Lakes at Waterway Village is one of Vero Beach’s newer active-lifestyle communities — 320 low-maintenance single-family homes built between 2017 and 2020, with open floor plans, impact windows, and contemporary construction quality. Homes here include “Classic Series” floorplans (Martin Ray and similar layouts) with features like golf-cart garages, flex rooms, and screened lanais.
What makes it compelling isn’t just the newer homes — it’s the combination. You get recent construction andIndian River County’s lower tax rate (~1.00% vs St. Lucie’s ~1.31%) and no CDD. In Port St. Lucie, newer construction almost always comes with a CDD and the highest tax rate in Florida. Here, you sidestep both.
The Indian River County + No-CDD Combination
On a $500,000 home, Indian River County’s ~1.00% rate runs roughly $417/month in tax versus ~$546/month for the same home in St. Lucie County — about $129/month, or $1,550/year, less. Add the absence of a CDD (which would tack on $1,200–$2,500/year in PSL), and a newer home here can carry $2,500–$4,000/year cheaper than a comparable new build in Tradition.
A full-time activities director keeps the social calendar busy — Aquatic Fitness, Book Club, Bridge, Euchre, Golf Club, and more.
Monthly Budget — $500,000 Home Example
A strong newer-construction option in a lower-tax county — here’s the full picture.
Genuine Advantages
- Newer construction (2017–2020) with impact windows and modern layouts
- Indian River County’s lower tax rate (~1.00%) vs St. Lucie’s ~1.31%
- No CDD — rare for newer construction
- 11,000 sq ft clubhouse with full-time activities director
- Low-maintenance single-family homes — lawn care included
- Minutes to Vero Beach beaches, dining, and Cleveland Clinic Indian River
- Strong insurance wind-mitigation credit potential
Things to Verify Before Buying
- Confirm the community’s exact age policy (active-lifestyle; verify 55+ enforcement if it matters)
- Confirm current HOA fee — our figure is an estimate
- Verify no CDD on your specific home
- Smaller community (320 homes) than PSL mega-communities
- Further from major airports (Orlando ~95 min, Melbourne ~45 min)
- Limited resale inventory given the community’s size
Considering Lakes at Waterway Village?
A local agent can confirm the age policy, current HOA, and CDD status, and run the Indian River vs St. Lucie tax comparison — at no cost to you.
Connect with an Indian River County Specialist