Aerial view of The Villages Florida community with golf cart paths and Mediterranean-style homes
Soundings LLC Logo Broker Associate · Lili Whittington

Relocate to The Villages, FL

Everything you need to know about moving to The Villages, FL in 2026.

Serving The Villages · Marion · Sumter · Lake Counties

Watch: Your Villages Buyer Presentation


Lili Whittington, MBA · Broker Associate at Soundings LLC · English & Spanish · 20+ years · 450+ homes sold

Buyer presentation · The Lili Whittington Group at Soundings LLC

The Villages at a Glance

150,000+
Residents call The Villages home
55+
Active-adult community, one resident per home is 55+
3
Counties: Sumter, Marion, and Lake
700+
Golf holes, more than any community in the world
$0
Florida state income tax
45 min
From Orlando
20+
Years in Real Estate
450+
Homes Sold
EN / ES
Bilingual English & Spanish
BK3090328
Florida Broker Associate
Why Relocate

Why Relocate to The Villages


Relocating to a new state is a big decision, and Central Florida keeps drawing people for good reason. Here's what makes The Villages and its surrounding communities worth a serious look.

An older couple plays golf on a putting green during golden hour in The Villages Florida

"When you love what you do, people love what you do."

Lili Whittington

Golf-Cart Lifestyle

The Villages is built around golf carts, with roughly 100 miles of dedicated paths connecting homes to shops, restaurants, pools, and the town squares.

World-Class Amenities

Golf courses, swimming pools, pickleball and tennis courts, recreation centers, and three town squares with nightly entertainment.

Active 55+ Community

The world's largest active adult community, where at least one resident per household is 55 or older and every day can be as full as you want it.

Close to Orlando & Tampa

About an hour from Orlando and roughly 90 minutes from Tampa, with airports, major hospitals, and world-class shopping within easy reach.

No State Income Tax

Florida has no state income tax, so more of your retirement, pension, and investment income stays in your pocket.

No Traditional HOA

The Villages has no traditional homeowners association. Residents pay a monthly amenity fee that covers golf, pools, recreation centers, parks, and trails.

Moving from PA? We have a club for you. With 3,000+ resident-led clubs, sports teams represented, hobbies of every kind, and new groups forming all the time, you'll find your people before you've even unpacked.

Homes outside The Villages, in communities across Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties, may be governed by their own homeowners associations. I'll explain every fee for any property you consider, so there are no surprises.

Planning Your Budget

Cost of Living in The Villages (2026)


Here's what homes cost across the five main home series in The Villages, plus a realistic look at monthly costs. The figures below are estimates from The Villages developer catalog, subject to change, and assume the homestead exemption. Think of them as a planning tool, not a guarantee.

Courtyard Patio Villa

1,225–1,870 sq ft living space

From the low $200s
Avg: mid $200s

Est. total monthly cost
~$969/mo

Cottage

1,702–2,254 sq ft living space

From the upper $200s
Avg: upper $200s

Est. total monthly cost
~$1,170/mo

Villa

1,935–2,695 sq ft living space

From the mid $300s
Avg: upper $300s

Est. total monthly cost
~$1,232/mo

Veranda

2,319–3,555 sq ft living space

From the low $400s to upper $700s
Avg: mid $400s

Est. total monthly cost
~$1,485/mo

Designer & Premier

2,030–3,560 sq ft living space

From the low $300s to $1,000,000+
Avg: mid $400s

Est. total monthly cost
~$1,500+/mo

Not sure which series fits?

Every series suits a different lifestyle and budget. Tell me how you want to live and I'll point you to the right fit.

Book a Free Consultation

What the amenities fee covers

The Villages has no traditional HOA. Instead, residents pay a monthly amenities fee of $204 (per the developer catalog). It covers free golf on all executive courses (a trail fee applies if you ride a golf car), swimming, pickleball, tennis, corn toss, bocce, indoor and outdoor recreation centers, parks, dog parks, fishing, nature trails, and 24-hour neighborhood watch.

Free golf on all executive courses (trail fee applies if riding a golf car)
Swimming and pickleball
Tennis, corn toss, and bocce
Indoor and outdoor recreation centers
Parks, dog parks, and nature trails
Fishing and waterfront access
24-hour neighborhood watch

Plan on roughly $400 to $600 extra per month for the district assessment (bond, maintenance, and fire), property taxes, insurance, utilities, and trash, on top of the base monthly cost.

Exact amounts vary by home, neighborhood, and county, and Marion County tends to run lowest on taxes. These are estimates to help you plan, not a guarantee of your specific costs. I'll pull the real numbers for any home you're considering, and I'm happy to walk you through them in English or Spanish, whether you're buying from out of state or around the corner.

An older couple plays golf on a putting green during golden hour in The Villages Florida
Selling and Moving On

Moving Out of The Villages? Let's make your exit count.

The straight-talking guide to selling your Villages home and relocating with confidence: home value, bonds, the amenities fee, real timelines, and tax next steps. From Lili Whittington, the area's seller advisor for 20+ years.

Where to Land

Top Neighborhoods in The Villages People Search For


From the original town squares to quiet, lake-view villages, these are the Villages buyers search for most. Each one has its own personality, and I'll help you match one to your lifestyle, whether you're relocating from out of state or just across town.

