Looking for an active 55+ community in Central Florida with a real golf course, a charming town square, and a packed social calendar? Arlington Ridge in Leesburg, Florida delivers all three — and on a sunny November day, the course is greener than ever and the neighbors are out playing softball, pickleball, and golf.
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 for one simple reason: the way 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 was looking phenomenal during our visit — green, manicured, and in great shape even in late fall. Staff were spot-treating weeds, but the rich color you see is the real deal, not paint.
What makes the golf experience here special is the full practice facility, which includes:
- Driving range
- Putting green
- Pitching area
- Practice sand traps
Pair that with a pro shop right on the town square, and golfers have everything they need 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. (And yes, 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. There are full locker rooms with showers and a sauna. One of the unique perks: 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 — a small but very 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 for big community events. The craft room is wired with plenty of outlets and includes a kiln for ceramics. The library is a quiet retreat with Wi-Fi — perfect for reading, chess, or escaping a Wi-Fi outage at home.
Pickleball, Softball, and Car Clubs
Pickleball courts are active most days, and the community fields competitive softball teams. Car enthusiasts have multiple options too, including a Corvette club and a classic car club — we spotted a beautiful GTO during our walk.
The Arlington Ridge Travel Club: Day Trips and Cruises
If you love to travel, the on-site travel club is a huge draw. The calendar runs January through July (and beyond) with both day trips and extended adventures. Examples we saw posted:
- 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
It's a built-in way to make travel buddies without ever planning the logistics yourself.
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 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 real town-square feel, an excellent golf course, and a calendar full of clubs and travel — Arlington Ridge in Leesburg deserves a serious look. The neighbors we met were welcoming, active, and clearly proud of their community (one even invited us in to see his renovated kitchen mid-tour).
Ready to see how Arlington Ridge stacks up against other 55+ communities in Florida and beyond? Take the matching quiz on our homepage to get personalized community recommendations based on your lifestyle, budget, and must-have amenities — then save your favorites to your shortlist so you can compare them side-by-side.