By Dana Gallagher, Broker, SRES® | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | Northwest Home Advisor
If you’re 55 or older and ready for less yard work and more time for the things you enjoy, the Chicago suburbs have a solid set of age-restricted communities. Since I’m based in Huntley, buyers usually ask me how other communities compare with Del Webb’s Sun City Huntley, the largest 55+ community in the area. This guide starts with Sun City as the benchmark and then compares the others on size, amenities, HOA fees and price.
About the data: Unless noted, home counts, prices and HOA fees come from 55places.com and ChicagoSuburbLiving.com, both checked October 2026. Where an official builder, operator or HOA site exists, I’ve linked it too. 55places price ranges reflect recent listings and sales, not new-construction price sheets. HOA dues change over time; the association can provide current figures. Prices are listing/sale ranges published by those sites, not appraisals.
What “55+” Means Under the Law
Federal fair housing law generally bans discrimination based on familial status, but the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) lets a community be “55 and older” if at least 80% of occupied homes have at least one resident 55 or older, and the community publishes and follows policies showing that intent, including age verification. These rules come from the federal Fair Housing Act and HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 100.300–100.308 (HUD – Housing for Older Persons; 24 CFR 100.305, eCFR). Each community’s governing documents set its own rules, such as the minimum age for other residents, visitor stays, and rentals. Ask for them before you buy.
The Benchmark: Del Webb Sun City Huntley (Huntley, McHenry County)
- Builder: Del Webb and Pulte (Del Webb joined PulteGroup in 2001); built 1998–2013, resale only
- Size: about 5,480–5,500 homes on about 2,200–2,300 acres (the Sun City Community Association cites about 5,481 homes in 41 neighborhoods; 55places lists 5,489)
- Home types: single-family, attached and condos
- Amenities: a 94,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, golf, tennis, and 80+ clubs and interest groups
- HOA: $159–$355/month ($159 detached, $355 attached)
- Price range: low $200Ks to low $600Ks
- Gated: no
- Sources: Sun City Huntley Community Association · 55places – Sun City Huntley (Oct. 2026)
- Nearby: Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, plus Randall Road and Huntley shopping. The nearest Metra is Crystal Lake (UP-NW).
- More from me: Sun City Huntley homes for sale · Del Webb Huntley HOA costs, rules and taxes · Downsizing in the Northwest Suburbs · Selling your Huntley home
Why it’s the benchmark: no other 55+ community in the Chicago suburbs comes close to its size or the range of its clubhouse and amenities, and its HOA covers the most extensive amenity package of any community in this guide.
Andaré at Talamore (Huntley, McHenry County)
Sun City isn’t Huntley’s only 55+ option. Inside the larger Talamore master-planned neighborhood on Huntley’s south side, Lennar built a small 55+ section called Andaré at Talamore.
- Age status: age-restricted 55+ (Lennar marketed its Andaré homes “exclusively to those 55 years of age and better”)
- Builder: Lennar; built 2012–2023, now resale only
- Size: 102 homes
- Home types: single-family ranch homes
- Amenities: 8,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with fitness center, game room, a living area with a stone fireplace, meeting room and pool, plus Talamore’s parks and trails
- HOA: $139–$146/month
- Price range: low $300Ks to low $400Ks (Oct. 2026)
- Gated: no
- Nearby: downtown Huntley, Route 47 and Randall Road shopping, Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
- Sources: Lennar – Andaré communities · 55places – Andaré at Talamore
- Compared with Sun City: about 2% of Sun City’s size, single-family only, with a modest clubhouse and no golf. It suits buyers who want a newer ranch home in Huntley and a small, quiet neighborhood. If you want the big clubhouse, golf and 80+ clubs, Sun City is just a few miles away.
Andaré at Glenloch (Algonquin, McHenry/Kane County)
- Age status: age-restricted 55+
- Builder: Lennar; built 2017–2021, resale only
- Size: 143 homes
- Home types: single-family, per 55places
- Amenities: clubhouse, fitness center, fire pit and patio, bocce and pickleball courts, walking paths around ponds
- HOA: listed at about $155–$227/month (55places, based on recent listings, Oct. 2026)
- Price range: mid $200Ks to high $300Ks (Oct. 2026)
- Gated: no
- Nearby: downtown Algonquin, the Fox River, Algonquin Commons and Randall Road shopping. The nearest Metra stops are Crystal Lake and Cary on the UP-NW line.
