Best places to live in The Villages is a question with one big answer: location matters. Golf access, distance to the town squares, and golf-cart convenience shape daily life. This guide shows the top areas, who they fit, and the trade-offs—so you can pick with confidence in Florida’s largest 55+ community.
How the community is organized (quick orientation in the best places to live in The Villages)
- Spanish Springs — north of CR 466; the original square with classic charm and mature landscaping.
- Lake Sumter Landing — between CR 466 & 466A; central, walkable, with nightly waterfront entertainment.
- Brownwood Paddock Square — between 466A & SR 44; newer “western” vibe with growing retail/medical.
- Eastport — the newest town square (opening soon) anchoring the latest wave of growth.
Best places to live near Spanish Springs
The original square delivers old-Florida character, established routes, and close access to some of the earliest executive courses. Popular nearby villages include Del Mar, Mira Mesa, Rio Ponderosa, and Chula Vista. Choose this area if you value charm, mature trees, and a proven location—plus reasonable cart times to golf and shopping.
Best places to live near Lake Sumter Landing
At the heart of The Villages, Lake Sumter Landing is lively and walkable, with restaurants, shops, and nightly music by the water. Nearby villages—Mallory Square, Amelia, Caroline, Liberty Park, Sabal Chase, and Sunset Pointe—offer short cart rides to championship courses like Palmer Legends and Cane Garden, multiple rec centers, and both north/south amenities.
Brownwood & Richmond — best places to live near the square nightlife
Brownwood Paddock Square blends a western-themed vibe with dining, a theater, and expanding medical. The nearby village of Richmond is a standout—some homes are roughly three minutes by golf cart from the square—making it one of the most sought-after locations for “live-near-the-action” convenience. Other strong picks here include Pinellas, Collier, Charlotte, Dunedin, Gilchrist, Osceola Hills, La Belle, and Pine Hills, with quick access to courses like Evans Prairie, Bonifay, and Belle Glade.
Eastport — newest places to live and grow
Eastport is the newest town square (opening soon) with a lakeside setting and modern amenities. Surrounding villages—Moultrie Creek, Shady Brook, and Waters Edge—position you for brand-new homes, easy access to the square, and the next wave of courses and rec facilities as they come online.
Note on Middleton: Middleton is a separate, multi-generational community built by The Villages and not part of the 55+ Villages, but it is golf-cart accessible to everyone—useful for shopping, services, or visiting.
Southern villages east of the Turnpike — Dabney, Lake Denham, and Newell
East of the Turnpike, Dabney, Lake Denham, and Newell offer newer construction and convenient road access to Leesburg and Orlando. The trade-off: they’re a longer cart trek to Eastport and core amenities, with fewer nearby golf-cart fueling options. Great if you plan to drive more and want new builds, but weigh cart time to squares, groceries, and golf.
Western DeLuna & Fenney — quiet, with a “remote” feel
Out near Route 301, the west side of DeLuna and neighboring Fenney offer nature, trails, and a slower pace. Many love the quieter setting, but some find it remote—longer cart rides to town squares, golf-cart gas, and certain championship courses. A good match if tranquility beats immediate proximity to the action.
Golf and daily convenience (what really matters)
- There are courses scattered across all hubs; most villages are ≤10 minutes by cart to at least one layout.
- If golf variety is your priority, Lake Sumter and Brownwood areas provide fast access to multiple championship options.
- Cart-friendly big box: Costco on CR 466 and Target on CR 466A.
- Car-trip big box: Walmart at SR 44 & Morse (opening 2026) is not golf-cart accessible.
Quick chooser checklist
- Pick your favorite square vibe first (Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter, Brownwood, Eastport), then target villages around it.
- Test golf-cart times to your top 3: square, grocery/pharmacy, and a course you’ll actually play.
- Prefer brand-new? Lean Eastport or east-of-Turnpike villages; prefer central convenience? Lake Sumter/Brownwood belts.
- Remember the 55+ rule (under 19 can’t live full-time in The Villages).
Helpful resources
Bottom line
The best places to live in The Villages span Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter, Brownwood (with ultra-convenient Richmond), and Eastport. Consider your cart time to golf, squares, and groceries; balance “new vs. central”; and you’ll land in the right place for how you’ll live day to day.
Tip: For shopping updates that affect convenience, see our posts on Costco (CR 466), Target (CR 466A), and Walmart (SR 44).