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 compare The Villages to individual communities.
I think it makes more sense to compare The Villages to other popular Florida retirement cities, so that's what I'm going to do starting with this article.
While The Villages is by far the most popular 55+ community in the state, Port St. Lucie is home to several smaller 55+ communities and is among the most popular Florida retirement destinations.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at how The Villages and Port St. Lucie match up on a few important criteria.
This article is a work in progress and I look forward to reading your thoughts on items of similarity and differences between these two great places. Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Location
The Villages is located in north central Florida, about an hour or so from Orlando. The nearest major roadways are the Florida Turnpike and I-75. The closest major airport is Orlando International, but some people choose to fly in and out of Tampa instead.
Port St. Lucie is located on Florida's east coast but it depends on who you're talking to as to what region it's actually in. Some say it's in southeast Florida, and some say it's really central east. I say it's kind of between the two 😉 It is right off I-95 and the closest major airport is Palm Beach International which is about 45 minutes away.
Weather
The weather in The Villages is typical of central Florida, characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters. Snowbirds flock to the area during the colder months to enjoy the comfortable winter temperatures.
Port St. Lucie has a coastal tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. The Atlantic Ocean influences the weather, making it slightly milder and a little less humid than central Florida. Hurricane season is a consideration, but the city is well-prepared for such events.
The occasional winter cold snaps are going to hit you a little harder in The Villages than they will in Port St. Lucie.
Lifestyle and Amenities
The Villages is the epitome of an active adult community. It boasts a wide range of amenities, including golf courses, recreation centers, swimming pools, and over 2,000 clubs and organizations catering to various interests. Residents enjoy daily live entertainment at the Town Squares, where you can dance the night away, dine at a variety of restaurants, and shop at boutique stores.
Port St. Lucie offers a more relaxed and diverse lifestyle. While it may not have the concentrated amenities of The Villages, it features great beaches nearby, parks, and a pretty strong arts and culture scene. The city is also home to the New York Mets spring training facility and several world-class golf courses.
Cost of Living
According to our friends at the website BestPlaces.net, the cost of living in Port St. Lucie is slightly (about 2%) higher than it is in The Villages.
One area where there seems to be a big difference is in transportation costs. I guess it makes sense that it would be cheaper to drive around town in The Villages via golf cart than it is to drive around town via automobile in Port St. Lucie.
Housing costs are maybe slightly higher in The Villages, but that's mostly because Port St. Lucie has a more diverse housing stock. The homes you see in most Port St. Lucie 55+ communities will be on par with what you see in The Villages price-wise.
Florida's lack of state income tax is a major financial perk for retirees, and you'd get to enjoy that perk in both places.
Healthcare
The Villages is home to the golf cart-accessible Villages Regional Hospital, but sadly its poor ratings are well documented. That may not matter to you so much when you're 55 and healthy, but when you get to your 70s and 80s and things start to break down, having a good hospital nearby can be a lifesaver.
That said, most people seem happy with the numerous medical clinics and specialists available within the community through The Villages Health.
Port St. Lucie has several healthcare facilities, including the Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital and St. Lucie Hospital. There are plenty of medical clinics and specialists to choose from throughout the city.
Social Life and Community
The Villages is well known for its strong sense of community and an abundance of organized social activities. The multitude of clubs and groups makes it easy for residents to meet like-minded individuals and form lasting friendships. The Villages promotes an active lifestyle and community engagement.
Port St. Lucie offers a more diverse population and social scene, with opportunities to engage in cultural events, art exhibitions, and outdoor activities. While the city as a whole may not have the same level of structured social activities as The Villages, if you settle in one of the many 55+ communities you'll likely find a good amount of social activities and organized clubs, just not as many as you'll find in The Villages.
Real Estate
I touched on real estate a bit in the cost of living section, but again, I don't see too much difference in housing prices in The Villages and housing prices in Port St. Lucie 55+ communities.
What you do get if you were to choose Port St. Lucie though is variety. As I mentioned there are several 55+ communities to choose from, and those are from a wide variety of builders, so it might be easier to find something that suits your personal housing tastes.
That said, most people will tell you that in The Villages, you're not buying a house, you're buying a particular lifestyle that comes with a house. They're not wrong.
If you make it down to Port St. Lucie to explore though, your first stop should be Valencia at Riverland.
Valencia at Riverland is one of the newest 55+ communities in Port St. Lucie, and brings together GL Homes’ famous 55+ resort-style living with an amazing master site plan to create a Florida lifestyle that’s second-to-none! At this new community, you’ll find a million ways to have fun. Walk to nearby shops and restaurants, spend the day at the beach or simply enjoy all the amenities right within your own neighborhood.
You can request more information prior to visiting right here:
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between The Villages and Port St. Lucie for your retirement destination depends on your individual preferences and priorities. The Villages excels in providing a meticulously planned, amenity-rich community designed for active retirees, while Port St. Lucie offers a more relaxed coastal lifestyle with a broader range of cultural and recreational opportunities.
This was a fun one to ponder and write, and I look forward to reading your thoughts on it in the comments below.
