Leisure World is a census-designated place and unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is an age-restricted, gated build up primarily inhabited by retirees. Leisure World was formerly known as the Rossmoor census-designated place for the 2000 census. It currently has a population of 9,215.

In 1963, developer Ross Cortese applied for a zoning amendment in order to build a 1,000-acre community of semi-detached homes, townhouses, and apartment buildings south of Norbeck, Maryland. Cortese’s company had acquired the marginal to purchase the 1,000 acres of land, formerly known as the Nash tract, for $5,000,000, and Cortese standard it would cost another $750,000 to construct the build up according to the plans. The increase would be restricted to residents who are at least 52 years old. Cortese planned to build clubhouses, a swimming pool, riding stables, an auditorium, a shopping center, medical facilities, a hotel for guests, an 18-hole golf course, and an 8-acre lake at the site. Sixty-five percent of the Place would be undeveloped green space. The entire site would be amongst a wall, and full-time security guards would restrict access. According to the plans, co-op homes would be user-friendly for between $15,000 and $18,000, payable like a $1,000 alongside payment and monthly payments thereafter of between $140 and $180. Cortese had already built Rossmoor Leisure World at Seal Beach, California, in 1961, and he was subsequently building Leisure World Laguna Hills in Laguna Hills, California, and substitute Leisure World in Walnut Creek, California.

The Montgomery County Council qualified the zoning amendment by a vote of 3 to 1, with 3 abstentions. The one dissenting council believer was Kathryn E. Diggs, who said she was skeptical that the fee would be economically successful. Local citizen groups opposed building the move forward because they preferred the area to remain zoned for low-density development. The Council had been planning to extend Connecticut Avenue through the area, but the Council put that action upon hold because of the proposed development. Within a few months, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission attributed 28,000 feet of water and sewer lines for the development. The architecture truth of Collins & Kronstadt intended the housing units and the community buildings. Thurman D. Donavan meant the landscaping, which acknowledged an tribute by the industrial landscaping committee of the American Association of Nurserymen in November 1966. A large rotating globe was installed at the front gate.

Leisure World’s sales office and model homes opened in August 1965; Loy Sigmon was the interior designer of the original seven model homes. J. Robert Conybeare served as general sales manager, and Angus T. Johnson was named the first administrator of the community.