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Award-winning Solivita in Poinciana — My Home for 23 Years

Solivita has been my home for the past 23 years. I was one of the very first residents of the award-winning retirement community in Central Florida. Solivita sold its first home in May of 2000, and I purchased in October of that same year. I was resident number 84.

Because I’ve been in the over-55 community of Solivita from the beginning, I’ve had a bird’s eye view of the substantial growth. Over the years, many things have changed. Some I have embraced, some not so much. I have watched new neighbors come, and some really nice next-door neighbors go.

So, what do I really think of this gated 55-plus retirement community in Poinciana, Florida? Read on, and I’ll share the good, the bad, and the ugly details of my life as a Solivita homeowner.

Solivita Home Designs: A Nice Variety of Floor Plans

When I relocated from Pennsylvania to Florida 21 years ago, I visited many places, looking for the perfect community to call home. Hubby did a job transfer, and with his new office being in Winter Park, we searched for homes in the greater Orlando area. We didn’t set out to live in a 55+ active adult community, but after touring Solivita, we both agreed it was the nicest community we had seen.

The homes were beautiful, with most having a spacious open floor plan, with lots of windows and sliding glass doors to enjoy the Florida sunshine. In my new Florida home, I wanted to bring the outdoors in. I couldn’t wait to watch the palm trees swaying in the sub-tropical Florida breeze; I was tired of snow and ice covered barren branches. The word Solivita itself means ‘sun’ and ‘life.’ Life in the Sun… that’s exactly what I wanted!

The vast majority of the homes in Solivita (both then and now) are single-family, between 1,000 and 3,000 square feet, ranging in price from the high $100s — low $500s. Here’s a link to the current Solivita new-home designs, floor plans, and pricing. Or, you can check out a listing of ALL the homes available for sale in Solivita here.

We chose the Carnegie modal, at 2,066 square feet. Our model is no longer being built, but it’s been doing fantastic on the resale market. The builder, AV Homes (formerly known as Avatar Homes), has since built a very limited number of multi-family townhome-style units. There are also a few duplex homes in the original Rainbow Lakes section of Solivita. As outlined in the Master Plan, the build-out will have approximately 6,000+ homes within 4,300 acres. Yeah, it’s quite a large development. In fact, when complete, Solivita will be three times as big as my tiny Pennsylvania hometown.

Where is Solivita Located?

Solivita is in the unincorporated town of Poinciana, Florida, in Polk County. (Part of Poinciana is in Osceola County.) Poinciana is one of the largest master-planned communities in the nation. Poinciana had 20,000 people when I moved here, but the population has escalated to over 80,000. Obviously, that kind of population growth has brought traffic headaches with it — one of the downsides to living in Poinciana. But really, most all of Central Florida requires a double dose of patience when traveling the highways and byways.

Solivita lies southwest of Kissimmee, Florida — a favorite destination of tourists visiting Walt Disney World and other Central Florida theme parks and attractions. We are less than 40 minutes from Disney, the vacation capital of the world. And, in fact, many Solivita residents work at Disney (mostly part-time, more for the awesome Disney perks than the skimpy paychecks). I’m a huge fan of the Disney Parks, and one of the first things I did as a Solivita resident was purchase my Disney Annual Pass. (Did you know Disney has special deals for Florida residents? You can read the review of my low-cost Disney Pass here.)

When it comes to our mailing address, don’t get confused. We can use either Poinciana or Kissimmee as our city, along with the street address. Both are correct. The zip code in Solivita is 34759, (although some sections of Poinciana is 34758). Because Solivita is centrally located in Florida, within an hour or two you can have the sand  between your toes at the Atlantic Ocean beaches or, my favorite, the internationally acclaimed beaches of the Gulf of Mexico (Marco Island, Naples, and Sanibel Island are my favorite getaway destinations).