I lived in The Villages for almost 2.5 years and moved to Riverland in Port St. Lucie last month. I previously lived in Hollywood,FL for 11 years. The very cold winter in The Villages has been down played. It lasts several weeks and multiple times the temperature was below freezing causing plants to die. The temperature in Port St. Lucie will not get anywhere close to freezing. Also, the intense heat and humidity in The Villages is brutal. There is no HOA in The Villages but there’s a monthly fee. It’s much less than Riverland but, it does not include lawn care, fertilization and when you add those costs in, the fees aren’t much different. No one mentioned the bond in The Villages. There is no bond in Riverland. There are roughly 120k+ people all trying to eat in the same restaurants and go to the same squares. It’s very crowded even during the summer when the snowbirds aren’t there. The newer S. Of 44 villages are 30 minutes from most stores such as Home Depot, Best Buy, etc. The restaurants are mostly repeated Chinese, Pizza etc. the variety in Port St. Lucie cannot be compared and proximity to shopping as well. The town is close to the beach and other major areas and airports. The Villages is not a true gated community. There are gates anyone can pass through. Riverland is a truly gated community. There are resort style pools in Riverland with restaurants and incredible sports complexes with gyms, indoor pools, massage therapists, various classes, and outdoor pool, resistance walking pool, tables with umbrellas to play cards if you choose and cabanas to relax. Outdoor sports are available including pickle ball courts. There are more clubs and activities in The Villages but, how many do you really participate in? If you golf The Villages provides many options but, vying for tee times in season is challenging. Many friends told me they could not get a time at all frequently. There are many incidents of golf cart road rage, passing walkers and bikers on blind turns and having no concern for people’s safety or their animals. I experienced this frequently walking or riding my bike. The political climate I found to be extreme. Regardless of a person’s preference they should be able to agree to disagree. This is not the case in The Villages. People are allowed to hang insulting flags with profanity, yet if someone wants a small white cross in their yard to honor their faith, they are denied. The Villages is crowded and growing with leaps and bounds. I don’t think the infrastructure can handle the growth. There is beauty in The Villages. It’s a fun place to visit but, there’s little diversity and inclusion and in the middle of nowhere.
I live in Fort Pierce part of St Lucie County. Very affordable – expensive home, condos, communities offer so many amenities. Great downtown area with restaurants, Jetty, walking areas.
I’ve lived here in The Villages for almost 20 years. I live in a loop of courtyard Villas, very charming. It’s a real neighborhood. We know each other & are here for one another. I’m a widow, security was my main issue. Before entering a Village you go pass a guard house or own a flat electronic device that gets you through the gate.I love it here. You can be active as you like, shop downtown in cute shops. We even have a grandkids camp, Easter egg hunt, kids type movies.For their school breaks. As my Grand daughters say “IT’s LIKE
DISNEY WORLD FOR ADULTS” DON’T FORGET ENTERTAINMENT,
NIGHTLY.” You can listen to 50s,60s,70s,80s talented musicians. Don’t forget the golf carts for transportation, Almost 30
Pools. My Grand daughters would rather visit me here than I go north, too chilly. I fib, Grandma doesn’t own Winter Clothes! JB
We lived in a 55+ community, buying an older modular home, in PSL from 2010 till we built in 2017 in The Villages. While there are pluses in both locals..
In PSL, the beach is les than a 5 mi ride. And anything needed is not a far drive. & traffic is a nitemare when the ‘You know Who’s’, are in the south..
in The Villages, the beach is a drive & 1/2 away but there are more than 100+ pools to use free.. free golf if that is Your wish. With restaurants and shopping galore. All by Golf Cart..
But Yes, those ‘You know Who’s’ are here also… We cannot avoid them regardles which local You choose….
& in T.V’s the Amenity Fee’s are 1/3 of those in PSL.
You Pick……….
Retired in PSL 8 years ago at 56.
There are many other very nice areas here to live besides 55+ HOA’s with all their rules and regulations. We boat, fish and snorkel so whats the options in the Villages for this ? Zero ? No question where to retire, PSL hands down.
I play golf 4 days a week in The Villages (for free on the executive courses) and have no interest in boating or fishing. Our amenity fees/HOA are less than $200/month. You’re right….no question where to retire. As you can see, it depends on your interests.
We lived in Port St Lucie for 23 years before retiring to The Villages 4 years ago. Port St Lucie is way too crowded for people retiring, traffic is a nightmare, especially during in season. Housing is higher thenThe Villages, and if you can find a house you can afford in a 50 and older the HOA fees are twice as much as ours. There are parts of PSL that is pretty but for the most part it isn’t. There is no downtown. The only thing I miss is the ease of shopping and some of the restaurants. The Villages is way too slow in adding both restaurants and shopping in the southern end. The weather down south rains more and is slightly more humid and hotter and The Villages is way prettier, I am still in awe of the beauty here. PSL’s property insurance and taxes are so much more than we pay here. Really, no comparison!
You said Villages had over 2000 clubs/groups. Actually the latest count was 3,500+ according to the Daily Sun. That does not even consider groups that self organized through neighborhoods or Facebook groups that offer many events & activities. Examples would be Born in the 60’s, Southern Fun Girls, and numerous neighborhood leagues & meetups. Always an option to stay in & chill if you need a break from all the activities, but you will never be bored or without an abundance of social activities. I’ve been here 11 months and would not want to live anywhere else. There are also several parks, & theme parks within an hours drive 😃
As much as I agree with a lot you wrote, but I lived in PSL for over 20 years and the retired in The Villages. You failed to mention the cost of HOA compared to The Villages amenity fees. PSL HOA fees are by far more expensive. Another aspect you failed to compare was the home owners insurance, PSL rates are at least double if not more due to hurricanes. Taxes on homes are more also.