Lakefront Master-Planned and Gated Communities
Can you imagine never having to make a trip to spend the day at the lake because you live near one? It’s a dream that is easily attainable with lake communities.
Why Lake Living?
Offering both the tranquility and the adventure of being by the water, it’s easy to see the appeal of lakeside living. It’s the perfect destination for those seeking access to year-round water activities, acres of natural beauty brimming with wildlife, and a tight-knit community where neighbors instantly become friends.
Finding the Best Lake Community
Truth be told, there are plenty of great lake destinations all over the country. It’s up to you to decide which one is perfect for your plans. But before you run off to the nearest lake, pause and consider exactly where it is you want your new lake life to be. Think about your needs and priorities. Do you want to be near the city, or do you envision a more remote setting? Do you see yourself nestled in the mountains with access to a lake? Or in a lakefront retirement community at a lower altitude? These questions can help you narrow down your ideal location and guide you to the best lakes to live on.
If you’re a sun-seeker, lake communities in the south would be ideal for you. Obvious hot spots like Florida already draw people in with sunshine and warm temperatures year-round, and their impeccably designed lake communities make the Sunshine State even more desirable for retirement or relocation. Other southern states like North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia offer up idyllic lake settings, some mixed with the serenity and remoteness of the mountains. Tennessee and Arkansas can also be deemed as some of the best places to retire on the lake. Looking for something further west? Venture to Washington, Colorado, or California. Wherever you land, boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities will always be waiting right outside your front door.
Venture Out
With so many options around the country, finding a lake community can be overwhelming. But if you can pinpoint your major must-haves, compiling a list of potential lake destinations will be easy. Aside from lakeside activities, consider other amenities you may want. Avid golfers may want their lake community to also be a golf community, with an award-winning course amid gorgeous views. Other amenities may include tax-friendliness, proximity to cities for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Or you may be searching for a 55+ community with lakeside benefits.
Research and Explore Lake Communities Around The U.S.
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Logan Homes
North Carolina Premier Home Builder – Logan Homes
Logan Homes offers 80+ beautiful home plans, endless personalization choices, quality craftsmanship, energy efficiency and innovation that will enhance your lifestyle – all for a very smart price.
Decades of experience, streamlined processes, regular communication with clients and a professional team ensures that projects are completed on time and on budget.
Dream Big. Build Smart. ®
Logan Homes has been creating dream homes since 1986, within a host of premier communities. That means building with them will be pleasant, straightforward and that you’ll get the home of your dreams. It also means that not only can they build your home, but they can help you find the perfect homesite. Logan Homes knows the coast’s premier communities inside and out, and they can show you all of it!
At Logan Homes, value is so much more than price. It’s the intangibles…integrity, service, promises kept, getting more than you expected – like their Design Studio pros who can help you with all your home choices, and their Drafting Team that can personalize your plan for your homesite and offer exact pricing – on the spot!
When you choose Logan Homes, you’ve made a smart choice. And ‘smart’ means a lot to them: Energy efficient. Innovative designs. Incredible value. Proven processes.
And that’s just the beginning. In fact, everything they call The Logan Difference adds up to what makes working with them smart. So dream big and build smart with Logan Homes!
Logan Homes is currently building in these communities:
- Brunswick Forest (Leland, NC)
- Compass Pointe (Leland, NC)
- Salters Haven (Hampstead, NC)
- Summerhouse on Everett Bay (Holly Ridge, NC)
- St. James Plantation (Southport, NC)
- Cottage Woods (St. James Plantation, NC) * Logan Homes Neighborhood
- The Towns (St. James Plantation) * Logan Homes Neighborhood
- Waterford of the Carolinas (Leland, NC)
- Woodlands Grove at Echo Farms (Wilmington, NC)
- Dataw Island (Beaufort, SC)
- Osprey Lake (Hardeeville, SC) * Logan Homes Neighborhood
- Hampton Hall (Bluffton, SC)
- Hampton Lake (Bluffton, SC)
Rarity Bay
You Have Arrived. Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake is an award-winning gated lakefront community that combines waterfront living with mountain views and amenities that include a country club, championship golf course, tennis and pickleball facilities, swimming pool, community docks, horseback riding, hiking trails, and more.
With approximately 900 existing homeowners already enjoying the Bay Way of Life, Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake is fast becoming the region’s first choice for anyone seeking an active lifestyle in a premium residential community.
Come be a part of it and make the majestic Smoky Mountains and serene, clear waters of Tellico Lake the backdrop for your vacation home, second residence or forever home.
