Haines City

55+ Retirement Communities in Haines City FL Florida

<h1>
	<span style="font-size:26px;">What Is A 55+ Community?</span></h1>
<p>
	55+ communities have a legal definition and offer residents the amenities they value the most.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Why <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/55-plus-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">55+ Communities</span></a> Appeal to Active Older Adults</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<h2>
	What Is a 55+ Community?</h2>
<p>
	In 1995, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 was amended to include an exemption for housing developments to exclude families with minor children lawfully. This exemption is the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA).&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	HOPA allows developments to cater their units to residents aged 55+ as long as they comply with specific qualifications. These qualifications must be met and maintained to avoid the Fair Housing Act exemption being permanently revoked.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The three qualifications a community needs to maintain compliance are 1) the community must advertise its 55+ or age-restricted status, and 2) it must comply with the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) age verification requirements. The third and most important requirement is that at least one person occupying each unit be at least the age of fifty-five.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Based on these three qualifications, developments have a lot of leeway in how they want to cater to the needs of their residents while maintaining their HOPA status. For example, some communities will allow residents as young as nineteen to reside in a unit with a 55+ person. Other communities encourage families to visit and stay with their 55+ relatives for up to 90 days. The law&#39;s flexibility works to keep the neighborhood&#39;s flavor while avoiding the inconvenience of being unable to host guests under the required age.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>
	Who Benefits From Living in a 55+ Community?&nbsp;</h2>
<p>
	As the next generation of workers transitions to retirement, they also consider transitioning their living situation. The modern retiree is healthier and wealthier than previous generations.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Although they enjoy living near their families, they have no expectations or desires to live in a multi-generational home. Active older adults prefer to live independently and enjoy living near shopping, dining, and healthcare.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Active older adults have a&nbsp; wide range of housing type choices. From custom homes built in master-planned golf course communities to luxury apartment <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/rental-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">rental communities</span></a> in resort locations, the market is listening and working to fulfill the active older demographic&rsquo;s requirements.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Many housing developers are taking note and building housing to suit the preferences of their residents. The 55+ market has unique features easily accommodated by active lifestyle developments.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>
	Reasons To Choose a 55+ Community</h2>
<p>
	Since 1998, there have been several polls to discover what amenities residents of <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/55-plus-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">55+ communities</span></a> value and what lifestyle changes they look forward to the most. At the top of the list is a sense of community.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Clubhouse and Sports Amenities&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	A clubhouse and sports amenities on the property are critical to a robust community. The clubhouse serves as the heart of the community. It&rsquo;s where neighbors gather for group activities such as celebratory meals, Happy Hour mixers, regularly scheduled card tournaments, and group arts and crafts sessions. A dedicated BBQ area gives people an outdoor cooking space that is easy to use and maintain.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The sports amenities can include a pool and spa for the exclusive use of the residents and their guests. Some <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/55-plus-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">55+ communities</span></a> have indoor fitness studios offering treadmills, free weights, and stretching areas. Some have dedicated spaces for group fitness classes and employ a concierge to manage scheduled group activities.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Other fitness amenities include courts for bocce ball, tennis, paddleball, and basketball. You may also find putting greens and horseshoe pits. If the property is a <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/waterfront-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">waterfront community</span></a>, it may include a boathouse to store paddleboards and kayaks or a private marina where boats can dock.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Cohesive Community</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	People interested in relocating to an <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/age-restricted-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">age-restricted community</span></a> value clean, safe, and quiet streets. Knowing that your neighbors have chosen to live in the same community indicates a shared sense of values and an eagerness to follow the Homeowner Association (HOA) covenants and conditions. Knowing that a neighbor won&rsquo;t be leaving cars on blocks in the front yard or running a small zoo brings peace of mind to neighbors who would rather get on with their day than tolerate chronic disturbances on their street.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The polls also indicate that residents love their pets and want to live in neighborhoods that bring pet owners together. Community dog parks are high on the list of what potential residents look for in a development. There&rsquo;s a trend to include fenced dog areas with pergolas and benches so residents can enjoy themselves almost as much as the dogs do!&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The Best Use of Retirement Income&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Units in <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/55-plus-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">55+ communities</span></a> are affordable for empty-nesters looking to downsize from the family home. 55+ homes are usually smaller, with all the landscape and exterior maintenance provided by the HOA. Some developments offer secure storage for RVs and boats, saving the owner money paid to an off-site storage facility.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Having access to a community garden is also a money-saver.&nbsp; Neighborhoods that add gardens with raised beds, irrigation, equipment, potting tables, and protection from pests find their gardening residents are likely to spend more time tending their crops. The neighbors will likely try new recipes using the fresh produce they grow.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Although the sales price per unit is less than in nearby all-ages neighborhoods, the HOA fees can bring housing costs up to par with an all-ages community with fewer amenities.&nbsp; With that in mind, it&rsquo;s important to remember that financial cost is only one variable when mapping out retirement resources.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Potential residents may want to consider the value of their intangible assets. Assets like time spent on maintenance. The cost of travel to and from their favorite sport, and the potential variability of community spirit amongst the neighbors.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>
