Your Guide to 55+ Communities in Lakeland, Florida (Homeowner-Owned Properties)

Lakeland, Florida, perfectly positioned between Tampa and Orlando, offers an ideal setting for active adults seeking a vibrant retirement lifestyle. Known for its beautiful lakes, warm climate, and proximity to world-class attractions, Lakeland has become a popular destination for 55+ homebuyers. This guide focuses exclusively on communities where you own the land beneath your home—no mobile home parks with lot rent are included in this list.

Why Choose Lakeland?

Before diving into specific communities, here’s what makes Lakeland special:

• Perfect Location: 30-45 minutes to both Tampa and Orlando airports
• Lake Living: Named for its numerous freshwater lakes offering boating, fishing, and water sports
• Cultural Attractions: Home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural collection at Florida Southern College
• Spring Training: Detroit Tigers call Lakeland home for spring training
• Affordable Living: Lower cost of living compared to coastal Florida
• Year-Round Sunshine: Perfect Florida weather for an active lifestyle

The Communities

1. Sandpiper Golf & Country Club

Size: 1,153 homes
Built: 1985-1998, 3rd phase of homes started in 2023 through today
Type: Single-family homes and attached villas
Location: North Lakeland

What Makes It Unique: Sandpiper is one of Lakeland’s largest and most established 55+ communities, featuring an 18-hole golf course that’s been recently renovated with a multi-million dollar upgrade. The community offers a true country club lifestyle at an affordable price point, with no expensive CDD fees.

Amenities:

• 18-hole golf course
• Clubhouse with ballroom and stage
• Full-service restaurant – Links of Sandpiper
• Fitness center with cardiovascular and weight-training equipment
• Heated outdoor pool and spa
• Tennis courts and pickleball courts
• Eight shuffleboard courts
• Three horseshoe pits
• Bocce ball courts
• Billiards room, card room, and library
• Multi-purpose rooms and catering kitchen
• Walking and biking trails

Home Features: Homes range from 900-2400 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms. Many feature golf course views, covered lanais, and open floor plans. HOA fees are approximately $150 per month and include lawn care, cable TV, and access to all amenities.

2. Silver Lakes

Size: 148 homes
Built: 1996-2004
Type: Single-family homes (resale only)
Location: Northwest Lakeland

What Makes It Unique: Silver Lakes is a small, intimate gated community that offers an affordable entry point into 55+ living in Lakeland. The community is known for its tight-knit atmosphere and beautifully maintained grounds with scenic ponds and walking trails. Despite its smaller size, it doesn’t skimp on amenities.

Amenities:

• Clubhouse with social spaces
• Junior Olympic-sized outdoor heated pool and spa
• Exercise room with equipment
• Sauna
• Billiards room
• Card and game rooms
• Arts and crafts studio
• Library
• Multi-purpose room for activities
• Walking and biking trails around scenic ponds
• Poolside patio

Home Features: Homes range from 1,200-2,100 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, and attached 1-2 car garages. Many homes feature covered lanais overlooking the community’s ponds featuring beautiful fountains. The HOA fee (approximately $220 per month) covers lawn care, cable, internet, lawn irrigation and amenties.

3. Highland Fairways

Size: 660 homes
Built: 1987-1998
Type: Single-family homes and some manufactured homes (on owned land)
Location: North Lakeland

What Makes It Unique: Built around a private 18-hole executive golf course, Highland Fairways offers a true golf community experience. What sets it apart is that even the manufactured homes in this community sit on land owned by the homeowner, not leased. The community has a charming, Scottish pub-style clubhouse and incredibly affordable HOA fees. I would venture to say, this is the MOST active community in Lakeland. There is always something going on from breakfasts in the clubhouse to travel excursions.

Amenities:

• Private year-round 18-hole executive golf course
• Clubhouse with great hall and conference rooms
• Exercise room and fitness center
• Heated swimming pool
• Tennis courts and pickleball courts
• Shuffleboard courts
• Bocce ball courts
• Walking and biking trails
• Community garden
• Game room and billiards

Home Features: Homes range from 1,400-2,400 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms and 2-2.5 bathrooms. Many homes offer golf course and lake views. The HOA fee is affordable at approximately $218 per month and includes lawn care and all amenities. No CDD fees.

