Riverland and Tradition 55+ Communities in Port St. Lucie: Fees, Amenities and Resale

Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities draw many active-adult buyers to the west side of Port St. Lucie. Both sit in the same growing part of the city, west of I-95, and both offer new or nearly new homes with large clubhouses. Yet they work quite differently. Riverland's age-restricted homes come from one builder, GL Homes, under its Valencia name. Tradition is a larger master-planned community with several builders, including Del Webb and Mattamy Homes. This guide compares home types, HOA and CDD costs, clubhouse access and resale, and shows how prices stack up against Palm Beach County.

Key takeaways

• Riverland's 55+ neighborhoods are the GL Homes Valencia communities: Valencia Cay, Valencia Grove, Valencia Walk, Valencia Parc and the newest, Valencia Vista.
• Tradition's 55+ options include Del Webb Tradition, with 1,044 homes and villas, and Telaro at Tradition by Mattamy Homes.
• Many homes in this area pay a CDD assessment on the property tax bill, on top of HOA dues. Tradition's CDD assessments show as two lines: operations and debt service.
• In August 2026 the St. Lucie County single-family median was $402,500, compared with $650,000 in Palm Beach County.
• Resales compete with builders while new sections are still selling, so price a resale against new-home incentives, not just past sales.

Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities at a glance

Both areas sit in southwest Port St. Lucie, near the Tradition town center and Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. So the drive to shops, doctors and I-95 is similar. The real differences come from who builds the homes and how the communities are organized.

• Riverland: a GL Homes community. Its age-restricted homes are grouped under the Valencia name, and they share a large set of amenities.
• Tradition: a master-planned community with many neighborhoods and several builders. Only some neighborhoods are 55+, and each one has its own clubhouse and rules.

For context on the area, our post on Tradition Square covers the town center's restaurants and events.

The Valencia communities at Riverland

GL Homes has built a series of 55+ neighborhoods at Riverland. According to Florida for Boomers, Valencia Cay, Valencia Grove, Valencia Walk and Valencia Parc are all 55+ communities from GL Homes. The newest, Valencia Vista, is listed on the GL Homes website as a 55+ community.

Riverland as a whole covers about 4,000 acres. Because the Valencia sections were built in phases, an older section may offer mostly resales, while the newest phase still has builder inventory.

Valencia Vista: what the builder lists today

GL Homes lists Valencia Vista with six collections of single-family homes, including a Club Villas collection. It quotes prices from the mid $300s to the $900s, with the Club Villas from the $350s. The builder also says the community had its grand opening in June 2026 and sold more than 100 homes in the first six weeks. Treat builder pricing as a starting point, since base prices exclude lot premiums and options.

Shared amenities at Riverland

The amenity list is one of Riverland's main selling points. GL Homes lists these facilities for Valencia Vista residents:

• A Social Club of more than 54,000 square feet, with a lounge, a social hall with a stage and a restaurant.
• A 24-acre Sports and Racquet Club with 53 pickleball courts, 15 tennis courts and 20 bocce courts.
• A 51,000-square-foot Wellness and Fitness Center.
• A 5-acre Arts and Culture Center.
• More than 5 miles of traffic-free pathways.

Before you buy, ask which clubhouses your section can use. In a phased community, access can differ between older and newer neighborhoods, so get the answer in writing from the association.

The 55+ neighborhoods in Tradition

Tradition takes a different approach. Several builders work there, and only certain neighborhoods are age-restricted. Two of the best known are Del Webb Tradition and Telaro at Tradition.

Del Webb Tradition

Del Webb is the active-adult brand of the Pulte family of builders. According to PulteGroup's Southeast Florida division, Del Webb Tradition began selling homes in 2018 and consists of 1,044 single-family homes and villas. Its amenities include a grand clubhouse, tennis, pickleball and bocce courts, and an outdoor barefoot bar. The builder opened a second amenity campus in early 2025.

Telaro at Tradition

Telaro is Mattamy Homes' 55+ neighborhood in Tradition. A review on Florida for Boomers lists three collections with 12 floor plans. Villas run from about 1,376 to 1,880 square feet, and single-family homes from about 1,708 to 2,834 square feet. The same review describes a two-level clubhouse of 20,000 square feet. Since builder prices change often, ask the sales office for the current price sheet.

HOA and CDD costs in Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities

Monthly cost is where buyers get surprised. In newer Port St. Lucie communities, you often pay two separate charges: HOA dues and a CDD assessment.

What a CDD is

A community development district, or CDD, is a special district that pays for roads, drainage and other infrastructure, often with bonds. Tradition Community Development District No. 1, for example, was set up under Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, on November 1, 2001. Its assessments have two parts: operation and maintenance, plus debt service on the bonds. They appear as two lines in the non-ad valorem section of the property tax bill, which the St. Lucie County Tax Collector collects each year.

