DR Horton is the builder for this community, so there are plenty of options if you buy new, and they’re pretty affordable as well.

25. Esplanade at Highland Ranch

Building for Esplanade at Highland Ranch started in 2015 and is ongoing, with prices ranging from the mid $300,000s to the high $700,000s. HOA fees are $360 per month, with no CDD. There are currently only 475 homes. The exciting thing about this community for many is that it’s the sister community to the multi-generational community Canyonlands, so residents can live close to their children. It’s a smaller community with cute neighborhood energy and nice amenities. But according to our realtors at Explore55Plus, the best part about this community is its location — it’s easy to take a bike ride on the coast-to-coast bike trail toward downtown Winter Garden or into Clermont. It also doesn’t hurt that the community has resort style amenities, including cabanas and a resistance pool.