Discovering the good life in a 55+ community in Sarasota, Florida, is the real deal. Forget your assumptions about 55-and-older communities in Florida. Communities like Camelot Lakes Village aren’t retirement homes or senior living centers. And you don’t have to live like ‘The Golden Girls’ to be able to afford the lakefront Sarasota lifestyle in the right neighborhood. Active adult communities can be affordable, fun, and offer a built-in community that draws people together. It’s the ultimate Florida upgrade for couples like Leslie Donald-Clark and Bernie Clark.
The pair made their lifestyle upgrade 13 years ago.
That’s when the Clarks sold their home in Siesta Key, Florida, along the Gulf Coast. They swapped Siesta Key beaches for a vibrant 55+ community only 20 minutes away in Camelot Lakes Village. It’s a decision that’s changed their quality of life for the better.
“We came to visit Camelot Lakes and just fell in love with the place.”
Leslie Donald-Clark
Camelot Lakes Village: A 55+ Community Paradise in Sarasota
It’s easy to fall in love with Camelot Lakes Village.
The picturesque community caters to active adults looking for a busy lifestyle. Located off Gantt Road and State Route 72 (Clark Road) in Sarasota, the age-restricted community offers brand new manufactured homes.
To some, it might seem like downsizing, but square footage isn’t everything.
“We were in a regular house. We don’t miss it at all,” explained Bernie, who said that what the couple lost in square footage, they made up for in the ultimate lifestyle upgrade. “The community feeling is the big thing here at Camelot Lakes.”
Residents get more than a home at Camelot Lakes. The Sarasota community includes an impressive collection of resort-style amenities, including tennis courts, pickleball courts, a fitness center, swimming pools, a dog park, and a long list of activities and entertainment.
I’m much happier here than I was at home on Siesta Key,” added Leslie.
Leslie’s happiness stems from the true community feel at Camelot Lakes Village.
Perks of Upgraded Living in Camelot Lakes Village
“There’s so much going on… It’s really a wonderful community.”
Leslie
Tap the photos above to see what life is like inside Camelot Lakes Village.
The only downside for the Florida homeowner is that she needs extra time to walk your dog.
“A regular dog walk takes 30 minutes. At Camelot Lakes, it will take you an hour because you meet so many people. They want to talk, just catch up on things.”
It’s the friends and busy social calendar that set this age-qualified community apart from other independent living communities in Sarasota County.
Leslie plays Mexican train dominoes with neighbors. She’s also a regular in the ceramics room, where residents have access to a kiln for firing their projects.
“We love coming up to the activities. You can’t come in here and be bored at all,” stated Bernie, who stays just as busy as his wife.
In fact, they are busier than ever since moving to Camelot Lakes. The couple serves as Swan Ambassadors with a handful of other neighbors. The group rotates, feeding the neighborhood swans and taking care of the nests that grace the lakes in the 55+ community. The couple even helps keep the community dog park clean.
But it’s not all work. The Clarks are familiar faces at the Camelot Lakes clubhouse, where they attend Wine Wednesdays, special events like the fundraisers, and festive community dinners. The constant neighborhood connections are just a few of the reasons to buy a manufactured home in communities like Camelot Lakes Village.
Elevated 55+ Living at an Affordable Rate
Other 55+ communities don’t compare according to the Clarks. They’ve been to neighboring 55 and older communities, they’ve seen the prices, and felt the difference.
“We went and visited another retirement community recently. We were in their office, in their living space. There was no one there. In Camelot Lakes, there are always people here,” said Bernie.
It’s a balance of cost, lifestyle, amenities, and services for folks like the Clarks. Camelot Lakes residents own their manufactured homes. It’s a real estate cost.
However, Camelot Lakes residents do not own the land. Instead, residents pay a monthly lot rent, which covers water, sewer, lawn service, trash, and access to the incredible amenities and entertainment.
“If you compare the monthly lot rents to other places that are close by, this is the cheapest place to be,” said Leslie as she breaks down the cost versus the perks.
This is really an inexpensive place to live if you want to live in Sarasota to enjoy it.”
Leslie
Tap the photos above to see the resort amenities in Camelot Lakes Village.
The benefits of living in a manufactured home community go beyond what’s inside Camelot Lakes. Leslie said the location is everything since there are so many things to do in Sarasota, Florida.
“It’s close to the Expressway, which is really great because you can get all over the Sarasota area.”
Buying Your Dream Home in Camelot Lakes Village
New homes for sale in Camelot Lakes Village start in the $180,000s for a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom. Older, pre-owned manufactured homes often list under $100,000 in the Sarasota neighborhood. You don’t need to pay cash to live the good life in Camelot Lakes. Financing is available in Florida for manufactured homes in land lease communities.
Outside of Camelot Lakes, homebuyers are shelling out far more for a single-family home in the Gulf Coast town.
In 2025, the median sale price for a Sarasota home was $472,500, according to Redfin. That’s not accounting for utilities or additional amenities.
Bernie has looked around since moving to Camelot Lakes and said the math is easy.
“If you just moved across the street to a house (outside of Camelot Lakes Village), you need a $350,000 mortgage. That’s probably $2,000 a month, and there’s an HOA. That’s another $500 a month.”
The Clarks know owning a traditional home can be costly. The couple spent $15,000 in taxes and insurance on their old Siesta Key home before moving inland to Camelot Lakes.
For the Clarks, moving into a manufactured home community wasn’t downsizing. It was the ultimate upgrade.
“It’s not even comparable,” explained Bernie.
“Sarasota’s the place to be,” added Leslie. “If you want to be in Sarasota, Camelot Lakes Village is it in the sense of affordability.”