How Does The Villages Compare to On Top of the World and Solivita

April 26, 2023 — By now most people thinking about retiring have heard about The Villages, the huge retirement complex that spans over 3 Florida counties. It has more amenities and features than anyone could ever enjoy in their retirement. But what about its other large Florida competitors – how does The VIllages compare to On Top of the World and Solivita? In this article we will summarize and contrast The Villages with two of its major competitors in Florida – On Top of the World and Solivita. For the record, there are some other large competitors too, Century Village and Sun City Center, among others.

Location

The northernmost of the 3 communities is On Top of the World, which is in the northern half of the State and southwest of Ocala. Next down the road is The Villages, south of Ocala and well above Orlando. Furthest south is Solivita in Kissimmee, which is south of Orlando. None of these communities have a great location, with The Villages being the most remote. On Top of the World has the shortest drive to the coast (Gulf of Mexico), although the marshy coast means travelling well south to get to a good beach. Solivita and The Villages are about an hour and 45 minutes drive from great beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.

Size

When it comes to size, The Villages is Goliath compared to 2 Davids. The Villages, located in Central Florida, is one of the largest active communities in the world with 70,000 homes, 138,000 residents (about half of those year round), and a median age of 72. On Top of the World near Ocala is quite a bit smaller with 13,000 homes targeted at completion. The original On Top of the World Clearwater has just under 5,000 condos. Solvita in Kissimmee is smaller yet with 5,900 homes. All three say they are 55+.

Community Features and Amenities

The Villages has 3 town squares (Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, and Brownwood) that provide shopping, restaurants, and open-air plazas featuring free nightly entertainment. A 4th square might be in the offing. There are 53 golf courses (most of them executive courses), 8 country clubs where residents automatically become members, along with a 60 recreational areas. The Polo Center and its Pavilion host international polo matches and events like BBQ competitions. There is virtually every kind of activity and athletic resource: archery, one finger painting, pickleball, quilting, scrap booking, synchronized swimming, taichi, yoga, etc. There are 2400 clubs for every interest, including a club for just about every state in the country. No one should go hungry, since there are 120 restaurants. The community is large enough that singles can feel at home here, with clubs and activities just for them. The Villages has a reputation for being politically conservative, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a very large Democratic Club and many liberal leaning people living there. See our article, “Why the Villages is the Best Place for Len and Ann“.

On Top of the World. Not that far from The Villages, OTOW has only one town square. Although it features entertainment, that only comes on certain days of the week. There are 54 holes of golf and a long list of every kind of amenity you can think of, including an indoor pool and a multi-acre airport for model airplanes. OTOW has about 175 clubs. The original On Top of the World was built in Clearwater, and it has just under 5,000 condos. See “What Sandy Learned” for more on OTOW. 

Solivita – Kissimmee, FL. In nearby Kissimmee Solivita is trying to appeal to younger retirees, as it bills itself as “The Younger Next”. There is the Riviera Spa and Fitness center, the Palms Amenity Complex, Waterfront Gallery, 2 Neighborhood Centers, and the Freedom Park sports complex. Like The Villages and OTOW, you can drive your golf cart to get where you want in the community. There is a long list of clubs that should be able to satisfy any kind of enthusiasm.

Real Estate

In the Villages you can buy a home in the $200,000’s on up to over $1 million; it’s all about the size, type of home, and location. Rentals are widely available, some people think too widely. Their real estate centers are a beehive of activity with tours, renters, and potential home buyers buzzing about. There is an active Stay and Play program where you can stay from between 4 and 7 nights (with golf cart) at prices ranging from $99 to $199/night, depending on time of year. Lots tend to be small here.

On Top of the World homes range from the mid $100s to the $600s. Rentals are available from places like vrbo and On Top of the Word Real Estate. Currently they are offering the World Tour… a 3 Day/2 Night stay for $249 (it comes with a golf cart to use). Rentals are available, but there are fairly strict regulations.

At Solivita home prices range from the low $300’s to the $700s. There are attached and single family homes. The Experience Solivita package lets you stay 2 nights and play golf for a bargain price. There are rentals available for short or long term through real estate agents. Solivita has some large lots, some of them a 1/4 acre.

All of these communities have a selection of both new homes and resales.

Fees

The monthly amenities fee in The Villages is $189/month. There are also CDD fees which could be up to $200/mo. At On Top of the World fees range from about $185 to just under $400 per month depending on where you live. Solivita’s fees average about $385/month, depending on the size of the yard.

Age of community

OTOW has been building homes on this former cattle ranch since 1975, although it was not called On Top of the World until later. The median age is 72.4. Solivita opened in 2000. Its medidan age is 64.9, so it has the distinction of having the youngest group of residents of the three. The Villages was started under the name Orange Blossom Gardens in the 1970’s but really took off in the mid 1980s, changing its name to The Villages. Median age there is 72.2.

Golf and pickleball

If golf is your passion it sure to be requited at The Villages with its 700 holes of golf on executive and championship courses. OTOW has 54 holes including one that is highly rated. At Solivita the Stonegate Golf Club has 2 courses; membership is optional. These communities use various tee time systems because in season, golf is very popular and can get crowded.

In the fast growing pickleball world availability and quality of facilities is key. The Villages has 23 rec centers with up to 18 courts each, and another complex planned with the Pickleball Club. At OTOW there are 12 courts, and at Solivita there are 17 courts. We wonder if those are adequate to serve the pickleball population.

Lifelong Learning

The Villages has a lifelong learning program, The Enrichment Academy. There is a long course catalog listing an amazing number of classes and other opportunities. On Top of the World’s program is Master the Possibilities, and it also has a wide range of classes, lectures, and other learning opportunities. Solivita has many activities and so forth going on, but we could not find evidence of a lifelong learning program sponsored by the community.

Bottom line

When it comes to size and the breadth of offerings, there is no comparison to The Villages. It simply has lots of everything. Some people think you get more for your money at OTOW and Solivita, with larger lots and lower prices. Some like the sheer size or prestige of The Villages, while others enjoy the smaller scale of OTOW or Solivita. All of these communities have been around awhile and all of them have owner turnover, but Solivita seems to have the youngest population. The best answer if you are considering among them – go and stay at all 3 – and see for yourself.

For further reading:

• Tempted by The Villages: Here Are Some of the Alternatives
• Does The Villages Have Any Alternatives-Part I (West)”)
• Why The Villages Is the Best Place for Len and Anne