Located in southeastern Florida, Broward County has many 55+ communities. They enjoy mild winters, cultural diversity, and the entertainment scene of the second-most populous county in the state of Florida. Find out more about the best 55+ communities in Broward County and know why these 12 cited here are among the best.
If you are looking for independent living communities, many call Broward County home, including several in Fort Lauderdale, the county seat. But other noteworthy places offer choices from affordable to lush accommodations. All have a range of great amenities coupled with the attractions of suburban living.
Here are our picks of the 12 Best 55+ Communities in Broward County:
- The Preserve at Palm-Aire, Pompano Beach
- Belmont Village Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
- Atria Willow Wood, Fort Lauderdale
- Waterside Landing, Margate
- The Horizon Club, Deerfield Beach
- Covenant Living of Florida, Plantation
- UpsideHoM Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
- Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood
- Independence Hall – A Marrinson Senior Care Residence, Fort Lauderdale
- Park Summit, Coral Springs
- The Forum at Deer Creek, Deerfield Beach
- Wynmoor Village, Coconut Creek
12 Best 55+ Communities in Broward County
1. The Preserve at Palm-Aire, Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach is known as the ‘Heart of the Gold Coast’ that sits between Miami Beach and Palm Beach. Due to its beautiful beaches and marinas, it is home to many water sports, like fishing, boating, and snorkeling; it is also the locale of at least 50 parks. So, here you find our No. 1 choice for independent living, the community of The Preserve at Palm-Aire.
It boasts a prime location, state-of-the-art facilities, Engaged Living calendars for their activities, and a Dignified Dining program for all their residents. Reviews talk about the spaciousness and cleanliness of the facility.
The resident capacity of The Preserve is at 300, ideal for independent and assisted senior living and memory care. The community is a luxury senior living space set amidst acres of lushly landscaped grounds. They have beautifully appointed studios, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, and semi-private rooms. The cost for a studio starts at $2,200 for independent living. The average monthly cost for a 2-bedroom apartment would be $3,150.
Activities
The facility offers devotional activities, exercise classes, arts and crafts, and movie screenings. Aside from their swimming pool and jacuzzi, they also have a fitness center, a ballroom, and a billiards lounge. There’s also a beauty salon and a barbershop for the ladies and gents. The Preserve is also pet-friendly. Gardens and patios outside add to the calm and dignity of the place.
What is there to do outside The Preserve at Palm-Aire? Recreation and shopping sites are less than one mile away, while four miles away are available emergency services. For those who love golf, five golf courses are nearby The Preserve.
Attractions
Residents of The Preserve can enjoy the attractions of Pompano Beach as part of their excursions outside the facility. For example, trips to the beach for swimming, fishing, or picnics are one of their favorite excursions.
Other sites to visit are The Plantation Historical Museum for a little regional history; Butterfly World, a botanical garden of 20,000 different exotic butterflies and birds; the Fern Forest Nature Center, a nature park popular for hiking; the Festival Marketplace for shopping in any of its 250 stores. A stroll along the Pampano Beach pier is a walk on one of the most beautiful piers in south Florida. Great dining is also one of the city’s unforgettable experiences.
Indeed, The Preserve at Palm-Aire is one of the best 55+ communities in Broward County.
2. Belmont Village Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is the largest city and county seat of Broward County. It lies on Florida’s southeastern coast, known for its beautiful beaches and gondola rides on its canals. Upscale in its restaurants and bars, boutiques, and luxury hotels, Fort Lauderdale is also the location of one of our top 55+ communities in Broward County – Belmont Village.
Belmont Village is a luxury senior living community in the heart of the city. Twelve stories high, with ocean and coastal views, the complex offers best-in-class independent living, assisted living, and award-winning memory care services. Offering studios and 1 and 2 bedroom spaces, their monthly cost starts at $4,000.
