Pet Friendly 55+ Communities in Delray Beach FL
55+ Communities that allow Dogs & Cats in Delray Beach & Boynton Beach FL
Are you thinking about buying a home in a pet friendly Active Adult 55+ community in Delray Beach? Or Boca Raton or Boynton Beach? But, you’re not sure what these communities are about or if they’ll take your furry friend. Don’t worry, I’m here to help you sort it out.
55+ Communities in Delray Beach that are Pet Friendly
Below is a list of the communities in Delray Beach that are 55+ AND Pet Friendly. You can sort this table by clicking on the heading at the top of each column in the light blue line.
| Name | Type (Condo/House/Villa/Etc) | Address | City | Year Built (range ok) | Gated (Y/N) | Pets (Y/N) | 55+ (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Estates | Houses | Hagan Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 2003-2004 | Y | Y | |
| Avalon Trails | Villas, Houses | Atlantic Ave | Delray Beach | 2020-2022 | Y | Y | Y |
| Baywinds | Houses, Villas | Okechobee Blvd | West Palm Beach | 2000-2004 | |||
| Bellaggio | Houses | Hypoluxo Rd | Lake Worth | 2002-2004 | Y | Y | |
| Buena Vida | Houses | Forest Hills Blvd | Wellington | 2003-2007 | Y | Y | |
| Cascade Lakes | Houses | Millitary Trail | Boynton Beach | 2000-2002 | Y | Y | |
| Cascades | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 1997-1999 | Y | Y | |
| Coco Wood Lakes | Houses | Atlantic Ave | Delray Beach | 1978-1981 | N | Y | Y |
| Coral Lakes | Houses, Coach Homes, Condos | Flavor Pict Rd | Boynton Beach | 1994-2001 | |||
| Delray Villas | Houses, Villas | Lake Ida Rd | Delray Beach | 1980-1985 | |||
| Emerald Pointe | Villas/Condos | Hagan Ranch Rd | Delray Beach | 1990-1994 | Y | Y | Y |
| Floral Lakes | Villas | Jog Rd | Delray Beach | 1997-2001 | Y | Y | Y |
| Four Seasons at Delray Beach | Houses | 441/SR 7 | Delray Beach | 2007-2012 | Y | Y | Y |
| Grove Isle | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 1997-1999 | |||
| Lakeridge Falls | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 1997-2000 | Y | Y | |
| Lakeridge Greens | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 1995-1997 | Y | Y | |
| Leisureville | Houses, Condos | Woolbright Rd | Boynton Beach | 1969-1974 | |||
| Lexington Club | Villas/Condos | Atlantic Ave | Delray Beach | 1988-1991 | Y | Y | Y |
| Majestic Isles | Houses, Villas | Woolbright Rd | Boynton Beach | 1996-1998 | Y | Y | |
| Mizner Falls | Houses | Boynton Beach Blvd | Boynton Beach | 2002-2004 | |||
| Palm Beach Leisureville | Houses, Condos | Golf Rd | Boynton Beach | 1975-1980 | |||
| Palm Isles | Houses, Villas, Condos | Jog Rd, Hagan Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 1991-1997 | Y | Y | |
| Ponte Vecchio | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 2000-2002 | Y | Y | |
| Ponte Vecchio West | Houses | Hagan Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 2001-2002 | Y | Y | |
| Rainberry Bay | Houses, Townhouses, Villas | Lake Ida Rd | Delray Beach | 1977-1987 | |||
| Royal Lakes | Houses | El Clair Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 1997-2001 | Y | Y | |
| San Marco | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 1996-1998 | Y | Y | |
| Summer Chase | Houses | Lake Worth Rd | Lake Worth | 1992-1999 | |||
| The Club | Houses | El Clair Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 1996-2001 | |||
| The Grove | Houses, Villas | Boynton Beach Blvd | Boynton Beach | 1995-2000 | |||
| Tivoli Lakes | Houses | Boynton Beach Blvd | Boynton Beach | 2005-2007 | Y | Y | |
| Tivoli Reserve | Houses | Hagan Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 2002-2004 | Y | Y | |
| Tuscany Bay | Houses/Villas | Military Trail | Delray Beach | 2002-2004 | Y | Y | Y |
| Valencia Bay | Houses | Lyons Rd | Boynton Beach | 2017-2019 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Cove | Houses | Lyons Rd | Boynton Beach | 2014-2016 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Falls | Houses | Hagan Ranch Rd | Delray Beach | 2001-2004 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Isles | Houses | Jog Rd | Boynton Beach | 1999-2001 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Lakes | Houses | Hagan Ranch Rd | Boynton Beach | 1997-1998 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Palms | Houses | Jog Rd | Delray Beach | 2002-2006 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Pointe | Houses | Woolbright Rd | Boynton Beach | 2006-2010 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Reserve | Houses | Lyons Rd | Boynton Beach | 2009-2013 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Shores | Houses | Lyons Rd | Boynton Beach | 2001-2004 | Y | Y | |
