55+ and Active Adult Communities In and Near McKinney, TX

McKinney has fewer true 55+ communities than most people expect. When I sort through what's actually age restricted versus what's simply marketed to empty nesters, the list inside McKinney comes down to a handful, with several more within a 20 to 30 minute drive.

I'm PJ Zaji, a REALTOR and mortgage loan officer with Expand Realty Group. I work with a lot of downsizers in Collin County, usually people selling a larger home in Plano, Allen, or Frisco and wanting one story living, less yard, and a community with things to do. This guide lists the communities I could verify, what they cost, what the HOA covers, and the tax rules that matter once you turn 65.

I left out any community I couldn't confirm. Prices and HOA dues below come mostly from 55places community pages viewed in October 2026, which are aggregated and not verified by the HOAs, so treat them as ranges to check, not quotes.

For the city overview, see my guide to moving to McKinney.

1. Age Restricted vs. Age Targeted: Know Which One You're Buying

These two labels get mixed up constantly in listings.

• Age restricted (55+): The community qualifies under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act. At least 80% of occupied units must have at least one resident 55 or older, and the community must publish and follow age policies and verify occupancy.
• Age targeted: Built and marketed for older buyers, often with single story plans and yard care, but anyone can buy. Younger families can move in, and the feel can change over time.

Neither is better. Age restricted gives you a more predictable neighbor mix. Age targeted usually gives you a bigger resale buyer pool. Ask for the deed restrictions or HOA declaration to confirm which you're looking at.

2. Quick Comparison

3. Inside McKinney

Del Webb at Trinity Falls

Best for: Buyers who want new construction, a full amenity calendar, and a lifestyle director.

This is the only large, new, age restricted community inside McKinney. It sits within the Trinity Falls master plan in north McKinney, on about 127 acres with 537 homes planned, per 55places. Construction started in 2018 and is ongoing. Del Webb's starting price was $351,990 on NewHomeSource on Oct 28, 2026, marked as recently reduced. Del Webb's own October 2026 pricing showed Scenic, Distinctive, and Echelon series running from 1,274 square feet to more than 2,245 square feet.

Amenities for residents include a 10,000 square foot clubhouse, resort pool, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, and a lifestyle director. Residents can also use the Trinity Falls master amenities, including the 350 acre B.B. Owen Park and about 20 miles of trails per the developer.

Watch the taxes. Trinity Falls is outside the City of McKinney's tax jurisdiction and pays a MUD tax instead. Using 2026 school, county, and college rates and the 2025 MUD No. 1 rate of 0.9847, the total is about 2.28 per $100 before exemptions. HOA figures also conflict: 55places shows $120 to $164 a month, and a 2026 listing showed $2,130 a year. Ask for the resale certificate. More on the master plan on my Trinity Falls page.

Fireside Village McKinney

Best for: Buyers who want a small, quiet street with yard care and no big amenity center.

A 48 home, 55+ community built by Fireside Custom Homes and Carnegie Homes, with plans from 1,325 to 2,274 square feet and 2 or 3 bedrooms, per 55places. The $200 monthly HOA covers mowing, irrigation, and landscaping. Amenities are limited to trails, a small park, and green space. It isn't gated.

Country Lane Villas

Best for: The lowest entry price for 55+ in McKinney, with exterior maintenance included.

Sixty five attached ranch style homes built from 2005 to 2013, 1,382 to 1,941 square feet, all 2 bedroom and 2 bath with a 2 car garage, per 55places. The clubhouse has a fitness center, indoor shuffleboard, a theater room, library, and game rooms, plus an outdoor pool. The $250 to $345 monthly HOA covers lawn care, landscaping, exterior maintenance, and common areas. There's an activity director. Resale only.

The Retreat at Craig Ranch

Best for: Buyers who want southwest McKinney, golf nearby, and a smaller home without a fully age restricted community.

About 300 single family homes built 2011 to 2019 by Nathan Carlisle, Dunhill, and Trendmaker, per 55places. It's often listed as a 55+ community, but 55places' own page says "No Age Restrictions," and a 2026 listing I checked didn't mention an age requirement. Confirm with the HOA documents. That same listing, a 2015 home with 1,705 square feet, was priced at $435,000 with HOA dues of $455 a month and Frisco ISD schools.