Retire Tennessee Program Communities
Tennessee’s rolling hills and invigorating mountains invite you to tune up your bicycle, dust off your golf clubs and take a deep breath. The most active years of your life await. Their beautiful climate and stunning scenery set the perfect state for chasing your passions. So come on outside and stretch your legs. Tennessee’s got plenty of room to roam.
Retirees of discerning tastes from across the country are giving Tennessee a second look. The latest statistics show that Tennessee is growing rapidly as a retirement destination, and everyone who’s been to the state understands why.
In their friendly neighborhoods, Southern Hospitality is more than an empty cliche. Tennessee is a state where people still smile at you on the street and you’re never a stranger anywhere. Newcomers often remark at how warm the locals are and how openly they embrace new faces.
Tellico Village
Tellico Village is a lakeshore community in east Tennessee that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, mild four-season climate, outstanding recreational facilities and close proximity to Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains.
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tellico Village comprises over 5,000 acres along Tellico Lake. Established in 1986, it has become one of the premier golf and water communities in the southeast. Its three private championship golf courses offer outstanding play, and Tellico Lake provides a pristine resource for boating, fishing and swimming.
An unparalleled number of other high quality amenities help residents enjoy a truly special and fulfilling lifestyle. Located just 31 miles from Knoxville, TN, Tellico Village offers residents state-of-the-art health care and major shopping venues as well as cultural, educational and entertainment resources, plus one of the lowest cost-of-living areas in the country.
Hampton Hall Club
Imagine for a minute you’re visiting the private club community of Hampton Hall in Bluffton, SC. You’ve gotten over the awe of the dramatic and picturesque Lowcountry landscape, and you’re starting to take in your surroundings. The first thing you’re probably going to hear is laughter. Depending on where you’re standing, it could be coming from the lakeside resort pool, or the Pete Dye golf course, or maybe one of the various dining venues. For while everything here is beautiful to look at and expertly maintained and cared for, the key component is fun and enjoyment.
We thought you should be prepared for that because, sure enough, the tennis pro will coax you on to the courts, or the threesome about to tee off will enlist you into completing their group. You see, the minute you pass through the gates at Hampton Hall, something changes. You are at once connected with this club and community. A place you may have never known existed, right up until the moment you fall in love with it.
We invite you inside the gates to tour Hampton Hall. Come see if you feel a connection with this Lowcountry private club community. Come see if Hampton Hall feels like home.
River Dunes
River Dunes is an award-winning coastal retreat on the coast of North Carolina. You’ll find big water, big views, and big adventure here. River Dunes offers the best in coastal living and year-round boating, set in an unparalleled location with fourteen miles of shoreline on the big waters of the Pamlico Sound, Intracoastal Waterway and Neuse River. The award-winning master plan embraces gathering spaces, spectacular water views, and outdoor living. Traditional coastal architecture and a bustling Harbor Village draw upon the rich heritage of life on the coast. River Dunes is a place for enjoying the back porch with neighbors, the peace of an early-morning kayaking trip and fellowship on the docks in the afternoon. Enjoy luxurious guest accommodations, live music at the Pavilion and dining with friends.
The 400 slip Marina features floating docks, fuel, dockage and deep water access for boats up to 150′. The Harbor Village in the heart of the community offers dining, shopping, provisions, fitness, tennis courts, a day spa, accommodations, bikes, kayaks, trails and the new Design Center. The Harbor Club has a spectacular clubhouse with waterfront dining, pool, and hot tubs.
Sterling on the Lake
Enjoying your bliss means doing what you love with those who mean the most. Perhaps it’s catching a doubles game of pickleball with friends or a hike along miles of trails.
Sterling on the Lake is a master-planned community with a range of amenities, located 40 miles north of Downtown Atlanta in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Its location offers convenient access to Atlanta’s International Airport, shopping and dining, Lake Lanier and beautiful mountain settings.
Embrace the outdoors with walking and biking trails, play a game of tennis, cast a line in Lake Sterling, or unwind with a picnic at the Village Green. The Lakeside Clubhouse features a veranda with an outdoor fireplace, a movie theater, a caterer’s kitchen, a 24-hour fitness center and two swimming pools. Residents can also participate in community events arranged by the full-time activities director.
With ranch-style, two-story, and luxury homes, there are a variety of home designs to fit your lifestyle. For 55+, Sterling on the Lake has a new active-adult neighborhood, Encore by David Weekley at The Retreat, where you can enjoy the ease of low-maintenance living paired with the excitement of a multi-generation community.
