55+ Communities · SRES Certified
The five 55+ communities I know by heart
There are dozens of '55+' developments around Denver and Boulder. Five of them get most of my senior clients — because they're well-built, well-managed, and well-suited to the actual lives my clients want next. Here's the honest comparison.
- 5
- Communities I tour clients through regularly
- 3,300+
- Homes across these five communities
- SRES
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist certified
- $0
- Cost to tour with me
The five
Each one is a different kind of life
They all say 'active adult living' on the brochure. They are not the same. The difference between Anthem Ranch and Encore at Eastlake is roughly the difference between a resort and a quiet cul-de-sac.
Anthem Ranch — Broomfield
Del Webb. 1,335 homes. The flagship. 32,000 sqft Aspen Lodge clubhouse, indoor + outdoor pools, 48 pickleball + tennis courts, 8+ miles of trails. Best fit if you want full amenity life.
Skyestone — Broomfield
Taylor Morrison. 519 homes — smaller, more intimate. Lower HOA than Anthem, fewer amenities. Best fit for buyers who want 55+ rules but don't need a country-club lifestyle.
Heritage Todd Creek — Thornton
Lennar. 1,300 homes. 18-hole championship golf course inside the gate. Largest active 55+ community on the north side. Bigger lots than Anthem.
Heritage Eagle Bend — Aurora
Established 55+ golf community on the southeast side. Mature trees, settled HOA, no construction noise. Best fit for buyers who want a finished community, not a growing one.
Encore at Eastlake — Thornton
Gated. Only 140 homes. Most exclusive. Lower amenity load, higher privacy. Best fit if you've left a big house and want a small, quiet, gated community.
How I help you decide
The factors that actually matter
Most online comparisons stop at price and square footage. Here's what I'd ask you about before we tour even one model home.
Pickleball + tennis culture
Anthem Ranch dominates. If competitive league play matters, this is your top pick. Heritage Todd Creek is a strong second.
Golf inside the gate
Heritage Todd Creek (Lennar's championship course) and Heritage Eagle Bend. Anthem and Skyestone do not have on-site golf.
Lowest HOA + simplest amenities
Skyestone and Encore at Eastlake. You give up the big clubhouse but pay less monthly.
Newest construction
Anthem Ranch and Skyestone are still building. Heritage Eagle Bend is fully established (no construction).
Easiest single-level living
All five offer ranch floor plans, but Encore at Eastlake and Skyestone have the highest percentage of true single-level homes.
Closest to grandkids in Denver
Anthem Ranch and Skyestone (Broomfield) — about 25 min to most of north Denver. Heritage Eagle Bend is best for grandkids in Aurora or south metro.
The honest part
Not every senior client should move into a 55+ community
Some clients are happiest in their current neighborhood with a smaller home a few blocks away. Some want to be near grandkids more than they want pickleball. Some genuinely don't want to be around only people their age. All of those are valid, and I'll tell you so before we waste a Saturday touring three clubhouses.
The 55+ communities make the most sense when you want a built-in social calendar, single-level living, and zero exterior maintenance — and when you're financially ready to take on an HOA in exchange for everything that HOA covers.
Common questions
What clients ask first
I'll set up two communities in one Saturday
No pressure, no commission talk in the model home. Just a side-by-side feel for two communities so you can compare in real time.