Two real estate consulting powerhouses, RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting, regularly release their lists of the country’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities. It should come as no surprise that many of these top-selling communities are located in or near some of Florida’s best places to retire. 2024 Fast Facts: Keep in mind that some … Continue Reading » about Top Selling Florida Communities of 2024
The Villages Florida - World's Biggest Retirement Community
You'll see The Villages mentioned quite a bit on this site because in the world of 55+ retirement communities, it is a VERY big deal.
What began as a humble mobile home park back in the 1970's has blossomed into the #1 selling retirement community in Florida, as well as the nation.
The Villages is located in Central Florida, about an hour north of Orlando. But as the development creeps further south, that gap is quickly closing.
The Villages is now home to more than 130,000 people, has more than 60,000 homes, and has plans for another 60,000 homes to be developed over the next 20 years.
Prices for new homes start in the $200k's and can go up to over $1 million depending on what floorplan, location, and options/features you choose.
The Villages is home to the world's largest recreation department, has more golf courses than any other community in the world, is home to three town squares (with a fourth one just announced) where residents go to eat and shop and enjoy free nightly entertainment, and is home to roughly 100 restaurants.
Below you'll find some of the articles we've written about The Villages over the years, but if you are craving more, I have written the definitive guide to The Villages which you can learn more about here.
The Villages vs. Lakewood Ranch
Located just two hours away from each other, The Villages and Lakewood Ranch are usually the top two best-selling communities (retirement or otherwise) in the country. In 2024 The Villages had 3,208 new home sales and Lakewood Ranch had 2,210 new home sales. If we count home sales as votes, it’s clear that both of … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Lakewood Ranch
The Villages Is Top Selling Community Halfway Through 2024
The Villages has sold an “estimated” 1,515 new homes at the halfway point of 2024 according to real estate consulting firm RCLCO. The figure is only an estimate because The Villages does not release official mid-year sales numbers. Last year The Villages sold a total of 3,029 new homes. 13 Florida communities made the mid-year … Continue Reading » about The Villages Is Top Selling Community Halfway Through 2024
U.S. Census Bureau: Florida Home to 4 of the 5 Fastest Growing Areas
According to a U.S. Census Bureau report released this week, Florida is home to 4 of the Top 5 fastest growing metropolitan statistical areas in the nation. The rankings are based on the percentage of growth in population that each area experienced between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023. Here are the top 4 … Continue Reading » about U.S. Census Bureau: Florida Home to 4 of the 5 Fastest Growing Areas
55+ Homes for Sale in The Villages
The Villages is the world’s largest retirement community and just passed the 150,000 resident mark. The crazy thing is, it is set to DOUBLE in size over the next 20 years. If you’re thinking whoa, that’s too big for me, there are plenty of smaller communities to explore here. With those kinds of numbers in … Continue Reading » about 55+ Homes for Sale in The Villages
Top Selling Florida Communities of 2023
Two real estate consulting powerhouses, RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting, regularly release their lists of the country’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities. It should come as no surprise that many of these top-selling communities are located in or near some of Florida’s best places to retire. 2023 Fast Facts: Keep in mind that some … Continue Reading » about Top Selling Florida Communities of 2023
Like The Villages But Closer to the Coast
I get this request all the time, “show me something like The Villages but closer to the coast”. There’s nothing quite like The Villages, but when I get this request, I do have a place in mind: Valencia at Riverland in Port St. Lucie. Yes, there are a few compromises you’d need to be willing … Continue Reading » about Like The Villages But Closer to the Coast
Ocala vs. The Villages for Retirement
Two of the most popular retirement destinations in Florida right now are Ocala and The Villages. While both offer a unique retirement experience, they cater to slightly different preferences and lifestyles. If you are choosing between these two places for retirement, I don’t envy you. You’ve got a heckuva decision on your hands, as they … Continue Reading » about Ocala vs. The Villages for Retirement
5 More Charming Small Towns Near The Villages Florida
The Villages is a great place to retire, but as we’ve said before it is growing so quickly most would agree it lacks that small-town feel that attracted a lot of the first residents. But if you don’t need all of the Rec Centers and golf courses that residents of The Villages enjoy, you can … Continue Reading » about 5 More Charming Small Towns Near The Villages Florida
The Villages vs. Port St. Lucie
In previous articles I’ve compared The Villages to several other popular communities such as On Top of the World, Latitude Margaritaville, the Villages of Citrus Hills, and others, but the more I think about it, as big as The Villages is getting, it’s almost not really fair to The Villages or these other communities to … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Port St. Lucie
Charming Small Towns Near The Villages Florida
The Villages is great, but as much as it’s growing it no longer has that small-town feel that attracted so many early residents. But if you like the location, here are some places nearby to consider. These towns offer their own unique charms and amenities, making them potential retirement destinations near The Villages. Tavares Located … Continue Reading » about Charming Small Towns Near The Villages Florida
Watch The Villages Documentary “The Bubble” Right Here
“The Bubble” is a documentary about The Villages from writer/director Valerie Blankenbyl that was released in 2021. I was able to see it when it was featured at the 2021 Sarasota Film Festival. In part because the film’s director and production companies are based in Europe, it has not been widely shown here in the … Continue Reading » about Watch The Villages Documentary “The Bubble” Right Here
What’s New and Coming Soon to The Villages
The Villages is already the biggest retirement community in the world, and no place continues to grow like The Villages.