Savannah Lakes Village
Savannah Lakes Village is on the 71,000-acre freshwater Lake Thurmond in McCormick, South Carolina with 1,200 miles of shoreline. The community boasts two championship lakefront golf courses with restaurants and pro shops, fiber-optic Internet to each homesite, a 23,000 square foot recreation center with 6 lighted tennis courts (4 HarTru and 2 hard surface), pickleball, bowling alley, indoor & outdoor pools, sauna, fitness room, private card rooms, library, 50+ social clubs, yoga studio, Rod & Gun Club, and so much more. This is active retirement in its truest form…
We are a short 45-minute drive to Augusta and a 2-hour drive from Atlanta. The community abuts three state parks and offers 100+ miles of hiking and biking trails. Our new Lakefront Condo project offers amazing views of the lake with luxurious finishings and direct access to a full-service marina and sandy beach. Boat slips are offered to all homeowners regardless of location. Come stay and play at Savannah Lakes Village for only $199 for 2 nights!
New homes from the low $200s. Pre-construction pricing on lakefront condos starting at $270,000. Visit SavannahLakesVillage.com or call 864-391-5259 to book your tour!
Keowee Key
Looking for the perfect lifestyle community for retirement or to raise your family? Keowee Key has more of what you love. Golf, tennis, fitness center, swimming, boating and pickleball are just a few of the amenities this active, gated, lakeside community offers.
Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Salem, SC, and surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Keowee, Keowee Key is a 1,600-acre community carved out of a forest of hardwood and pines. You’ll find a wide variety of home styles and price points available in a natural setting with mild seasons and an abundance of local adventure.
All homes in Keowee Key are custom-built, including lakefront, mountain or golf-course views. For a maintenance-free lifestyle, you’ll find ample condominiums, town homes and cottages. Choose a lakefront home with private dock or use one of 5 community docks with 324 boat slips, pontoon and kayak rentals, and a supply store.
The challenging 18-hole, par 72 George Cobb Golf Course, features four tee boxes to match all skill levels. A clubhouse with award-winning chef, lakeside leisure trail, three swimming pools, and a dog park, contribute to Keowee Key’s country club lifestyle.
Arden
Arden is a master-planned community offering new homes in Palm Beach County, Florida. This gated community features amenities and activities inspired by nature and healthy living.
Arden is situated around an agrihood with a five-acre farm and event barn that offers events, seasonal classes, and social gatherings. In addition to the agrihood, Arden has a spacious Lakehouse, two-tiered resort-style swimming pool, fully equipped fitness center, 20 miles of walking & biking trails, and plenty of parks and greenways.
Homebuyers have a selection of new single-family homes and villas by builders including Lennar, D.R. Horton, Ryan Homes, and Kenco Communities. Homes feature forward-thinking designs that complement Florida’s natural beauty.
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
If you are looking for a place filled with arts, culture, dining and entertainment – where you can golf, boat, hike and play all day – look no further than Hot Springs Village. We have 30 miles of trails, 12 lakes, 9 golf courses, three beaches and numerous club sports.
Find Hot Springs Village on Social Media:
We have some of the best residents here in Hot Springs Village! Lynda loves how quiet, safe and friendly the Village is.
Posted by Hot Springs Village Facebook on Monday, March 12, 2018
Eastman Community Association
Eastman Community Association – Four Seasons Paradise
The Eastman Community Association in Grantham, NH is an ideal active-adult and retirement destination. It’s also the perfect place to raise a family. Eastman is a sustainable, intergenerational community in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region of New Hampshire.
Ultimately, Eastman is a nature-lover’s haven. Tucked away in the pristine woodlands of New Hampshire’s Upper Connecticut River Valley, the Eastman Community Association encourages an active and connected lifestyle. Residents move to the rhythm of four distinct seasons. And, outdoor adventure is a central theme.
Just Add Amenities
Eastman is centrally located, but just remote enough. It’s conveniently two hours north of Boston and three hours from Hartford. And, Lake Sunapee, New London, and Lebanon are just minutes away. As a result, residents have ample access to urban amenities. Cultural venues, medical facilities, as well as educational opportunities are all within reach.
New Hampshire’s Grantham Mountain offers a picturesque backdrop to Eastman’s 345-acre lake, and ample hiking trails. So, be sure to pack your boots!
Looking for more? Try 37 miles of cross country trails starting at the Eastman Cross Country Center. In summer, head to one of six beaches, kayak and canoe launches, or to the pool and fitness center year round. Eastman also boasts an 18-hole golf course, har-tru tennis courts and an award-winning restaurant as well.
