Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, and Sarasota are the biggest populations centers in this region of the state. Also known as the Gold Coast, the west coast of Florida offers direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, which is perhaps a more serene option than the Atlantic Ocean. This area is also very popular with residents and retirees from the Midwest who are able to shoot right down I-75 to get here.
Featured Community:
The Villages of Terra Vista & Citrus Hills offer quality country club living in a region unique for its rolling hills and spring-fed rivers. The amenity rich community is serviced by 3 championship golf courses, 2 tennis centers and the luxurious BellaVita Spa & Fitness center. Its picturesque suburban surroundings are enhanced by easy access to Tampa Bay, Orlando and Ocala to create an irresistible Florida lifestyle experience. Featured is wide range of customizable homes from the $300s to $800s.
As America’s premier 55 and better master-planned community, Florida’s New Sun City Center has it all! Sun City Center offers new Paired Villas, Single-Family Homes and Estate Homes, from 1,360-3,086 air-conditioned square feet, perfectly priced from the $140s, surrounded by all the conveniences and amenities imaginable. At Sun City Center you’ll find 4 community recreational facilities, 6 professionally managed golf courses, 10 indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 4 fitness and wellness centers, 2 full service spas, dining, restaurants and cafes on site, convenient shopping, over 200 clubs and organizations, and much more!
Black Diamond Ranch is an exclusive golfing community located in the Lecanto, Florida area of Citrus County. Located about an hour from Tampa and about an hour from Orlando, Black Diamond Ranch is approximately 35 miles southwest of Ocala which is the heart of Thoroughbred Horse Racing country in Florida.
Glen Lakes is a gated country club community located just 45 minutes north of Tampa. While its not a true Tampa retirement community as it’s not age restricted, it has many of the amenities and the type of lifestyle that many retirees are looking for.
Kings Point at Sun City Center is a gated, 55-plus Tampa retirement community of just over 5,000 homes, located adjacent to the original Sun City Center community near Tampa, FL. Though the two communities share similar features and amenities, they actually have different sets of bylaws and restrictions covering each.
River Strand is a gated, golf and country club community located in Bradenton on the West coast of Florida. Like many other Tampa retirement communities, River Strand is not age restricted, but the focus on golf and other amenities makes it appealing to retirees.
Southshore Falls -Southshore Falls is a Tampa active adult community developed by Centex Homes. The community is age restricted, only those 55+ can live there, and when complete the neighborhood will have nearly 900 homes. Southshore Falls is one of several maintenance free lifestyle communities we’ve covered here.
Valencia Lakes – Besides offering top notch amenities on par with even the most expensive retirement communities, the two best qualities of Valencia Lakes are perhaps the prices and the location. Valencia Lakes is located just 20 minutes south of Tampa, putting world-class dining, shopping and entertainment options within easy reach.
Useful Tampa and Sarasota Area Links:
TBO.com News – Comprehensive news and information including breaking news coverage from the newsrooms of WFLA Newschannel 8, and The Tampa Tribune.
VisitTampaBay.com – Official Travel Information for Tampa Bay Hotels, Restaurants, Beaches, Events and More
Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Sarasota Florida news from the Herald-Tribune and SNN. Get Sarasota real estate listings, classifieds, news, sports and more.
Tampa and Sarasota Real Estate Price Trends – The charts below will give you a good idea of the current median sales price of homes in Tampa and Sarasota, as well as what that number has done over the last several years.