The draw is location: a 9,000 square foot resident clubhouse, access to the Cooper fitness center, and TPC Craig Ranch nearby. Craig Ranch is inside McKinney city limits with no PID or MUD found. See Craig Ranch for the wider community.

Villas at Willow Grove

An age targeted attached home community of 157 homes built 2010 to 2018, listed by 55places in the $300Ks to $400Ks. Anyone can buy. I didn't find HOA details to cite.

Mera Craig Ranch (rental)

If you want to rent first, Mera Craig Ranch is a 55+ apartment community in Craig Ranch with 216 apartments and cottages with attached garages, per a July 2025 sponsored Community Impact piece. Residents must be 55 or older. It's independent living, not assisted living.

4. Near McKinney

Heritage Ranch (Fairview)

Best for: Golfers who want a gated, established 55+ community close to McKinney.

Heritage Ranch is in Fairview, not McKinney, though many homes carry McKinney 75069 mailing addresses. It has 1,144 homes built 2000 to 2007 by builders including K. Hovnanian and Lennar, an 18 hole, par 72 course designed by Arthur Hills, and gated entry, per 55places. HOA dues run about $208 to $327 a month, and lots carry a monthly food and beverage minimum. Active listings in mid October 2026 ran about $319K to $625K on Redfin and Homes.com. Heritage Ranch homes pay Fairview city tax, and a 2026 listing showed Lovejoy ISD, which has a 2026 rate of 1.2373. See Fairview homes.

Gatherings at Twin Creeks (Allen)

Beazer's 55+ condo community in Allen: 189 single level condos in seven four story buildings, 1,529 to 2,031 square feet, all 2 bedroom and 2 bath with at least one garage space, per 55places. Good for buyers who want elevator living and zero yard. HOA dues are higher ($273 to $574 a month) because the building is shared. See Allen homes.

Uptown Crossing (Allen)

A 129 home, 55+ community built from 2020 on, listed in the $500Ks to $600Ks by 55places.

Frisco Lakes (Frisco)

A Del Webb community of about 3,000 single family homes, built 2006 to 2020, with its own 18 hole course, Frisco Lakes Golf Club, per 55places. It's resale only. HOA dues run about $120 to $200 a month. See Frisco homes.

Del Webb at Legacy Hills (Celina)

New Del Webb construction in Celina since 2024, with plans from 1,274 to 2,782 square feet and a waterfront clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, per 55places. HOA about $142 to $155 a month. See Celina homes.

Del Webb at Union Park (Little Elm)

About 600 single story homes in a gated section of Union Park, built from 2017, with a lifestyle director and HOA dues of about $120 to $146 a month. It's farther from McKinney but closer to Lake Lewisville.

Others to know

• Ladera at Prosper (55+, 244 homes, $400Ks to $600Ks) and Villas at Windsong Ranch (age targeted, Prosper). See Prosper homes.
• Ladera Wylie (55+, 159 homes, built from 2025) and Woodbridge Villas (age targeted, 198 homes) in Wylie. See Wylie homes.
• The Village at Prestonwood in Plano (55+, 128 attached homes, built 2005 to 2007). See Plano homes.

5. Names I Checked and Left Out

• Courtyards at Craig Ranch: I couldn't find a 55+ community by this name. The age focused options in Craig Ranch are The Retreat at Craig Ranch and the Mera Craig Ranch rental community.
• Heritage Ranch "in McKinney": It's in Fairview. I included it under nearby communities.
• Robson Ranch: It's in Denton, well west of McKinney, so it's outside the scope of this guide.
• Trilogy: I didn't find a Trilogy community in McKinney or the surrounding Collin County cities.

6. Taxes for Homeowners 65 and Older

Texas has two big benefits for older homeowners, and they matter more than most buyers realize when they downsize.

Larger school exemption

In November 2025, Texas voters approved raising the general school homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 (Proposition 13) and the extra exemption for homeowners 65 or older or disabled from $10,000 to $60,000 (Proposition 11), per FOX 4. Together that's up to $200,000 off the school district value of your homestead.

