Is a low-maintenance Florida villa calling your name? If you want a quiet, gated spot near Englewood’s beaches where the HOA handles most of the yardwork, Arlington Cove might be a strong fit. You care about simple ownership, fair monthly fees, and easy access to shopping and medical care. This guide walks you through what the villas are like, how the HOA works, and what to verify before you buy so you can decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Arlington Cove at a glance
Arlington Cove is a small, gated enclave of paired villas in Englewood’s 34223 ZIP, just off North Indiana Avenue (SR‑776). Built in the late 2000s to early 2010s by Neal Communities, it’s known for a compact layout around ponds and landscaped open space. Most descriptions place the community at roughly 70 to 80 villas, commonly reported as 76.
You’ll find a heated community pool with a simple cabana, a clubhouse area, and walking paths. The setting feels calm and residential without the scale or bustle of a large master-planned development.
Villa layouts and finishes
Most homes are single-story paired villas with 2 bedrooms plus a den or a full 3-bedroom plan. Typical living areas run about 1,434 to 1,595 square feet under air. Two-car garages are standard, giving you room for a car, beach gear, and storage.
Resale listings often highlight open great-room layouts, higher ceilings, screened and tiled lanais, and tile roofs with a classic Florida look. Many kitchens feature solid-surface or granite counters and stainless appliances, reflecting light updates over time. The combination suits a lock-and-leave lifestyle where you spend more time at the beach and less time on upkeep.
HOA structure and monthly fees
Arlington Cove is managed by the Arlington Cove Community Association, Inc., with professional management reported as Associa Gulf Coast. If you need governing documents, estoppels, or budget details, the public HOA directory is a useful starting point to locate management contacts and request documents. You can search the association listing through the Florida HOA directory to get in touch with the manager for current information.
- See the Florida HOA directory entry for Arlington Cove’s association and manager contact details: Florida-HOA directory.
What dues typically include
Recent listing snapshots place monthly HOA dues roughly in the 250 to 325 dollar range. Inclusions commonly cited in listings are lawn and landscape care, irrigation, community pool maintenance, some building or common-area maintenance, and in some cases basic cable. Because inclusions and dues can change, always verify the current fee and coverage in writing through the estoppel, current budget, and the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs).
Pets and rentals at a glance
Listings and directories consistently indicate Arlington Cove is pet-friendly, with the exact number, weight, or breed limits set by the association. Rental allowances appear to vary by recorded rules and board policy. Some MLS data fields for individual villas have shown minimal lease restrictions, but only the recorded CCRs and any board-adopted rules are controlling. If pets or rentals are important to your plans, get the written policy directly from the HOA or management before making an offer.
Financials to review
For any lock-and-leave purchase, it’s smart to evaluate the association’s financial health. Ask for the current budget, the most recent reserve study, 12 months of board meeting minutes, and the master insurance certificate. These items will help you understand reserves for roofs or exterior work, whether special assessments are on the horizon, and what elements you must insure on your personal policy.
A lock-and-leave checklist
Here’s a practical due diligence list to confirm Arlington Cove is a good match for your budget and lifestyle:
- Verify the current HOA dues and written coverage, including lawn care, irrigation, pool, exterior maintenance, and any included services.
- Request the master insurance certificate and clarify what the association vs. the owner insures, including wind and hurricane deductibles.
- Obtain the recorded CCRs and any updated rules for pets and rentals; do not rely on MLS fields alone.
- Ask for the latest reserve study, current-year budget, and 12 months of board minutes to spot upcoming projects or special assessments.
- Confirm gate operations and visitor access so you know how easy it is to host guests and vendors while you are away.
- Check parcel-level flood zones at FEMA’s Map Service Center and consider an elevation certificate if your lot sits near a boundary: FEMA Map Service Center.
- Decide how you will handle services during absences. Ask the manager if there are preferred local vendors or procedures for seasonal owners.
- If you plan to rent, confirm the minimum lease term, application steps, and any cap on the percentage of units that can be leased at one time.
