Friday, April 3, 2015

Top Florida 55+ Manufactured Home Communities

Here are the top 55+ manufactured home communities in Florida with the most views on my website.  Not only are they the top but they are consistently so.


Types of Manufactured Homes Communities:



These communities are great for: 

  • Snowbird  
  • Temporary seasonal rental  
  • Permanent ownership as your primary residence year-round 
  • Second home
  • Rental Income 
If you own, you can also decide to rent it out when you are not using it (check to see if community allows this).  (No guarantee of rental income.)


RV's:  


Some communities also have RV accommodations:  These are great for "trying out" the community.  You might want to rent first and buy later in that community.  Seasonal rentals go from Nov-April.  Off-season rentals rent for less.  If you already own an RV, some communities have room for storage for the months you aren't there or an RV port to park your RV next to your home.  


Rentals:


Renting a home or RV park model is a good way to try out the community. 


Purchase and own your lot or Lease a Lot:


If you decide to purchase within the community you can either become an owner of the lot (resident-owned communities-ROC) or own the home but lease the lot.  If you lease the lot, you own the home but pay a monthly fee to rent the lot.  This is in addition to any other monthly fees charged.   Notice if the community is a ROC or lot lease.


Affordable Permanent or 2nd Home:


Those interested in paying all cash for a home will be able to find some great new or resale homes with prices that most anyone can afford.


                                           

Best for Boating Manufactured Home Communities in Florida:


On or Near Tampa Bay:


West Coast  Bay Aristocrat  

18675 Highway 19 North, Clearwater - 727-531-4906
Photo by Bay Aristocrat


  • Resident-Owned: Yes
  • Gated: No
  • Purchase/Rentals: Yes
  • Types: 361 Homes
  • Clubhouse and Pool: Yes plus Jacuzzi
  • On Tampa Bay  
  • Waterfront 
  • boat launch  
  • recreation 
  • canals  
  • fishing piers 



Tampa Bay  Caribbean Isles 

Address and Phone:  405 Elsberry Rd., Apollo Beach - 813-641-1577 (Sales)
Amenities:


  • Resident-Owned: Yes
  • Gated: No
  • Purchase/Rentals: Both - Resale options: buy home alone, home with share or vacant lots (share)
  • Types: Homes, Lots
  • Clubhouse and Pool: Yes
  • Waterfront  
  • Access to Tampa Bay 
  • Activities Calendar  
  • boating 
  • recreation


Tampa Bay Regency Cove

4851 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa


  • Resident-Owned: Yes
  • Gated: Yes
  • Purchase/Rentals: Both
  • Types: 410 Homes, 16 Apartments
  • Clubhouse and Pool: Yes plus Hot Tub
  • 15 Boat Docks and trailer storage
  • Kayak and canoe launch
  • Picnic area
  • Public pier with fish cleaning station
  • Recreation
  • Social Activities
  • Golf social club, Yacht Club, Bowling and more.

Southwest Florida:


South West   Windmill Village  

215 Rio Villa Dr., Punta Gorda


  • Resident Owned: Yes
  • Gated: Yes
  • Purchase/Rentals: Both
  • Types:  Homes and lots
  • Clubhouse and pool: Yes
  • 454 Homes
  • Courtesy Van to selected shopping
  • Direct access to the Gulf   
  • fishing  
  • boating (access to Charlotte Harbor, the Gulf Islands and the Gulf
  • Marina 
  • trailer storage
  • lawn mowing and trimming
  • recreation 
  • Woodworking shop
  • Social Club

 

South West  Country Club Estates  

700 Waterway, Venice
  • Resident Owned: Yes
  • Gated: No
  • Purchase/Rentals: Both
  • Types: Homes
  • Clubhouse and pool: Yes plus hot tub
  • Inland waterway from harbor to Gulf
  • Fishing
  • Fishing
  • Water view dining
  • Social and Recreational Activities (too numerous to mention) 
  • Adjoining Venetian Walkway for biking or walking to beach

South West   Bayside Estates 

17601 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach


  • Resident-Owned:  Yes
  • Gated:  No
  • Purchase/Rentals: Both
  • Types: Homes
  • Clubhouse and pool: Yes
  • Tennis Courts
  • Social Activities
  • Canals with Gulf access
  • Most lots on canals

Southern Florida with boating:

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Top 20 Florida Over 55 Communities

The most viewed Florida over 55 retirement communities from my website

These had the most searches in 2014.  Going forward into 2015, you might want to check these out.  These are both new and resale communities.
Florida remains the most popular state for searches for retirement communities.  We hope you enjoy this list of some of the best in the U.S. 

You can read more about these communities on my retirement community website.




#1:  Lakeridge Falls - Sarasota
4200 Lakeridge Blvd.

  • Gated   
  • Tile Roofs
  • Clubhouse, Fitness Center, Resort Pool, Recreation, Social Activities
  • 15 minutes to beaches of Lido and Siesta Keys
  • 3 neighborhoods, 399 homes of singles, duplexes and villas

#2:  Indian River Colony Club - Viera
1936 Freedom Dr.
  • Gated
  • Single homes
  • 23 lakes and catch and release fishing
  • Clubhouse, pool tennis, recreation and country club amenities
  • 18-hole golf course
  • Social activities
  • At Ease Club dining and executive chef
  • Military retirement


#3:  Lakes of Mount Dora - Mt. Dora
18762 US Hwy 441
  • Gated
  • Top 50 best master communities by Where to Retire magazine
  • 950 homes planned
  • Waterfront access
  • Clubhouse, pools and recreation
  • 40 minutes to Orlando and airport
  • Plans for RV parking and storage
  • From $190's


#4: Cinnamon Cove - South Ft. Myers 

Cinnamon Cove Blvd.

