The Best 55+ Neighborhoods in Clermont FL: Tours, Prices, and Location.
Are you wondering which is the best 55+ neighborhood in Clermont, FL? You’ve come to the right place to read everything about our beautiful town of Clermont and all its age-restricted communities.
Clermont is known for its majestic rolling hills that you won’t find anywhere else in Florida—at least not 30 mins from a large city like Orlando or 90 minutes from world renowned beaches such as Clearwater Breach or Siesta Key Beach.
In Clermont, we have five pristine 55+ communities that we’ve written extensively about: Kings Ridge, Summit Greens, Heritage Hills, Esplanade at Highland Ranch, and the Palms at Serenoa.
We hope after reading this article that you will have a much better understanding of what each community has to offer and which one is right for you.
We’ve sold homes in each community, currently live in Clermont, and have relationships with each builder—we understand the in’s and out’s of each neighborhood.
Let’s get to it.
An Overview of Clermont’s 55+ Neighborhoods
Esplanade at Highland Ranch
Esplanade at Highland Ranch is a 55+ gated community located in Clermont, Florida, that offers resort-style living to its residents. The community features 800 single-family homes built in 2015, each with 2-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.
In addition, residents enjoy access to an array of amenities, including a clubhouse, fitness center, multipurpose rooms, catering kitchen, and a dog park.
For those who enjoy staying active, the community boasts a range of sports courts, including pickleball and tennis, as well as a dazzling pool and relaxing spa. Residents can also participate in a variety of community activities, such as fitness classes, card games, and special events.
Situated in northern Clermont amongst the rolling hills and lakes, the community is close to shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Heritage Hills
Heritage Hills is a 55+ gated community situated in Clermont, Florida, that provides a peaceful living experience for its residents. The community boasts 1,154 single-family homes built in 2012, each with 2-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.
Moreover, residents have access to a 24,000 square foot clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and a dog park.
In addition to its luxurious amenities, Heritage Hills offers a range of social and recreational activities for residents to enjoy, such as fitness classes, card games, and community events.
The community is also located close to a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as numerous parks and nature trails for outdoor recreation.
The Palms at Serenoa
The Palms at Serenoa is a 55+ gated community located in Clermont, Florida, that offers luxurious living at an affordable price. The community features 500 single-family homes built in 2016, each with 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.
Additionally, residents have access to a clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and a dog park.
While Palms at Serenoa is the smallest of the communities, it’s the only 55+ neighborhood in Clermont located in the southern region of Clermont. The benefit of this location is its close proximity to Margaritaville, Old Town, and Disney World.
In addition, Palms at Serenoa will become a prime location as three east-west roads are being constructed linking south Clermont to western Orlando—making drive times to Orlando’s biggest attractions even faster.
Kings Ridge
Kings Ridge is a 55+ gated community located in Clermont, Florida, that was established in 1995. The community features over 2,000 single-family homes with 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.
In fact, Kings Ridge is the only option for a 55+ community with a golf course at the moment. Summit Greens, the only other 55+ golf course community in Clermont has a closed golf course for renovation as of April 2023.
Kings Ridge features two golf courses, three clubhouses, multiple pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and other recreational facilities. Kings Ridge also has a range of housing options, including single-family homes, attached villas, and condominiums.
Additionally, the neighborhood is one of the most centrally located in all of Clermont’s 55+ communities, near downtown Clermont, FL 50 shopping, dining, and entertainment options—and of course the amazing Waterfront Park is minutes away.
Summit Greens
Summit Greens is a 55+ gated community located in Clermont, Florida, established in 2001. The community features over 800 single-family homes with 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.
Additionally, Summit Greens offers a 28,000 square-foot clubhouse, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and other recreational facilities.
We think that Summit Greens has one of the nicer pools setups of the 55+ communities in Clermont, FL. Summit Greens is also in the best location of the 55+ communities for commuting as its very close to the Florida Turnpike.
Currently, Summit Greens does have an 18-hole golf course, though it is closed for renovation. An expected completion date has not been released, so any resale purchase would need to keep this in mind—both for anticipation, future value, and realistic expectations.
An overview of each 55+ community in Clermont FL
| Community Name | Number of Homes | Year Built | Builder | Average Bedrooms | Average Bathrooms | Average Garage Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esplanade at Highland Ranch | 800 | 2015 | Taylor Morrison | 2-4 | 2-3 | 2-car |
| Heritage Hills | 1,154 | 2012 | Lennar | 2-4 | 2-3 | 2-car |
| The Palms at Serenoa | 500 | 2016 | D.R. Horton | 2-3 | 2 | 2-car |
| Kings Ridge | 2,000+ | 1995 | Lennar and M/I Homes | 2-3 | 2 | 2-car |
| Summit Greens | 800+ | 2001 | Levitt and Sons | 2-3 | 2 | 2-car |
An overview of amenities for each 55+ community in Clermont FL
| Community Name | Clubhouse (sq. ft.) | Pool | Fitness Center | Court Types | Walking Trails | Dog Parks | Community Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esplanade | 6,000 | Yes | Yes | Tennis Pickleball Bocci | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heritage Hills | 28,000 | Yes | Yes | Bocci Shuffleboard Basketball Tennis Pickleball | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Palms at Serenoa | 4,000 | Yes | Yes | Pickelball Bocci | No | Yes | No |
| Kings Ridge | 25,000 | Yes | Yes | Bocci Shuffleboard Basketball Tennis Pickleball | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Summit Greens | 28,000 | Yes | Yes | Bocci Shuffleboard Softball Field Tennis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where are Clermont’s 55+ Communities Located?