- Sources: Lennar – Andaré communities · 55places – Andaré at Glenloch
- Compared with Sun City: a small, newer pocket community with lower published entry prices than many Sun City resales. Its amenities cover the basics rather than Sun City’s full lifestyle program.
Andaré at Woodlore Estates (Crystal Lake, McHenry County)
- Age status: age-restricted 55+
- Builder: Lennar; built 2019–2024, resale only
- Size: 105 homes
- Home types: single-family ranch homes
- Amenities: clubhouse, bocce and pickleball courts, fire pit, outdoor gathering areas
- HOA: $229–$234/month
- Price range: low $300Ks to mid $400Ks (Oct. 2026)
- Gated: no
- Nearby: Three Oaks Recreation Area (beach, boat rentals, trails), Crystal Lake shopping and dining. Crystal Lake and Pingree Road Metra stations (UP-NW) are a short drive away, which makes this one of the better picks in this guide for buyers who still take the train downtown.
- Sources: Lennar – Andaré communities · 55places – Andaré at Woodlore Estates
- Compared with Sun City: the newest of the three Andaré communities and about 15 minutes from Sun City. You get newer construction and Metra access, but a much smaller amenity package.
Lennar also built a fourth Andaré community in Volo, in Lake County.
Grand Dominion by Del Webb (Mundelein, Lake County)
- Age status: age-restricted 55+
- Builder: Del Webb (a PulteGroup brand), its first community in Lake County; built 2006–2014, resale only
- Size: about 725 homes around a 13-acre lake
- Home types: single-family ranch homes, 22 floor plans from about 1,197 to nearly 3,000 sq. ft.
- Amenities: Lakeside Lodge clubhouse (about 17,000 sq. ft.), indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, pickleball, tennis and bocce, an activity director. No golf course.
- HOA: $162–$318/month
- Price range: low $300Ks to high $600Ks (Oct. 2026)
- Gated: no
- Nearby: downtown Mundelein and its Metra station on the North Central Service line, plus Libertyville and Vernon Hills shopping
- Sources: 55places – Grand Dominion · ChicagoSuburbLiving – Grand Dominion (July 2026)
- Compared with Sun City: another Del Webb community with the same single-level, lifestyle-focused design, at about one-eighth the size and with no golf. It’s the closest thing to the Sun City experience in Lake County, at somewhat higher prices.
Carillon North (Grayslake, Lake County)
- Age status: age-restricted 55+ (the HOA describes it as “a private 55 plus community”)
- Builder: Cambridge Homes; built 1999–2004, resale only
- Size: 361 homes
- Home types: ranch townhomes in 3-, 4- and 6-unit buildings (about 1,268–1,694 sq. ft.) and single-family homes (about 1,700–2,300 sq. ft.)
- Amenities: 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with fitness center, aerobics studio, library, billiards, crafts rooms and ballroom; heated indoor pool and hot tub; tennis courts; horseshoe pits; walking paths; 30+ resident-run clubs. The 9-hole Grayslake golf course is next door (not owned by the HOA). The HOA dues include all landscaping and snow removal.
- HOA: the association doesn’t publish its dues online; a third-party estimate (Nova55Living) puts them at about $190–$215/month.
- Price range: low $200Ks to mid $300Ks (55places, Oct. 2026). Recent listings ran up to about $445,000.
- Gated: yes. The main gate is closed overnight and the back gates are closed 24/7, opened by resident card.
- Nearby: Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve. Grayslake has two Metra stations: Grayslake on the North Central Service and Prairie Crossing on the Milwaukee District North and North Central lines.
- Sources: Carillon North HOA · 55places – Carillon North
- Compared with Sun City: a much smaller, gated community with similar entry prices and a golf course nearby. Its amenities are good for its size but don’t approach Sun City’s.
Saddlebrook Farms (Grayslake, Lake County) – land-lease community
- Age status: marketed as 55+ by its operator. Management can explain its age and occupancy policies.
- Operator: Hometown America; homes built from 1989 on, with some new homes still offered
- Size: about 720 acres, with plans for roughly 2,000 homes, per 55places.
- Home types: manufactured ranch-style homes with front porches and attached garages, about 1,169–2,516 sq. ft.
- Amenities: lake house, fitness center, library, pickleball and bocce courts, picnic pavilion, stocked lakes, miles of walking paths
- Important: this is a land-lease community. You own the home but rent the land under it, so you’ll pay monthly lot rent on top of your mortgage. 55places lists monthly fees of about $605–$1,164 (Oct. 2026); Hometown America can quote current lot rent. Financing works differently from a standard house purchase.