  • Gated
  • Clubhouse, multiple pools and spa
  • 3 fishing lakes
  • Tennis and recreation
  • Social Director and Planned Events
  • Lifelong Learning classes
  • Variety of Types of Homes
  • 770 Homes
  • Beach lifestyle - 3 miles to Ft Myers beach
  • Resales

#5: Del Webb at Naples - Naples  
6055 Anthem Parkway, Ave Maria, FL

  • Gated
  • Small to large floor plans
  • 18-hole professional golf
  • Oasis Club and resort pool
  • Cushioned asphalt tennis courts and recreation
  • Lifestyle Director, social Activities and clubs
  • From $180's


#6: Southshore Falls by Del Webb
5815 Sunset Falls Dr., Apollo Beach

  • Gated
  • 5 minutes to Tampa Bay
  • Small to large floor plans
  • Amenity Center, pool and spa
  • From $160's


#7: Hollybrook Golf and Tennis - Pembroke Pines
9050 Pines Blvd.

  • Gated
  • 1902 Condominiums
  • Rentals available, yearly or for season
  • 2 golf courses with no greens fees (verify)
  • Clubhouse, Multiple pools and recreation
  • Pets under 15 lbs allowed (check what type and rules)
  • Close to beaches
  • Pricing starts under $100,000

#8: Heritage Cove - Ft. Myers
14041 Brant Point Circle
  • Gated
  • Clubhouse, pool and Jacuzzi, recreation
  • Fishing lake
  • Tennis - clay courts
  • 529 Units of condos, villas and singles
  • Close to beaches of Sanibel and Ft. Myers Beach

#9: Kings GatePort Charlotte
24297 West Gate Blvd.  
  • Gated
  • Clubhouse, social and recreational activities
  • 18-hole Golf course and golf cart friendly
  • Singles and golf villas
  • Low property taxes, no flood insurance required
  • Near Hospital


#10:  Pine Ridge at Fort Myers  
4801 Lakeside Club Blvd.
  • Condos
  • Clubhouse, pool and hot tub, recreation, tennis, social activities
  • Lake with catch and release fishing
  • approx. 20 miles to Ft Myers Beach
  • walking trails
  • Start under $100,000 (resales-listings on site)

#11:  Ponte Vedra by Del Webb - Ponte Vedra  
124 Del Webb Parkway
  • Gated
  • Small to large square footage homes
  • Clubhouse, pools, tennis, recreation and social activities
  • Miles of trails to walk
  • Ocean beaches
  • Splash Water Park
  • Planned 1988 homes
  • Start low $200's


#12:  Valencia Lakes by GL Homes
5005 Pearl Crest Court, Wimauma, Fl.

  • Gated
  • 40-acre lake
  • waterfront recreation
  • Lifelong learning program
  • 25 miles south of Tampa
  • Coastal beaches about 35 miles
  • Clubhouse, resort-style pools, garden area, activities
  • RV Storage
  • 1300 homes planned
  • Homes and villas starting high $100's



#13: Vitalia at Tradition - Port St. Lucie
10004 Southwest Oak Tree Circle
  • Gated
  • Clubhouse, pool, tennis, recreation, fitness center
  • Medium to large square footage
  • Start in $190's

#14: Heritage Isles Villas - Melbourne
6600 Ingalls St., Melbourne


  • Gated with guard
  • Across from Duran Golf Club
  • Clubhouse, pool, tennis, basketball court, Fitness Center and recreation
  • Bistro
  • Lakes and ponds
  • Medium-sized villas start mid-$100's

#15:  Cascades in Estero - Estero  

  • Gated
  • 614 lots
  • Single homes
  • Clubhouse, 2 pools, recreation, tennis
  • Lakes
  • Since 2002
  • Tile roofs

#16: SummerGlen  
15607 SW 13th Circle, Ocala

  • Clubhouse, pool, recreation, activities
  • Golf community
  • Award-winning
  • Spacious single home resales start under $250,000


#17:  Sweet water by Del Webb - Jacksonville

11730 Surfbird Circle, Jacksonville

  • Low to medium square footage
  • Clubhouse and indoor and outdoor pools
  • Low maintenance
  • Nature trails
  • Near beaches
  • Clubs and Classes
  • New single homes start low $200's

#18: Highland Lakes - Palm Harbor 
3300 MacGregor Dr.
  • Clubhouse, pool, tennis, recreation
  • Tampa Bay Area
  • 27-hole golf, free to residents (verify)
  • RV and Boat Storage
  • Pontoon Boats
  • Lake Tarpon

#19: Arlington Ridge - Leesburg
4463 Arlington Ridge Blvd., Leesburg


  • Gated
  • Grill and Tavern restaurants
  • Events calendar
  • 18-hole championship golf and Golf Club
  • On-site RV storage
  • New homes starting $130's plus resales


#20: Highlands Ridge
4106 Carter Creek La., Avon Park


  • Gated
  • 36 Holes Championship golf - Golf course community
  • Nature conservancy  
  • Lake with fishing
  • Clubhouse, pool
  • Homes start at $199,900

See these and all of our great retirement communities on Bestguide-Retirementcommunities.com.