Amenities
Their amenities cater to the highest level of care. Aside from elegant common areas, they have restaurant-style dining and chef-prepared meals, a restaurant with daily refreshments, a pool terrace, and an outdoor dining patio. As Belmont Village owns and operates 31 other 55+ communities in about eight states in the last 20 years, they have the skills and training to provide programs and support for their assisted living and memory care residents.
At Fort Lauderdale, Belmont Village is near The Galleria, a super-regional shopping mall with high-end stores surrounded by premier dining and entertainment options. Just a short drive away, one finds major healthcare facilities and many places of worship.
Also accessible to Belmont Village is Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a 180-acre park along the beach. This is an oasis of coastal wilderness that sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway within busy Fort Lauderdale. There are nature trails, picnic areas, pavilions, campgrounds, skating, and shaded relaxation spots under the palms and oaks.
3. Atria Willow Wood, Fort Lauderdale
Another 55 and over community in Broward County is also found in Fort Lauderdale – Atria Willow Wood. It has received a Best of Senior Living Award for 2021 due to its consistently high ratings and positive reviews.
The facility offers assisted living, memory care, and independent living options in their 278 apartments.
Starting at $1,895 for their one-bedroom accommodations for independent living, the facility offers a lovely space for an affordable price in Fort Lauderdale. Since they care for those on assisted living and those with mental health concerns, Atria provides nurses on call, massage and physical therapy, and Alzheimer’s and dementia support.
Amenities
Their amenities include, among others, a library, fitness center, movie theater, media room, salon and spa, and worship space. Dining at the restaurant consists of full-table service, plus an outdoor dining option for grilling. They also have a patio and courtyard and walking paths, plus an outdoor swimming pool. Two beautiful lakes also are found on their grounds. A calendar of events guides the daily activities at Atria Willow Wood.
Outside the facility, there are exciting things to do. One is a visit to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which is also near Atria. Surrounding the property is the Atlantic Ocean beach, a freshwater slough, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest.
4. Waterside Landing, Margate
Waterside Landing is a leading senior living solutions provider since 1978. The community is in Margate and offers assisted living and independent living options. Margate is part of the Miami metro area, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, and is known for its excellent outdoor facilities. The city is home to a famous water park, three challenging golf courses, and year-long concerts and festivals.
Waterside Landing opened only in 2019 and offered a peaceful setting for the 55+ community in Broward County. However, the minimum age requirement here is generally 65 and over. It has 212 units of either one or two-bedroom housing options. This pet-friendly place provides amenities that include a library, piano, café/bistro, beauty/barber shop, wellness and fitness centers, and a game room. There’s a screened lanai, courtyard and garden, and an outdoor pool.
They offer a restaurant-style dining experience of home-cooked meals. There are also snacks between meal times. Every meal style can be accommodated, like private dining, family-style, cookouts, and picnics. Reviews mostly point out its friendly and accommodating staff.
Attractions
Waterside Landing residents can step out to enjoy the outdoor attractions of Margate. Calypso Cove is a water park that features three pools – a beach-entry activity pool, lap pool, and plunge pool; there are also water slides. The park has picnic tables, basketball courts, and a fishing dock. There’s the Eagle Lakes Golf Course, the Carolina Golf Club, and the Oriole Golf and Tennis Club for a round of golf.
Due to Margate’s proximity to Fort Lauderdale, here are some of the attractions Waterside Landing residents can enjoy: Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Flamingo Gardens in Davie, and Hollywood’s Anne Kolb Nature Center.
Northwest Medical Center Margate is the nearest major hospital to Waterside Landing.
5. The Horizon Club, Deerfield Beach
The Horizon Club in Deerfield Beach offers independent living, assisted living, and continuing care living options. Deerfield Beach was named after the many herds of deer that once lived there. Today, the city is known for its beaches’ excellent water quality, conditions, safety, and habitat conservation.
The Horizon Club is a senior living community with a lake, walking paths, and three lovely landscaped courtyards. The resort-style community offers studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments starting at $2,500 monthly cost.
