Santa Clara County's median home price sits around $1.64 million in mid-2026 - one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. Buyers looking for the best 55+ communities in Silicon Valley, CA often end up at The Villages Golf and Country Club in San Jose.
Located in the 95135 zip code, this age-restricted community runs at a different pace and a different price point than the tech hubs surrounding it. Homes here sell for a median of roughly $775,000, and the place operates more like a self-contained town than a subdivision - with its own dining, recreation, and maintenance infrastructure built in.
If you're downsizing from a larger Silicon Valley property or relocating to California for retirement, understanding the housing stock and community rules is where you start. Santa Clara County homes are averaging just 18 days on the market, so you don't want to show up unprepared.
An Overview of The Villages Golf and Country Club
The community is built around a championship 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by architect Robert Muir Graves. A secondary 9-hole par-3 course, a driving range, and a pro shop round out the core golfing facilities.
The main Clubhouse sits at the intersection of Villages Parkway and Fairway Drive and serves as the primary gathering space for the area. Three additional community centers - Cribari, Foothill/Montgomery, and Vineyard - serve residents across the different neighborhoods.
Setting and Community Layout
The Villages operates as a master-planned 55+ environment where daily maintenance and recreation are managed internally. The layout weaves the golf courses and waterways through the residential clusters, so most homes sit close to the central amenities.
Residents have access to four swimming pools and spas, six tennis courts, two bocce courts, and pickleball facilities. On the indoor side, there's a fitness center, various hobby rooms, a library, and an on-site post office.
Silicon Valley Context
While Santa Clara County overall has less than two months of housing supply, The Villages maintains its own distinct market dynamics. The community has a defined boundary away from San Jose's primary commuter traffic, while still keeping you squarely inside Santa Clara County.
Buyers often compare this area to other 55+ options in Northern California. Its location within San Jose keeps it close to major regional infrastructure - that's worth factoring into your comparison. Check our broader Silicon Valley neighborhoods guide to see how this specific area stacks up against nearby districts.
Real Estate and Home Prices
The median sale price for homes in The Villages over the last 12 months is approximately $775,000. That's roughly half the $1.64 million median for Santa Clara County as a whole - a meaningfully different entry point into the local market.
Individual home types vary considerably. Prices range from the low $300,000s up to about $1.3 million, with the final number coming down to size, configuration, and which village district the property sits in.
Housing Stock and Property Types
The neighborhood includes condominiums, attached villas, and detached single-family homes. Condos typically represent the lower end of the price spectrum; larger single-family homes on the golf course command the highest premiums.
You should expect established construction rather than new builds, though many individual units have been updated by previous owners. That range of housing types means you can choose between a minimal-maintenance attached unit and a more traditional standalone house - depending on how much involvement you actually want.
HOA Fees and Included Services
HOA and Club dues are calculated based on the specific district and the adjusted square footage of your residence. Condo owners pay dues through The Villages Association; single-family homes are managed through the Homeowners' Corporation.
The all-inclusive monthly fee covers Club Operating and Capital dues, grounds upkeep, trash and recycling, building maintenance, and automatic membership in the Golf and Country Club. If you own a condo, the fee also covers water, gas, and electricity.
Dining, Getting Around, and Daily Life
Daily life here revolves around the central amenities and the surrounding Evergreen area of San Jose. You don't have to leave the gates for a meal - the community maintains its own dedicated hospitality venues.
Access in and out is managed by public safety personnel, which keeps traffic controlled. Most residents move between the residential districts and the main Clubhouse on Villages Parkway by personal vehicle or golf cart.
On-Site Restaurants
There are two on-site dining options for residents and their guests. The Clubhouse operates as a full-service restaurant with views overlooking the golf course and local waterways.
For everyday meals, the Bistro Bar & Grille offers a more casual setting - food indoors and on an outdoor patio, right near the main recreation facilities.
Shopping and the Evergreen Area
When you need groceries, retail, or additional dining, the surrounding Evergreen area of San Jose is right outside the gates. Several shopping centers sit in that adjacent district.