	Features of a 55+ Home</h2>
<p>
	Many of the features of a 55+ home are intentional details added to provide safety and comfort without being obvious. For example, when the home is multi-storied, an owner&#39;s ensuite will be on the ground floor. Although active older adults are fit and healthy, they also suffer from the discomfort of old injuries. Their bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor save them from trips up and down stairs. Another design change happens in the bathroom. The unit may be equipped with walk-in showers and raised toilets.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Entrances to the units are built with minimal elevation changes. The pathways that lead up to the doors are built with a slight slope to guide water away from the door, rather than the conventional steps. LED lighting is strategically integrated outside the unit for extra security and comfort.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Multi-storied condominiums and apartment complexes have elevators that make bringing groceries up and bicycles down easy and convenient.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>
	What Kind of Housing is Available in 55+ Communities?&nbsp;</h2>
<p>
	Since the implementation of the HOPA amendment, a variety of housing developments have adopted a 55+ lifestyle. Active older adults have more choices today in how they want to spend their &ldquo;me time&rdquo; years.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Patio Homes</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Patio homes are also known as duplexes. They usually share a driveway and at least one wall with another unit. They are one level with an occasional loft added to break up the exterior aesthetic. They differ from other attached housing in that the owner holds title to the whole unit and is responsible for the exterior upkeep. They&rsquo;re perfect for active older adults looking to downsize.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Townhomes</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Townhomes are similar to patio homes in that the owner holds the title and is responsible for the interior and exterior of the unit. They differ because townhomes are multi-storied, with at least two and up to six floors.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Condominiums</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Condominiums are one of the more popular <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/55-plus-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">55+ housing options</span></a>. Known as &ldquo;condos,&rdquo; they require a small footprint and intelligent design. The units share walls with their neighbors, and the owners are only responsible for the living space inside the unit. Condos are perfect for retirees who prefer to spend their time exploring the outdoors and traveling. They&rsquo;re ideal &ldquo;lock and leave&rdquo; properties.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Apartments</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Apartments are similar to condos in single units in multiple-unit buildings. They differ in that they&rsquo;re not individually owned. Instead, they&rsquo;re leased to tenants either monthly or annually. The building management company is responsible for repairs and maintenance outside the living space. These age-restricted luxury <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/rental-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">rental communities</span></a> offer <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/resort-lifestyle-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">resort-style amenities</span></a>, including doormen and concierge services.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Single-Family Homes</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Single-family homes are units built on lots with room for private yards. A single household occupies no shared walls with other units. They can range from small, single-storied bungalows to expansive, multi-storied mansions.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	This type of housing is most prevalent in age-restricted, pocket neighborhoods in master-planned and <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/all-age-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">all-ages communities</span></a>.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Manufactured Homes</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	<a href="https://activeadultliving.com/manufactured-home-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Manufactured home communities</span></a> are the most affordable option for retirees who want the yard space of a single-family home with the low-maintenance advantage of a <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/condominium-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">condominium community</span></a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The ease of establishing <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/manufactured-home-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">manufactured home communities</span></a> makes them flexible in location and environment. They are prominent in the sunny southwest, the rural midwest, and the eastern seaboard.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>
	<a href="https://ActiveAdultLiving.com"><span style="color:#0000ff;">ActiveAdultLiving.com</span></a> has a dropdown lifestyle search feature that makes finding a home that best suits your lifestyle, along with the states and provinces that appeal to an <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/active-adult-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">active adult lifestyle</span></a>. Search <a href="http://ActiveAdultLiving.com"><span style="color:#0000ff;">ActiveAdultLiving.com</span></a>&nbsp;by state or province, city, or lifestyle. Learn more about what states and provinces offer active older adults on each state&#39;s &ldquo;About &ldquo; page and most provinces.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	More than 8,500 communities are listed on <a href="http://ActiveAdultLiving.com"><span style="color:#0000cd;">ActiveAdultLiving.com</span></a>. The website also hosts a newsletter that keeps readers up-to-date on the latest trends and tips for staying fit and healthy. <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/newsletters"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Join our subscribers&#39; list</span></a> to receive the latest news straight to your inbox. Remember to like us on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/55plusactiveadultliving/"><span style="color:#0000ff;">ActiveAdultLiving Facebook</span></a> Page so you can stay posted with alerts, news, and other exciting information, as well as comment on favorite communities.</p>


