Luxury Communities in Clermont FL

Why Clermont for Luxury Living

Clermont sits on the Lake Wales Ridge, giving it something almost no other Central Florida city can offer: genuine rolling hills. While most of the Orlando metro is flat, Clermont's terrain rises and falls with dramatic elevation changes that create sweeping lake views, elevated homesites, and a landscape that feels more like the Carolinas than the Florida peninsula.

Add in direct access to multiple natural lakes, proximity to the Florida Turnpike and US-27, and a 35-minute drive to downtown Orlando, and you have a location that delivers space, scenery, and convenience without sacrificing access to everything Central Florida offers.

This guide covers four of the most desirable luxury communities in Clermont: Legends Golf and Country Club, Johns Lake Landing, Bella Lago, and Esplanade at McKinnon Groves. Each serves a different buyer profile, from golf enthusiasts to boating families to buyers who want brand-new resort-style construction.

Legends Golf and Country Club

Legends Golf and Country Club is a 24-hour guard-gated community built around a championship 18-hole golf course in the heart of Clermont. With approximately 867 homes spread across multiple sub-neighborhoods, it's one of the largest and most established luxury communities in Lake County.

The course was designed by Clifton, Ezell and Clifton and opened in 2001. It plays up to 6,808 yards, Par 72, with a Slope Rating of 132 and a Course Rating of 72.9. The layout takes full advantage of Clermont's natural elevation changes, with views stretching for miles across the rolling terrain.

Legends is semi-private, meaning golf membership is optional, not mandatory. Residents can live in the community without joining the golf club. Non-residents can also book tee times, as the course is open for public play. Golf membership is approximately $3,800 to $5,800 per year, while a range-only membership runs approximately $500 to $700 per year.

Community amenities include a resort-style pool and spa, fitness center, tennis courts, basketball courts, pickleball courts, a children's playground, a pro shop, and a clubhouse restaurant. The 24-hour guard gate provides an added layer of security that most Clermont communities don't offer.

• Guard-gated: 24-hour staffed guard gate
• Golf: 18-hole championship course, Par 72, 6,808 yards, Slope 132
• Membership: Semi-private, optional golf membership
• CDD: None
• Pool, spa, fitness, tennis, basketball, pickleball, playground
• Pro shop and clubhouse restaurant on site
• Sub-neighborhoods: Beacon Ridge, Bridgestone, Nottingham

Johns Lake Landing

Johns Lake Landing is a lakefront community on the northwestern bank of Johns Lake, one of Clermont's largest bodies of water at approximately 2,400 acres. The community was built between 2014 and 2025 by David Weekley Homes, M/I Homes, and Surrey Homes.

What sets Johns Lake Landing apart is direct water access. The community has a private boat dock and boat ramp, giving residents easy access to the lake for boating, bass fishing, and water skiing without needing to trailer to a public ramp. Select homesites offer premium lakefront views.

The approach into Johns Lake Landing is sometimes called "The Slope" because of the dramatic hills that lead down toward the water. This is one of the few communities in Clermont where the topography creates a true sense of arrival as you descend toward the lake.

Lake access: Private community boat dock and boat ramp on 2,400-acre Johns Lake. Builders: David Weekley Homes, M/I Homes, Surrey Homes. Built: 2014 to 2025. CDD: None. HOA: Approximately $50 to $425 per month. Resort pool with cabana, playground, walking trails, fitness center, clubhouse. Premium lakefront homesites available.

Bella Lago

Bella Lago is one of the most exclusive small-scale communities in Clermont. With only 81 homes behind a private gate, it offers a level of intimacy and privacy that larger developments can't match. All homes were built by Richmond American Homes between 2007 and 2018.

The community sits on elevated terrain overlooking Lake Felter, and the approach is sometimes described as "The Ridge" because of the way homesites are positioned to maximize lake sightlines. The rolling topography gives many homes long-distance views over the water and surrounding landscape.

One of Bella Lago's most significant advantages is the absence of CDD fees. Combined with modest HOA dues of approximately $150 to $200 per month, the total annual carrying costs are substantially lower than many newer Clermont developments. Bella Lago is bordered by Kings Ridge and Legends Golf and Country Club.

Size: Only 81 homes, one of Clermont's smallest gated communities. Builder: Richmond American Homes, built 2007 to 2018. Gated: Private gated entry. CDD: None. a significant cost advantage. Lake Felter views with fishing dock and lakeside gazebo. HOA: Approximately $150 to $200 per month. Bordered by Kings Ridge and Legends Golf and Country Club.

Esplanade at McKinnon Groves

Esplanade at McKinnon Groves is a brand-new Taylor Morrison community on 358 acres along Hartwood Marsh Road, just beyond the Winter Garden city limits in the Clermont area. Taylor Morrison acquired the land for approximately $60 million, and the community will have 658 homes at full buildout.

Sales launched in spring 2026, with first move-ins expected in late 2026. This is an all-ages community. Taylor Morrison's Esplanade brand is a resort-lifestyle concept, not an age-restricted concept. Families, young professionals, and retirees are all welcome.

