Cresswind at Victoria Gardens

The gated Cresswind neighborhood has nearly 1,100 single family homes. Shea, Arvida, and Kolter are a few of the community's builders. Most homes have two to four bedrooms, two to three baths and a two to three car garage. Square footage ranges from about 1,500 square feet to 3,300 square feet. All residences are single story with Mediterranean-style architecture, and eco-friendly materials and energy efficient systems are the norm. Many models feature scenic views, expansive great rooms, and granite counter tops. Homes in established areas have yards with mature landscaping.

Prices start in the mid-$300,000s. The HOA is about $505 per month. Please verify these prices with a Realtor as they are bound to change.

The beautiful, 20,000 square foot community clubhouse has a fitness center, a card room, an arts studio, a cafe, a ballroom, and a library. Outside clubhouse doors, there is an event lawn, a large heated pool surrounded by palm trees, a cabana, as well as courts for tennis, bocce ball, and pickle ball. Trails wind through the neighborhood and 400 acres of conservation areas.

A full-time activities director fills the calendar with concerts, hiking trips, line dancing, Wii games, and wine tastings. The village center has eateries, retail shops and various other businesses. Cresswind at Victoria Gardens is also adjacent to 18-hole, par-72 Victoria Hills Golf Club. It has a restaurant and tavern. Membership is optional.

DeLand's Stetson University offers a lifelong learning program and a full slate of college sports. The Museum of Art Deland hosts rotating exhibits, gallery talks, and master artist workshops. The spring at the nearby De Leon Springs State Park produces 19 million gallons of water a day. Its swimming pool is always a perfect 72 degrees.

AdventHealth DeLand is accredited by the Joint Commission.

Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Winters are mild and not as humid with temperatures in the 50s, 60s and 70s. On average, the area receives 55 inches of rain per year.

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Florida:

Sticking out into Hurricane Alley, Florida was a land no nation seemed to want. Ruled successively by Spain, France, England, and the Confederate States of America, the state had a backwater reputation. Other than St. Augustine and Pensacola, there were few cities. The area was rural and populated by frontier farmers.

In the late-1800s, changes came when railroads began chugging down both coasts. Industrialist Henry Flagler's Florida Easy Coast Railway even made it all the way to Key West. The Great Florida Land Boom, the build-up to World War II, and the space industry also helped turn Florida into one of the nation's most populous states. In 1900, there were about 500,000 residents. Today, there are more than 20 million, almost 351 people per square mile.

Why do people keep coming? Tourism marketing is one reason. Annually, millions visit Orlando's theme parks and the state's 663 miles of white sand beaches. Taxes generated by the billion dollar vacation industry allow Florida to prosper without a personal income tax. Budget-sensitive retirees have flocked to its cities and shorelines.

If you can ignore the hurricanes, the state's climate is relatively mild. Only five other states are sunnier. Florida's system of state universities and community colleges is sizable, and its big cities are meccas for culture and the arts. Sarasota is a good example. Its Ringling Museum Complex contains internationally known art museum, a circus museum, an historic theater, and a 66-acre garden. Museums near Orlando range from a Zora Neale Hurston gallery to a Madame Tussauds.

55+ Communities

The concept of living in an active adult community started in the 1950s and 1960s. The first 55+ community was in Youngtown, Arizona and opened in 1954 (it removed its age restriction in 1999). Del Webb's Sun City, also in Arizona, opened in 1960 and is the longest-running 55+ community in the U.S. DelWebb is still building 55+ developments today.

Other builders, catching on to the baby boomer retirement wave, have also been building 55+ communities. Today the largest 55+ community is The Villages in central Florida. It has three zip codes, nearly 60,000 homes, 120,000 residents and sprawls across 200,000 acres.

People are drawn to these communities because most residents are of the same socioeconomic background. They share a common history and outlook. It is easy to make new friends and find a sense of community. And 55+ community amenities, particularly in newer developments, are especially appealing. They often rival resort amenities (and can be what drive costs up). Aside from summer camp or an all-inclusive resort, where can you find golf courses, marinas, planned activities, fitness centers and much more, all for one price?

Communities by State

Alabama   Arizona   California   Colorado   Florida   Georgia   Nevada   North Carolina   Oregon   South Carolina   Tennessee   Texas   Virginia   Washington  

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