Solivita in Poinciana: A Multi-Cultural Community

The demographics of Solivita reflect the multi-cultural nature of Poinciana. Nationalities from all over the world are represented here. It doesn’t matter what your race or ethnicity is, there is likely a group or club that meets on a regular basis to celebrate your culture and heritage. I love the multi-cultural aspect of Solivita. I don’t want to live where everyone looks just like me. There’s a little saying I have that goes like this… “If you and I were exactly alike, God wouldn’t need one of us!”

Here’s a very small sampling of some Solivita Clubs that embrace cultural differences:

• African Heritage Cultural Club
• British Isles Heritage Club
• Canadian Club of Solivita
• Caribbean American Association
• Filipinos at Solivita
• Hispanic Heritage & Cultural Club
• Korean Friends of Solivita
• The India Club of Solivita

Solivita Amenities and Services

The active adult community of Solivita has nearly 150,000 square feet of amenities.

At the very heart of Solivita is The Village Town Center with its numerous shops. Inside the 16,000 square foot Waterfront Galleries is a two-story art and ceramics studio, fully stocked library, multiple computer stations, and game room. Right across the brick-lined street is the 32,000 square foot Riviera Spa and Fitness Center which includes an indoor heated pool, an outdoor heated resort-style pool, two whirlpool spas, a sauna, an indoor track, and dance studio. Also, specially trained fitness coaches are on-site daily (free of charge) at the state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with TRX equipment. *NOTE: This amenity complex received the 2017 NAHB Best of 55+ Housing Silver Award for Best Outdoor Lifestyle Amenity.

The Starlite Ballroom at the Village Town Center is a 17,000 square foot facility where Solivita residents can gather for entertainment events, dances and concerts, theater performances, weekly movies, and various parties and banquets.

One of the newer additions to Solivita’s Village Town Center is a hometown pharmacy, K & M Drugs, with a small convenience store.  This place gets rave reviews by the residents of Solivita who no longer have to wait in long pharmacy lines at places like Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. Not having to go outside the Solivita gates when you’re not feeling well is a definite plus. And the pharmacists themselves are among the most helpful you will ever meet.

Another resort-style complex within Solivita is The Palms. It has 19,000 square feet of space housing a fitness center, aerobics studio, business center, a member’s club room, a 4,000 square foot heated outdoor lap and splash pool, two heated spas, fireplace piazza, and social gathering deck.

In Solivita’s Freedom Park there are five lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, 11 lighted pickleball courts, four bocce ball courts, a championship-caliber softball diamond, five horseshoe pits, and an outdoor pavilion for private events. Right aside of the pavilion is a children’s playground for visiting grandchildren, which I use often. And one of the most popular recent additions to the Solivita amenities is the dog park. Did I mention how pet-friendly Solivita is? On top of that, throughout the Solivita neighborhoods are three Resident Clubs and eight neighborhood pools, one just a short block from my home.

Solivita has three dining options — The Stonegate Grille (overlooks the finishing holes of the Stonegate Golf Club), Mosaics Restaurant (open seasonally, otherwise mostly used for banquets and club events), and The Bistro (quick-service foods like salads and pizza). The restaurant hours and menus can be accessed here.

For those of us that like to ride bikes, there is a scenic 5-mile path. (Check out my review of the Huffy Deluxe Women’s Cruiser Bike that I ride in Solivita.)

Additionally, Solivita residents have access to two semi-private 18-hole championship golf courses via the on-site Stonegate Golf Club & Pro Shop — The Oaks Course and The Cypress Course. Membership for Solivita residents is optional. Stonegate Golf Club membership requests, course information, and tee times can be found via the Stonegate Golf Club website.

It’s hard to find another over-55 community in Central Florida that offers a more complete list of luxury amenities and services than Solivita. This upscale housing development for seniors has everything for the ultimate active adult lifestyle!

NOTEWORTHY: Poinciana Medical Center, a four-story, 177,000 square foot hospital with 76 private beds and a six-bed private ICU is right across the street from Solivita’s main gate on Cypress Parkway. The medical facility’s close proximity brings tremendous peace of mind to Solivita’s active adults.

