A List of Top Retirement Communities

Photo permission of Del Webb Ponte Vedra

Here is an interesting list of top master communities ranked as the best selling in the United States. This list is from John Burns Real Estate Consulting, a prestigious firm that builders and anyone involved in real estate can reach out to for advice and consultation.

But we have an interest in this list because we wanted to see how many over 55 or senior communities were represented on their list of 50 of the "Top Selling Master Planned Communities for 2012." It turns out, quite a few. We thought you would be curious to see if your favorites made the grade.

This list is just for master planned communities. A master community is one that has many villages within one master development. If your favorite community is not on this list, it may be because it is not within a master community and stands alone. Only the top selling communities are on this list.

The communities selected are those that have been selling better than others. That is good because it probably means there is something about it that is attracting people to it.

Here are those on the list of 50 that are for over 55 or are especially good for seniors:

FLORIDA

The Villages in Central Florida by Village of Lake Sumter, Developer.

Lakewood Ranch Esplanade - not over 55 but an active lifestyle with low maintenance by Taylor Morrison in Sarasota, Florida

Nocatee in Ponte Vedra, Florida, near Jacksonville. There is a Del Webb community.

Valencia Reserve Palm Beach, Florida by GL Homes.

FishHawk Ranch Lithia, Fl. by Newland Communities - not over 55 but good for retired military.

TEXAS

The Woodlands in Houston, TX by The Irvine Company - has an independent and assisted living community.

Teravista - Round Rock (Austin) - Village Builders has a NextGen home. These homes have a home within a home, conceived by Lennar Homes. This is a floorplan where seniors and their adult children can live in the same residence but with separate entrances.

COLORADO

Highlands Ranch in Denver, Colorado by Shea Homes. Many senior activities.

The Meadows at Castle Rock, Colorado. Bonaventure of Castle Rock is an Independent and assisted living community. There is also a memory care option.

Highlands Ranch Denver, Colorado - Many activities for seniors.

NEVADA

Summerlin - Sun City in Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada.

UTAH

Daybreak Salt Lake City - Garden Park over 55 community at Daybreak.

ARIZONA

Vistancia in Phoenix, AZ

Verrado in Buckeye, AZ

SOUTH CAROLINA

Cane Bay Plantation - Del Webb - gated neighborhood in Charleston, SC.

One might further assume that these areas where they are located may be in some of the most popular places to retire.

Reference: 
You can see the entire list of 50 here.

New:  See my new post, "A New List of Top Retirement Communities,"  from the most recent list of 50 top master communities by John Burns Real Estate consultants.