| Valencia Sound | Houses | Lyons Rd | Boynton Beach | 2020-2022 | Y | Y | |
| Venetian Isles | Houses | Lyons Rd | Boynton Beach | 2000-2003 | Y | Y | |
| Villa Borghese | Houses | Lake Ida Rd | Delray Beach | 1998-2001 | |||
| Villaggio | Houses | Hypoluxo Rd | Lake Worth | 2004-2006 | Y | Y | |
| Villaggio Reserve | Houses, Villas, Coach Homes | Hagan Ranch Rd | Delray Beach | 2014-2016 | Y | Y | Y |
| Vizcaya | Houses | Atlantic Ave | Delray Beach | 2000-2002 | Y | Y |
Newest Pet Friendly 55+ Homes for Sale
Click on the property photo below to view more information about that home.
View All 55+ Homes for Sale in Delray Beach FL
Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth FL are the hub of active adult 55+ communities in Palm Beach County, Florida. These 55+ communities have NO Equity involved. You pay your monthly maintenance and that’s it,, except if there is a show, you have a meal or take a private pilates class – something along those lines.
Click Here to Search Pet Friendly Homes in 55+ Communities
Maybe you’ve sold your home up north and are looking to move to south Florida full time, or even become a snowbird or snowflake. Yes, we have those too! That’s what these 55+ communities are all about. They’re modeled after country clubs, but they’ve removed the golf courses so no mandatory equity buy-in fees and continuing assessments.
South Florida is easy living. It’s a great choice for a place to live. Just ask me – I’ve been here 31 years now!
First, you have to figure out what type of community you’d like to be in – gated community, non-gated community, 55+ community or all-age community along with what type of housing you’re looking for. Do you prefer a single family home, a villa or a condo at the beach? Will it be in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach or perhaps west Lake Worth. Lots of decisions to make!
In my experience, issues can arise when you have dogs or cats. You need to find a pet friendly active adult community. But will it be pet friendly to your pets? That’s the key question.
Perhaps you have an adorable Yorkie that weighs 8 lbs, a pair of Papillons, a Portuguese water dog, a Goldendoodle or a Golden Retriever. Some people (myself included) have more than one dog. And why not? They’re like potato chips. Sometimes you can’t have just one!
Dogs are great company. Who can argue with that? Read why 10 Reasons Older People Need Pets.
PET RESTRICTIONS
But finding a home with a dog or cat, or more than one pet, in an active adult community in Delray Beach or Boynton Beach may not be that easy.
Why?
Because these communities have rules and regulations which must be followed. And some restrict the number of pets you may have.
Are you finding it difficult to navigate the maze of pet friendly active adult communities in Delray Beach or Boynton Beach FL?
Sure, you see the ads, the listings and everything looks great. And it is – but buyer beware when you have pets.
All active adult communities that are “pet friendly” may not be pet friendly to YOUR cats and dogs.
Let me explain.
One 55+ community may be pet friendly to one dog with a maximum weight of 15 lbs. Another 55+ community may be pet friendly to one dog with a maximum weight of 25 lbs. Another 55+ community may be pet friendly to two dogs with a maximum weight of 25 lbs. And still another active adult community may take 2 dogs and have no weight restrictions; their only restriction is no “aggressive” breeds. Still another 55+ community may take 2 pets with a maximum weight of 40 lbs. You see where I’m going?
And so it goes. No wonder you’re confused!
What are you going to do if you happen to have a Golden Retriever or two Labs and a cat or three little dogs? Or a pair of Rottweilers? I’d have a dozen dogs if they’d let me! Now, we’re talking a different story.
IT’S NOT HOPELESS
It’s not hopeless, but stay with me here.
Yes, there are 55+ communities in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach FL that will accept larger dogs as well as multiple dogs, but please be careful to check the pet restrictions. Rules and regulations can, and sometimes do, change from year to year.
Please don’t go with, My friend told me there are large dogs living there. Get it from the source.