Amenities
They have restaurant-style dining with a dining room, shared meals, exercise and wellness programs, a fitness room, party space, and a pool. They allow pets, have religious services and conduct offsite activities. Their health care services include ambulatory, diabetic, and incontinence care, hospice, and physical therapy.
There are gourmet restaurants and shopping options close to Horizon Club. Residents go to Quiet Waters Park, which is all-nature with campgrounds, bike trails, fishing, and boating. The Deerfield Beach Arboretum showcases hundreds of varieties of trees, plants, and flowers.
There’s the famous Deerfield Beach Boardwalk, an inviting stroll of over a mile long right into the blue of the Atlantic Ocean; it is stroller- and wheelchair- accessible. And for a great dining experience, a must-try is the popular JB’s on the Beach; the three bars and large outdoor patio area facing the ocean, perfect while enjoying seafood.
6. Covenant Living of Florida, Plantation
Covenant Living of Florida is a stunning location in Plantation City and one of the best 55+ communities in Broward County. Plantation is a city that has one of the lowest millage rates in Broward County. There are 55 diverse cultures in its population of just 85,000. It keeps its hometown charm, has the attractions of a large city, but with the safety of a smaller community.
Covenant Living is a faith-based continuing care retirement community that offers residential (independent) living, assisted living, and skilled nursing and rehab options. They offer world-class restaurant-style dining, a state-of-the-art fitness center, social events, entertainment, and spiritual enrichment.
Amenities
They have one- and two-bedroom apartment floor plans with exceptional amenities, including a patio or a balcony, creative arts center, a bistro, and a library.
Covenant Living of Florida lets both residents and non-residents access their on-site senior care services, such as:
- Massage therapies
- Skilled nursing care
- Dietician-approved meals
- Diabetes management
- Hospice care
- Memory care for those with dementia, among many other services
Residents of Covenant Living have easy access to Plantation Woods, a woods-themed park with water playgrounds and log benches. There’s Plantation Central Park, with its two Olympic size pools, basketball courts, roller hockey rinks, Pickleball courts, jogging track, baseball diamonds, football fields, a 400-meter running track, and a huge lake for RC boats.
Due to the proximity of Fort Lauderdale, residents have additional sites to visit: the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Galleria Mall, and Las Olas Boulevard’s restaurants and shops.
7. UpsideHoM Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
UpsideHoM Fort Lauderdale, just launched in February 2020, offers independent living at $3,000 per month, with available 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom apartments and companion suites.
It has a resident capacity of 30. Common areas available for independent living residents at UpsideHoM are the resort-style pool, spa, fitness center, game room, and business center. The average age of residents at Fort Lauderdale is 65 years old, and they favor an active lifestyle ranging from socializing to day trips to the beach.
Activities
The facility has a dedicated HōM Manager/Concierge who manages offsite events organized for the residents, like golf, tennis, beach outings, casinos outings, and concerts, including Happy Hours. The manager also organizes in-person and online continued learning and experiences.
The community at Fort Lauderdale is gated and constantly patrolled. For the nursing needs and medical assistance of the residents, UpsideHoM works with FirstLantic Home Care. Uber, Lyft, and Papa provide transport services.
Besides the nearby grocery stores, eating places, malls, and the beach, UpsideHoM residents enjoy these other attractions: NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Historic Stranahan House Museum, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza.
8. Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood
Five Star Senior Living has 260 senior living communities in 33 states. One is the Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood, one of the top 55+ communities in Broward County, Florida. Hollywood City is a beautiful beachfront community located midway between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Hollywood got its name from its founder, who developed the former forest/marshland into a dream city. He used to live in California.
Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood offers resort-style, luxury living in assisted living, independent living, continuing care communities, and memory care. Its options include elegantly furnished 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, starting at $3,000/month for independent living. The sprawling complex sits on a 22-acre campus with four lakes and palm trees and is home to about 360 residents.
Amenities
Their amenities include a beauty-barber shop, activity center, library, computer room, garden and patio, fitness room, putting green, and an outdoor heated pool. They conduct offsite activities and religious services. They offer various dining options with special diets, restaurant-style dining, dining room shared meals, and room service by their culinary institute-trained executive chef.