- Kings Ridge: 1900 Kings Ridge Blvd, Clermont, FL 34711
- Summit Greens: 2601 Summit Greens Blvd, Clermont, FL 34711
- Heritage Hills: 3599 Bracknell Forest Trl, Clermont, FL 34711
- Palms at Serenoa: 2700 Fawn Run, Clermont, FL 34714
- Esplanade at Highland Ranch: 1549 Bella Lago Dr, Clermont, FL 34711
Does Clermont have any 55+ communities with new construction?
Of Clermont’s five 55+ communities, only Palms at Serenoa is still building new homes. It should be noted, that as of April 2023, there are new models available, but they are at the tail-end of building the community.
The other four 55+ communities are completed and only have resale homes available: The Esplanade at Highland Ranch, Kings Ridge, Summit Greens, and Heritage Hills.
Which 55+ Community in Clermont is the most affordable?
Based on our experience, the Palms at Serenoa is the most affordable for a few reasons.
First, the location of the Palms is in south Clermont which tends to be more affordable. North Clermont tends to be a bit more expensive as its more developed, has more investment restrictions (e.g., Airbnb), and is closer to Clermont restaurants, lakes, and downtown.
Second, the Palms of Serenoa has a slightly lower HOA fee that the four other communities mentioned, most likely as a result of fewer amenities.
Third, the Palms at Serenoa is the smallest community of the five 55+ communities with the most options for smaller homes (e.g., town houses) and the lowest average square footage. In other words, the homes on average are smaller—but this could be exactly what you are looking for during this next phase of your life.
Do all of the 55+ communities in Clermont have HOA’s?
Yes, and they are all quite affordable compared to other high-end suburban Orlando communities. The following HOA’s are updated as of April 2023—HOA fees are subject to change.
| Neighborhood | HOA Fees |
|---|---|
| Esplanade at Highland Ranch | $359 per month |
| Heritage Hills | $345 to $420 per month |
| Palms at Serenoa | $217 per month |
| Kings Ridge | $241/mo (Community HOA) & $187/mo (Master HOA) |
| Summit Greens | $360-$388 per month |
Are there any new 55+ communities coming to Clermont?
Yes, it appears that Del Webb is going to begin building in Clermont, FL soon. However, the date is unconfirmed.
The good news is that many developers have a strong presence in Clermont and have successfully built great 55+ neighborhoods here. We anticipate more 55+ to break ground over the course of the next few years.
Do you recommend any 55+ communities near Clermont?
Yes, if you are looking for 55+ communities outside of Clermont but close by, our favorite communities are Trilogy (Groveland), Del Webb Minneola (Minneola), and Lakes of Mount Dora (Mount Dora).
We understand that you may want to move a bit further out to maximize your budget, increase the size of your home or lot, or maybe you want to be near the action but love the serenity of rural lakes and hills.
Let’s break down each community for you.
The best amenities: Trilogy in Groveland, FL (17 minutes from Clermont) is filled to the max with amazing amenities.
Trilogy features resort-style amenities such as a clubhouse, fitness center, an indoor and outdoor pool, a golf simulator, a terrific restaurant, amazing green spaces, along with a variety of social clubs and activities.
The best views: Del Webb Minneola in Minneola, FL, (15 minutes to Clermont) is built on some of the most elevated land in central Florida.
The community sits atop rolling hills and valleys. In addition, Del Webb Minneola has terrific amenities, including a fitness center, resort-style pool, and pickleball courts, as well as a variety of social clubs and events.
The biggest lots: The Lakes of Mount Dora in Mount Dora, FL, (25 mins to Clermont) is a gated community that boasts a 18,000-square-foot clubhouse, fitness center, and resort-style pool, as well as walking trails, a dock, and a variety of clubs and activities.
The thing we love most about this community is the enormous lots. In addition, you will find sprawling homes with 3-car garages on most lots.
Is Clermont a good place to live for people over 55?
Clermont is an amazing place for the 55+ resident. While there are dozens of reasons we believe you should consider Clermont a 55+ haven, the following are two great reasons:
Clermont has big city amenities with small town vibes
We love living in Clermont because it has everything we need. When we moved from the Chicagoland area, we were worried that Central Florida wasn’t going to provide the amenities we were used to—and boy we were wrong.