Condos are available from $125,000 to $270,000. Eastman’s single-family homes range from $130,000 to $1.5 million. (Prices are subject to change.)
The Cottages at Brow Wood
Located on the TN/GA Line in Lookout Mountain, GA. Retreat to Home at The Cottages at Brow Wood while immersing in breathtaking mountain views, indulging in the local southern hospitality, and embracing the city’s historic culture. Offering the comfort and convenience of a low maintenance lifestyle, The Cottages of Brow Wood allow you to explore and enjoy the whimsical sights of Lookout Mountain. Just a short 20-minute drive from Chattanooga, every courtyard cottage includes low maintenance living equipped with energy efficient features to help lower your energy bills. Each one level living home features a minimum of 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths with the flexibility to expand to the second level: adding a bonus room or third bedroom with full bathroom and walk-in storage. These open concept plans are perfect for entertaining guests and creating an inviting atmosphere. Enjoy your morning coffee from your gated-private courtyard and watch the sunset from your sunroom or backyard patio. Each floorplan has the creative flexibility to use the sunroom space as an office, sitting room, library – whatever you choose!
Just a few miles away, enjoy golf and swimming at the Lookout Mountain Club; walk or hike Lula Lake’s 8,000-acre Land Trust & Trails; and relish in the local shopping & dining along Scenic Highway. Nearby Rock City offers spectacular sights with unique rock formations and gardens that are open to the public year-round. Additionally, Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga’s top-rated attractions include Ruby Falls, Cloudland Canyon State Park, the Downtown Riverwalk, The Tennessee Aquarium, and the Incline Railroad; all of which help to encapsulate the natural beauty of the area. To learn more about this community or to set up your personalized appointment, please contact our Online Consultants at 423-226-3223 or goodallhomes.com/brow-wood.
Seabrook Island
A private, welcoming oceanfront community just miles from historic Charleston, SC, Seabrook Island offers a vibrant lifestyle with endless amenities among the 2,200 acres of natural environment, including four miles of unspoiled beaches. Designated a Certified Sustainable Community by Audubon Intnl. 36 holes of championship golf on two Audubon-certified courses, ranked among “Best You Can Play” in SC, offer uncrowded playing conditions. Crooked Oaks (by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.) winds through marsh and century-old live oaks. Ocean Winds (by Willard Byrd, renovated by Rees Jones, Inc) takes you to the Atlantic Ocean.
The 2021 PGA Championship was held on nearby Kiawah Island. The renovated Beach Club boasts a cafe, beach store, pools, and oceanfront dining. A full-service, 22-acre Equestrian Center features trail and beach rides. The Racquet Club sports 15 Har-Tru tennis courts, 2 pickleball courts, and pro shop. The Lakehouse has indoor/outdoor pools, fitness and more. The Clubhouse with ocean/golf views has renovated dining spaces and new golf veranda with fire pits. Idyllic settings for special events and weddings. Nearby marina and shopping center.
The Highlands – Encore
David Weekley’s first 55+ active adult community is coming soon to the brand new, master-planned community of The Highlands! Located in Porter, TX, The Highlands is dedicated to everything you know and love about home and nature. The Highlands is a 2,300-acre exploration of natural beauty and will be built to take full advantage of its densely forested, national park-like setting. David Weekley’ section in The Highlands – Encore will feature 45- and 55-foot, single-story homesites along with top-quality construction, open-concept livability and a splendid Montgomery County location near shopping, dining and entertainment. In The Highlands, you’ll soon experience the best in Design, Choice and Service from one of Houston’s top home builders as well as a variety of amenities, including:
• Lifestyle Director to schedule activities
• 55+ clubhouse
• 18-hole golf course and tennis courts
• Hiking, biking and adventure trail system along the San Jacinto River
• Event lawn and pavilion, recreation field and playgrounds
• Acres of parks, greenspaces and onsite lakes for fishing and kayaking
• Waterpark with lazy river
Bella Vista
Bella Vista is a private 36,000-acre, Member-based recreational community in Northwest Arkansas offering seven golf courses, seven stocked private lakes, swimming pools, tennis courts, trails, parks, pavilions, recreation centers, a gun range, an RV Park and many other amenities. Bella Vista was recently ranked one of America’s Top 10 Best Healthy Places to Retire by U.S. News & World Report and one of the Top 25 best places for affordable homes by CNNMoney.com and Money Magazine.The Bella Vista Property Owners Association enhances each Member’s quality of life by promoting and improving amenities and recreational areas. By building community support for parks and recreational lands, the POA strives to provide community service and outreach that meets the needs of our Members. The programs and services offered by the POA provide Members with exceptional value and quality, while emphasizing the reasonable allocation of resources throughout the city. We ensure safe, attractive, and well-maintained facilities that reflect our Members’ needs and best interests.
