Three Communities, Three Very Different Propositions
Solivita, The Villages, and Del Webb Sunbridge all compete for the same buyer pool — Central Florida retirees who want a purpose-built active adult community within reach of Orlando. The surface similarities (all 55+, all amenitized, all gated) obscure differences that substantially change the living experience and the cost structure.
The Villages is the largest purpose-built retirement community in the world — 80,000+ homes still expanding, golf cart infrastructure so extensive that residents can drive to grocery stores, restaurants, and medical without ever getting in a car. The scale is both its greatest asset and the thing that makes some buyers feel lost in a development rather than living in a community. Del Webb Sunbridge is a newer, smaller, more intimate development near St. Cloud targeting buyers who want Del Webb quality without The Villages' scale. Solivita sits in the middle — built out at ~5,900 homes, Tuscan-themed, with genuine resort amenity depth but a mandatory club fee that most listings undercount.
Every Key Difference
| Category | Solivita | The Villages | Del Webb Sunbridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | ~5,900 homes — built out | 80,000+ homes — still expanding Largest | ~3,000+ homes planned — still building |
| Price Range | $230K–$725K (avg ~$361K) | $150K–$700K+ (wide range by district) | $300K–$600K+ (newer construction) |
| Monthly Fees | ~$472–$512/mo (HOA + mandatory club + CDD) | ~$189–$215/mo amenity fee + no HOA for most + bond on tax bill | HOA ~$250–$350/mo (verify current) |
| Golf | 2 courses — pay-per-play (not in club fee) | 50+ executive and championship courses — many included | No on-site golf — nearby courses |
| New Construction | Sold out — resale only | Still actively building new phases | Still building — new homes available |
| Bond Assessment | CDD ~$1,339/yr on tax bill | Bond fee on tax bill — varies by district, can be $2,000–$5,000+/yr | CDD — verify current amount |
| Location | Poinciana — ~45 min SW of Orlando, ~75 min to Tampa | Sumter/Marion/Lake Counties — 60–90 min N of Orlando, 90+ min to Tampa | St. Cloud — ~35 min SE of Orlando, ~60 min to Tampa |
| Dining On-Site | 3 restaurants | Town Squares + dozens of restaurants throughout community | Restaurant and bar on-site |
| Pickleball | 17 courts — best ratio in region | Multiple locations — expanding program | Courts on-site |
| Design Aesthetic | Tuscan-inspired, cohesive master plan | Florida vernacular, multiple distinct districts | Modern Del Webb suburban design |