Arlington Ridge in Leesburg, Florida is an active 55+ community with a real golf course, a walkable town square, and a social calendar that keeps residents busy year-round. On a sunny November day, the course is greener than you'd expect for late fall, and neighbors are out on the softball field, pickleball courts, and fairways.
We recently revisited Arlington Ridge to give you an updated tour of the amenities, the golf course, and a peek inside an active home listing. Here's what stood out.
Why Arlington Ridge in Leesburg, Florida stands out
Arlington Ridge is one of our favorite 55+ communities because of how the amenities are laid out. Instead of scattering everything across the property, the developers clustered the clubhouse, restaurant, fitness center, library, craft room, movie theater, ballroom, and pro shop around a walkable town square (a layout reminiscent of The Villages, but on a much more intimate scale).
Because the golf course is open to the public, the community is gated with 24-hour guard service, so residents always know who's coming and going.
The Arlington Ridge golf course and practice facility
The golf course looked great during our visit: green, manicured, and in solid shape even in late fall. Staff were spot-treating weeds, but the rich color is real, not paint.
The full practice facility includes a driving range, putting green, pitching area, and practice sand traps. Add the pro shop right on the town square, and golfers have everything within a short drive of home.
Amenities at Arlington Ridge: the town square tour
Village Tavern restaurant and pro shop
The Village Tavern is the community's main restaurant, a casual on-site spot where neighbors gather after softball games, golf rounds, or pickleball matches. There are two softball teams here that compete against nearby communities like Plantation and Legacy.
Fitness center, aerobics studio, and spa services
The fitness room overlooks the pool and connects to a generous aerobics studio used for Tai Chi, yoga, and group classes. Full locker rooms with showers and a sauna are on site. One notable perk: a dedicated massage and nail room where outside professionals come in to provide spa services right inside the community.
Ice cream and coffee shop
The on-square ice cream and coffee shop (Cadam's) was being refreshed during our visit, a small but popular amenity that adds to the walkable, neighborhood feel.
Library, craft room, movie theater, and ballroom
One building houses the library, craft room, movie theater, and main ballroom. The craft room has plenty of outlets and a kiln for ceramics. The library is a quiet space with Wi-Fi, good for reading, chess, or just getting away from the house.
Pickleball, softball, and car clubs
Pickleball courts are active most days, and the community fields competitive softball teams. Car enthusiasts have a Corvette club and a classic car club. We spotted a GTO during our walk.
The Arlington Ridge travel club: day trips and cruises
The on-site travel club runs January through July and beyond, covering both day trips and extended trips. Examples posted during our visit:
- Tampa Dinner Theater (April 8)
- Dolly Parton Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida
- Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida
- Grand Canyon extended trip
- Norwegian Epic cruise
- New Year's Eve cruise
Someone else handles the logistics. You just show up.
Quick facts about Arlington Ridge
- Location: Leesburg, Florida (Central Florida, near The Villages)
- Age restriction: 55+ active adult community
- Gated: yes, with 24-hour guard service
- Golf: on-site course (open to the public) with full practice facility and pro shop
- Layout: walkable town square amenity center
- Dining: the Village Tavern restaurant on site
- Sports: pickleball, softball leagues, golf, fitness classes
- Clubs: travel club, Corvette club, classic car club, cribbage, ceramics, and more
Is Arlington Ridge the right 55+ community for you?
If you want a smaller, friendlier alternative to The Villages, with a genuine town-square layout, a solid golf course, and a packed club and travel calendar, Arlington Ridge in Leesburg is worth a serious look. The residents we met were welcoming and clearly at home here; one invited us in mid-tour to see his renovated kitchen.
If Arlington Ridge has caught your eye, it's worth seeing how it compares to other 55+ communities across Florida and beyond. Create your free account and our AI will match you to communities that fit your budget, lifestyle, and must-haves, giving each one a personal match score so the right options rise to the top.
Once you've found communities you like, save them to your shortlist and compare them side by side in the Decision Matrix, a straightforward way to move from "maybe" to "this is the one."
