A Guide to 55+ Mobile Home Communities in Southern California

If you’re exploring mobile or manufactured home living in Southern California, you’ll notice that many communities are designated as 55+ parks—also known as senior parks or age‑restricted communities. These communities can be an amazing fit for buyers who want a quieter lifestyle, lower housing costs, and neighbors in a similar stage of life.

But not all 55+ parks follow the same rules, and it’s important to understand the differences before you buy. This guide walks you through how 55+ parks work, who can live there, what they cost, and how Galaxy Homes can help you find the right community.

1. What Is a 55+ Mobile Home Park?

A 55+ mobile home park is a community established under the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) and designed specifically for older adults. These parks offer homes in a manufactured home community, usually with shared amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, spa, or organized activities.

Unlike all‑age parks, 55+ parks are age‑restricted and must follow certain rules to maintain their status. However, the exact residency rules vary by park—which is where things get confusing for many buyers.

2. Age Requirements: Not All 55+ Parks Have the Same Rules

In Southern California, you’ll typically see two main types of age rules in 55+ communities:

Parks Where All Residents Must Be 55+

These are very common. In these communities, every permanent resident in the home must be at least 55 years old. That usually means:

• No spouse under 55

• No adult children under 55

• No roommates under 55

  
  

These parks tend to be very quiet and consistent in terms of lifestyle and expectations because everyone is in a similar age range.

Parks Where Only One Resident Must Be 55+

A smaller number of parks follow this model. In these communities:

• At least one resident must be 55 or older

• A spouse or partner may be under 55

• Other permanent residents typically must be at least 18 years old

These parks can be a good fit for couples with an age difference or adult children living with a parent, as long as everyone meets the age minimum set by the park.

Because each park sets its own rules within the broader HOPA framework, it’s easy for buyers to get confused about what they do and don’t qualify for.

This is where working with a team that understands local parks really matters. The experts at Galaxy Homes work with communities all over Southern California and can explain exactly which parks require all residents to be 55+, which allow mixed‑age households, and what the approval process looks like in each one.

3. Who Cannot Live in a 55+ Park?

Regardless of whether a park requires all residents to be 55+ or just one, there are some consistent limits:

• No one under 18 can be a permanent resident

• Minor children or grandchildren cannot live there full‑time

• Long‑term stays from younger family members are restricted

Guests and visitors (including kids and grandkids) are generally welcome for short visits, but not as full‑time residents. Each park will have its own guest rules and maximum stay limits.

4. Benefits of Living in a 55+ Mobile Home Community

A 55+ manufactured home community can be a great fit for many buyers. Some of the most common benefits include:

• A quieter, more relaxed environment

• Neighbors in a similar life stage

• Often lower home prices compared to condos or single‑family homes

• Amenities like pools, spas, clubhouses, fitness rooms, and social events

• A sense of community and regular activities if you want to be involved

For many Southern California buyers, 55+ parks offer a way to stay in desirable areas at a significantly lower monthly cost than traditional housing.

How Galaxy Homes Can Help You Navigate 55+ Communities

Buying in a 55+ park is not just about finding a home you like—it’s also about matching the right park rules, lifestyle, and budget to your specific situation.

The team at Galaxy Homes can:

• Explain the age and residency rules in different 55+ parks

• Help you understand space rent and other monthly costs

• Connect you with lenders who finance homes in 55+ parks

• Guide you through the park application and approval process

• Show you available homes in multiple senior communities so you can compare

  
  

If you’re curious about whether a 55+ mobile home community is right for you, or you’re ready to start looking at homes, we’re here to walk you through every step. Call the Galaxy team at 1-833-459-9467 or email us at info@galaxyhomes.net