- Price range: about $135,000–$340,000 in current listings (Oct. 2026)
- Sources: Hometown America – Saddlebrook Farms · 55places – Saddlebrook Farms
- Compared with Sun City: a very different kind of purchase. The prices are among the lowest in this guide, but you’re buying a home without the land, and monthly costs are much higher than Sun City’s HOA.
Edgewater by Del Webb (Elgin, Kane County)
- Builder: Del Webb (a PulteGroup brand); built 2005–2015, resale only
- Size: about 1,040 single-family ranch homes on about 440 acres
- Amenities: 23,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, pickleball, tennis, bocce and trails. No golf course.
- HOA: about $293–$312/month by home series, per ChicagoSuburbLiving
- Price range: about $300,000–$600,000
- Gated: yes
- Source: ChicagoSuburbLiving – Edgewater
- Compared with Sun City: about one-fifth the size, a gated entrance, single-family homes only, and a higher published HOA
Lincoln Prairie by Del Webb (Aurora, Kane County)
- Builder: Del Webb & Cenvil Homes; building since 2022, new and resale
- Size: about 800 homes planned
- Home types: ranch single-family, about 1,500 to 3,000+ sq. ft.
- Amenities: about 17,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, indoor and outdoor heated pools, fitness center, pickleball, tennis and bocce
- HOA: about $360/month
- Price range: about $400,000–$1,000,000+
- Source: ChicagoSuburbLiving – Lincoln Prairie
- Compared with Sun City: the main option here if you want new construction, at higher prices and a higher HOA
Carillon (Plainfield, Will County)
- Builders: Cambridge Homes, Cenvil Homes; built 1989–2001, resale only
- Size: 2,097 homes
- Home types: single-family, attached, condos
- Amenities: clubhouse, Links at Carillon golf course, dozens of clubs
- HOA: $102–$338/month
- Price range: mid $100Ks to high $300Ks
- Gated: yes
- Source: 55places – Carillon
- Compared with Sun City: the second-largest community in this guide and often lower-priced, with golf. It’s older, built starting in 1989.
- More: Living in Will County
Carillon Lakes (Crest Hill, Will County)
- Builder: Cambridge Homes; built 2000–2007, resale only
- Size: 1,113 homes
- Home types: single-family, quads, sixplex
- Amenities: 18,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, pools, fitness center, 3-hole golf
- HOA: $158–$473/month (55places); ChicagoSuburbLiving lists $310 detached / $473 attached
- Price range: mid $200Ks to mid $400Ks
- Gated: yes
- Sources: 55places; ChicagoSuburbLiving
Carillon Club (Naperville)
- Builders: Cambridge Homes / D.R. Horton; built 2006–2017, resale only
- Size: 778 homes
- Home types: condos, attached, single-family
- Amenities: 18,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, 3-hole par-3 course
- HOA: $314/month detached, $492 attached, $720–$750 condos
- Prices: 2025 median of $677,500 for single-family and $469,900 for attached (MRED data via ChicagoSuburbLiving)
- Source: ChicagoSuburbLiving – Carillon Club
- Compared with Sun City: a higher price point and higher HOA, with a Naperville address. Nearest Metra is the BNSF at Route 59 or downtown Naperville.
Shorewood Glen by Del Webb (Shorewood, Will County)
- Builder: Del Webb (a PulteGroup brand); built 2004–2015, resale only
- Size: 765 homes
- Home types: single-family, attached (duplex)
- Amenities: clubhouse and an activity director
- HOA: $178–$332/month
- Price range: mid $200Ks to low $400Ks
- Gated: yes
- Nearby: I-55 and I-80, Shorewood Towne Center shopping
- Source: 55places – Shorewood Glen
Quick Comparison
| Community | Town | Homes | Golf | Gated | HOA/mo | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City Huntley | Huntley | ~5,480–5,489 | Yes | No | $159–$355/month | Low $200Ks–low $600Ks |
| Andaré at Talamore | Huntley | 102 | No | No | $139–$146 | Low $300Ks–low $400Ks |
| Andaré at Glenloch | Algonquin | 143 | No | No | ~$155–$227 | Mid $200Ks–high $300Ks |
| Andaré at Woodlore Estates | Crystal Lake | 105 | No | No | $229–$234 | Low $300Ks–mid $400Ks |
| Grand Dominion (Del Webb) | Mundelein | ~725 | No | No | $162–$318 | Low $300Ks–high $600Ks |
| Carillon North | Grayslake | 361 | Adjacent 9-hole | Yes | ~$190–$215 (est.) | Low $200Ks–mid $300Ks |
| Saddlebrook Farms (land lease) | Grayslake | ~2,000 planned | No | No | $605–$1,164 lot/fees | ~$135K–$340K |
| Carillon | Plainfield | 2,097 | Yes | Yes | $102–$338 | Mid $100Ks–high $300Ks |
| Carillon Lakes | Crest Hill | 1,113 | 3-hole | Yes | $158–$473 | Mid $200Ks–mid $400Ks |
| Edgewater | Elgin | ~1,040 | No | Yes | $293–$312 | ~$300K–$600K |
| Lincoln Prairie | Aurora | ~800 (building) | No | Planned | ~$360 | ~$400K–$1M+ |
| Carillon Club | Naperville | 778 | 3-hole | Yes | $314–$750 | Medians $470K–$678K (2025) |
| Shorewood Glen | Shorewood | 765 | No | Yes | $178–$332 | Mid $200Ks–low $400Ks |
55+ vs. “Age-Targeted” Communities
- Age-restricted (55+) communities qualify under HOPA and enforce age rules through their governing documents.
