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.
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.
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. No huge fees to pay.
South Florida is easy living. It’s a great pick for a place to live. Just ask me – I’ve been here 24 years now!
First you have to figure out what type of community you’d like to be in – gated community, ungated community, 55+ community or all-age community and what type of housing you’re looking for. Do you prefer a single family home, a villa or a condo at the beach in Boca Raton? Lots of decisions to make!
Issues often 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 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!
They’re great company. Who can argue that? Read why 10 Reasons Older People Need Pets.
But finding a home with a dog or cat or more than one pet in an active adult community in Delray or Boynton may not be that easy. Why? Because they have rules and regulations.
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 3 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, 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, as 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 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! And then, there are some 55+ communities in south Florida that are not at all pet friendly.
When an active adult community refers to “aggressive breeds” they are talking about pit bulls. But, many communities have taken it a step further and do not allow German Shepherds, Chows, Dobermans and more. Check, check and double check.
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.
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 14 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 little 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! Where was the logic?
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)
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. 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.
Be smart – hire a Buyer’s Agent. Buyer’s Agents are FREE and they work for you. They will fight for you to get you the best deal. They are on your side, not the sellers. Please don’t think you are going to save money by going directly to the listing agent. This is a myth. What happens, in reality, is that the listing agent collects a double commission. Buyer Beware and be represented!
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!
Bellaggio
Boca Chase 
Camino Woods
Cascade Lakes
Cascades
Cloverfield
Coco Wood Lakes
Coral lakes
Country Manors
The Club
Emerald Pointe
Floral Lakes
Forest Grove at Indian Spring 
Four Seasons
Grove Isle
Harbours at Aberdeen
Indian Spring
Isles at Aberdeen
Lago Lucerne
Lakeridge Falls 
Lakeridge Greens
Las Verdes
Leisureville
Lexington Club
Limetree Villas
Majestic Isles 
Mizner Falls
Palm Beach Leisureville
Palm Chase lakes
Pines at Delray
Platina
Rainberry Bay
Royal Lakes 
Sandhurst
San Marco
Sun Valley East
The Enclave
The Grove
Tivoli Lakes
Tivoli Reserve
Town Villas
Tuscany Bay
Valencia Lakes
Valencia Isles
Valencia Shores
Valencia Falls
Valencia Palms
Valencia Pointe
Valencia Reserve
Valencia Cove
Valencia Bay
Venetian Isles
Villaggio
Villaggio Reserve
Life in a pet-friendly gated 55+ community has its perks.
There is a lot of socialization that goes on, socialization for the baby boomer crowd. Life in an active adult community is centered around the clubhouse with a myriad of activities geared towards baby boomers. Fitness centers, shows, cards, parties, clubs of pretty much anything you can think of, eating, trips, pools, arts and crafts, tennis, billiards, you name it.
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 the 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.
If your 55+ community doesn’t have a particular club and you want to start one, that’s usually not a problem. Some active adult communities are more active than others. What are you looking for? This is a personal decision and one you will have to 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. And 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 communities while some are more low key. You can be as busy as you want or not; it’s your choice.
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. There are the newer ones they see on TV, and older ones where you can get a good deal. All were built in the past 20 years. The key to remember is to take a buyer’s agent with you. Don’t go it alone. Again, buyer beware.
Why should you take a buyers agent with you on new construction? Because the builder, any builder, is not on your side. He is out to make the most money for himself. You aren’t going to save a dime going it alone. The builder is not going to refund you the commission, nor give you a deal. He is going to collect a double commission. Why not have someone on your side looking out for your interests? It doesn’t cost you a penny.
In addition to the Valencias, there are many other, nice, gated 55+ communities in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach to choose from. You have Tivoli Reserve and Tivoli Lakes, Four Seasons, Cascades and Cascade Lakes, Emerald Pointe, Floral Lakes, Bellaggio and Villaggio, Tuscany Bay, and the list goes on and on.
There are many other senior communities in Boca Raton 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. Again, 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 first! 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/text 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