Tradition has several numbered CDDs, so the amount depends on which district a home sits in. Riverland homes may carry their own district charges as well. Because the charge comes on the tax bill, it is easy to miss when you only compare HOA dues. Always ask for the latest tax bill on any home you consider.

HOA dues and what they cover

HOA dues in both areas commonly cover clubhouse operations, common area upkeep and, in many sections, lawn care. Some neighborhoods also pay a master association fee on top of a sub-association fee. In addition, ask whether a one-time capital contribution is due when you buy.

Request the current budget, the reserve schedule and any pending assessments before your inspection period ends. Then add HOA dues and the yearly CDD charge together. That total, divided by 12, is the real monthly community cost.

How age rules work in Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities

Federal fair housing rules allow age-restricted housing under certain conditions. Under 24 CFR 100.305, at least 80% of occupied units must have at least one resident aged 55 or older. Each community then sets its own rules on younger spouses, guests, rentals and pets.

So read the documents for the exact section you like. Rules on leasing are especially important if you may rent the home later, because many 55+ communities limit or bar rentals.

Resale in Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities

Resale in a community where a builder is still selling follows its own logic. A buyer can often choose between your home and a brand-new one down the street. As a result, builder incentives and new-home prices set a ceiling on many resales.

On the other hand, a resale has strengths. It is ready now, its landscaping has grown in, and it may include upgrades the buyer would pay extra for on a new build. Sellers who price against the builder's current offer, not last year's sale, tend to sell faster.

For buyers, the flip side is useful. A well-kept resale can cost less than a comparable new home once you add lot premiums and options. Also, you can close on your own schedule rather than wait for construction.

Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities vs Palm Beach County prices

Price is a big reason Palm Beach County retirees look north. In August 2026, the St. Lucie County single-family median was $402,500, with 54 days to contract and 4.9 months of supply. In Palm Beach County, the single-family median was $650,000, with 40 days to contract and 3.5 months of supply.

Condos tell a different story. The St. Lucie condo and townhouse median was $320,000, slightly above Palm Beach County's $300,000. So the savings show up mainly on single-family homes and villas, which is what most Riverland and Tradition 55+ buyers want.

Keep in mind that county medians mix every type of home. New 55+ homes with large clubhouses often price above the county median, so compare similar homes in each place. Our Port St. Lucie page lists current homes for sale.

Choosing between Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities

Most buyers narrow it down with a few questions.

• Do you want one large, shared amenity campus? Riverland's Valencia sections may fit.
• Would you rather have a smaller neighborhood clubhouse inside a bigger town? Tradition's 55+ neighborhoods may suit you better.
• Do you want new construction or a ready resale? Check which sections still have builder inventory.
• What is the full monthly cost? Add HOA dues and the CDD charge before you compare.

Then tour on a weekday, when clubs and courts are busy, and talk with residents. That shows you how the community lives day to day.

Frequently asked questions

Which Riverland neighborhoods are 55+?

The GL Homes Valencia communities are age-restricted: Valencia Cay, Valencia Grove, Valencia Walk, Valencia Parc and Valencia Vista.

Is all of Tradition a 55+ community?

No. Tradition is a master-planned community with many all-ages neighborhoods. Only some sections, such as Del Webb Tradition and Telaro, are 55+.

Do Riverland and Tradition 55+ communities have CDD fees?

Many homes in this area pay a CDD assessment on the property tax bill in addition to HOA dues. Ask for the latest tax bill to see the exact amount for each home.

Can someone under 55 live in these communities?

Federal rules require that at least 80% of occupied homes have a resident 55 or older. Each community sets its own rules for younger spouses and guests, so read the documents.

Are Port St. Lucie 55+ homes cheaper than Palm Beach County?

By county median, single-family homes cost less in St. Lucie County, at $402,500 in August 2026 versus $650,000. New 55+ homes vary widely, so compare similar homes in each area.

Sources

• GL Homes, Valencia Vista at Riverland
• Florida for Boomers, Valencia at Riverland
• PulteGroup Southeast Florida, Del Webb Tradition
• Florida for Boomers, Telaro at Tradition
• Tradition Community Development District No. 1
• 24 CFR 100.305, 80 percent occupancy
• Miami Realtors, St. Lucie County August 2026 market report
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report

Selling a Palm Beach County home to move to a 55+ community? Find out what your home could sell for with a free home value estimate. Then request a curated 55+ community shortlist, and we will compare fees, amenities and resale homes in Riverland and Tradition for you. Contact Pure Equity.