Everyone’s Chasing The Villages - Smart Retirees Are Quietly Buying Here Instead

If you've never heard of The Villages, picture a giant, master-planned retirement community in Florida. A community where golf carts are a mode of transportation, pickleball courts are plentiful, and there's a club or activity for just about every interest possible. 

The appeal of The Villages is that it's built around an active, social retirement lifestyle, which for many retirees is appealing. But the price of that lifestyle is worth a closer look.

The Villages aren't necessarily expensive because the houses themselves are widely out of reach. The expense is mostly in the all-in cost. Depending on the home, you may be paying things like a bond, monthly amenity fees, and a CDD maintenance assessment whether you're actually playing golf every day or have never touched a pickleball paddle in your life.

But if you like the idea of an active retirement community and also want to save money in retirement, there are other options. Here are some of the best places retirees are choosing to live instead, and what they gain by taking a different direction.

Communities in Florida that offer a similar retirement lifestyle

It may come as no surprise that The Villages isn't the only option in Florida for retirees who want an active, social community. On Top of The World in Ocala, Solivita near Orlando, and Del Webb Orlando all offer many of the same draws (pools, fitness centers, clubs, and activities). The difference, however, is often the scale, layout, and cost. Some of the communities are smaller and more compact, while others still give that "master-planned" feel The Villages does.

Home prices and fees will vary, but buyers may find that they can get the amenities they actually care about without paying for quite as much community infrastructure. But a tip to keep in mind is to compare the home's total ongoing cost, not just its listing price.

The alternatives outside of Florida

If Florida isn't your cup of tea, you can get the master-planned retirement experience elsewhere. Outside of Florida, you can consider:

• Sun City in Arizona
• Sun City Summerlin in Nevada
• Sun City Hilton Head in South Carolina
• Laguna Woods Village in California

All of these offer their own version of active adult living catered towards a retirement lifestyle. But each differs significantly in climate, size, and layout, ranging from sprawling desert communities to more compact neighborhoods.

Prices and fee structures vary, too. For those retirees willing to trade Florida's weather for a different setting, these communities can provide the same perk: a built-in network of activities and a community of people all in the same life-stage, without having to automatically choose The Villages.

Another option: Skip the retirement community entirely

Who says you have to go the master-planned route? Instead, the option exists to just buy a traditional home in an affordable metro, skipping the retirement-community fees altogether. 

Cities in states like Tennessee and Alabama can be appealing because of relatively affordable housing and ideal tax treatment for retirees. On the flip side, larger metros can offer strong hospital systems and more amenities.

The trade-off with going this direction is that your recreation isn't bundled into the neighborhood. There's no clubhouse or organized pickleball tournament waiting downstairs. Instead, you have to source your own activities and social circle. For retirees with family nearby or an established network of friends, however, this flexibility may be worth way more than a list of included amenities.

Compare the annual cost, not just the price of the home

Heads up: A lower purchase price on your home doesn't necessarily equate to a lower-cost retirement. 

You'll want to compare the total annual carrying cost of each option, including things like mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, CDD assessments, amenity fees, and other required charges. After that, consider what you'd spend separately on activities if you lived outside a retirement community.

There's another cost that's hard to put on a spreadsheet: a social life. Things like built-in clubs and pre-built activities are a genuine benefit of communities like The Villages. But before choosing a cheaper option, ask yourself whether you are actually saving money or simply reallocating those costs.

What to check before you make an offer

After decades of working hard, it's definitely valid that you want to make the best decision possible for your retirement. So, don't make the decision based on sunshine, home prices, and a great-looking community brochure alone. Check whether your Medicare Advantage plan and preferred doctors are available in that county/state, how close you'll be to your adult children, and whether the area has quality long-term care options.

Then, get the actual numbers. Ask for the fee schedule for the specific home you are considering. Make sure to include HOA dues, amenity fees, CDD assessments, bond payments, property taxes, insurance, and any special assessments. A retirement home should fit your budget not only when you buy it but for the years you'll actually live there.

Bottom line

The best alternative to The Villages depends on what you want for your retirement plan and what you envision your golden years to look like. A master-planned community may be worth the cost if you love the idea of an active community that includes built-in activities and plenty of opportunities to meet people. But if you find you'd rather spend your money on travel, family visits, or specific hobbies, a traditional home in an affordable metro could give you that flexibility

One final tip: Ask yourself whether the community's fees are expected to rise and how those increases are decided. Even the most manageable monthly assessment can become a bigger burden on a fixed income over time. The goal is not to just find a house you can afford today, but also to find a place you will feel comfortable calling home for decades to come.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.

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