Clermont has all the big stores like Target, Walmart, Kohls, TJ Maxx, Home Depot, Menards, and more. In other words, if you need something, chances are you’ll be able to find it in Clermont.
How about the food scene? Well, it’s really good as well. We have a booming downtown Clermont food scene with dozens of great privately owned small-town restaurants, pubs, breweries, and boutique food vendors.
We have an amazing Friday night food truck with dozens of food truck vendors lining the streets. All of this doesn’t include the 50+ restaurants lining FL-50, and Rt 27.
If you move to Clermont, bring your appetite
Clermont is close to Orlando amenities and great beaches
The best part about living in Clermont is that you are close to the action when you want the action. We love being 30-45 minutes from all the great attractions in Orlando while being far enough to avoid the tourist mania.
What kind of fun is near Clermont’s 55+ Communities?
- Orlando International Airport – 40 minutes drive
- Walt Disney World – 20 minutes drive
- Universal Studios – 35 minutes drive
- Downtown Orlando – 30 minutes drive
- Margaritaville Resort Orlando – 20 minutes drive
- Siesta Key Beach – 2 hours and 15 minutes drive
- Clearwater Beach – 2 hours and 15 minutes drive
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – 1 hour and 15 minutes drive
- The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg – 1 hour and 40 minutes drive
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – 1 hour and 20 minutes drive
Is Clermont a good place to retire?
Absolutely and you certainly won’t be alone—35% of residents are over the age of 50. Personally, Tom and I love a community that has a mix of residents from a diversity of backgrounds which is why we typically do not push people towards a community like The Villages.
Clermont is a great place to retire, particularly for those looking for financial benefits moving from other states. Clermont offers an affordable cost of living without the heavy burden of state income tax. That’s right—no state income tax.
Furthermore, Clermont is arguably the most active suburb of Orlando because of its miles and miles of trails, our very own Lake Louisa State Park filled with fishing, boating, and hiking, and a community filled with fitness facilities such as National Training Center.
Did we mention the picturesque landscapes and natural beauty, with several parks and lakes in the vicinity? Clermont is truly an outdoor paradise.
Additionally, Clermont’s location is a huge area for local investment. Not only are three roads being built to further connect Clermont to Disney World and other Orlando attractions, but Clermont has been improving its infrastructure with its incredible Master Plan.
Overall, Clermont offers a unique combination of financial benefits, outdoor lifestyle, and community engagement, making it an excellent choice for retirees looking for a comfortable and enjoyable retirement.
An Overview of Clermont FL
Clermont, Florida, located in Lake County and known as the “Choice of Champions,” because of the number of world-class Olympic athletes who train here. It is situated on the rolling hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, providing stunning views, 300+ foot hills, and unique terrain not found in other parts of Florida.
The city’s population has grown by over 200% since 2000, and it is located in one of the fastest-growing counties in the State of Florida.
| Year | Clermont FL Population Growth |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9,333 |
| 2003 | 12,567 |
| 2006 | 18,247 |
| 2009 | 23,962 |
| 2012 | 29,358 |
| 2015 | 33,549 |
| 2018 | 37,411 |
| 2021 | 41,326 |
Lake Minneola, Lake Louisa, and Lake Minnehaha are just a few of the many beautiful lakes in the area, offering plenty of recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and hiking.
The city’s growing economy and development opportunities have made it an attractive location for real estate investors. The Olympus development in Clermont is one of the significant developments that will feature over 243 acres of mixed-use development, including residential, commercial, and office spaces.
The project is expected to bring in $800 million in private investment to the area and will create over 2,000 jobs. The development will also include a town center, hotels, and a hospital, which will make Clermont a more self-sustaining community.
Worries about Clermont getting too busy? Fear not, Clermont has maintained a strong sense of community and safety.
Clermont Police Department has been praised for its community policing efforts, which include programs such as Neighborhood Watch and maintaining accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement. Clermont has grown its staff to 86 sworn officers to keep our streets safe.
Clermont also offers residents a peaceful lifestyle with easy access to nearby cities like Orlando and Tampa, as well as access to pristine beaches and fun getaways such as the Palm Coast (European-inspired downtown), Siesta Key Beach (our favorite beach), and Clearwater Beach (consistently world-ranked beach).
With excellent amenities, beautiful weather, and endless recreational opportunities, Clermont is truly a 55+ retirement gem of Central Florida that has something for everyone.
Conclusion
Clermont, Florida offers a wealth of options for 55+ adults seeking an active and vibrant lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious resort-style community or a tranquil and serene setting, there is a community to fit every preference and lifestyle.
With its prime location in Central Florida, Clermont also offers easy access to a variety of local attractions, including theme parks, shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation options. We love living here and couldn’t image our lives without the Clermont community.
Overall, Clermont, Florida is an ideal destination for 55+ adults seeking an active and convenient lifestyle. Whether you’re ready to retire or simply seeking a new chapter in life, Clermont’s 55+ communities offer everything you need to live your best life. Come join us.