Active Lifestyle

<p>
	Among the many advantages of living in a golf course community, convenient access to golfing facilities and clubhouse amenities are at the top of the list. The communities are safe and encourage residents to use various transportation options to and from the clubhouse and the tee.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Low-maintenance landscaping and community-maintained public areas leave plenty of time to socialize with your neighbors and do things you enjoy. You also have the freedom to spend time alone observing the beauty of the landscape and the animals that either call it home or use it to rest on their migration.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Retirement is the perfect time to move to a golf course community. Some golf communities are age-restricted and focused on the needs and wants of active seniors. Some <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/golf-course-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">golf course communities</span></a> follow 18-hole PGA-certified courses, while others are laid-back 9-hole community-exclusive golf courses.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>
	Types of Homes&nbsp;</h2>
<p>
	<a href="https://activeadultliving.com/golf-course-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Golf course communities</span></a> offer residents a premier choice in housing options. Some communities provide custom-built homes in neighborhoods for all ages. Some developments offer a mixed selection of housing options that match the needs of a diverse group of residents with a home that best suits their lifestyle.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Single-family homes are the predominant choice for golf course communities. The neighborhoods bring residents together around their shared love of resort-style living. Families of all sizes are welcomed, and the amenities reflect the needs of all age neighborhoods by providing playgrounds, community pools,&nbsp; dog parks, bike paths, and clubhouses.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<a href="https://activeadultliving.com/golf-course-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Golf course communities</span></a> that focus on the needs of retirees offer age-restricted housing options. These homes are usually single-floor with less square footage, thoughtful storage, and incorporate outdoor living design. Whether the house is a condominium or a freestanding cottage, residents benefit from socializing with neighbors in the same stage of life.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Golf Course community developers also offer premium lots perfect for a custom-built home. These homes have plenty of square feet, luxury fixtures, and private amenities. Some communities will let you customize your new-build home by adding extras to a basic floor plan.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	A more affordable version of golf-course living is choosing a manufactured home community built around a golf course. These neighborhoods bring community benefits to residents with a limited housing budget.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Choosing a luxury apartment rental with golf course views and discounted membership benefits is also an appealing housing option. <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/active-adult-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Active older adults</span></a> prefer the option of leasing when they want to try out the community before committing to a home purchase. It&rsquo;s also appealing to retirees who travel and want a turn-key residence to return to after extended travel.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>
	Golf Facilities and Resort-Style Amenities</h2>
<p>
	The benefits of retiring to a golf course community are access to the golf course and resort-style amenities that planned communities offer. Along with preferential tee times, residents usually have liberal use of the driving range, putting, and chipping greens. Discounted fees for lessons and tournaments are also benefits of the membership that come with being a resident of a <a href="http://activeadultliving.com/golf-course-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">golf course community</span></a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Some communities allow you to drive your golf cart to the course and back home. The convenience of not having to battle traffic and find parking spaces saves commuting time. Regarding commutes, the beautiful landscaping that meanders through golf course communities offers strategic views of the water hazards, roughs, and fairways from the homes and the street. The groundskeeping teams are well-versed in choosing and caring for the plants that best suit the region.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The clubhouse is at the heart of any golf community. Here, restaurants and cocktail lounges become the local meeting place for a community breakfast or evening nightcap. The clubhouse also has fitness centers and dedicated arts and crafts rooms. The clubhouse is where neighbors gather to share their passion for hobbies and create lifelong friendships.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Other amenities of the golf course community living include the clubhouse, pickleball, bocce ball, tennis, and basketball courts. The resort amenities include dog parks, swimming pools, and bike paths.</p>
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<h2>
	Wildlife on Golf Courses</h2>
<p>
	Humans are just one of the various animals who find delight on golf courses. Residents who enjoy wildlife spotting and photography will find an abundance of local and migratory animals and birds coexisting with the golfers on the course. There&rsquo;s always something exciting to discover in the manicured landscape of a golf course community!</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Southeastern Golf Courses</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Southeast golf courses are home to wildlife due to their expansive green spaces and proximity to natural woodlands and waterways. Birdwatching in the Southeast golf course communities will reward enthusiasts with local and migrating fowl sightings.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Cardinals, Eastern Bluebirds, American Robins, and Red-winged Blackbirds add accents of color to the greenery. Egrets, mallards, wood ducks, teals, and moorhens create exciting color combinations on the landscape&rsquo;s water features.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Southeastern golf course communities are home to turtles, skinks, lizards, snakes, and local alligators. Frogs and toads inhabit the marshes, lakes, ponds, and streams. In the evening, the air is filled with the sound of local bullfrogs ushering in the change of season. Although some residents may find these animals objectionable, they are masters of insect and rodent control.