All 20 Northeast Florida 55+ communities, compared
From Fernandina Beach down to Palm Coast. Ten still building, ten resale. What actually separates them, and how far each one is from the ocean.
The short answer: there are twenty age-restricted 55+ communities in Northeast Florida. Ten are still selling new construction — mostly Del Webb by Pulte, plus Reverie by Dream Finders, Stillwater by Lennar and WaterSong by Mattamy. Ten are built out and resale only, including Del Webb Ponte Vedra, the largest in the region. The practical differences that matter are CDD versus HOA cost structure, distance to the beach, and whether you are buying from a builder or a homeowner.
Compiled and maintained by Brian Sacks, SRES®. Last reviewed September 2026.
| Community | Inventory | Builder | What sets it apart | Nearest beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Webb Nocatee | New + Resale | Pulte Homes | Final phase wrapping up. Limited resales in this newer community. | Mickler Beach – 9 mi (18 min) |
| Del Webb Wildlight | New | Pulte Homes | Phase 2 of 3 underway, within the Wildlight master plan near Fernandina. | Fernandina Beach – 14 mi (24 min) |
| Stillwater by Lennar | New | Lennar | The only 55+ community in the area with a golf course. Brand new. | Mickler Beach – 16 mi (28 min) |
| Del Webb eTown | New + Resale | Pulte Homes | Near-urban setting close to shopping. Only 1 quick move-in left; limited resales. | Jax Beach – 16 mi (19 min) |
| Del Webb St. Johns | New + Resale | Pulte Homes | Near the St. Johns River with clubhouse, pool, and resort amenities. | Ponte Vedra – 25–35 min |
| WaterSong at RiverTown | New | Mattamy Homes | Mattamy's first 55+ community. Beautiful riverfront on the St. Johns. | Mickler Beach – 15 mi (25 min) |
| Reverie at Trailmark | New | Dream Finders | Brand-new single-family homes with resort-style amenities. | Vilano Beach – 16 mi (27 min) |
| Reverie at Silverleaf | New | Dream Finders | Brand new with resort amenities. No CDD fee — a cost advantage. | Mickler Beach – 18 mi (30 min) |
| Reverie at Palm Coast | New | Dream Finders | Resort-style community near Flagler and Crescent beaches. | Crescent Beach – 18 mi (19 min) |
| Edenbrook at Hyland Trail | New | Lennar | Brand-new in Green Cove Springs. Strong value with Lennar's included features. | All beaches – 38 mi (57 min) |
| Del Webb Ponte Vedra | Resale | Pulte Homes | Largest 55+ community in NE Florida. Homes 2–13 years old. MLS search available. | Mickler Beach – 9 mi (18 min) |
| Sweetwater by Del Webb | Resale | Del Webb | Heart of Jacksonville. Single-family, condos, villas, and carriage homes. | Jax Beach – 12 mi (17 min) |
| Cascades at World Golf Village | Resale | GL Homes | Single-family near downtown St. Augustine. Great price point. | Vilano Beach – 17 mi (27 min) |
| Parkland Preserve | Resale | DR Horton | Just off World Golf Village Parkway with excellent amenities. | Vilano Beach – 17 mi (28 min) |
| Villages of Seloy | Resale | Various | Low-maintenance living focused on staying active and social. Near St. Augustine. | Vilano Beach – 9 mi (19 min) |
| Artisan Lakes | Resale | Various | 196 low-maintenance homes within Nocatee. Closest resale community to the beach. | Mickler Beach – 8 mi (13 min) |
| Bridge Bay at Bannon Lakes | Resale | Del Webb | Single-family and attached homes with resort-style amenities. | Vilano Beach – 16 mi (25 min) |
| Arbor Mill | Resale | Various | Single-family on Jax's west side. Clubhouse and outdoor pool. | Mickler Beach – 35 mi (50 min) |
| Azalea Ridge | Resale | Various | 136 low-maintenance homes in Middleburg. | Mickler Beach – 39 mi (53 min) |
| San Salito | Resale | Various | Low-maintenance single-family homes in St. Augustine. | Vilano Beach – 8 mi (15 min) |
Communities with a linked name have a full guide. More are being added as I finish them.
Three filters, in this order
1. New construction or resale?
This decides almost everything else. New means current codes, a builder warranty, better insurance outcomes and a contract written by the builder's attorney. Resale means you can see how the community aged, what homes actually sell for and how long they take — but you are choosing from a fixed pool.
2. How far from the water?
It ranges from eight miles to thirty-nine. That difference does not show up in the amenity brochure and it is the thing buyers most often regret. Artisan Lakes is thirteen minutes from Mickler Beach; Azalea Ridge is fifty-three.
3. What is the all-in monthly number?
Not HOA dues. HOA plus CDD plus insurance plus taxes. Reverie at Silverleaf advertises no CDD fee, which is a genuine structural cost advantage over comparable Nocatee-area communities. That is the kind of difference that only shows up when you compare properly.