The Villages

The Villages is a residential development for adults aged 55 and older in central Florida, spread across three counties. The community consists of several small town centers with shops, restaurants, clubhouses, and recreation facilities, connected by a network of golf courses and wide, manicured pathways.

Planning for the community started in the late 1970s as a small retirement project in rural Florida. Over the following decades, the site grew through gradual land purchases into one of the largest retirement communities in North America.

Every evening, residents gather at town squares to dance and dine to live outdoor music. These social hubs have become a center of daily life where neighbors meet and new friendships form.

Visitors can explore the town squares and shopping areas freely, while most sports and recreation facilities are accessible only to residents. Evening hours are recommended, when the squares come alive with music and entertainment.

Golf carts are the main form of transportation here and are often customized and decorated to personal taste. You will even see traffic lights and right-of-way rules on the paths, designed specifically for these small vehicles.

Location: Sumter County

Location: Marion County

Location: Lake County

Elevation above the sea: 23 m

Website: https://thevillages.com

GPS coordinates: 28.93778,-81.97111

Latest update: December 15, 2025 22:46