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Regarding insects, golf course communities are home to an expansive list of essential pollinators such as butterflies, damselflies, and bees.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Mammals that share the golf course come in various sizes, from the common squirrel to the white-tailed deer. It&rsquo;s easy to spot the Eastern cotton-tailed rabbit nibbling on the lush grass while the less visible coyote keeps wildlife populations in check.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Southwestern Golf Courses&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The Southwest is home to diverse landscapes and equally diverse wildlife. The arid climate is home to some of the most distinct birds in the United States. Residents of golf course communities in this region are treated with viewings of ground birds such as quail, burrowing owls, and roadrunners.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Songbirds such as tanagers, fly-catchers, and warblers inhabit the scrub. Woodpeckers, hawks, and owls are seen and heard preying on local insect, rodent, and lizard populations.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Waterbirds abound on the golf course community&rsquo;s water features. Birders will spot coots, shovelers, avocets, killdeer, sandpipers, heron, grebes, and cormorants living on the ponds and water hazards provided by the golf course.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The Southwest is home to various lizards and snakes. Residents may spot snakes, desert spiny lizards, and the occasional desert tortoise. The water features attract local frogs, toads, and salamanders. Insects are vital pollinators in the desert region. Butterflies, bees, dragonflies, beetles, and grasshoppers are essential in keeping the golf course environment healthy.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Golf courses provide suitable habitats for many species of mammals. Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and groundhogs live on or near golf courses and clubhouses. Larger predators such as coyotes, foxes, and bobcats call golf course communities home, too.</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Northwest Golf Courses</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The Northwest temperate rainforest and alpine climate golf course communities host a wide range of wildlife. It&rsquo;s not unusual to spot predator species like bald eagles, hawks, kestrels, and owls. The air is filled with the sounds of woodpeckers, chickadees, meadowlarks, and warblers. Scrub jays, wild turkeys, and ravens share the trees and brush that line the fairways. Interesting waterfowl such as geese, ducks, coots, and scaup make the water hazards their home.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	In the wetland areas of golf course communities, residents live beside frogs, salamanders, turtles, and snakes. Many of these reptiles feed on the abundant insects attracted to the water features and vegetation. The trout, bass, and salmon also make themselves at home in the water features of golf course communities.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Our furry friends find golf courses make for prime habitat. Smaller animals like squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and foxes live next door to humans. Larger animals, such as white-tailed and mule deer, make golfing in the northwest a little more exciting. Of course, all these creatures attract the attention of larger predators such as coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and the occasional bear.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Northeast Golf Courses&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Golf course communities in the Northeast USA are home to various permanent and migratory birds. Up here, you&rsquo;ll find the ubiquitous Canada goose and mallard ducks. The air contains songs from Northern cardinals, Eastern bluebirds, Red-winged blackbirds, and wild turkeys. Herons and egrets build their nests near water hazards and feed on small fish and lizards. Woodpeckers use the golf course community&rsquo;s utility poles to hunt for termites and insects. At the same time, the hawks and kestrels prefer the trees that line the fairways to take advantage of the rich variety of small prey.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	The Northeast is home to fewer reptiles and insects than other regions in the USA. Sometimes, residents will come across a lizard or non-venomous snake making itself at home in the golf course&rsquo;s roughs.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">
	Most likely, the mammals will grab the attention of residents and visitors alike. White-tailed deer and coyotes are prevalent alongside foxes, groundhogs, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and opossums. Mice, voles, and chipmunks inhabit every corner of a golf course community&rsquo;s landscape.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>
	Community Safety and Sanitation</h2>
<p>
	Safety is essential when choosing a neighborhood. Golf course communities are planned with safety in mind. Some communities are gated with restricted entry to keep residents from uninvited visitors or unwanted solicitors.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The community landscaping and general maintenance benefit residents. The roads are kept passable no matter what the season. The trees and bushes are trimmed to keep within the general design of the community as well as for safety. Common area lawns are mowed, weeded, and raked depending on the region and the season.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The pool area and clubhouse are maintained. The dog parks are well-stocked with disposal bags. Golf course communities strategically place trash bins where they are most needed and empty them often.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Living in a <a href="http://activeadultliving.com/golf-course-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">golf course community</span></a> is similar to living in a resort. Residents enjoy the convenience and benefits of living on a golf course year-round. The choice of housing depends on the community. Many golf course communities are age-restricted or have neighborhoods specially designed for active older adults. The wildlife attracted to golf courses brings an added benefit to residents. While retiring to a safe, <a href="https://activeadultliving.com/maintenance-free-communities"><span style="color:#0000ff;">maintenance-free community</span></a> is appealing, being able to socialize with like-minded neighbors is what golf course community living is all about.&nbsp;</p>


Golf Course

Country Club

Southern Dunes is an active lifestyle golf course community in Haines City FL. Find homes for sale, floor plans and view amenites at Southern Dunes.

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