Two Del Webb communities, same builder brand, $290,000 price gap, different counties. Here's a complete comparison so you can make the decision with real numbers — not marketing copy.
These are the two largest Del Webb 55+ communities in SE Michigan, and they represent genuinely different value propositions rather than different versions of the same thing. The $290,000 average price gap exists because Kensington Ridge is new construction in a premium Oakland County location with a newer-generation clubhouse and a 43-acre lake. Bridgewater is a completed, fully mature community in Wayne County where you buy at resale prices from existing homeowners.
Neither is the obvious winner. The right answer depends almost entirely on three variables: your budget, your tolerance for new vs established, and how much the location difference (35 miles northwest vs 25 miles south of Detroit) affects your daily life.
| Category | Bridgewater (Brownstown) | Kensington Ridge (Milford) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Brownstown Twp, Wayne County | Milford Township, Oakland County |
| Status | Sold out — resale only | Actively selling (new construction) |
| Total Homes | 631 (complete) | 600+ (in construction) |
| Avg Price (2025) | ~$391,000 | ~$680,000 |
| Price Range | $360K–$500K+ | $550K–$820K+ |
| HOA / Month | ~$250 (lawn, snow, amenities) | ~$340 (+ internet included) |
| Clubhouse | 14,700 sq ft Landmark Lodge | 16,800 sq ft Lake House |
| Pool | Indoor + outdoor + hot tub | Indoor heated pool + whirlpool |
| Water Feature | Catch-and-release fishing pond | 43-acre no-wake lake (swim, kayak, fish) |
| Trails | 10 miles | Community paths + Kensington Metropark adjacent (4,300 acres) |
| Golf Simulator | No | Yes (in clubhouse) |
| Build Year | Mid-2000s to ~2015 | 2023–present |
| Floor Plan Era | Pre-2015 Del Webb designs | GenYou™ collection (2023 designs) |
| County Property Tax Rate | Brownstown ~27.7 mills (low for Wayne) | Milford Twp ~28–30 mills |
| Est. Annual Tax ($430K) | ~$5,350–$5,950 | N/A at $430K (below Kensington entry) |
| Est. Annual Tax ($680K) | N/A at $680K (above Bridgewater ceiling) | ~$9,500–$10,200 |
| Avg Days on Market | ~140 days (buyer leverage) | Builder — no DOM negotiation |
| Lifestyle Director | Yes (full-time) | Yes (full-time) |
| Distance to Detroit | ~25 miles south | ~35 miles northwest |
| Nearest Airport | DTW — 8 miles | DTW — ~35 miles |
These estimates use typical purchase prices, 20% down, 7.25% fixed, PRE applied to property taxes, and current HOA rates. They illustrate the magnitude of the cost difference — not a guarantee of what you'll pay.
At typical purchase prices, Kensington Ridge costs approximately $1,857/month more than Bridgewater — or $22,284/year. Over 10 years that's $222,840 in additional housing costs, before any equity differential. Whether that premium is justified depends entirely on whether the new construction quality, the lake, the Metropark adjacency, and the GenYou™ floor plans materially improve your retirement quality of life. For some buyers, the answer is yes. For others — especially those who are moving from out of state and don't have strong Michigan location preferences — Bridgewater's lower cost base is a significant advantage.
A local specialist can run your specific numbers — income, down payment, DTW flight frequency — and tell you which community math actually works better for your situation.
Get Expert Help — Free