That proximity means you can handle everyday errands without making a trip into the denser commercial zones of downtown San Jose. It's worth driving the Evergreen commercial corridors yourself to see which specific grocery and retail brands are nearby.
Practical Info: Healthcare, Weather, and Schools
The Villages sits close to major municipal services and experiences a stable Northern California climate. Internal amenities handle daily recreation, but for major medical care you'll rely on the broader San Jose infrastructure.
Knowing where those facilities are located helps you plan realistically for the long term.
Local Hospitals and Medical Care
The Regional Medical Center of San Jose sits less than a 20-minute drive from The Villages. It provides emergency services, specialized care, and routine medical support for the surrounding area.
The broader San Jose region has a wide array of medical facilities and specialized clinics, so primary care physicians and specialists are within a short drive in multiple directions.
Climate and Weather Expectations
This part of Silicon Valley runs on a Mediterranean climate - dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters. The surrounding foothills can influence local temperatures, keeping the immediate area slightly insulated from coastal fog.
If you're coming from a colder region, the year-round weather here supports outdoor activities like golf and tennis without much interruption. No heavy snow, no prolonged freezing temperatures, which also cuts down on seasonal property maintenance.
School District Boundaries
Geographically, the 95135 zip code falls within the Evergreen Elementary School District for grades K-8 and the East Side Union High School District for grades 9-12. Specific schools tied to this area include Evergreen Elementary, Evergreen Valley High School, and Silver Creek High School.
That said, because this is an age-restricted 55+ community, school-age children aren't permitted to reside here. The district boundaries matter primarily for property tax assessments rather than enrollment.
Leasing and Rental Rules for Owners
Some buyers purchase here before they're ready to move in full-time. The community does permit leasing, but owner-occupied housing is the clear priority.
If you're considering renting your property, you'll need to follow the community's age and registration guidelines - these rules are what keep the neighborhood in compliance as a 55+ development under California law.
Age Restrictions and Guest Policies
At least one resident in the home must be 55 years of age or older. Children are entirely restricted from living in the neighborhood, and that applies to both owners and renters.
Anyone residing in a unit for 30 or more consecutive days must register with Public Safety. If a guest or renter stays for 60 or more days per year, they trigger the exact same residency requirements as a new owner or permanent renter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both spouses have to be 55 or older to buy a home in The Villages Golf and Country Club?
No, only one resident needs to be 55 or older. The community is age-restricted under this guideline, though children are not permitted to reside in the neighborhood at all.
How much are the monthly HOA fees at The Villages in San Jose, and what exactly do they cover?
HOA dues are calculated based on the specific district and the adjusted square footage of your home. The all-inclusive fee covers Club Operating and Capital dues, grounds upkeep, trash, building maintenance, and automatic membership in the Golf and Country Club, while condo fees also include water, gas, and electricity.
Is a golf membership mandatory when purchasing a home in this Silicon Valley senior community?
Yes, automatic membership in the Golf and Country Club is included in the monthly HOA fee. That gives you access to the 18-hole championship course, the 9-hole par-3 course, the driving range, and all other recreational facilities like the pools and tennis courts.
What happens if I inherit a property in The Villages but I am not yet 55 years old?
You can own the property, but you can't live in it unless you or another permanent resident meets the 55+ age requirement. Many underage inheritors choose to lease the property to a qualifying tenant or sell the home.
Are there strict rental restrictions if I need to lease out my home in The Villages later on?
Rentals are permitted, but the 55+ age requirement still applies to your tenants. Anyone residing in the unit for 30 or more consecutive days must register with Public Safety, and stays exceeding 60 days trigger full residency requirements.
How do home prices and resale timelines in The Villages compare to the rest of the Silicon Valley real estate market?
Homes here are generally more affordable, with a median sale price of approximately $775,000 compared to Santa Clara County's $1.64 million median. The broader county sees homes sell in an average of 18 days, but the specific timeline for a home in this 55+ community depends on its size, condition, and property type.