The Best Golf Cart Communities in America
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
February 5, 2020 — For many retirees, getting to where you want to go in a golf cart is just about heaven. For those living in one of the best golf cart communities, they can forget the car; a golf cart (or low speed vehicle) is all they need to get there and enjoy the surroundings in the open air. Most active adult communities allow you to keep a golf cart and drive on community roads to golf, pickleball, or the clubhouse. But the real bonus comes with places where you can get to destinations outside of the community like the supermarket, doctor’s office, and movie theatre. In this article we’ll review some of the best communities and towns in America for golf carts.
Best Golf Cart Communities in America
Peachtree City, Georgia is a huge planned community about 25 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia. Although it is famous for its golf cart oriented transportation system, it is not a 55+ community – it is for people of all ages – the median age is 37.5. You probably can’t walk to too many places nor take public transportation, but you sure can get about anywhere in your golf cart. There are special roads throughout that let you get to shopping, amenities, or different developments. Cresswind Peachtree City is an example of the type of active community within this city.
The Villages in central Florida is another community where golf carts reign supreme. Lots of people have customized versions and even enjoy parades. Many couples only have one car, but two golf carts! Since The Villages has 3 town centers and over 129,000 residents, that gives your cart a lot of room to roam!
Laguna Woods Village, California. This is the largest 55+ community in the West. Golf carts and low speed vehicles are permitted in the city of Laguna Woods as well, with special paths and crossings provided. There is even a guide to where and how they can be used. Home choices include high-rise towers, single-family homes and multi-family models. There is every kind of activity and amenity, and those include 7 clubhouses, 5 pools, 230 clubs, and a performing arts center.
Sun City Center, Florida. This golf cart-friendly community near Tampa is big and spread out so a golf cart makes transportation easier. With 250 clubs here, there is always somewhere to go. A popular annual event is the golf cart parade.
Bald Head Island. This small island small off the coast of North Carolina near Southport is only accessible by ferry. Golf carts are often the main mode of transport on islands where space is at a premium. Defauskie Island near Hilton Head and Savannah is an example. Near Charleston, places like Daniel Island are also very golf cart friendly. St. Simons Island is a golf cart friendly town and resort in Georgia.
Ocean Reef Club in the Florida Keys. This ultra luxury community offers golf, boating, tennis, shopping, and fine dining. Golf Carts are the preferred way to get around. There is even a rental program for folks who don’t own a golf cart.
Palm Desert, CA. Permitted drivers are allowed to use golf carts for travel to schools, parks, businesses, shopping centers, and government offices within the City of Palm Desert. The Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade celebrated its 54th anniversary in 2018, with thousands of residents lining the streets to view the passing golf carts.
Sun City, Arizona. Sun City has made it legal for golf carts to drive on the local streets. Estimates are that 40-50% of households own a golf cart here.
Solivita – Kissimmee, FL. Golf carts are the most common form of transport in this Florida community of 5,900 homes. The community itself is huge (4,300 acres) with almost endless amenities, so getting around in a golf cart comes in handy.
Indian River Colony Club, Melbourne, FL. Residents of this active community for retired military personnel rely on their golf carts to get around to all the various amenities.
On Top of the World, Ocala, Florida. Planned for 10,000 homes, this community is huge. It was founded in 1947 and is Florida’s oldest privately owned land development. Homeowners enjoy golf, tennis, pickleball, and fitness classes. There is an extensive network of golf cart trails and roads, so it is easy for residents to get to those venues in their own golf carts.
Bottom line. People who live in one of the best golf cart communities in America love the idea of getting around in their golf cart. The convenience, easy parking, and open air are hard to beat. So if you are looking for a place to retire where a golf cart can be your main form of transportation, check out the communities we’ve listed above.
Comments? Do you know other communities and towns where golf cars are the main form of transportation? Does this mode of transportation appeal to you? Please let us know in the Comments section below.
Comments on "The Best Golf Cart Communities in America"
Ed LaFreniere says:
Great way to get around in a golf community, as we do in North Scottsdale, However, as a former safety publishing executive, I would like to recommend that you please keep in mind that carts -- and the drivers -- can be dangerous. Each year there are fatalities. And the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 17,000 golf cart crashes and accidents requiring a hospital visit occur annually nationwide. Sometimes drivers figure that regular motorists will see them and give them the right of way, but that's not always the case. Plus, drivers of carts AND regular vehicles often don't come to a complete stop at golf crossings and intersections. Finally, carts are light, and if you are on an incline on the course, they can roll over, resulting in serious injuries and even death. You have to balance them on ground that's not a steep incling. Not trying to be a spoil sport here, but safety first.
Jemmie says:
I was very excited to visit The Villages and actually liked the idea of a golf cart community, but ended up finding golf carts to be a drawback for me. They were fun to see and many were decorated with all the bells and whistles. But the noise of the carts braking at every intersection and sometimes they were over 10 deep at a stop sign, I found very annoying. We saw hundreds of golf carts during our 2-day visit and did see a few accidents, all minor, thank goodness. We visited about 5 years ago, do you think golf carts are quieter now, are they mainly electric and not gas anymore? And any idea how much a golf cart cost?
Bruce says:
We love our golf cart and the ability to drive within our community. We are allowed to drive the golf cart on any road posted with a speed limit of 35 mph or below. So nice to jump in and go to the grocery store, restaurants and our community center, rather then getting in and out of the car.
Most if not all the golf carts our neighbors own or we see in the community are electric, so to Jemmie concern very little noise. Ours has the new lithium battery technology and the battery is totally maintenance free and is lighter and takes 1/2 the room as acid batteries.
Prices will range on new verses used and the options and size cart that will fit your needs. Will you use it on a golf course, how many people do you want to transport, USB ports and many others. To get an idea look on line for what may be available in the area you may be considering living in.
Sean Casey says:
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is also a very great golf car community as well! There is all sorts of different golf cars on the streets there.
Ron says:
Rio Verde Country Club is a 55 and over retirement community which features two 18 hole walkable parkland courses. It is an outstanding golf community just outside of Scottsdale with many amenities like pickleball, tennis, biking, fitness center, bocce, hiking and many social activities in addition to golf. It provides for "Golf and a whole lot more!"
Jim Nash says:
One of the biggest Golf Cart Communities is Pinehurst, NC - all streets in the Village are Cart Legal, carts are permitted on village streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less