Even More Golf Coming to The Villages
With 711 holes of golf, The Villages is already the biggest golf community in the world. But as you’ll see in todays video, they’re not done yet!
Popular YouTuber Buys Winter Home in The Villages
Very few videos on the topic of “Florida retirement” ever reach this level of popularity, so there’s definitely something here worth watching.
Interview with The Villages Newcomers
I recently sat down with the stars of the most popular YouTube show dedicated to The Villages, The Villages Newcomers. Other than my not knowing where to look the entire time (I’m an interview newbie, haha!) we had a great chat! We talked about: You can watch our interview right here: If you’d like to … Continue Reading » about Interview with The Villages Newcomers
Here’s What It Really Costs to Live in Florida’s Most Popular Retirement Community
By far the most frequently asked question I get over on my website about The Villages is some variation of: “What does it cost to live in The Villages?” The answer is not as straightforward as many would like, because everybody’s situation is different, and figuring out one’s cost of living is not at all … Continue Reading » about Here’s What It Really Costs to Live in Florida’s Most Popular Retirement Community
The Villages vs. Latitude Margaritaville
Editor’s Note:If you enjoy this sort of thing, in my private, member’s only community for future Florida retirees, I’m comparing lots of other popular Florida retirement communities just like you see here. Learn more here… (opens in a new window) Two of the most popular 55+ communities in Florida today are The Villages and Latitude Margaritaville Daytona … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Latitude Margaritaville
Safest Places to Retire in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida’s total crime rate has gone down by more than 60% since 1998. Each year the FBI releases crime data for the previous year for all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s) in the United States, including the 22 MSA’s in Florida. I thought it would be interesting to … Continue Reading » about Safest Places to Retire in Florida
The Villages vs. Solivita
See also:The Villages vs. Citrus HillsThe Villages vs. On Top of the WorldThe Villages vs. Tradition Introduction Check out the most popular forums frequented by residents and prospective residents of The Villages, and you’ll see that one of the most often discussed community (other than The Villages itself, of course) is Solivita. Solivita is a … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Solivita
The Villages vs. Citrus Hills
The Villages is the best-selling community in the country (retirement or otherwise) for a reason, but not everyone who takes a look at The Villages for retirement falls under her spell. We thought it’d be fun to compare The Villages to a number of other popular Florida retirement communities so you can see which one … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Citrus Hills
The Villages vs. On Top of the World
Of all the community comparison articles I’ve written, this is probably the one people have focused on the most. Some people describe On Top of the World in Ocala as a miniature version of The Villages, and that’s a fairly good description. “The Villages Light” if you wish. I think that most people living in … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. On Top of the World
The Villages vs. Tradition
Tradition is a large Master-Planned community on the east coast of Florida and though it is not as big as The Villages, it will be one of the biggest in the state. While it’s not exclusively an active adult community, there are 55+ options in Tradition like Del Webb Tradition, Vitalia at Tradition, and others … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Tradition
The Villages Florida Retirement Guide
As far as retirement communities go, The Villages is the 800-pound gorilla. Not just in Florida, but on the national and international level. In this article we’ll explore all of the things that make life in The Villages so appealing to so many baby boomers. See also: Located about an hour north of Orlando, The … Continue Reading » about The Villages Florida Retirement Guide
The Villages vs. Sun City Center
Today let’s take a head-to-head look at two of the biggest 55+ communities in Florida, The Villages and Sun City Center. History While The Villages is bigger, more popular, and more famous, Sun City Center has actually been around longer than The Villages. Del Webb began Sun City Center in the early 1960’s, about a … Continue Reading » about The Villages vs. Sun City Center
5 Questions You’ve Asked About The Villages
As you probably know, The Villages is a “quaint” little hometown in Central Florida that is currently home to about 125,000 people, 50,000+ golf carts, 500+ holes of golf, and so much more. I get asked all the time why I don’t talk about The Villages more on this site and my answer is that … Continue Reading » about 5 Questions You’ve Asked About The Villages
Community Toss-Up: The Villages® vs. Trilogy® Orlando
Today we’re comparing two very different communities situated less that 45 minutes from each other, The Villages and Trilogy® Orlando. You all know The Villages as the most popular retirement community in the country right now. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than any of the other communities we compare it to, including Trilogy®. … Continue Reading » about Community Toss-Up: The Villages® vs. Trilogy® Orlando