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Cost-of-Living: Meets the National Average

 

Florida Retirement Communities

 

Valencia Lakes

4927 Sapphire Sound Drive

Wimauma, Florida  33598

Large, Gated 55+ Community on Florida's Gulf Coast Has Good Selection of Homes and Outstanding Amenities

 
G.L. Homes has a number of communities in Florida and on the Gulf Coast, not far from Tampa, Wimauma (population 4,500) is the home of the gated, active adult community of Valencia Lakes, a well-designed town home and single family home development with a Mediterranean flavor.  Still being built, the community currently has 696 homes and home sites and is lushly landscaped with more than 100 acres of lakes.

 

 

 

The majority of residences are single-story, single-family homes and come in a wide range of prices and floor plans.  Resale detached residences start in the mid-$200,000s and reach into the $500,000s, but new detached homes prices begin in the high-$180,000s and top out in the mid to high-$300,000s.  A new phase of villas (town homes) has just opened, and these are for sale starting at $149,900 (topping out just under $170,000).   Square footage ranges from roughly 1,300 sq. ft. (town homes) to nearly 3,500 sq. ft. for single family homes, and all homes come with two, three or four bedrooms.  Many residences are "waterfront," but that means overlooking one of several lakes, not the ocean.  Rentals are few but do become available occasionally. The community can be reached here.

 

Standard features include an alarm system, skid-resistant bath tubs, medical emergency call systems,  lever door handles, a raised vanity in the bathroom, gourmet kitchens, ceramic floor tile and/or wall to wall carpet, marble window sills, driveway brick pavers, a fully sodded lawn and more. 

The eye-catching entry gate comes with a bridge and floating fountains; the gate is manned 24/7, and residents have a private entrance as well.  Amenities are top-notch and include a huge (27,000 square feet) clubhouse with a resort-style pool, state of the art fitness center, an art studio, an internet cafe, saunas, a social hall, a wine bar, a half-court basketball court, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, an aerobic studio and more. A full time activities director ("Lifestyle Director") makes sure there are always activities taking place, and dozens of clubs and events, everything from clay sculpting to movie nights to a drama club, keep residents busy. There is also a dog park and RV parking and storage.  

HOA fees are roughly $335 per month and include access to all community amenities, security patrol, cable TV and front and back lawn maintenance.  It should be noted, too, that Valencia Lakes passed a special assessment  awhile ago to update the clubhouse.  Most sellers will pay for the assessment, but make sure this is in the contract if planning to buy in Valencia Lakes.

The climate is what would be expected in Florida.  Summer temperatures reach into the 90s, and winter temperatures are generally in the 50s and 60s.  The area receives 3 to 7 inches of rain per month.  Morning humidity is around 90%, but drops to an average of 65% by afternoon.  The sun shines 60% to 70% of the time.

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