REHLSign in
← All neighborhoods
Sumter / Lake / Marion Counties, FL

The Villages, FL

The largest 55+ retirement community in the US. 130K+ residents, 50+ golf courses, golf-cart-only infrastructure.

Median price
$355K
Days on market
47d
School rating
6/10
Walk score
28
Population
130,000

Data as of 2026-04-01. Refreshed quarterly.

The Villages is the largest age-restricted (55+) community in the US, about 130,000 residents spread across Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. Built incrementally since the 1980s, it now spans 32 square miles, with 700+ miles of golf-cart-only paths connecting 60+ neighborhood pools, 50+ golf courses, three town squares, and a dedicated healthcare network.

Buyer pool is overwhelmingly 55+ retirees relocating from the Midwest + Northeast. Snowbird-then-permanent transition is a common pattern. The community's social fabric (over 3,000 chartered clubs) is the dominant value proposition + the hardest-to-replicate moat.

Inventory is dominated by manufactured + modular homes (cheaper end) + courtyard villas + designer homes (mid + high). The Villages' developer (The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc.) controls new-build inventory tightly; resale market is the main flow.

What makes it distinctive

Things that move the needle.

55+ age restriction (real)

Federal HUD-compliant: at least one occupant must be 55+. No permanent residents under 19. Enforcement is strict + impacts resale buyer pool.

Golf-cart-only infrastructure

700+ miles of dedicated golf-cart paths connect every neighborhood + town square. Many residents don't own a car. This is structural to the community's identity.

Healthcare access

The Villages Health (an Anthem subsidiary) operates a community-wide primary care network. UF Health + AdventHealth have specialty clinics in the area.

Resale market dynamics

Resale prices are sensitive to the developer's new-build pricing, developer has been raising prices aggressively, pulling resales up. Watch for developer announcements.

Want to buy in The Villages?

Local agents in Sumter / Lake / Marion Counties know the inventory, the HOA rules, the school zones, and the negotiation patterns. Get pre-qualified + matched with the right agent.

Get matched in The Villages

A local lender and a local agent will follow up as soon as they're available.

$

By submitting this form and checking the box below, I agree to be contacted by REHL about real estate opportunities via phone calls, text messages (SMS), and email at the contact information I provided. I understand that text messages may be sent using automated technology and that consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. I can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message or by using the unsubscribe link in any email. See REHL's privacy policy and terms of service.

A lender will follow up as soon as one is available. No spam.

Frequently asked

Common questions about The Villages.

Are kids / grandkids allowed?

Visit yes (up to 30 days per year typical), live no. Permanent residents must be 19+; at least one per household must be 55+. Federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) governs.

What's the year-round vs seasonal split?

Roughly 60% year-round + 40% seasonal at this point. Seasonal residents typically own + return Nov-April.

Data is hand-curated by REHL editors from a mix of public records, MLS feed inputs, and listing aggregator analytics. Refreshed at least quarterly; the "as of" date above is current. Numbers shift constantly in active markets, for the most current view of any specific property, ask the agent we match you with. We aim for honest, not flattering.

School ratings draw from a blend of state assessments and public school-rating databases; verify zoning for your specific address before relying on these scores. Property tax estimates assume primary-residence homestead and standard millage rates as of the publish date.