One of the most established golf communities in Central Florida — 2,088 homes on the rolling hills of Lake County, two 18-hole courses included in the HOA, and the lowest county tax rate in the Orlando metro. Here is what it actually costs and what buyers comparing Kings Ridge to Trilogy Orlando or Solivita need to understand.
Kings Ridge is a fully built-out 55+ community in Clermont, Florida, developed in the mid-to-late 1990s and completed around 2000. At 2,088 homes spread across 15 distinct sub-neighborhoods, it is one of the larger established 55+ communities in Central Florida. All homes are resale — there is no new construction here. This is a mature community with decades of established culture, infrastructure, and social programming.
The defining feature is two 18-hole golf courses included in the HOA. The North Course and South Course are both on-site — almost half the homes in the community border one of them. The golf-inclusive HOA model makes Kings Ridge one of the few communities in Florida where regular golf is genuinely affordable relative to communities where membership is an add-on expense of $1,200–$2,400/year.
The location on Highway 27 in the hills of Lake County is the second differentiator. Clermont sits at elevation — real rolling terrain unlike most of flat Central Florida. Lake County has the lowest effective property tax rate in the Orlando metro. No significant CDD burden. These two factors make Kings Ridge’s all-in monthly cost substantially lower than comparably priced communities in Osceola or Polk counties.
| HOA Fee | ~$310/month — covers common areas, both golf courses, clubhouse access, lawn maintenance on common areas, and community services. Golf is included. |
| CDD Assessment | Minimal to none — Kings Ridge predates the CDD era for most phases. Verify with seller but expect no significant CDD burden. This is a major cost advantage over newer communities. |
| Property Tax County | Lake County — approximately 0.85% effective rate, lowest in the Orlando metro |
| Property Tax on $300K Home | ~$2,550/year (~$213/month) before homestead exemption |
| After Homestead Exemption | ~$2,125/year (~$177/month) |
| Golf | Both 18-hole courses included in HOA — unlimited play for residents. No separate membership required. |
| Home Insurance (est.) | $1,600–$2,800/year — older construction may cost more depending on roof age and condition. A strong roof inspection and wind mitigation report can significantly lower premiums. |
| Cost Item | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|
| HOA Fee (includes golf) | ~$310 |
| CDD | ~$0 |
| Property Tax (after homestead) | ~$177 |
| Homeowner’s Insurance | ~$175 |
| Total Non-Mortgage Monthly | ~$662/month |
Compare this to a Solivita or Twin Lakes home at similar price — where HOA + CDD + insurance often totals $800–$900+/month before taxes. The Kings Ridge math is genuinely favorable for golfers.
The golf-inclusive math over 10 years. If you play golf regularly, compare Kings Ridge’s $310 all-inclusive HOA against a community where golf membership costs $1,500–$2,400/year extra. At $2,000/year in golf savings, Kings Ridge’s HOA structure is worth $20,000 over a decade before any other comparison is made. For serious golfers, this is the most financially efficient 55+ community in Central Florida.
Kings Ridge is fully built out. Every home available is a resale — which means you are buying a 25–30 year old property in most cases. The conditions that matter for resale buyers in this community:
Roof age is the most important inspection item. Florida requires roof replacement every 15–20 years for most insurance carriers, and insurers increasingly decline to write new policies on roofs over 15 years old. A Kings Ridge home with an original or aging roof may be significantly harder to insure — or require a roof replacement as a condition of financing. Any serious offer should include a roof inspection and an insurance bindability check before proceeding.
HVAC systems and plumbing are age-appropriate concerns. Homes built in the mid-1990s are approaching the end of typical HVAC lifespan (15–20 years) if not already replaced. A thorough inspection that specifically tests HVAC age, ductwork condition, and plumbing is worth the cost. Budget for potential HVAC replacement as a near-term capital expense if not recently replaced.
Golf course closure for renovation. Kings Ridge’s Summit Greens (a separate adjacent community) has experienced golf course renovation closures that affected resident satisfaction. Kings Ridge itself has two courses and is the more established operation, but buyers should verify current course operating status and any planned renovation timelines before closing. A golf-inclusive HOA at a community with closed courses is a meaningfully different product.
Almost half the homes border a golf course. The North and South courses wind through the community with homes backing directly to the fairways. Golf course lots carry a premium — but they also carry the aesthetic and noise reality of living on an active course. If you play, this is often ideal. If you don’t play and are noise-sensitive, an interior lot may be preferable even at a lower price point.
The Publix shopping plaza is golf-cart accessible. The Kings Ridge Publix plaza on Highway 27 is reachable by golf cart from the community — a genuine quality-of-life feature that residents cite consistently. In a market where many communities require a car for every errand, walkable/cart-accessible retail matters.
Clermont is the hidden hills of Florida. The rolling terrain of Lake County is genuinely unusual for Central Florida — Clermont sits at real elevation with lake views that don’t exist in flat Osceola or Polk counties. Buyers from the Northeast or Midwest who find Florida’s typical flatness disorienting often find Clermont’s topography more comfortable. It is worth experiencing in person, not just reading about.
Disney and downtown are both 30+ minutes. Kings Ridge is west of Orlando. Highway 27 access is convenient but Disney, I-4, and downtown Orlando all require 30–40 minute drives. MCO airport is approximately 45 minutes. For buyers who expect regular trips to the theme park corridor or frequent flying, the western location is a real commute consideration.
| Orlando Health South Lake Hospital | ~10 minutes — Clermont, closest full-service hospital |
| AdventHealth Winter Garden | ~20 minutes northeast |
| Walt Disney World | ~25 minutes east via US-192 |
| Orlando International Airport | ~45 minutes east via Florida Turnpike |
| Downtown Orlando | ~40 minutes via US-50 or Florida Turnpike |
| West Orange Trail (cycling) | ~15 minutes — 22-mile paved trail |
| Atlantic Coast (Cocoa Beach) | ~80 minutes east |
| Gulf Coast (Tampa) | ~75 minutes west |
We can run your Kings Ridge all-in cost analysis, Lake County tax math, and roof age impact on insurance before you schedule any tours.