For assisted living, the facility has medical resources and teams dedicated to overseeing different social and recreational activities; one is their Lifestyle360 program, a new approach to senior wellness. For memory care, Five Star offers an award-winning Bridge to Rediscovery Alzheimer’s and dementia care program.
For excursions outside the gated community, the Hollywood residents have many places to explore. Hollywood Beach is best known for its Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, a brick-paved 2.5-mile-long promenade along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s perfect for joggers, cyclists, roller-bladers, or just plain pedestrians. The coastal views are breathtaking, while the other side showcases bars and restaurants, luxury hotels and resorts, a farmers’ market, Hollywood Beach Theatre, and Charnow Park.
Find visual and performing arts at ArtsPark at Young Circle, which features an amphitheater, fountains, and a Visual Arts Pavilion, among others. Just nearby is the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood for contemporary exhibits. There’s a trolley service from Hollywood Beach to Downtown Hollywood.
9. Independence Hall – A Marrinson Senior Care Residence, Fort Lauderdale
Marrinson Senior Care Residence is a conglomerate of senior living communities with eight locations in two states (S. Florida and S. Carolina) that offer the full continuum of care: independent living assisted living, skilled nursing/rehab, and respite care. Independence Hall in Fort Lauderdale is a Marrinson Senior Care Residence dedicated to independent living and continuing care.
Living cost here starts at $2915/month. They have spacious studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, and companion suites. Resident capacity is 125.
Amenities
Amenities include a party space, activities room, Tv room, a garden and patio, library, lounge areas, and a wooded walking area. Three chef-prepared meals per day and all-day snacks are provided. They conduct 75 different activities regularly. Some of them are games, music, stories, lectures, book clubs, Tai Chi, cooking, gardening, and arts and crafts.
There are several major hospitals (ex. Atlantic Shores Hospital, 1.7 miles), pharmacies (ex. CVS, 0.39 miles), and places of worship (ex. First Christian Church, .26 miles) nearby.
Independence Hall is within the Coral Shores area of Fort Lauderdale. Coral Shores is considered one of the best places to live in Florida with its diverse character, urban feel, good quality of public schools, and low crime rate. Two of the nearest attractions are Bonnet House Museum and Gardens and the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.
10. Park Summit, Coral Springs
Park Summit has been offering independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care for more than 25 years. It’s one of the longest-serving retirement communities in Broward County. It is managed by Five Star Senior Living, a senior living services provider present in over 30 states. Park Summit is just 20 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale but located in Coral Springs.
Coral Springs City is a principal city of the Miami metro area, home to more than 6 million; one time cited as one of “100 Best Places to Live” in the US and one of the safest in Florida. It is known for its thriving businesses, recreational attractions, top=notched schools, and family atmosphere.
Park Summit rests on a seven-acre campus with 252 units in a five-story, sprawling complex. Accommodations range from studio types to one and two-bedroom apartments, and the monthly cost starts at $2400 for independent living. They also make available seasonal and short-term stays. The facility is also pet-friendly.
Activities & Services
They have an arts and crafts room, an exercise center, a card and game room, a library, and an auditorium. They have formal and private dining rooms, an outside patio and, gardens. To keep their residents engaged and busy, they conduct social events, trips and outings, and spiritual activities; they also have movie nights and happy hours. Park Summit also offers in-house doctor visits, nursing services, and in-house physical therapy/rehab for all their residents.
It’s good to know that emergency services, including shopping and recreation for Park Summit residents, are all less than one mile away. There are other great attractions out here for the residents. Remember that this is Coral Springs!
There’s Coral Springs Museum of Art, to see local and international exhibits. The Coral Springs Center for the Arts has a huge sitting capacity theater for popular shows, and annual Broadway plays. The “Our Town America” Festival is a yearly event showcasing a car show, a beauty pageant, parties, and carnival rides. It also has games, entertainment, and a food court, and there are two designated Florida Heritage sites here: The Coral Springs Covered Bridge and The Museum of Coral Springs History.