- Age-targeted communities are designed with features many older buyers want, such as ranch plans, low maintenance and a clubhouse, but anyone can buy. Ask the builder or association which type a community is.
How to Choose: Big Community or Small Enclave?
Most buyers I work with land in one of two camps:
- Lifestyle first: you want a full calendar, golf, a big clubhouse and lots of neighbors to meet. Sun City Huntley is the clear leader here, with Carillon (Plainfield) and Grand Dominion (Mundelein) as smaller alternatives.
- Home first: you want a newer, single-level home with the yard work handled and a small community feel. The Andaré communities in Huntley, Algonquin and Crystal Lake fit well.
Also consider where your family, doctors and church are, whether you still need the train, and how property taxes compare. Lake County’s effective rates tend to run higher than McHenry’s or Kane’s on similar prices.
HOA Questions to Ask
- What exactly do the dues cover: lawn care, snow removal (at what depth), exterior maintenance, insurance?
- How well funded is the reserve, and when was the last reserve study done?
- Have there been special assessments recently, or are any planned?
- What are the rental and leasing rules?
- What are the rules for residents under 55 and guest stays?
- Are there amenity fees on top of the dues, such as for golf?
Downsizing Tips
- Measure your furniture against the new floor plan before you move.
- Decide on a basement: many ranch homes in these communities have optional basements.
- Compare property taxes and senior exemptions in the new county.
- See my downsizing guide.
Selling Your Current Home First
Most downsizers need equity from their current home. Options include selling first and renting short-term, a contingent offer, or bridge financing. See Sell before or after you buy?
FAQ
What is the largest 55+ community near Chicago?
Sun City Huntley, with about 5,480–5,500 homes (Sun City Community Association; 55places).
Are there new-construction 55+ homes in the Chicago suburbs?
Yes. Del Webb’s Lincoln Prairie in Aurora is building now. Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake also offers some new homes on leased land. Lennar’s Andaré communities in Huntley, Algonquin and Crystal Lake are now resale only.
Which 55+ communities are closest to Metra?
Andaré at Woodlore Estates (Crystal Lake, UP-NW), Grand Dominion (Mundelein, North Central Service) and Carillon North (Grayslake, NCS/MD-N) are all a short drive from a station. Sun City Huntley’s nearest station is Crystal Lake.
Are there 55+ communities in Lake County?
Yes. Grand Dominion in Mundelein, Carillon North in Grayslake and Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake are profiled above.
Can someone under 55 live in a 55+ community?
It depends on the community’s rules. HOPA requires at least 80% of occupied homes to have a resident 55+, and each association sets its own policies.
Which 55+ communities have golf?
Sun City Huntley and Carillon (Plainfield) have courses. Carillon North sits next to the 9-hole Grayslake golf course. Carillon Lakes and Carillon Club have short 3-hole courses.
How much are HOA fees?
In this guide, published HOA ranges run from about $100 to $750/month depending on community and home type. Saddlebrook Farms’ land-lease fees are higher and work differently.
Let’s Find Your Next Home
As an SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), I help buyers 55+ compare communities and sell their current homes on their own schedule.
- Start with your home’s value: Free home value estimate
- Questions? Contact me or call/text 224-858-0022.
Dana Gallagher, Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. HOA fees and rules are set by each association and may change.