Both G.L. Homes communities. Both in Wimauma. Both with CDDs. The differences that actually matter for buyers — home age, price, HOA structure, and community maturity — broken down clearly.
Valencia Lakes and Valencia del Sol are literally adjacent communities built by the same developer (G.L. Homes) in the same Wimauma corridor off US-301. Valencia Lakes was built first — construction ran from approximately 2005 to 2019, when it sold out. G.L. Homes then developed Valencia del Sol as its follow-on Wimauma community, targeting a similar buyer with newer homes and a similar amenity profile.
Because they're from the same builder in the same market with similar designs, buyers almost always consider both — and the choice usually comes down to home age preference and price point rather than dramatically different community character.
| Factor | Valencia Lakes | Valencia del Sol |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | G.L. Homes | G.L. Homes |
| Build years | 2005–2019 (sold out) | 2015–present (active resale) |
| Total homes | ~1,600 | Smaller, still developing |
| Home prices | Low $300s–upper $800s | Low $300s–upper $600s |
| HOA fee | ~$515/mo | ~$420/mo |
| CDD | Yes (~$1,500–$2,000/yr) | Yes (~$1,500–$2,000/yr) |
| Clubhouse | 40,000 sq ft (established) | Resort-style (newer facility) |
| Tennis / pickleball | 8 tennis + pickleball courts | Tennis + pickleball courts |
| Pools | Multiple resort pools | Resort-style pool complex |
| Golf cart to stores | No | No |
| Community culture | Fully established, 15+ years | Still developing |
| Resale market | Active — all resale | Mix of resale and newer homes |
Fees based on 2024 community data. CDD varies by parcel and phase. Verify all figures with HOA documents and Hillsborough County tax records.
Valencia Lakes' HOA is approximately $95/month higher than Valencia del Sol's. Before concluding that del Sol is the better deal, it's worth understanding what each fee covers — and whether the gap reflects a real cost difference or just different structure.
Both communities include lawn maintenance, cable, internet, and amenity access in their HOA fees. The specific line items and what each association has decided to include vs. exclude can account for some of the gap. The remaining difference may reflect Valencia Lakes' higher operating costs from a larger, more established facility — more staff, more infrastructure to maintain, more active programming.
Request the itemized HOA budget from each community before making a decision based on the fee headline. A $95/month difference is meaningful — but only if you're actually getting the same services from both communities. Confirm what's included in each before comparing on price.
This is the factor that doesn't show up in any table but that residents consistently cite as the most meaningful distinction between the two communities.
Valencia Lakes has 15+ years of community life behind it. The clubs are established and active. The social calendar has been running long enough to have traditions. Residents know their neighbors. The volunteer structure is mature. This is genuinely valuable and can't be replicated in a newer community regardless of how nice the amenities are.
Valencia del Sol is still building its social fabric. The physical amenities may be newer, but the community culture — the clubs, the informal social networks, the sense of shared history — is still forming. Some buyers find this energizing (you can shape the community's culture). Others find it empty in the early years and prefer buying into an established scene.
Neither is objectively better — they serve different buyer preferences. But the maturity gap is real and worth factoring in, especially for buyers who are relocating specifically for the social environment of a 55+ community.
Both communities carry CDDs. The key difference for buyers: Valencia Lakes' CDD bond was issued starting around 2005, meaning the bond is further along in its repayment cycle — there are fewer years of assessment remaining than for del Sol, which issued bonds more recently.
In practical terms, a buyer at Valencia Lakes today may have fewer CDD assessment years remaining than a buyer at Valencia del Sol. This is property-specific — the exact bond maturity date varies by phase and parcel. Always ask for the specific CDD bond balance and estimated maturity date for any home you're considering in either community.
Neither community discloses CDD status prominently in listings. Look up the non-ad valorem assessments on the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's website for any specific parcel before making an offer. The listing's "HOA fee" figure does not include the CDD.