At a time when resort-style communities are in high demand across Southwest Florida, smart home buyers should not ignore the opportunities available in Venice, a beach town that has always offered housing options for those seeking a leisurely life. You really do not have to pay a lot for this kind of lifestyle; at the Bird Bay Village Golf Community, condominium units start as low as $135K.

The Bird Bay Executive Golf Course is located just north of the Venice Bypass Road that connects with the Tamiami Trail. Bird Bay Village is one of the residential communities surrounding this course, which many players enjoy because of its scenic water views along the northern boundary. You can choose between low-rise condos and golf villas; some of them are situated along the fairways while others provide water views. With more than a thousand units, you can always expect a few available listings.

The coziest one-bedroom units at Bird Bay offer at least 643 square feet of interior. The larger golf villas feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms on floor plans as large as 1,648 square feet. For about $242K, you can get a condo unit with a panoramic lanai overlooking the water; we are talking about a covered Florida room large enough for chaise loungers plus a table for dining al fresco.

Most residents of Bay Bird Village are golf players. The course is moderately challenging with a par 56 rating. Even if you are not into golf, you can still enjoy the numerous amenities, which include tennis courts, shuffleboard, an exercise center, bocce courts, a library, an Olympic swimming pool, and a clubhouse. The condo association routinely organizes activities such as bingo, card games, crafts, and trips to the beach. If you enjoy bike riding, the Legacy Trail is just east of the neighborhood, and it can take you all the way to Sarasota.

The enviable location of Bird Bay means that you can choose between Venice Beach or the more family-friendly Nokomis Beach; both are about a 10-minute drive away. The Historic Downtown District of Venice is just five minutes away, and this is where you can enjoy dining, theater plays, concerts, parks, pubs, and cultural activities. A shopping center along the southern end of the course is anchored by a Winn Dixie supermarket as well as stores such as Big Lots and TJ Maxx.