I have seen it happen where a 55+ pet friendly community went from two dogs with a maximum weight of 25 lbs to one dog with a maximum weight of 25 lbs. Another active adult community in Delray Beach FL that had no pet restrictions but for aggressive breeds, changed their rules to a maximum of 4 dogs. So, you see, it really can happen. Rules can and do change.
Crazy as it sounds, there are even communities that say they are “pet friendly,” but they are pet friendly to a bird or gold fish. And they still call it a pet friendly community! No wonder buyers are confused.
And then, there are some 55+ communities in south Florida that are not at all pet friendly. These are mostly condos.
When an active adult community refers to “aggressive breeds” they are talking usually about pit bulls, bully breeds, rottweilers and cane corso. But many communities have taken it a step further and do not allow German Shepherds, Chows, Dobermans and more. Check, check and double check.
And don’t rely on the listings either, as they are more often wrong than right. They will say “restricted.” Great! What does that mean?
I’m a dog person – you’ve probably figured that out by now! Some people may think I’m crazy, but it makes perfect sense to me. And I know I’m not alone when I read articles like When The Dog Decides Where You Live.
IT’S NOT HOPELESS
Are you thinking it’s hopeless? Your choices may be limited but likely not impossible!
“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 (actress)
I have been working with pet-friendly housing for 22 years now. I fell into the niche of dog-friendly housing quite by accident while looking for a condo for my husband and myself. And, of course, my two dogs – Total weight 15 lbs.
The condo we were looking at took one dog with a maximum weight of 60 lbs. We thought, no problem. Boy, were we wrong! They told us flat out NO! To me, it was a no brainer. They would let me bring a 60 lb dog but not two that weighed 15 lbs total.
Where was the logic?
There was none. Absolutely none.
And so it began…my quest to help others find pet-friendly housing and navigate the maze of dog-friendly condos and houses in the Boca, Delray, Boynton, Highland Beach and surrounding areas.
Please feel free to read some of my reviews here
.
I was also told by another community that accepts one dog with a maximum weight of 25 lbs, “You’re a nice lady, but you can’t live here.” Seriously, where is the logic in that? It makes no sense to me each time I hear something along these lines.
“Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.” – Elizabeth Taylor (actress)
PET-FRIENDLY ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES
I am often asked if I have a list of pet-friendly active adult communities. Of course I do! I’ve been working with pet-friendly housing in Boca Raton and the surrounding areas for years, along with Boca Raton Real Estate. And, now I’m going to share it with you, with one caveat – Buyer Beware.
One last caveat, and this is important – Do not call the name on the sign or the name on the ad or the name on the listing. That person works for the seller. That person in the ad has a contract with the seller to get them the highest price possible.
Take a moment and read Why Calling The Listing Agent Could Cost You Thousands.
Be smart – hire a Buyer’s Agent. Buyer’s Agents work for you. They will fight for you to get you the best deal. They’re on your side, not the sellers.
Please don’t think you are going to save money by going directly to the listing agent or the builder. This is a myth. The listing agent has a contract, a listing agreement, with the seller to get them the highest price possible. They are working for the seller, not for you. That is where their loyalty is. And builder’s don’t negotiate. Buyer Beware and be represented! This is one of the most expensive transactions you will make in your life!
Moving on…
The following are active adult communities in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth that are pet friendly to dogs and cats.
Pet Friendly Active Adult 55+ Communities in Delray Beach, Boca Raton & Boynton Beach
I’m sharing it with the proviso that you check and double check the pet restrictions that are in effect at the time you buy or are thinking of buying because, as I mentioned earlier, rules can change. Remember, Buyer Beware!
Delray Trails
Indian Spring
VALENCIA
Valencia Del Mar
LIFE IN A PET-FRIENDLY GATED 55+ COMMUNITY HAS ITS PERKS
A lot of socialization goes on with the baby boomer crowd and their pets. Life in an active adult community is centered around the clubhouse with a myriad of activities geared towards baby boomers. Fitness centers, shows, cards, canasta, maj jongg, parties, clubs, tennis, pickle ball – oh, the pickle ball today – of pretty much anything you can think of, eating, trips, pools, arts and crafts, tennis, billiards, fitness centers, you name it.
And of course, dogs. There are beautiful walking paths for you and your dogs. There is often a dog walkers club, though dog walkers usually meet on their own just walking their dogs.
With our beautiful south Florida weather, it’s a joy to take them out – especially if they happen to meet up with one of their 4-legged friends or see a bird fly by.