The amenity package at Esplanade is among the most extensive in the Clermont market. The centerpiece is The Venue, a resort clubhouse with a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa treatment rooms, movement studios, full-service locker rooms, and gathering spaces. Outside, the Bahama Bar is a full-service poolside bar and restaurant overlooking the resort pool and cabana area.

Builder: Taylor Morrison, 358 acres, 658 homes planned. Status: Now selling, first move-ins expected late 2026. All ages: Not 55-plus, not age-restricted. CDD: Yes. this community does have CDD assessments. The Venue: Fitness center, spa, movement studios, locker rooms. Bahama Bar: Full-service poolside bar and restaurant. Resort pool, cabanas, pickleball, tennis, bocce, bark parks. Concierge services: Wine club, laundry, dog walking, private concerts, travel experiences. Floor plans: 1,515 to 4,009 sqft, 2 to 5 bedrooms, all single-story.

CDD vs No CDD: What It Means for Your Bottom Line

A Community Development District (CDD) is a special taxing district that finances infrastructure like roads, utilities, stormwater management, and amenities through annual assessments added to your property tax bill. CDD fees are not optional and typically last 20 to 30 years.

Of the four communities covered here, three have no CDD fees:

No CDD: Bella Lago, Legends Golf and Country Club, Johns Lake Landing. Has CDD: Esplanade at McKinnon Groves.

The absence of CDD fees can save homeowners $1,500 to $4,000 or more per year compared to communities that carry CDD debt. Over a 10-year ownership period, that difference can add up to $15,000 to $40,000 in additional costs. When comparing monthly carrying costs between communities, always factor in CDD assessments on top of HOA dues, property taxes, and insurance.

That said, CDD communities like Esplanade often use those assessments to fund amenities that would otherwise require higher HOA dues. The total cost comparison depends on the specific community and what's included.

The Ridge vs The Slope: Clermont's Elevation Advantage

Unlike flat Orlando neighborhoods, Clermont communities offer two distinct topographic experiences:

The Ridge (Bella Lago): Homes are positioned on elevated terrain above Lake Felter, creating panoramic sightlines over the water and surrounding hills. The elevated position means many homes catch breezes and enjoy sunset views that flat-terrain communities simply can't offer. The Slope (Johns Lake Landing): The dramatic descent toward Johns Lake creates a sense of arrival as you drive into the community. Lakefront homesites sit at water level with direct dock access, while elevated lots above offer long-range views down to the 2,400-acre lake. Legends Golf and Country Club: Built on rolling terrain with elevation drops up to 300 feet along the golf course, creating dramatic fairway views and a landscape that feels distinctly unlike the rest of Central Florida. Esplanade at McKinnon Groves: Located along Hartwood Marsh Road in the Wellness Way area, featuring gentle terrain with preserved natural spaces throughout the 358-acre community.

Side-by-Side Community Comparison

Who Each Community Is Best For

Clermont Area Overview

Clermont is located in Lake County, approximately 30 to 35 minutes west of downtown Orlando via the Florida Turnpike or US-27. The city has grown significantly over the past decade, attracting families and professionals who want more space, better topography, and lower density than the Orlando core.

Elevation: Clermont sits on the Lake Wales Ridge with some of the highest elevations in peninsular Florida. Lakes: Dozens of named lakes within city limits, including Johns Lake, Lake Minneola, Lake Louisa, and Lake Felter. Schools: South Lake County school zone. verify specific zoning at Lake County Schools using the property address. Commute: Approximately 35 minutes to downtown Orlando, 45 minutes to MCO airport. Growth: The Wellness Way sector plan along Hartwood Marsh Road is bringing thousands of new homes and commercial development to the area.

Work With Micaela Navarra

Micaela Navarra is a licensed Orlando Realtor with M2M Realty, a boutique brokerage that goes the extra mile for every client. As a smaller, more concentrated firm, M2M Realty delivers the kind of personal attention and dedication that larger brokerages simply can't match.

With over 30 years of calling Orlando home, Micaela knows every neighborhood, every school district, and every hidden gem across Central Florida. Whether you're buying your first home, selling a luxury estate, relocating from out of state, or investing in rental property, Micaela provides hands-on guidance from the first conversation through closing day and beyond.

Languages: English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese

Call or text Micaela directly: 407.761.5501

Clermont's luxury communities offer estate living with stunning hill and lake views that set this area apart from the flat terrain found in much of Central Florida. Gated neighborhoods here feature custom homes, resort style pools, and championship golf courses.

Micaela guides luxury buyers through Clermont's premier communities, from Bella Collina and Legends to newer developments offering custom build opportunities. Her expertise ensures you find a property that matches your vision and investment goals.

Whether you seek a golf course estate, a lakefront retreat, or a custom build on a premium lot, Clermont's luxury market delivers exceptional options. Contact Micaela for private tours and access to both listed and off market luxury properties.