School tax ceiling

Per the Texas Comptroller, once your home qualifies for the 65 or older exemption, your school district taxes on that home can't rise above the amount you paid in the year you qualified, as long as you own and live there. Improvements other than normal repairs, like adding a room, can raise the ceiling. You apply with the appraisal district in the year you turn 65.

If you move: you can transfer the percentage of your ceiling to the new home. Request a transfer certificate from the appraisal district for your old home and present it when you apply for exemptions on the new one. Cities, counties, and junior college districts can adopt their own ceilings, but a MUD can't, and a local ceiling only transfers within the same city, county, or college district.

That last point is why Trinity Falls deserves extra math. The MUD portion of the bill isn't frozen by the school ceiling. More in the McKinney property tax, PID, and MUD guide.

7. What I'd Check Before Buying in a 55+ Community

1. Is it age restricted or age targeted? Ask for the declaration.
2. What exactly does the HOA cover: yard care, exterior paint, roofs, irrigation?
3. Are there two associations (master and sub HOA) or food and beverage minimums?
4. Who can live there, and are there rules on younger relatives or caregivers staying long term?
5. How many homes are for sale right now, and how long have they sat? In a small community, three listings can be a lot.
6. Is there a MUD or PID on top of the HOA?
7. How far is the nearest hospital and your doctors? Medical City McKinney is in town.

If you'd rather stay in a regular neighborhood but get one story living, browse single story options in McKinney homes for sale or my home styles guide. Golf buyers can filter golf course homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there 55+ communities in McKinney, TX?

Yes. Del Webb at Trinity Falls, Fireside Village McKinney, and Country Lane Villas are listed as 55+. The Retreat at Craig Ranch is often marketed to 55+ buyers, but its age status should be confirmed.

Is there new construction 55+ in McKinney?

Del Webb at Trinity Falls is the main one. It started at $351,990 on NewHomeSource on Oct 28, 2026.

Is Heritage Ranch in McKinney?

No. Heritage Ranch is in Fairview, though many homes have McKinney 75069 mailing addresses.

Can someone under 55 buy in a 55+ community?

Sometimes. Federal rules require at least 80% of occupied units to have a resident 55 or older, so a community may allow a limited number of younger owners. Each HOA sets its own rules, so check the declaration.

Do I keep my over 65 tax freeze if I move to McKinney?

You can transfer the school tax ceiling percentage to a new Texas homestead with a transfer certificate from your current appraisal district. City and county ceilings only transfer within the same jurisdiction.

What do 55+ HOA dues cover?

It varies. At Country Lane Villas and Fireside Village, dues include lawn care and landscaping. Larger communities like Del Webb fund clubhouses and staff. Always read the budget and resale certificate.

Plan Your Downsize With PJ

If you're thinking about selling a larger home and moving into one of these communities, reach out through the contact form on this site. I can price your current home, line up the purchase, and handle the loan or a bridge plan if you need to buy before you sell, all with one person managing the timeline.

Sources: Housing for Older Persons Act summary; 55places, McKinney; 55places, Del Webb at Trinity Falls; NewHomeSource, McKinney (Oct 28, 2026); Del Webb, Trinity Falls; Johnson Development, Trinity Falls; City of McKinney tax information; Torelli Properties, MUD rates; 55places, Fireside Village; 55places, Country Lane Villas; 55places, The Retreat at Craig Ranch; Listing, 5125 Kentwood Dr; Community Impact sponsored, Mera Craig Ranch (Jul 2025); 55places, Heritage Ranch; 55places, Fairview; Listing, Heritage Ranch; Redfin, Fairview listings (Oct 2026); 55places, Gatherings at Twin Creeks; 55places, Frisco Lakes; 55places, Del Webb at Legacy Hills; 55places, Del Webb at Union Park; 55places, Frisco; FOX 4, Propositions 11 and 13 (Nov 2025); Texas Comptroller, age 65 or older exemptions; Collin County Tax Assessor, 2026 Tax Rates and Exemptions by Jurisdiction.