Sunrises are especially beautiful in south Florida. Getting to walk your best friend and see the sunrise is a special treat.
CLUBS AND INTERESTS
If your 55+ community doesn’t have a particular club that interests you and you want to start one, that’s usually not a problem. Some active adult communities are more active than others. In some communities, you can be busy seven days a week. In others, not so much.
What are you looking for?
This is a personal decision you will have to make. Only you can decide where you feel most comfortable.
Dogs and cats can do wonderful things for the over 55 crowd today. You can read about The Healing Power of Pets for Elderly People here.
Today’s boomers don’t consider themselves elderly (myself included!) After all, we’re the Baby Boomer generation!
And how about an older pet? After all, we’re all a bit older too!
We recently brought a 9 year old dog to live with us. She is fully trained, so well behaved, and has made a wonderful addition to our family. The truth is, she saved us when we lost our dear Buttons. But that is another story you can read here.
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Turnbull (author of The Wedding Bargain)
What type of 55+ community are you looking for?
Do you know or do you need help figuring it out?
Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth Florida have gated active adult communities that span all price ranges, as well as non-gated senior communities. Some communities are very active while others are more low key. You can be as busy as you want or not; it’s your choice.
The Valencias
When you mention active adult communities in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, the name most people recognize are the Valencias, which are the most upscale of the 55+ communities in Palm Beach County. To me, the best part is that the Valencias are pet-friendly communities.
What most people don’t realize is there are many Valencia communities in Delray Beach, Boyton Beach and Lake Worth. This is where it all started in south Palm Beach County, FL. As of this writing, we have 12 Valencia communities from the high $ 300s to $ 3M.
There are the newer ones they see advertised on TV, and older ones where you can still get a good deal. All were built in the past 25 years. The key to remember is to take a buyer’s agent with you. Don’t go it alone. Again, buyer beware.
Why you should take a buyer’s agent with you on new construction
Why should you take a buyers agent with you on new construction? Because the builder, any builder, is not on your side. You aren’t going to save a dime going it alone. The builder is not going to refund you compensation, nor give you a deal if you show up without an agent to represent you. Why shouldn’t you have someone on your side looking out for your interests?
In addition to the Valencias, there are many other, nice, gated 55+ communities in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and west Lake Worth to choose from. You have Tivoli Reserve and Tivoli Lakes, Four Seasons, Cascades and Cascade Lakes, Emerald Pointe, Floral Lakes, Bellaggio and Villaggio, Villaggio Reserve, Avalon Trails, Delray Trails, Tuscany Bay, and the list goes on and on.
There are many other senior communities besides the Valencias. Some are smaller, more boutique-like communities while others are larger with close to 1000 homes. Some are quieter and some have a lot of action.
It’s all personal preference. Do you want a cafe for breakfast and lunch? Is that important to you (along with the dogs, of course!?) Do you want an indoor/outdoor pool and forego the cafe? Often it’s a trade off, and only you can answer these questions.
Some of the active adult 55+ communities have condos. Some have villas, but the majority have single family homes. Not to worry though. The community usually maintains your lawn. Basic cable is often included (again depending on community), the clubhouse and all the amenities.
You pay a monthly maintenance fee in all active adult communities, but there are NO MANDATORY EQUITY FEES.
Dogs will always be a part of my life. They bring me such complete joy. My husband teases me that I will be the one in the wheelchair with a dog in each arm. I hope so! In the meantime, I enjoy our daily walks, playtime and the time I have with them.
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”– Orhan Pamuk (author, My Name Is Red)
If you are looking for a pet-friendly active adult community in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach or Lake Worth Florida and you have pets, please do your research first.
Everyone has a friend or someone they know who tells them this is where they want to live. I’ve gone with two friends who live together up north but ended up in different communities here. It happens.
Are you thinking about buying a home in a pet friendly 55+ community in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, or Boynton Beach FL?
If you have pets and are thinking of buying a home in a 55+ community in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach or Lake Worth FL, call me! I will help you navigate the crazy world of pet-friendly gated communities in Boca Raton and south Florida.
I can be reached at 561-716-7824 Cell, or by email at Elyse@ElyseBerman.com.
Related Pet friendly articles:
- Pet friendly condos in Boca Raton, and Highland Beach
- Pet friendly gated communities in Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach
- 9 Best Pet-Friendly 55+ Communities in Delray & Boynton Beach FL