Solivita Social Clubs

Whether you’re a social butterfly with an outgoing personality that thrives on socializing 24/7 or simply looking for an occasional get-together, Solivita clubs offer something for everyone. We have over 200 social clubs created by Solivita residents themselves. And, guess what? If you can’t find a club that suits your fancy, create your own! Yep, it’s that easy (with approval, of course). But I’m guessing there’s at least one that piques your interest!

Florida Wildlife Abounds Within Solivita

Large chunks of Solivita’s 4,300 acres has been kept in its natural state, and designated as preservation areas. With the continual and ongoing construction you would think most of the native Floridian wildlife would have died off or moved on. Not so! Shortly after moving to Solivita 21 years ago, I witnessed a Florida Panther sitting upright like a statue, very close to my front door. It was the first Florida Panther I had seen in its natural habitat. At first, I didn’t even realize what is was, as these “big cats” are so rare. My only regret is that I didn’t have my camera in hand to photograph it. By the time I yelled for hubby to come, he was gone. I have never seen another Panther in Solivita.

But, within the miles of green spaces, shade trees, and shimmering ponds, I have seen tons of other really cool critters. It’s not unusual to see armadillos, raccoons, possums, wild turkey, deer, wild boar, otters, owls, osprey, hawks, and sandhill cranes. Oh gosh, and you should see the gorgeous [and oftentimes] unique birds. If you’re really into bird watching, the Solivita Bird Club is a must-join for you!

It goes without saying that alligator sightings happen on a daily basis. Just the other day, I saw a baby gator crossing the road and doing the mosey up a neighbor’s driveway. Some Solivita residents have been shocked to discover gators in their garages (never keep your door open with your garage unattended) and occasionally on their front porch or backyard lanai. I used to be scared of alligators, but I’ve come to realize if I give them their space and don’t provoke or feed them, we can live together peacefully.

Most times, the wildlife that call Solivita home do not cause problems for us humans. But, if we encounter an unfriendly or rebellious member of the animal kingdom (I’m thinking poisonous snake right now), a helpful neighbor is usually just a phone call (or loud scream) away.

There’s such a wide array of wildlife in Solivita that I rarely go outside without my camera. You, too, will appreciate all there is to explore in the great Solivita outdoors!

The Negatives of Life in Solivita

Many Solivita residents call this award-winning 55+ retirement community “paradise!” And, granted, there are some aspects of this gorgeous locale that make you feel as if you’re living in a 5-star resort. Personally, I liked it much better when it was smaller. But since I was well aware of the expansion plans by AV Homes I can’t complain. I have a nagging sense of disgruntlement, though, about a few things. Here’s the “ugly” part about life in Solivita…

Not Enough Golf Cart Paths

As mentioned, Solivita is a golf cart friendly community. I don’t play golf, nor do I own a golf cart. However, those that do are becoming increasingly aggravated by the fact there are not golf cart paths throughout the entire Solivita community. They say being forced to drive their golf carts on the Solivita roads create an unsafe environment for both motorists and golf cart drivers. To date, there hasn’t been any “major” accidents involving golf carts, but plenty of near misses resulting in obscene gestures and filthy foul language being tossed around.

Solivita Nextdoor

Solivita residents have the option of participating in our own neighborhood private social network called “Nextdoor.” (If you’re not familiar with it, Nextdoor is now being used in over 100,000 US neighborhoods. You can read about Nextdoor here, and even search to see if your neighborhood participates.)

It was meant as a way for Solivita residents to stay informed about what’s going on in our little corner of the world. Whether we’re looking for a local restaurant suggestion, a doctor recommendation, a dog-sitter while on vacation, listing new or used items for sale, or sharing safety concerns, Nextdoor was created as a way for neighbors to talk online in a positive way that would be informative and enhance our Solivita experience.

