The Courtyards at Windsor

Independent Assessment

Sources conflict directly on whether Windsor is age-restricted. On one side, independent secondary sources use unambiguous language, calling Windsor 'a premier 55+ retirement community' outright. On the other side, Epcon's own site, in a page specifically framing its Iowa Courtyards portfolio as an 'Alternative to 55+ Communities in Iowa,' names Windsor by location among the communities offered as that alternative -- language that, read plainly, positions the product as something other than a traditional restricted 55+ community, not as one. That contradiction could not be resolved with a recorded HOA declaration or deed covenant either way, and the builder's own framing is treated as at least as significant as a secondary aggregator's shorthand description, since Epcon is the party actually setting (or not setting) the legal restriction. Buyers should not treat 'premier 55+ retirement community' language from a third-party listing site as equivalent to Epcon's own characterization of the product, and should ask directly and specifically whether Windsor's HOA has adopted an enforceable age minimum.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Windsor suits a buyer who wants new construction in Johnston -- a well-regarded, centrally located Polk County suburb with strong nearby retail (Hy-Vee, Target, ALDI) and healthcare access (Broadlawns Medical Center, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, UnityPoint Health) -- combined with Epcon's low-maintenance ranch layout, universal-design features, and a first-floor owner's suite. Given the genuinely mixed age-restriction signal described above, it may particularly suit a buyer who wants the physical and lifestyle features typically associated with active-adult communities without necessarily requiring, or wanting, a legally enforced age minimum -- similar to the caution flagged for Parkside in nearby Waukee, though for a different reason.

Homes, Builders & Development History

The Courtyards at Windsor is being built by Epcon Communities, operating locally as Clarity Construction, at 5843 NW 90th St in Johnston, with construction reported as ongoing since 2022 toward a planned 82 single-family homes. Homes feature an open, light-filled floor plan, first-floor owner's suite, kitchen with island, private garden courtyard with covered porch, an extra-large garage, and universal-design elements intended to support aging in place. The development sits south of Windsor Parkway and west of Thomas Avenue, served by private streets, per the City of Johnston's own development page.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

No confirmed current pricing range for homes at Windsor was found. As an actively selling new-construction community, buyers should request current pricing directly from Clarity Construction or a local Johnston-area agent, and should weigh Windsor's central Polk County location and nearby retail/medical access against other Courtyards communities in the metro when comparing value.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

Windsor is an active new-construction community, reported building since 2022 toward a planned 82 homes. Buyers should confirm current phase, available lots, and completion timeline directly with Clarity Construction, since new-construction communities' pricing, fees, and availability shift as they build out.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes at Windsor are subject to Polk County, Iowa property tax administration. Iowa fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax and has been phasing in broader retirement-income tax relief in recent years; buyers should confirm current-year treatment with a tax professional. Iowa Code Chapter 216 governs housing discrimination on the basis of familial status statewide, with specific exemption structures for qualifying 55-and-older and 62-and-older housing -- a framework that would only be relevant here if Windsor's HOA has in fact adopted a qualifying age restriction, which could not be confirmed given the contradictory sourcing described above. Buyers should request current property tax figures and homeowners-insurance quotes directly.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Windsor's homes emphasize single-level, universal-design living -- a first-floor owner's suite, open kitchen with island, and a private garden courtyard with covered porch in every home -- paired with community amenities (clubhouse, heated outdoor pool, bocce ball court) built around a low-maintenance, socially active lifestyle. Its proximity to Hy-Vee, Target, ALDI, CVS, and Walgreens, along with Broadlawns Medical Center, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and UnityPoint Health, means daily errands and medical access are close by without leaving Johnston. A specific organized-activity calendar was not independently confirmed; buyers should ask the HOA or Clarity Construction for current programming details.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

The Courtyards at Windsor is located at 5843 NW 90th St in Johnston, roughly 10 miles northwest of downtown Des Moines, just west of 86th Street and adjacent to Windsor Parkway. Nearby daily-convenience options include Hy-Vee, Target, ALDI, CVS, and Walgreens, with Broadlawns Medical Center, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and UnityPoint Health among the reachable healthcare systems. Residents are reported to be about 30 minutes from downtown Des Moines and its broader amenities.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

Windsor's age-restriction status is contradicted by the available sources. Independent secondary sources describe Windsor outright as 'a premier 55+ retirement community.' Separately, Epcon's own site frames its Iowa Courtyards portfolio -- specifically naming Windsor among the communities offered -- as 'an alternative to traditional 55+, active adult communities,' language that plainly distinguishes the product from a conventionally age-restricted one rather than confirming it as such. No recorded HOA declaration, deed restriction, or covenant resolving which description is legally accurate was located, and this is treated as a genuine, unresolved contradiction rather than defaulting to either side. Buyers should request Windsor's HOA governing documents directly and ask specifically and explicitly whether any age minimum is legally enforced at move-in or resale.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Windsor's central tradeoff is the unresolved contradiction between 'premier 55+ retirement community' language from some sources and Epcon's own 'alternative to traditional 55+' framing of its Iowa Courtyards portfolio, Windsor included. Buyers who need a confirmed, legally enforceable age restriction should not rely on either description alone and should request Windsor's HOA governing documents directly. Separately, current home pricing was not confirmed; the $310/month HOA fee figure found (covering lawn maintenance, ground maintenance, and snow removal) should be reconfirmed as current before budgeting, since fees can change as the community completes build-out.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Windsor is one of six Epcon 'Courtyards' communities tracked across the Des Moines metro, alongside Harvest Ridge and Rock Creek in Ankeny, Shadow Creek in Clive, Parkside in Waukee, and Prairie Ridge in Pella. Windsor is distinguished among its siblings by the most direct, sourced HOA fee figure ($310/month) and by the sharpest documented contradiction in age-restriction language -- 'premier 55+ retirement community' language from secondary sources set directly against Epcon's own 'alternative to traditional 55+' framing of the same community. Buyers who specifically require a legally confirmed age restriction should treat this contradiction as a reason to verify directly with the HOA before purchasing, rather than relying on either description.

Current Listings

A connected local Johnston-area agent, or Clarity Construction directly, can confirm current available homes and lots at Windsor, current pricing, the current $310/month HOA fee's continued accuracy, and whether any age restriction is in fact enforced by the HOA.

Is The Courtyards at Windsor age-restricted?

The evidence genuinely conflicts. Some sources describe Windsor as 'a premier 55+ retirement community,' while Epcon's own site frames its Iowa Courtyards portfolio, Windsor included, as 'an alternative to traditional 55+, active adult communities.' No recorded HOA declaration was located to resolve this contradiction, so buyers should ask the HOA directly and explicitly.

What is the HOA fee at Windsor?

Reported at $310 per month, covering lawn maintenance, ground maintenance, and snow removal; buyers should reconfirm this as current.

How many homes will Windsor have, and who is building it?

82 single-family homes upon completion, built by Epcon Communities under its Clarity Construction franchise.

Where is Windsor located?

5843 NW 90th St in Johnston, roughly 10 miles northwest of downtown Des Moines, just west of 86th Street.