9 Best Pet Friendly 55+ Communities in Delray & Boynton Beach FL

9 Best Dog Friendly 55+ Communities in Delray Beach & Boynton Beach, Florida

Looking for a top pet friendly 55+ community in Delray Beach or Boynton Beach? Having a hard time finding one because of your pets? And, of course, I know your family includes your dogs and cats too. Absolutely. No question about it. It can be a daunting task navigating through listings to find a 55+ pet-friendly community that is pet friendly to your furry friends. Following are the best pet friendly 55+ communities in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.

What do I mean by pet-friendly communities? Won’t every community take my dogs? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many 55+ communities have pet restrictions. In fact, many all-age communities have restrictions regarding pets, as well. Does your Prince or Sophie fit the pet restrictions for the particular community you’re interested in?

If you’re a dog person like me, please don’t go online and fall in love with a house until you’ve fully checked out their pet restrictions. Not all 55+ communities are as pet friendly as others. Trust me on this. I’ve been in this area and seen it happen too many times. Dogs are my passion.

The next question is: Do you want to live in a pet-friendly 55+ gated community, or are you okay with non-gated communities? Some people definitely want gated; some do not. It’s really personal preference. Some are guard gated while others are simply gated without a guard. Make sense?

The active adult senior communities I am going to talk about in this article are all 55+ guard-gated communities in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth FL. Some are centrally located; some are west but all of them are within driving distance of Delray Beach’s famed Atlantic Avenue and the beach. And all are located in south and central Palm Beach County.

All of the following communities are located near shopping, grocery stores, restaurants, houses of worship, highways and more.

“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.”
― Doris Day

THE VALENCIAS

Probably the most talked about, and recognizable by name, of the 55+ dog friendly communities in Delray, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth are the Valencias. Currently, there are 10 Valencia communities: Valencia Lakes, Valencia Isles, Valencia Shores, Valencia Falls, Valencia Palms, Valencia Reserve, Valencia Cove, Valencia Bay and Valencia Sound. Whew, that’s a lot!

The Valencias are located in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth. They have beautiful grand clubhouses overlooking the lake with fitness centers, pools, restaurants, shows, clubs, cards, tennis, pickle ball and more.

The Valencias have action. If you go to the clubhouse, you will always find someone there.

How about taking Bella or Charlie for a walk around the community? Meet some new or old friends. Sounds like a nice idea. Dogs love to go for walks, and studies have shown that having a dog is good for older people. The Valencias have winding paths that can be used for walking, riding bikes or walking dogs. Perfect!

Depending on which Valencia you choose, they are the priciest of the active adult communities in south Palm Beach County. If you’re thinking new construction, should you hire a buyer’s agent for new construction?

Don’t forget to take a buyer’s agent with you. Buyer beware – don’t get caught! Buyer’s agents are free to you. You won’t save any money going directly to the builder. Their salespeople just collect a double commission. People are often under a misconception about this.

The Valencias are all pet friendly, but pet restrictions can and do vary between the different communities. Some have the original pet restrictions and some were changed by homeowner’s associations through the years. Don’t forget to check the pet restrictions for the community you are interested in!

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THE TIVOLIS

Tivoli is another pet friendly 55+ community in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. There is Tivoli Reserve and Tivoli Lakes in Boynton Beach, and Four Seasons in Delray Beach (originally Tivoli Isles.)

Tivoli communities tend to be a bit smaller and more low key than the Valencias. They still have plenty of amenities; clubs, activities, tennis, fitness center shows and clubs. The difference is you can go to the clubhouse in this community and actually read a book. It’s not as busy as the Valencias.

The Tivolis are pet-friendly 55+ communities in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach that will welcome your furry friends (breed restricted, of course.) And that’s a plus in my book!

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CASCADES

Cascades in Boynton Beach, Florida is a 55+ dog and cat friendly community. The community is centrally located and has a lot of activities to keep you as busy as you want or not. Cascades has a clubhouse with amenities including, tennis, fitness center, clubs, trips, shows, restaurant and more.

Cascades has single family homes – some smaller and some larger, but all are cat and dog friendly. It’s a fairly large community with close to 1,000 homes, yet it does not seem crowded. All of the homes are single story.

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CASCADE LAKES

The sister community to Cascades is Cascade Lakes, a more intimate 55+ dog friendly community. And the pet restrictions are different.

I told you to always check. Remember? Cascade Lakes in Boynton Beach is pet friendly but not as pet friendly as some other communities.

Cascade Lakes is smaller than Cascades. They have an indooor/outdoor pool but no restaurant. They have all the amenities including shows, clubs, arts and crafts, fitness, tennis and more.

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“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
― Will Rogers

VENETIAN ISLES

Venetian Isles is in west Lake Worth is another pet-friendly active adult community that will welcome your fur kids. Venetian Isles has villas with single-car garages as well as single family homes.

Amenities at Venetian Isles include a clubhouse, fitness center, card rooms, pool, clubs and more. As of this writing, the clubhouse is under renovation. Just wait until its finished!

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VILLAGGIO RESERVE

Talk about pet friendly! Villaggio Reserve is just that. Villas, coach homes and single family homes all with one or two-car garages make up this dog friendly 55+ active adult community.

Villaggio Reserve is a guard-gated community centrally located in Delray Beach FL. Amenities abound in this 55+ community including clubhouse, pool, restaurant, fitness, tennis, pickle ball, clubs, theater and more.

Villaggio Reserve is conveniently located to the new Whole Foods, Trader Joes and more.

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AVALON ESTATES

Avalon Estates is another pet-friendly senior community in Boynton Beach. Located east of the Florida Turnpike, Avalon Estates will welcome your dogs and cats with restrictions. A mid-sized gated community, Avalon features both villas with garages and single family homes.

This 55+ community has a grand clubhouse with theater, pool. fitness center, billiards, card rooms, tennis courts, clubs and more. A great place to take a walk with your dog.

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VILLAGGIO

Not to be confused with Villaggio Reserve, because they are totally separate communities. Villaggio in Lake Worth is dog friendly.

Comprised of single family homes with a clubhouse and separate fitness center, busy is the order of the day in Villaggio. And, of course, walking dogs. Always a favorite pastime of mine. And yours.

Villaggio is conveniently located to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and more.

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BELLAGGIO

Located next to Villaggio in Lake Worth, Bellaggio is another 55+ pet friendly community. Homes in Bellaggio are single family. This is a guard-gated community.

Amenities at Bellaggio include a restaurant, separate fitness center, tennis, theater, clubs, cards and more.

The community is conveniently located to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and more.

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“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
― Roger Caras

IN SUMMARY

Research being done today shows that pets help seniors. They take away loneliness, provide companionship, help healing, bring smiles to faces, calm people down, and perform services for some.

I am always amazed when I see the length some communities will go to with their pet restrictions. I understand not all people love dogs and cats, may be allergic to them or even afraid. I get it. Those people may want to live in a community that does not accept pets.

Dogs get people out of the house. They’re a reason for some folks to get up in the morning. Dog walking is a social activity. You go out; meet other dog walkers. Dogs check each other out and people talk. It’s a nice way to spend some time.

So why do 55+ communities have pet restrictions, both gated and non-gated? I can’t answer that, but I can help you find a home in an active adult community that will also welcome your furry friends. This has been a passion of mine for many years.