Unfortunately, as Solivita has grown, so have the bad attitudes, arrogance, and blatant attacks of disrespect for one’s neighbors. Oftentimes, the senior adults who are posting on Nextdoor are acting more like grade-school kids who refuse to get along. It’s not unusual for the moderators to have to step in and shut down “threads” in order to keep things decent and in order. Good thing participation in Nextdoor is voluntary, because I’ve actually stopped using it. I have no time for activity that doesn’t uplift, encourage, and edify me. Recently, as a result of a heated disagreement on Nextdoor, someone put garbage at another resident’s front door. Really? Shame on adults that act like 2-year-olds!

Lawsuit — Solivita Residents Sue the Developer AV Homes

Florida law requires developers to hand over control of the homeowners’ associations to the homeowners themselves, three months after 90% of the homes have been sold. Two years ago, after selling 75% of Solivita’s 5,589 lots, AV Homes announced their plans to sell the Solivita assets. The assets include amenities such as the clubhouse, pools, tennis courts, fitness center, etc. The price tag for these amenities? $73.3 million!

After the announcement, a group of Solivita homeowners had the amenities appraised at $19.25 million. If that number is accurate, that means an excess profit of $54 million to AV Homes. That same group of homeowners proceeded to obtain their own attorney, to ultimately abort the sale of the amenities at that high price. It’s a very complicated matter, now involving a proposed sale of the club property to CDDs (Community Development Districts), hence, a second legal challenge. Should the sale of amenities commence through bonds with CDDs, Solivita homeowners would be forced to offer club memberships to non-Solivita residents, another bone of contention between residents.

As mentioned, the legalities are difficult for the average Solivita homeowner to understand, thereby creating division amongst the residents themselves. So, for now, we wait… and wonder if our once privately gated community will be much more open to the general public in the future.

Another uncertainty with the pending lawsuit is how it will affect the Solivita HOA fees. Many residents feel there is potential for HOA fees to rise. In January 2018, my HOA fees rose just under $30/month, the highest increase since I’ve been here and since the inception of Solivita. Because Solivita is a retirement community, many residents are on a fixed income. Any dramatic HOA price increase could potentially cause financial strain on some of my neighbors.

UPDATE:  Class Action – Plaintiff’s Response to Taylor Morrison’s Request for Summary Judgement. (Filed 7/29/21)

UPDATE: GREAT NEWS! The Florida Supreme Court denied Taylor Morrison’s motion. WE WON!

A PDF of the higher court’s ruling on November 2, 2023 can be read here.

A New Lawsuit Begins

SPECTRUM SUNSHINE STATE, LLC vs. SOLIVITA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC.

What a roller coaster! Just as one lawsuit has been ruled in our favor and nearing finalization by the Florida Supreme Court, another has been filed. The new litigation, however, was filed on 6/7/23 in Federal Court (vs. State Court) against us (Solivita HOA). (Click the link above for a PDF of the Complaint.)

In Conclusion

There’s an old adage that says: If you find the perfect neighborhood, don’t move in, because then it won’t be perfect anymore! Solivita, with all its imperfections and imperfect people, is still an awesome place to live. If you’re seriously considering a full-time or part-time (snowbird) home in a 55-plus community in Central Florida, I recommend you put Solivita on your list of retirement communities to tour.

And speaking of tour, Solivita offers a great try-before-you-buy deal. You can live like a resident for 3 days and 2 nights. You’ll stay in a fully furnished guest home, have the same access and privileges to the recreational facilities that the residents have, and you’ll even have a golf cart to explore the community. Additionally, you’ll receive a complimentary lunch and dinner, and a round of golf is optional. The best part… you can meet and mingle with current Solivita residents. Ask them anything you want, then compare notes with the information received from the sales staff. It’s a good way to keep everyone honest!

All of this is available for you and a guest for a nominal amount. (Add a round of golf for just $50 more). Here’s the link for more information regarding Solivita Discovery Days.

*** Any Jimmy Buffett Parrotheads out there? If so, you will definitely want to read my review of Latitude Margaritaville, a brand new island-y collection of 55+ communities in Florida and South Carolina!

QUESTIONS? Do you have a question regarding Solivita or Poinciana that I haven’t covered here? Interested in the HOA fees perhaps? Shoot me a private email through the Contact page, or simply reply in the comment box below!