Any suggestions on communities that are mainly 55+ (Sarasota, Bradenton: for sale, rentals)

[lynn1966]

My husband and I are in our 50's and want to relocate to Sarasota. We are not retired yet and plan on working for several more years. We were recently in Sarasota looking at communities, but most seemed to be mainly family oriented which we do not want at this point in our lives. The only targeted 55+ community that we liked was the Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch. We did not like the Cascades or Lake Ridge Falls.

Can anyone suggest other communities in Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch or other areas that are mainly 55+ rather than mainly families? We are not golfers, but are looking for a pool and clubhouse if possible. Do not want to spend more than $350K and do not want high HOA fees.

If anyone has any insight or thoughts about the Venice area your thoughts would be appreciated.

[bbronston]

Just to be clear, there are no over 55 communities in LWR at this time. Esplanade is being marketed as an active adult community but that is not the same thing. You might look into Rosedale. Not over 55 and it is a golf community but it always seemed to me to be that kind of place. You don't have to play golf or join the club but they do have a pool only membership and a social membership available.

[alkaleka]

Originally Posted by bbronston

Just to be clear, there are no over 55 communities in LWR at this time. Esplanade is being marketed as an active adult community but that is not the same thing. You might look into Rosedale. Not over 55 and it is a golf community but it always seemed to me to be that kind of place. You don't have to play golf or join the club but they do have a pool only membership and a social membership available.

What is the difference between a 55+ community and an active adult community? I thought it referred to the same kind of place...

[bbronston]

Originally Posted by alkaleka

What is the difference between a 55+ community and an active adult community? I thought it referred to the same kind of place...

Active adult community is just a marketing ploy. Over 55 communities are exempt from Federal and State Fair Housing laws which otherwise prohibit discrimination based on family situations. So, over 55 communities can legally restrict the number of families with kids but places like Esplanade can't.

Federal Register 24 CFR Part 100; section 760.24-760.37 (4a), Florida Statutes

For a community to be considered "housing for older persons" as a 55+ community, the housing must be intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older and meet the following requirements:

At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
The facility or community publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate its intent to in fact be a provider of housing for older persons.
The facility or community complies with rules established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for verification of occupancy.

From your point of view, it may be a moot point but there is a legal distinction.

[LIFL]

Originally Posted by lynn1966

My husband and I are in our 50's and want to relocate to Sarasota. We are not retired yet and plan on working for several more years. We were recently in Sarasota looking at communities, but most seemed to be mainly family oriented which we do not want at this point in our lives. The only targeted 55+ community that we liked was the Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch. We did not like the Cascades or Lake Ridge Falls.

Can anyone suggest other communities in Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch or other areas that are mainly 55+ rather than mainly families? We are not golfers, but are looking for a pool and clubhouse if possible. Do not want to spend more than $350K and do not want high HOA fees.

If anyone has any insight or thoughts about the Venice area your thoughts would be appreciated.

Tara is older, and the HOAs are low. Old Tara has a really nice brunch and golf course. Depends on where you are from.

[d4g4m]

There are 55+ communities all over Sarasota and Venice. Most of them are manufactured homes, villas or the typical condo. And there are villa communities that although not designated as 55+, they usually have 2 bedrooms and a phone book thick set of rules and regs, restrictions and no fenced yard for the barking yard dog. So, no kids.

[Sunshine Rules]

Esplanade in Lakewood Ranch, Village Walk in Palmer Ranch are both marketed as active adult lifestyle but, as Bob said, they are not 55+ communities, so families with children are welcome in these communities.

Are you only interested in newer communities? If you are open to something a little bit older, Garden Lakes Condos in Bradenton just south of SR70 & west of Lockwood Ridge Rd is a 55+ community of detached, free standing condos (ie homes) and attached villas that are duplex style. The community has a decent clubhouse with community pool and tennis courts. Lots of activities, trips, clubs and things to do as well.

There are a number of 55+ communities in the Sarasota area, some of the more popular ones are Center Gate (but not all of Center Gate is age restricted), Forest Pines, Strathmore Riverside, Glen Oaks, Oakhurst, South Gate Village Green, Village Green, Village Plaza, Strathmore Villas South and Village in the Pines. Some of these communities have condos and villas, others are villas only.

West Bradenton has a number of 55+ communities as well if you're interested in that area. A few options include Heritage Village West, Timber Creek, Meadowcroft, Cortez Villas, Morton Village and Parkway Villas.

Do you have any pets you are bringing with you? All of the 55+ communities do have some sort of pet restrictions in regard to number, size and sometimes breeds allowed.

[lynn1966]

Thank you for providing the distinction between a 55+ community and an active adult community. We are from NY and do not have any pets. We would prefer a ranch home or villa (3 bed/2 bath if possible) that does not have any steps (one level). A condo or villa would be ok as long as there is no one above us.

We are open to older communities as long as there is mature landscaping and homes that don't need a lot of work.

Sunshine Rules, where are the 55+ communities that you mentioned in Sarasota?

[Sunshine Rules]

Glen Oaks (34237) - off of 17th St at Prudence Drive in north Sarasota. There are several buildings of condos (3 story buildings) and also villas. The condos do not allow rentals for a specific time period, I think it's 18 months.

Forgot to mention, Tallywood (34237) - off 12th St just west of Beneva, very close to Glen Oaks. Those are villas.

These 2 communities are within the city limits of Sarasota.

Forest Pines (34232) is off of Beneva Rd just south of Bahia Vista.

Village Green has 2 communities south of Webber, one west of Beneva and one east of Beneva, so they have different zip codes (34239 & 34232) even though they are close to each other. These are all villas. Most of the units within Village Green do not allow pets.

Just south of Village Green on Beneva (east side of road) is Village Plaza (34232), which has both condos and villas. I really like the villas there because they are almost 1500 sq ft and have 2 car garages. A lot of the 55+ community villas have carports or 1 car garages.

Off of Bee Ridge Road are 3 villa communities --

Center Gate (34233) which is on the south side, west of Honore and east of Cattlemen Rd. Center Gate has larger villas with garages.

Oakhurst (34233) which is also on the south side, east of McIntosh

Strathmore Villas South (34233) which is on the south side, west of McIntosh (by the AAA building). These villas tend to be more reasonably priced because rentals are kept to a specific number and there is a waiting list - ie investors aren't interested in buying there.


Village in the Pines (34231) is also off of Beneva but it is further south, south of Clark Rd.

Strathmore Riverside is just north of Clark Rd, west off of Tuttle. My in-laws lived there for several years. Those are villas, some are free standing. The community has a small marina with boat slips that are on a first come basis. They have a very active social calendar. This community also limits rentals to a specific number of units.


These communities are all somewhat older. Some units will be updated, many will not be. You cannot compare them to the style of homes in Esplanade or their amenities. However, they are true 55+ communities that are typically well managed and have good budgets & reserves. Most have a more central Sarasota location so you are closer to the beaches and Sarasota activities & events around town.


This is typically the slow selling season for condos, especially condos in 55+ communities. The winter months are when most people list their condos for sale. So there may not currently be active listings in some of these communities, but at least you can research the communities for future reference.

[TamRE]

Here is a link to the Florida 55+ communities - Housing Directory - Florida Commission on Human Relations