4. Colonnades

Size: 360 homes
Built: 1985-1994
Type: Single-family homes and some manufactured homes (on owned land)colcoloanndes
Location: South Lakeland

What Makes It Unique: Developed by Florida Leisure Communities (the same developer as Highland Fairways), Colonnades offers a peaceful, naturally beautiful setting with mature trees and a serene lake. The community features an impressive 15,000 square-foot clubhouse—one of the largest among Lakeland’s 55+ communities.

Amenities:

• Expansive 15,000 square-foot clubhouse
• Heated outdoor pool
• Outdoor spa and patio
• Fitness center with equipment
• Sauna
• Arts and crafts studio
• Library
• Ballroom for events
• Card rooms and billiards
• Shuffleboard courts
• Practice golf area
• BBQ area and gazebo
• Fishing dock on scenic lake
• Walking and biking trails

Home Features: Single-level homes ranging from 900-2,100 square feet with up to 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Homes feature attached garages or carports. Many include eat-in kitchens, vaulted ceilings, spacious master suites, and walk-in closets. HOA fees cover lawn maintenance and amenities.

5. Lake James

Size: 200+ homes (upon completion)
Built: Started 2004, new construction still available
Type: Single-family homes
Location: North Lakeland

What Makes It Unique: Lake James is one of Lakeland’s newer 55+ communities, featuring custom-designed homes built exclusively by renowned local builder Ernie White Construction. The community surrounds an 8-acre lake and has won numerous awards, including “Best Master Bath” and “Best Exterior” in the Parade of Homes. New construction is still available.

Amenities:

• 2,000 square-foot clubhouse
• Heated outdoor pool with spacious patio
• Fitness room with cardiovascular and weight-training equipment
• Multi-purpose room with catering kitchen
• Library
• Event room for gatherings
• BBQ area
• Paved walking and biking trails
• 8-acre lake
• Scenic natural areas

Home Features: Custom single-family homes with 2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, ranging from approximately 1,400-2,900 square feet. Features include private master suites, eat-in kitchens, covered lanais, and high-end finishes. The low monthly HOA fee ($170) plus annual assessment ($550) includes lawn maintenance, cable, internet, and all amenities.

6. Heritage Landings at Lakes at Laurel Highlands

Size: 65 homes
Built: 2017-2020
Type: Single-family homes
Location: South Lakeland (off Airport Road)

What Makes It Unique: This is one of Lakeland’s newest 55+ communities, built by D.R. Horton’s Freedom Homes division. The community features modern, upgraded homes with contemporary designs and is part of the larger Lakes at Laurel Highlands development. The separate Heritage Lakes area is gated. Every home comes with premium upgrades as standard features—things other builders charge extra for. This is also a great community for someone who’s not looking for an exclusive 55+ community as the amenities are shared with the all-ages neighborhood that adjoins.

Amenities:

• 4,000+ square-foot clubhouse
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Resort-style heated pool with splash pad
• Social gathering rooms
• Catering kitchen
• Peaceful ponds and fountains
• Walking trails
• Lush greenery and landscaping

Home Features: One-story floor plans ranging from 1,641-2,034 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2-car garages. Standard upgrades include tile flooring in main areas, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanais. Prices start in the low-mid $200,000s. HOA fees are approximately $244 per month.

Making Your Decision

When choosing a 55+ community in Lakeland, consider:

• Lifestyle: Do you want golf, lakes, or a more intimate setting?
• Budget: Communities range from affordable ($200,000s) to higher-end options
• Amenities: Consider which features you’ll actually use
• Location: North Lakeland communities are closer to I-4; south Lakeland communities are closer to Polk Parkway
• Home Style: Decide between established resale homes and new construction
• Community Size: From intimate 148-home communities to larger 1,100+ home developments

The Bottom Line

Lakeland offers exceptional value for 55+ homebuyers who want to own their land, enjoy resort-style amenities, and maintain an active lifestyle—all while staying close to Florida’s best attractions and having easy access to both coasts. With communities ranging from established neighborhoods to brand-new developments, there’s truly something for every taste and budget.

Whether you’re drawn to the golf lifestyle at Sandpiper or Highland Fairways, the intimate charm of Silver Lakes, the natural beauty of Colonnades, the custom homes at Lake James, the modern amenities at Heritage Landings, or the lake views at Carillon Lakes, you’ll find a welcoming community of like-minded active adults ready to make you feel at home.

Ready to explore these communities? Contact Swan City Realty, a local real estate brokerage that specializes in 55+ communities in Lakeland to schedule tours and find your perfect retirement home.

*HOA fees are subject to change. Please check with the HOA for the most recent fees. This was updated in October 2025.