Master Planned Communities: The Benefits And Considerations Of Living In One

Master planned communities (MPCs) continue to gain popularity throughout the United States, especially with older Americans. The idea of trading in a single family home that requires maintenance, travel to get to places, and neighbors you may or may not have things in common with for a house in an MPC can be appealing. Everything you need is just a walk or golf cart ride away, home maintenance is usually taken care of by the MPS staff, and the people living there with you are usually in the same age range and enjoy the same activities … pickleball anyone?

What Is A Master Planned Community?

Master planned communities are communities that are built from the beginning with a … you guessed it … master plan in mind. Unlike neighborhoods that evolve more organically as new streets and houses blossom, MPCs are done with a clear vision of the end product right from the start. That means more than just streets and houses too. Restaurants, golf courses, even things like banks and barber shops are all part of the master plan.

Characteristics Of Master Planned Communities

Master planned communities come in many shapes and sizes, but there are a few key characteristics that can be found in nearly all of them.

• Diverse range of home styles: Newer master planned communities are catering to homeowners’ different tastes in home styles. Some of the older communities featured a more uniform look when it came to the houses. Demand for more options has driven this trend.
• Increased amenities: You will find pools, golf courses, pickleball courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard, and many other recreational facilities geared toward the specific demographic in a master planned community.
• Increased services: Nonrecreational institutions, like shops, pharmacies, medical facilities, banks and more can be found in MPCs. Most master planned communities attempt to represent a small city where everything you need is close and you don’t need to leave the MPC for anything. This includes services like home maintenance as well.
• Designed for walkability and ease of transportation: Getting around in an MPC is made easy by design. Walkability is a key factor in the design and many master planned communities are equipped for a plethora of golf carts buzzing around daily. They also usually offer door-to-door taxi service for residents that can’t or don't want to walk or drive.

How Master Planned Communities Work

Now that you’ve got the general vibe and feel of master planned communities, let’s dive into how they work. Essentially, it all starts with a developer locating a large swath of land. The location is usually chosen based on size and proximity to highways, airports and other forms of easy transportation. It may also be chosen based on proximity to natural features like the ocean, lakes or mountains. The key is finding a place that is both desirable and easily accessible.

Once the land is identified, the developer will usually build houses on part of the land, see how those sell and then create commercial areas and more residential areas as the community grows. This means property of the homeowners that get in first can rise in value dramatically as the community grows. The flip side of that is if the community doesn't take off, the early buyers can see their home value plummet. It’s a gamble for the developer and the early home buyers.

The Benefits Of Living In A Master Planned Community

So, why do some people like master planned communities so much? Here are a few reasons.

Enhanced Safety And Security

MPCs are usually located in a large single area that features security around the clock that only allows residents and their guests inside. This can make some homeowners feel safer than a traditional neighborhood.

Customizable Home Designs

Customizable home designs are another benefit of living in a master planned community. There will be some rules and regulations of course, but the idea of customizing your home before it’s built appeals to a lot of home buyers that get in during the early stages of an MPC. 

Desirable Amenities

Easily accessible amenities might be the single biggest draw to prospective home buyers in master planned communities. As previously mentioned, these communities often appeal to an aging population that enjoys the comfort of having everything they want and need close by. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Walking trails
• Family friendly parks and playgrounds
• Community lakes
• Pools
• Golf courses
• Tennis and pickleball courts
• Shops
• Bars
• Restaurants
• Event spaces for concerts and parties

Are There Disadvantages To Master Planned Communities?

We have covered a lot of the great things about master planned communities, but what about the downside? No community is perfect for everyone, so some things about MPCs might turn you off. Let’s take a look at some things many people don’t like about master planned communities so you can make the best decision for your own individual tastes.

Homeowners Association (HOA) Fees

MPCs come with homeowners association (HOA) fees. These fees are collected from all the residents and used to fund community facilities and services like pools, grounds maintenance and more. The more services and amenities you have the higher your HOA fees usually are. Since master planned communities offer so many amenities and services to their residents, HOA fees can get very high. 

Regulatory Restrictions

Some people like to do whatever they want with their house and land. If this is you, a master planned community probably isn't where you want to live. MPCs often have a long list of do’s and don'ts when it comes to what you can build and how you can change it once it’s built.

Higher Cost

As demand for MPCs goes up, so do the prices. Large pools of buyers looking for homes in a master planned community combined with rising property values and overall inflation means sometimes these communities can be unaffordable.

Are Master Planned Communities Good Investments?

In general, buying in a master planned community is a good real estate investment for homeowners and developers. There are many reasons, but the biggest is demand. As more and more people want to live in MPCs, the value of homes in them will continue to grow. That means developers can be pretty certain there will be plenty of buyers for their product. It also means homeowners that buy in an MPC are likely to see their home value will go up.

Where To Find Master Planned Communities

Since MPCs appeal to a lot of aging Americans, the best states to retire are often the ones with a lot of master planned communities. If you are thinking of buying a home in Florida, California or Texas, for example, then you’re on the right track.

FAQs On Master Planned Communities

So, there's the lowdown on master planned communities. If you still have questions, maybe the list below of frequently asked questions about MPCs will help.

What’s the difference between master planned communities and planned unit developments?

Think of a planned unit development (PUD) as a much smaller version of a master planned community. A developer buys a swath of land and builds homes and some common areas like a pool, but it's not on the same scale as an MPC, which is more like its own complete town.

What was the first master planned community in the United States?

Many believe that St. Augustine, Florida, was the first master planned community in the United States. It’s certainly the oldest city in America. St. Augustine doesn’t resemble the MPCs of today but was designed by the Spanish with a specific layout and community in mind.

What’s an example of a master planned community?

There are many to choose from, but one example is The Woodlands Township in Houston, Texas. This MPC spans 28,000 acres, has 120,000 residents, 2,100 businesses, 151 parks and 35 schools, among other facilities and amenities. As you can see, large master planned communities are the size of a small city or even bigger!

The Bottom Line: Master Planned Communities Offer A Convenient Lifestyle

Master planned communities can be a great choice for your next home if you are focused on convenience, safety and amenities. That said, if you’re concerned about high costs and restrictive rules and regulations, an MPC might not be the right choice for you. Ready to get searching for a home in a master planned community? You can connect with a Verified Partner Agent from Rocket Homes^SM today!