11. The Forum at Deer Creek, Deerfield Beach
The Forum at Deer Creek is another 55 and over community in Broward County managed by Five Star Senior Living. Located in the Deer Creek Country Club area in Deerfield Beach, it is an independent retirement community, unlike those affiliated with a parent company. Being a country club community, it is beautifully landscaped amidst the greenery and lakes. It offers assisted living, independent living, nursing homes, and continuing care communities. They have a 60-bed capacity.
They offer 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and studio apartments, starting at $2,626/month. Their amenities include a spacious activity center, fitness room, beauty/ barber shop, party space, garden, patio, and pool. Dining options include dining room shared meals and others in restaurant-style dining. They also allow pets.
The forum’s residents can enjoy golf at Deer Creek Country Club since they are just in the area. Other places of interest are the famous Deerfield Beach Boardwalk, the Deerfield Beach Arboretum, South Florida Railway Museum, Sullivan Park, and Quiet Waters Park.
There are many fantastic eating spots in the vicinity and spas and massage and wellness centers. The Forum is also accessible from the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale airports.
12. Wynmoor Village, Coconut Creek
Wynmoor Village is in Coconut Creek, a lovely retirement community in Broward County. Coconut Creek was cited as one of the “Best Cities to Live in America” and a Top Ten Place to Live in Florida. The city, nestled between Miami and Palm Beach, is known as the “Butterfly Capital of the World” because the largest butterfly aviary is found here.
Wynmoor Village is north of Miami, between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton. It is touted as one of the Top 3 Retirement Communities in Florida by State of Florida Living. The gated community has been operational since 1989. Mostly resale condos, there are 5,000+ homes in Wynmoor Village, ranging from less than $100,000 to $250,000. It’s a haven that is not too far from the bustle of Southeast Florida.
The center of activity is the 50,000 square-foot clubhouse. It has a ballroom for community events and parties, cards or playing pool, and creative activities. It also has a woodworking shop, a fitness center with equipment, and an indoor pool. There is a large pool and spa outside the clubhouse and shuffleboard, and tennis courts. There are 19 more pools throughout Wynmoor. For the many golf enthusiasts, there is the Wynmoor Golf Club, also open to the public.
Activities
Outside of the community, there are also great things to do. Of course, Butterfly World should not be missed. The Promenade is an outdoor lifestyle shopping destination. Tradewinds Park offers guided trail rides and pony rides.
Seminole Casino has more than 2,400 Vegas-style and bingo-style slot machines. Fern Forest Nature Center and Helene Klein Pineland Preserve are for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
Wynmoor Village is about condo living. So if condo living is for you, this is the place to retire in Southeast Florida. It is one of the best 55+ communities in Broward County.
Conclusion: 12 Best 55+ Communities in Broward County (Independent Living)
So, what are the best 12 best 55+ communities in Broward County, Florida? To summarize, here are the top picks again:
- The Preserve at Palm-Aire, Pompano Beach
- Belmont Village Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
- Atria Willow Wood, Fort Lauderdale
- Waterside Landing, Margate
- The Horizon Club, Deerfield Beach
- Covenant Living of Florida, Plantation
- UpsideHoM Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
- Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood
- Independence Hall – A Marrinson Senior Care Residence, Fort Lauderdale
- Park Summit, Coral Springs
- The Forum at Deer Creek, Deerfield Beach
- Wynmoor Village, Coconut Creek
Our list of the 12 best 55+ communities in Broward County covers the most cited and highly ranked among the communities studied by various websites. Others we didn’t include are places solely offering assisted living and other senior living options. Four of the twelve picks are in Fort Lauderdale, the largest city in the county. By coincidence, the rest make good representations of the top choices in other parts of the county.
Suppose you are looking to retire independently in Broward County. In that case, you seek the solitude provided by the small-town vibe. Some of the best places to retire in Broward County are also where you find our top choices for independent living.