Life at The Villages

Amenities at a Glance


The Villages is built around recreation. Here's the scale of what residents get to enjoy every single day.

700+

holes of golf across more than 40 executive courses and 14 championship country clubs

100+

recreation centers

100+

swimming pools

200+

pickleball courts

3,000+

resident-led clubs and lifestyle groups

The monthly amenities fee covers access to the recreation centers, pools, executive golf (walking), pickleball and more, with no traditional HOA.

The Process

Relocation Made Easy


Moving to Florida from another state or another country? You don't have to figure it out alone. As a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) with 20+ years of experience, I've guided out-of-state buyers, military families, and international clients through every step.

01

Talk to Lili

Start with a free, no-pressure consultation. We'll talk through your goals, timeline, budget, and what home should feel like for you.

02

Virtual Tour From Anywhere

Buying from out of state? I'll walk you through homes by live video, share honest details, and keep the process moving from wherever you are.

03

Choose Your Neighborhood

From The Villages' three districts to 55+ and all-age communities across Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties, I'll match you to the right fit.

04

Move In With Confidence

I manage the offer, negotiation, and closing details so you can move in with confidence. Military families get dedicated support through my MRP certification.

Bilingual Service

¿Hablas español? Perfect. Same expert advice, in your language.

From Puerto Rico, Cuba, South America, or anywhere Spanish is spoken, you deserve a realtor who speaks your language, literally and culturally. I'm fluent in English and Spanish, and my career is built on serving local, national, and international clients relocating to Central Florida.

What that means for you

  • Consultations, paperwork, and updates in English or Spanish
  • Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) for high-end homes
  • Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) for cross-border buyers and sellers
  • MBA and Master’s Degree in International Marketing
  • Luxury marketing, video, and digital exposure for every listing
CLHMS
Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
CIPS
International Property Specialist
Client Story

What Clients Say About Working With Lili


Lili took care of all our needs from the very beginning. We were worried about so much, and she found answers for everything. She even gave us a questionnaire about our goals, desires, and hobbies, like learning to play golf and starting a new chapter now that we don't work anymore, and finding a new church.

Kelly H.
About Lili

Quick Answers About Working With Lili


The short answers to the questions clients ask most before they call. For the details behind any of them, reach out and I'll give you the straight story.

What areas does Lili serve?

Lili serves The Villages and the surrounding Central Florida communities throughout Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties.

How much experience does Lili have?

Lili has more than 20 years of residential real estate experience and has sold over 450 homes.

Does Lili speak Spanish?

Yes. Lili is bilingual in English and Spanish and works with local, national, and international clients relocating to Central Florida.

What kinds of homes and clients does Lili specialize in?

She specializes in luxury homes, retirement relocation, senior living, military relocation, second homes, and seller representation.

Common Questions

Questions People Ask Before Calling


Is The Villages really worth the hype?
In my honest opinion, yes, for the right person. It's the world's largest active adult community, with golf, pools, pickleball, recreation centers, clubs, and three town squares with nightly entertainment. But the lifestyle isn't for everyone, and that's okay. One conversation will tell us fast whether it fits you, with no pressure.
What's the cost of living compared to where I live now?
Many buyers find Central Florida a strong value compared to major metros in the Northeast and Midwest. Recent median home prices in The Villages have run in the mid-$300,000s, and Florida has no state income tax. The real numbers depend on the home, the district, and your budget, and I'll break them down honestly for you.
Do I have to be 55+ to live there?
The Villages is an age-restricted community: at least one resident per household must be 55 or older, and full-time residents must generally be 19 or older. A few designated neighborhoods allow younger family members. If you have a specific family situation, ask me directly and I'll give you a straight answer.
Is it safe?
Yes. The Villages consistently ranks among the safest communities in Florida, with crime rates, especially violent crime, well below national averages. Excellent healthcare and a strong sense of community watch make it a comfortable place to call home.
Do I need a car, or can I get around by golf cart?
Most households keep a car for trips outside the community, but day-to-day life in The Villages runs on golf carts. With roughly 100 miles of dedicated paths, residents ride to shopping, dining, doctors, and the town squares by cart every day, and many homes come with a golf cart garage.
Should I rent first before buying?
For many out-of-state buyers, yes, I recommend renting first. A few months on the ground lets you feel the lifestyle and compare districts before you commit. That said, plenty of clients buy directly with the help of virtual tours. I'll be honest about which approach fits your situation.
Can I buy from out of state?
Absolutely. I buy with out-of-state and international clients all the time: live video tours, digital paperwork, clear updates, and honest advice at every step. You don't need to fly in until you're ready to see your new home in person.
Let's Talk

Ready for your next chapter in Florida?

Whether you're relocating from out of state, downsizing, or starting fresh, I'll be in your corner until you're home. That's my promise as your bilingual real estate advisor in The Villages, FL.

Office
Soundings LLC, 2477 Great Birch Ter, The Villages, FL 32162
Hours

Monday through Saturday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Areas Served

The Villages, Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties

Book a Free Consultation
Lili Whittington, Broker Associate at Soundings LLC, smiling for a professional headshot