FAQ

We’re located in the Tampa Bay area, on the Gulf Coast, just about 20 minutes east of downtown Sarasota and Siesta Key, and less than an hour south of Tampa.

Which beach do you want to visit? The great thing about our community is that you have options. Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, and more are all about 15-18 miles from The Ranch, and a quick day trip will take you to the beaches of Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and many others.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is only 20 minutes away and Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about an hour away. Other options include airports in nearby cities like Ft. Myers, Orlando, and St. Petersburg, all between one and two hours away.

Lakewood Ranch is big, covering over 33,000 acres or about 50 square miles. That’s bigger than all of Disney World. Our community encompasses 10,000 acres of lakes and 150 miles of trails throughout our 20+ villages, each with different home styles and amenity options. All are convenient to our town centers, neighborhood shopping, employment centers, and top-rated schools.

Our villages range in size from around 250 to 5,100 homes. Right now, 18 of our 33 villages are actively selling new construction homes, and two are exclusively for those aged 55 and better.

A “master-planned community” describes any new community that plans in advance where homes will be located in relation to other elements of a community, including schools, retail, restaurants, businesses, recreation, and natural habitat.

An MPC also provides homeowners peace of mind, because it lays out a clear plan for infrastructure (such as roads and amenities), as well as sets a standard for maintenance as the community grows.

Lakewood Ranch is unique in the fact that it has been under the stewardship of one family for over 100 years. Through generations of careful planning and dedicated building, Lakewood Ranch has become a thriving community and home to more than 60,000 residents.

Among other awards and accolades, Lakewood Ranch was named the best-selling community in the country for all ages for five years running. We have two actively-selling villages that are exclusively for 55 and better, but we have residents of all ages throughout The Ranch. Our wide array of home types, amenities, and lifestyle opportunities (schools, healthcare, professional opportunities, close proximity to cities) makes The Ranch an incredible choice for any age or stage of life. So, whether you’re just around the corner, in the next village, or all under one roof, multi gen living at Lakewood Ranch can look however you’d like it.

Overall, Lakewood Ranch is a primary home community, meaning the majority of people who live here do so year-round. Of course, there are some residents whose homes on The Ranch are vacation homes, but Lakewood Ranch doesn’t clear out in the summer like some other places throughout Florida. There’s a true sense of community and vitality that lasts throughout the year.

We welcome residents of every age, but for those in the market for age-restricted villages, we do have two that are exclusively for homeowners aged 55 and up: Cresswind and Del Webb.

If you love golf, you’ll love living here. Lakewood Ranch boasts a total of nine golf courses: one is open for public play, another for members only, three are exclusive to Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club (membership required), and the other four are located within individual villages, with resident access provided by HOA fees. These courses may also allow for daily passes to be purchased by non-residents. Many residents do own golf carts and are able to drive them around their villages. However, they are not allowed on all roads, so use outside of your own neighborhood is limited.

Yes, golf carts may be used within a village, or to travel short distances on non-major roadways, but are not permitted on main roads where travel speeds exceed 35 mph. When operating a golf cart inside Lakewood Ranch, drivers should avoid sidewalks or trails, whenever possible, and adhere to HOA rules for parking. Golf carts driven outside a village must be registered with the DMV and be equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.

We offer a variety of home types, including attached villas and townhomes from the high $300s and single-family homes from the $400s. You’ll also find many options for apartment living and senior living. For a more detailed listing of our available homes, check out our handy home finder. Or, enjoy browsing our Homes Lookbook with key features of several model homes.

The Ranch includes 16 pre-schools, eight public, and five private primary and secondary schools, and 10 campuses of higher education, with an emphasis on business, vocational, culinary, and medical programs. Our primary and secondary schools are consistently top-rated.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is a top-rated hospital located right by Main Street. The Ranch is also home to numerous medical offices for nearly every type of visit, including emergencies, preventative care, specialists, and more, all available without having to travel far.

The Ranch was built for business. It’s currently home to an educated, skilled workforce and 2,607 existing companies in thriving business sectors focused on biotech, finance, retail, healthcare, and technology. This has made Lakewood Ranch the most prestigious location for business in the fastest-growing region of Florida. Additionally, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance helps the people of its 600+ member companies make meaningful professional connections.

At Lakewood Ranch, you’re bound to discover something new around every bend of our 150-mile network of trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes. We’re also home to 12 beautiful parks and within easy reach of several neighboring county parks. Within The Ranch itself and its surrounding area, you could spend a Saturday in a different park each week and never visit the same one twice!

Each of our villages has HOA fees. What’s included in the fees varies from village to village. Generally, the fees cover neighborhood amenities, common area maintenance, some lawn care, and irrigation. Fees vary depending on the size of your village, the level of maintenance, the types of amenities, and your type of home. Fees range from $100 – $650 monthly, with most falling between $200 – $300 per month.

Yes, ours is called a stewardship fee. It provides road infrastructure, maintenance of common area landscaping, and parks and trails. Think of it like a city tax or HOA for the larger community (in addition to your neighborhood HOA and county tax), which goes toward keeping Lakewood Ranch looking beautiful.

Yes, for non-residents we offer a Stay & Play opportunity. With this option, guests can book stays at nearby hotels at discounted rates. Once you arrive, visit the Information Center to plan your trip around The Ranch and check out the community events calendar to truly get a taste of life at Lakewood Ranch.

If you’re interested in purchasing a new construction home, you have the opportunity to work directly with the builder. However, a large number of our homeowners choose to work with REALTORS. They can help facilitate the process, especially if you’re purchasing from a different area or out-of-state. Realtors can help identify your needs, manage communication with the builder, and explain the unique nuances of Florida living.