Living in Highland Fairways: homes, prices, HOA fees and what to check

At a glance

Highland Fairways at a glance

Highland Fairways is an established, gated 55+ community in north Lakeland built by Florida Leisure Communities. It has 660 homes, and all sales now are resales. Sources give slightly different start dates (1983 and 1987), but both put the last homes in 1998.

What sets it apart from several other Lakeland 55+ options is land ownership. Some homes are manufactured homes, but even those sit on land the homeowner owns. That means no monthly lot rent, a property you can claim a homestead exemption on if it is your permanent home, and dues set by an owner-controlled association rather than a park owner.

Is Highland Fairways a good place to buy?

For a buyer who qualifies under the age rules and wants owned land, golf and low fees, Highland Fairways is one of the lower-cost options in Lakeland. 55places puts prices from the high $100,000s to the low $300,000s, below Zillow's citywide typical value of $309,954 (August 2026), and reported HOA fees sit around $218 a month with no lot rent and no CDD.

The main trade-off is age. The last homes were built in 1998, so budget for roofs, air conditioning and other systems, and expect insurers to ask detailed questions about older homes.

Homes and prices

All sales are resales. Compare a home only with recent sales of the same type inside the community.

Site-built homes

Site-built homes generally sit toward the upper end of the community's range. Check the roof age, windows and any wind-mitigation features, which can lower your insurance premium.

Manufactured homes on owned land

Some homes are manufactured, but they sit on land the owner holds, so there is no lot rent. Confirm the year built and wind zone rating, since both affect insurance and financing.

Living in Highland Fairways

Golf and clubhouse

The community is built around a private 18-hole executive golf course, available for a small annual membership fee. The clubhouse has an exercise room, great hall and catering kitchen, and outdoor facilities include a heated pool, spa, 10 shuffleboard courts, tennis, pickleball, walking and biking trails and a community garden. Residents run clubs for cards, games, arts and travel, and a local guide describes it as one of Lakeland's most active 55+ communities.

Shops and healthcare

The community is in north Lakeland, so most shopping and medical visits mean a short drive. Map your regular trips from the specific street before you buy.

Getting around

Citrus Connection, the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District, runs local buses and a book-ahead trip service. Check whether a route or service reaches the address if you plan to drive less over time.

Prices, HOA fees, tax and insurance

55places describes prices from the high $100,000s to the low $300,000s, which puts much of the community below Zillow's August 2026 typical value for Lakeland of $309,954. Manufactured homes and site-built homes sell at different price points, so compare like with like.

Fees reported by sources differ: about $218 a month in an April 2026 local brokerage guide, and $108 to $240 a month on 55places, including lawn care. Ask the association for the current fee for the specific address, what it covers, the reserve balance and any planned special assessment. No CDD was reported.

Compare the total with land-lease options such as Cypress Lakes, where lot rent replaces HOA dues, on our 55+ communities in Lakeland page.

Property tax and homestead

Because you own the land, you can apply for the homestead exemption, worth up to $50,000 off taxable value, if the home is your permanent residence. File with the Polk County Property Appraiser by March 1. Once granted, Save Our Homes limits yearly increases in the assessed value to 3% or the change in inflation, whichever is lower.

Insurance and flood

Get quotes during your inspection period and check the flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. My Safe Florida Home offers free wind-mitigation inspections to eligible homeowners, which can document features that lower premiums.

Pros and cons of Highland Fairways

Pros

• Owned land: no lot rent, and homestead eligibility.
• Reported HOA fees around $218 a month and no CDD reported.
• An executive golf course, heated pool, spa and a busy activity calendar.

Cons

• Every home is at least 27 years old, so systems and roofs need checking.
• Manufactured homes can narrow your insurance and financing choices.
• Resale only, so choice depends on what is listed at the time.

What to check before you buy

• Age rules. At least 80% of occupied homes must have a resident aged 55 or older. Ask how the association handles younger spouses, guests and caregivers.
• Home type. Confirm whether the home is site-built or manufactured, and for a manufactured home, the year built and wind zone rating. Both affect insurance and financing.
• Roof and systems. Homes are now 28 to 40-plus years old. Ask for roof, HVAC, water heater and plumbing ages and permits. See our Florida home inspection checklist.
• Association documents. Budget, reserves, minutes, rental rules and pet rules.
• Golf membership. Whether it is optional and what it costs this year.
• Tax bill. Check the parcel with the Polk County Property Appraiser. See Polk County property tax.

If you are downsizing, our guide to downsizing in Florida covers the wider plan.

Common questions

Sources

• 55places: Highland Fairways, Lakeland
• Sunset Living Realty: Your guide to 55+ communities in Lakeland, FL (April 2026)
• 24 CFR 100.305: 80 percent occupancy (Cornell LII)
• Florida Department of Revenue: Property tax exemptions
• Zillow Research: Home Value Index, August 2026
• Polk County Property Appraiser
• Florida Statutes 196.011: Annual application for exemption (March 1)
• Florida Statutes 193.155: Save Our Homes assessment limit
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• My Safe Florida Home: free wind-mitigation inspections and grants
• Citrus Connection (Lakeland Area Mass Transit District)