Charlotte County
Kings Gate: This upscale golfing, resort qualified housing for older persons community has all the amenities: beautiful clubhouse with Lion's Den restaurant, heated Olympic sized pool, spacious fitness center, library, tennis and bocci ball. With an activities director on site, there is always something for the young at heart in Kings Gate. Most lot sizes are around 6000 sq ft and the homes were built in the late 90's - 2010.

Rio Villa Lakes: A Dr Horton community....

I'm a SW Florida native, born and raised here. I would say if you are going to look in the east coast then you need to start your search over in Jupiter. If I ever moved over to the other coast it would be the only place I would consider.

Now, that being said, I love SW Florida. The beaches are great, the schools (at least the school my children go to are great), Artsy, friendly. I really like it here or I wouldn't have stuck around so long. Sarasota county has one of the better school...

Charlotte county 55+ communities
Kings Gate, Punta gorda-The Kings Gate community offers adult resort living, at a reasonable price. Located in Southwest Florida, Kings Gate is a gated community, for seniors age 55 and over. Kings Gate is conveniently located one mile west of I-75 on Kings Highway, and within easy distance of medical facilities, and shopping. It features the largest heated pool and spa in Charlotte County, and a state-of-the-art community recreation center. Kings Gate is a...

Sarasota county:

Sarasota:
Sherwood Estates-Sarasota-not gated, 1950's-60's homes, McIntosh middle and Sarasota High
Desoto Acres-Sarasota-not gated, homes from the 1950's-1980's, Booker Middle and High
Myakka Valley Ranches-Sarasota-not gated, Zoned agriculturally, Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, Homes built in the 1980's
Angus Acres-Sarasota-Not gated-1970's homes, McIntosh middle, Sarasota High
Bel Air Estates-Sarasota-Not gated-homes built in the...

Anna Maria-Anna Maria is a one of the few towns that still has the "Old Florida" feel to it. I used to live out that way when I was a kid and my father started the Islander Newspaper, which was the first newspaper for Anna Maria Island. As a kid I attended Anna Maria Elementary and have fond memories of the school.

The original old city pier the Rod & Reel that's been there since 1910, is still there. There are a few little restaurants and small beachy stores but definitely...