What is a Master-Planned Community?

Nocatee was recently ranked the 6th best-selling master-planned community in the nation, according to a 2013 study by RCLCO. But what exactly is a “master-planned community?” What sets it apart from other neighborhoods or subdivisions? And what are the benefits of living in one?

As the name implies, a master-planned community is one that was carefully planned from the start. Unlike older, established communities that developed over decades – often in a haphazard fashion – master-planned communities are typically new developments where all aspects of the community’s design have been carefully considered before development begins. While master-planned communities may differ depending on location and need, some common elements include:

Size: Larger than a typical housing subdivision, master-planned communities are often more comparable in size and offerings to an established town – minus the traffic, congestion and hodgepodge of business and commercial development often found in older towns that developed over many years with no advance planning.

Infrastructure: Thoughtful planning on such issues as transportation and utilities placement means that master-planned communities offer easy access and close proximity to schools, shops and restaurants. Many are strategically located within easy commuting - and even walking - distance of neighborhood shops and services.

Amenities: Master-planned communities offer the resort-like amenities today’s families crave. In addition to pools and fitness centers, many offer walking trails, athletic courts and a wide range of interest groups.

Parks: An abundance of parks and green space make master-planned communities feel more like an established neighborhood and less like cookie-cutter tract housing. Sustainability and environmental preservation are also hallmarks of master-planned communities, many of which incorporate expansive nature reserves into their planning. In addition to providing residents with recreational opportunities, such spaces ensure that these areas will be protected and preserved for generations to come.

Variety: Because master-planned communities generally have more than one builder and multiple neighborhoods, home buyers can choose from a variety of new-home sizes and styles in a wide range of price points.

Community: Master-planned communities offer residents a sense of being part of an actual community where they can feel connected both to their immediate neighbors and the larger master-planned community as a whole. Special events such as farmer’s markets, movie nights and festivals bring residents together, contributing to this strong sense of community.

As more home buyers recognize the advantages of living in a master planned community, the Urban Land Institute notes that home sales in such communities continue to increase.

For more information on how Nocatee incorporates the key elements of a master-planned community, visit the Nocatee Welcome Center or call 1-800-NOCATEE.

Florida Living | Nocatee Blog