5 Largest 55+ Communities in America

Active adult communities vary in size, ranging from small, intimate neighborhoods with only a few houses to expansive resorts with thousands of homes. Some of the largest developments boast upwards of 10,000 homes, along with attractive amenities and beautiful grounds. For homebuyers seeking to be part of a large, diverse neighborhood, here are 10 of the country's largest retirement communities.

1. The Villages – The Villages, FL

Established in 1978, The Villages stands as the largest age-restricted development globally, and it continues to expand. Spanning three counties, three zip codes, and over 20,000 acres, this community offers an array of amenities. These include numerous recreation centers, golf courses, shopping centers, swimming pools, and more. Residents can also engage in various clubs, groups, activities, and classes within the community, ensuring an active and social lifestyle.

Amenities: The Villages® is renowned for its extensive array of amenities. With over 35 community centers, more than 100 outdoor pools, and 41 executive golf courses, The Villages® Florida offers a wealth of options for its residents. This active adult community is designed with the principle that every resident should have easy and convenient access to various amenities. To achieve this, the development incorporates a combination of town squares, retail plazas, golf courses, and recreation centers spread throughout the area.

The Villages® boasts three town squares that provide residents with numerous amenities and recreational opportunities. Additionally, there are multiple venues where residents can gather with friends and socialize with neighbors. Spanish Springs Town Square, Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, and Brownwood Paddock Square offer free nightly entertainment 365 days a year. With an array of retail shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and cafes, residents of The Villages® Florida have ample entertainment options right at their fingertips.

2. Sun City – Sun City, AZ

Sun City is the country’s oldest active adult community, and it’s also one of the largest with just over 27,000 homes. Opened in 1960, Sun City has 11 golf courses, seven recreation centers, 19 shopping areas, and an impressive line-up of amenities, activities, and community services. Located just 16 miles from Downtown Phoenix, this community also offers residents easy access to all the world-class entertainment, dining, and shopping that the city has to offer.

Amenities: Residents of Sun City enjoy access to a wide range of amenities. The community boasts one of the highest rates of golf holes per capita of any active adult community in the country. Although it has long been a favorite destination for golf enthusiasts, there are many exciting attractions for non-golfers as well. Sun City features seven recreation centers that offer a diverse array of amenities, including restaurants, fitness centers, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an indoor walking track, racquetball courts, a woodworking shop, and numerous hobby and card rooms.

In addition to the recreation centers, Sun City, AZ, is home to 30 churches, a synagogue, a social hall, a grand ballroom, a performing arts theater, two libraries, and an on-site hospital.

Sun City offers a wealth of amenities designed to keep residents active and engaged. Residents can enjoy miles of trails for walking or biking and participate in activities with friends on the pickleball, tennis, horseshoe, lawn bowling, and bocce ball courts. Additionally, the community features a softball field and fishing lakes, providing excellent options for family outings when guests come to visit.

3. Sun City West – Sun City West, AZ

Situated just 19 miles from Downtown Phoenix, Sun City West was developed by Del Webb between 1978 and 1997. Today, it boasts nearly 17,000 homes in a variety of styles and price ranges. This community offers resort-style amenities, including four spacious clubhouses, nine golf courses, 27 tennis courts, mini-golf, gardening plots, and much more.

Amenities: Sun City West offers a wide array of amenities, including four recreation centers, seven golf courses, and nine restaurants. These recreation centers feature various attractions, including indoor and outdoor pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, indoor and outdoor walking tracks, ballrooms, dance studios, hobby and craft rooms, a theater, and a library.

The R.H. Johnson Center, the largest activity center in Arizona, spans 48 acres and includes six activity areas with 118,000 square feet of amenities under one roof. The Palm Ridge Center clubhouse in Sun City West boasts three pools, including one outdoor and two indoor pools, along with a spacious fitness center, tennis courts, an indoor walking track, a ballroom, and clubrooms. The Beardsley Center features an Olympic-size indoor pool, a fitness center, club and meeting rooms, a mini-golf course, horseshoe pits, a greenhouse, and a park with shaded picnic pavilions. Lastly, the Kuentz Center includes an exercise room, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, a walking track, a softball field, club and meeting rooms, a woodworking shop, and the Stardust Theatre.

4. Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA

Nestled in Southern California's picturesque Orange County, Laguna Woods Village features 12,736 homes in a range of sizes, styles, and prices. Spread across 2,100 acres of rolling hills, this community is just a 10-minute drive from the beach. Residents of this resort-style haven have access to amenities at seven clubhouses, as well as 36 holes of golf, numerous sports courts, and an equestrian center.

Amenities: Located in Laguna Woods, CA, this active adult community offers a wide array of world-class amenities. Laguna Woods Village comprises seven clubhouses, each equipped with multiple meeting rooms and athletic courts. Unique amenities include an 814-seat performing arts center and a 27-hole championship golf course. Certain clubhouses feature spacious ballrooms and banquet facilities suitable for large events and group meetings. Residents of Laguna Woods Village can enjoy convenient transportation between clubhouses, thanks to a free community bus service.

The arts and crafts clubhouse provides professional equipment for activities such as jewelry making, sewing, woodworking, painting, photography, and ceramics. The Laguna Woods Village Library, staffed by resident volunteers, circulates over 140,000 books and magazines annually. Two clubhouses include state-of-the-art fitness centers with aerobics and dance studios. Indoor amenities also include billiard and game rooms, as well as badminton, volleyball, and basketball courts.

Throughout the Laguna Woods properties, residents will find numerous outdoor amenities, including ten tennis courts, five pickleball courts, bocce ball, shuffleboard, horseshoe pits, and lawn bowling. The community features five outdoor pools and two garden centers. Additionally, residents have access to RV parking and an equestrian center, which offers boarding, lessons, rides, and special events for an additional fee.

A 9-hole par-3 golf course is available for residents and their guests, complete with a driving range, putting greens, and a chipping area. Golfers at Laguna Woods Village can also take advantage of a fully stocked pro shop and receive individual or group lessons from professional golfers.

5. Green Valley Recreation – Green Valley, AZ

Comprising several active adult communities, Green Valley Recreation is a distinctive organization serving over 13,000 homes. Residents of any Green Valley Recreation community have access to amenities in every community. This includes 13 recreation centers, eight golf courses, and numerous outdoor facilities.

Amenities: Becoming a member of Green Valley Recreation offers unlimited access to the social and leisure activities available in the valley. For a small annual fee, members gain entry to 13 recreation centers equipped with amenities such as fitness centers, hobby and craft areas, aerobics and dance studios, woodworking shops, and multipurpose meeting rooms. Outdoors, the grounds of Green Valley Recreation serve as an active adult playground, featuring 13 swimming pools, scenic lakes, miles of walking and biking trails, and tennis, pickleball, bocce ball, shuffleboard, and basketball courts.

Golf enthusiasts will also find a variety of exciting and challenging courses in Green Valley, including eight championship golf courses, as well as several courses in the surrounding area. Whether you're a novice or an expert, there's a course in Green Valley to match your style.