If you’ve been searching for homes in Broward County and keep seeing both “Mainlands” and “Mainlands of Tamarac Lakes” pop up, here’s the short answer: they’re the same place. This area is widely considered one of the best neighborhoods in Tamarac, FL. Both names point to the exact same master-planned community in central Tamarac, FL – built between 1967 and 1977 by developer Ken Behring, spanning 18 distinct villages across ZIP codes 33319, 33321, and 33351.
The median sale price right now is around $315,000, with homes sitting on the market roughly 84 days. There are 641 active listings across the broader Tamarac area and 5.6 months of supply, so buyers have real options. Knowing that those two names are interchangeable – and understanding how the 18 villages work under one umbrella – makes your search a lot more straightforward.
Exploring the Real Estate and Home Styles
Low-maintenance, single-family block and stucco homes are what this community is built on. You’re typically looking at two to four bedrooms, one to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and floor plans that run anywhere from a compact 806 square feet up to 3,384 square feet – usually with an attached one- or two-car garage.
Recent sales across the sections have ranged from the low $200,000s up to about $500,000, and homes across Tamarac generally sell at about 96.5% of list price. Style-wise, you’ll find classic ranch layouts, some New Traditional townhomes, and Spanish or Mediterranean-inspired designs scattered throughout the subdivisions.
Properties Marketed as Mainlands
The shorter name – something like Mainlands Section 6 – refers to one of the specific numbered sections within the development. These are single-family homes and attached villas; there are no high-rise condo towers here. That distinction matters, because there’s a similarly named but completely unrelated community in Pinellas Park, FL, and the two get mixed up regularly.
Properties Marketed as Mainlands of Tamarac Lakes
The longer, formal name covers the exact same housing stock built by Behring. Agents and listing platforms use the two names interchangeably. If you search under this title, you’ll see the same mid-$200,000 to $500,000 price band and the same single-family construction.
What to Expect from the Homeowners Association and Amenities
Each of the 18 villages runs its own homeowners association with its own fees and rules – that decentralized structure is the single most important thing to understand before you go under contract here. Monthly dues are generally low, often falling between $40 and $100 per month, though the actual range across sections runs from $75 per quarter up to $285 per month depending on what’s included.
Fees typically cover common area maintenance, and some sections fold in trash pickup, lawn care, internet, or security. Because no two associations are identical, you’ll want to verify exactly what’s covered for any specific home you’re seriously considering. The amenities you have access to are directly tied to which of the 18 associations governs your street – not the development as a whole.
Shared Facilities and Private Clubhouses
Every village maintains its own private clubhouse and swimming pool. Named associations like the Mainlands I & II Civic Association on Mainland Drive and Mainlands Three of Tamarac on NW 46th Avenue manage these local hubs. Depending on your section, you might also have shuffleboard courts, libraries, card rooms, bocce, and fitness centers available.
Nearby Golf and Recreation
There’s no on-site golf course within the community. The Mainlands Golf Course – a closed facility on the Gulf Coast in Pinellas Park – causes real confusion for out-of-town buyers who assume it belongs to this community. It doesn’t. Residents who want to play typically head to Colony West Golf Club, a public 18-hole course just a short drive away.
Commutes, Location, and Daily Convenience
The development sits in central Tamarac, bordered roughly by Commercial Boulevard to the south and University Drive to the east. For regional travel, residents use Florida’s Turnpike and the Sawgrass Expressway – about 10 minutes to the Sawgrass, and roughly 30 minutes to Miami or Palm Beach County via the Turnpike.
Shopping and dining are concentrated along the University Drive and Commercial Boulevard corridors. Sections just north of Commercial Boulevard off Rock Island Road have the most immediate access to those retail centers. The area also puts you close to local Broward County hospitals and medical facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference. Both names refer to the same 18-village master-planned community built in Tamarac between 1967 and 1977. Listings use them interchangeably.
It depends on the specific village. The development is widely known as a 55+ active adult community, but some of the 18 sections are designated for all ages. Check the association rules for the specific home you want to buy.
The name doesn’t change the fees – the village does. Dues typically run $40 to $100 per month. Some sections charge as little as $75 per quarter; others go up to $285 per month based on included services like lawn care and internet.
Primarily single-family, block and stucco ranch-style homes, but there are also some attached New Traditional townhomes and villas depending on the subdivision. There are no high-rise condo buildings in the development.
Pet rules are set by the individual village association – not the development as a whole. Review the specific homeowners association documents for any property you’re considering to confirm current policies.
All 18 villages are centrally situated near major routes, but sections near Rock Island Road and Commercial Boulevard have the most immediate access to shopping. Florida’s Turnpike and the Sawgrass Expressway are accessible from the entire development.
Buyers looking in central Tamarac often compare the Mainlands to the Heathgate residential area. While both offer convenient access to local shopping and major highways, you will want to review the specific homeowner association rules and fees to see which fits your lifestyle better.
Since the Mainlands does not have its own on-site course, buyers seeking easy access to the fairways might also look at the Tam O’Shanter community. Like many subdivisions in the region, it provides an alternative for those who want to live near local recreation and public golf clubs.
