15 Retirement Communities That Feel Like Resorts (But Cost Way Less)

Aging in place can be a smart money move for seniors, but it's not the only way to spend your golden years. Retirement communities today offer excellent alternatives with more bells and whistles than ever before.

On top of world-class amenities and engaging activities, these 15 retirement communities are also affordable for many budgets. That means you can spend more time lounging poolside and less time worrying about your bank account.

Tucked into the Carolina Forest in one of the most famous beach cities in the U.S., Berkshire Forest was planned to feel like a vacation destination. In addition to pickleball and tennis, there are two resort-style pools, one with a lazy river. Plus, Food Truck Friday brings the party to you.

Two-bedroom condos start at about $130,000.

Just 3.3 miles from South Florida's Atlantic coast beaches, Century Village East is a 55+ community designed for outdoor living. When you're done soaking up sun, surf, and sea, enjoy recreation at the 145,000 square-foot clubhouse.

Abundant, affordable condos are available, including many under $100,000.

You can have your own piece of Gulf-front paradise starting at $80,000 in this 55+ community of manufactured homes. In addition to fishing and birdwatching, there's a fitness center, pickleball courts, a resort-style pool, and a pier for strolling.

Nearby Rockport has great beaches, shopping, and Tex-Mex dining.

The Green Valley Recreation community is large, encompassing 13 pools, eight golf courses, six fitness centers, and multiple outdoor activity areas. It's ideal for folks who want to be with thousands of other like minds in sunny Arizona.

Condos start in the $150,000 range, and there are many 55+ neighborhoods you can choose from.

Want to live among the mountains of New Mexico, just 20 miles outside of all Albuquerque has to offer? Make your home in this 55+ community, which has dining and shopping within walking distance. Casinos, golfing, and hiking are close by as well.

Homes start in the $200,000 range with a variety of floor plans to choose from, depending on your needs.

Hilton Head plus parrothead living equals a retirement paradise in this 55+ community inspired by Jimmy Buffett. A planned town center and resort-style amenities like pools will keep you occupied, and live music is never in short supply.

Housing is on the pricier side for our list, starting in the $300,000 range. However, given how many Margaritaville communities sell out, it's worth it for the right folks.

Located along California's iconic Highway 1, Seal Beach is a nature haven in sunny SoCal. Here you'll find Leisure World, a 55+ co-op and condo community that lives up to its name, thanks to its ample amenities and activities.

Home prices start near $200,000 in this 10,000-resident gated community.

Clearwater is world-famous for its sugar sand beaches and turquoise Gulf waters, as well as its cute downtown. This retirement community puts you in the center of the action, with abundant condos listed starting under $100,000.

Amenities include multiple pools and fitness areas, along with a variety of social activities for retirees.

Want to live in a nature sanctuary with world-class golf, an active town center, a resort-style pool, an amphitheater, and a fishing pier? Pelican Preserve has all of that, plus gorgeous Gulf beaches nearby. Condos start in the $200,000 range.

It doesn't get more "resort" than living near the theme park capital of the world, even for older adults. Homes in the 55+ Solivita development start near $200,000 and go up from there, with 891 square feet or more.

Amenities in this gated community include multiple pools (indoor and outdoor), sun decks, fitness centers, and more.

If your cheeseburger in paradise is in Florida, this 55+ community in the panhandle might be your dream home. With all of the Margaritaville amenities plus pristine, white sand beaches a stone's throw away, the $300,000 price tag isn't unwarranted.

A marina that opens into the Gulf of Mexico is in the works, making this community a boater's oasis.

Since 1980, retirees have been calling this sunny 55+ community in Mesa home. Social events and outdoor activities abound within the gates of this development, which has been voted a local favorite. Homes start at $80,000, making life here especially affordable.

Billed as luxury living, you'll enjoy the heated pool, spa, fitness centers, and clubhouse hub. Phoenix is just a car ride away.

Widely touted as the pioneer of retirement communities, Sun City is a massive development northwest of Phoenix. With over 33,000 members, you're sure to find friends, and with seemingly unending activities and amenities, you'll never be bored.

Homes start in the high $100,000 range, making this slice of Arizona paradise within reach.

Located near Tampa Bay, Sun City Center has big city advantages and beaches within driving distance. Within the retirement community, golf carts are the main way to get around from one activity to the next.

Endorsed by Realtor.com and Travel & Leisure, homes in Sun City Center start in the $100,000 range, with some tipping just under.

Perhaps the most famous retirement community, thanks to its size and desirable location, The Villages has it all. There's no shortage of recreation, amenities, and social opportunities in this 55+ hub near beaches, springs, and theme parks.

Homes start in the low $200,000s, and an amenity fee of $199 unlocks all of the bells and whistles.

We all want to make the right moves for our retirement, and for many, that means hanging your hat in a retirement community that suits your needs. That includes affordability combined with a resort feel, which these developments have made a priority for residents.

If you're amenable to living in colder climates, you may find retirement communities with a lower price tag than those in warm locales. So if you don't need sun and surf to feel like you're at a posh hotel, expand your search accordingly.