Everyday convenience and coastal access
Arlington Cove sits a short drive from Englewood’s beaches and daily needs. Many descriptions place it about 3 to 5 miles inland, which keeps you close to sand and surf without the intensity of island traffic. Downtown Dearborn Street offers dining and local shops, and you can reach Venice or Port Charlotte quickly for bigger-box errands.
- Groceries and essentials: Nearby options include Publix at Merchants Crossing on Placida Road, convenient for weekly trips and pharmacy needs. See location details for Publix at Merchants Crossing.
- Medical care: HCA Florida Englewood Hospital on Medical Boulevard provides emergency services and inpatient care. For additional specialty services, Sarasota Memorial’s Venice campus is also within reach. Learn more about the local hospital via HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.
- Travel: You have regional airport choices to the north and south, with straightforward road access to US‑41 and I‑75. Many seasonal owners value the balance of close-to-beach living and practical travel corridors.
How Arlington Cove compares nearby
- Oak Forest: Also a low-maintenance villa option in Englewood. Rules for pets and rentals can differ by sub-association, and amenities may include more than just a pool depending on the section. Compare dues, restrictions, and amenities side by side with Arlington Cove if both are on your list.
- Boca Royale Golf & Country Club: A much larger, amenity-forward gated community with golf, clubhouse dining, fitness, and racquet sports. Fees and potential club dues can be higher. Choose Boca Royale if you want a full club lifestyle. Choose Arlington Cove if you prefer a smaller enclave with simpler amenities and generally lower monthly costs.
Who will love Arlington Cove
Arlington Cove appeals if you want a quiet, maintained setting that makes seasonal living or post-downsizing life easy. You get a single-story villa with a two-car garage, a screened lanai for morning coffee, and a pool without the upkeep. The community’s size and fee profile tend to keep monthly costs more predictable than larger, amenity-heavy developments.
You might look elsewhere if a robust club scene, multiple sports facilities, or on-site dining are must-haves. Also, if you need very specific rental flexibility for short-term income, confirm minimum lease terms in the CCRs early in your search to avoid surprises.
Bottom line
If your wish list reads clean, comfortable, and easy to maintain near Englewood’s beaches, Arlington Cove deserves a look. The villas’ single-level designs, two-car garages, and screened outdoor living space check a lot of boxes for downsizers and seasonal owners. As with any HOA purchase, let the documents guide your decision: verify dues, reserves, insurance, pet rules, and leasing in writing so your ownership experience is as smooth as the Gulf.
Ready to see how Arlington Cove compares to your other options in Englewood and along the Sarasota coast? Reach out to Erin Halstead for neighborhood-level guidance and a clear plan for your next move.
FAQs
Where is Arlington Cove in Englewood?
- Arlington Cove sits off North Indiana Avenue (SR‑776) in ZIP 34223, roughly 3 to 5 miles from Englewood and Manasota beaches, with quick access to downtown Dearborn Street.
What are typical HOA dues at Arlington Cove?
- Recent listing snapshots place dues roughly between 250 and 325 dollars per month, but you should confirm the current amount and inclusions with the association’s estoppel and budget.
Does Arlington Cove allow pets?
- The community is generally described as pet-friendly, with limits set by the association. Ask for the recorded pet policy to confirm number, weight, breed rules, and any fees.
Can you rent your villa short term at Arlington Cove?
- Some MLS entries have shown minimal lease terms for individual listings, but only the recorded CCRs and any board rules are controlling. Obtain the written rental policy from the HOA.
What are the typical villa sizes and layouts?
- Most villas are 2-bedroom plus den or 3-bedroom plans, about 1,434 to 1,595 square feet under air, single level, with a two-car garage and a screened lanai.
What amenities does Arlington Cove offer?
- A heated community pool with cabana, a clubhouse area, and walking paths, set among ponds and landscaped open space.
What should seasonal owners verify before closing?
- Request the CCRs, current budget, reserve study, 12 months of board minutes, and the master insurance certificate. Check parcel-level flood zones via FEMA’s Map Service Center and confirm gate and vendor access rules for time away.