North River Ranch
While most people think of sunsets, sandy beaches, waterfront views and golf courses when you mention Southwest Florida, this area on Florida’s Gulf Coast is also rich in lifestyle options. From walkable downtowns to active 55+ communities, from perfect seasonal retreats to full-time simple or luxury residences, our Florida Gulf Coast has something for everyone to love. There are unique elements that make this area special, and we can educate you on all the Lifestyle options and discover which neighborhoods and communities best match your interests.
North River Ranch is that special kind of place that is somewhere between big city living and a small-town sense of community. This is one of the latest and most exciting master-planned new home communities along Sarasota’s Gulf Coast, and has one of the most accessible zip codes in the area – 15 minutes from Lakewood Ranch, 15 minutes to boating water, 20 minutes to pristine beaches and a short scenic drive over the Skyway Bridge to everything Tampa Bay has to offer.
Use our extensive knowledge, world-class experience and connections to explore the Gulf Coast and make the next right move for you.
Del Webb Wilmington
Del Webb Wilmington, in the master-planned Riverlights community, features resort style amenities for active adults 55 and greater. Residents will enjoy an indoor and outdoor pool, walking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and social clubs. All homes are ranch style with flexible, open concept inspired designs in a low maintenance living environment.
There are 3 collections of home series with bedroom ranges of 2 to 5, bathroom ranges of 2 to 4 and square footages of 1,262 to 2,565 and up. Homes are priced from the upper $200Ks plus with many options to customize and personalize your home.
Riverlights is a large community where residents can enjoy everything at their fingertips. Take a golf cart ride to Marina Village, a retailer hub onsite or Smoke on the Water, a restaurant with live music. Riverlights is on the Cape Fear River with 38 acres to kayak, paddleboard or canoe. There are miles of trails and an abundance of amenities and planned resident activities. Del Webb Wilmington features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, tennis, pickleball and bocce courts, dog park, lifestyle director and clubhouse with a fitness center.
Port Ludlow
Port Ludlow is a resort-style community located on the shores of the Puget Sound, just a 30-minute ferry ride away from Seattle, Washington. Port Ludlow is close enough to the city, but far enough to enjoy an active and tranquil lifestyle. With views of the Olympic Mountains, a bustling social life, waterfront inn, and myriad of recreational amenities, the community has regularly been ranked as one of the top ten neighborhoods in the U.S.
Port Ludlow is home to a championship golf course that embraces the area’s natural surroundings of lakes, streams, and evergreens and provides challenging play for all skill levels. Residents can enjoy the community’s waterfront location at Port Ludlow’s 300-slip Marina by taking a boat cruise, renting a kayak, or dining at the award-winning Fireside Restaurant. Two clubhouses provide fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, swimming pools, and over 100 community clubs.
Residences in Port Ludlow include Craftsman-style beachfront homes, waterfront condos, and villas with golf course views. Currently, there are two new neighborhoods being built in Port Ludlow. Ludlow Cove Cottages and Olympic Terrace II.
Check out our 360 degree view of Port Ludow by clicking here!
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks is a Bluffton, South Carolina 55+ community offering resort-style living in the scenic Lowcountry. This new active adult community features single-family homes in a picturesque wooded setting along with a variety of recreational amenities and a full calendar of activities.
The clubhouse is the activity hub of the community, where residents will enjoy yoga and Zumba at the fitness center, discover new talents in the arts & crafts room, play billiards with neighbors, lounge by the pool, and perfect dancing skills in the ballroom. K. Hovnanian has taken special care to ensure the ongoing safety of residents by offering socially distanced virtual activities that allow residents to stay healthy and connected. With these precautions, residents can enjoy online social hours, trivia night, pet shows, photo contests, book club, exercise classes, and live concerts from the comfort of home. Outdoor amenities include walking & biking trails, tennis & pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, a dog park, community gardens, fire pits, and screened verandas.
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks is within 20 miles of pristine Hilton Head Island beaches, championship golf courses, scenic nature preserves, marinas, and the historic sites of Bluffton and Savannah, Georgia.
Plan your visit to a lakefront community
Finding the perfect place to call home has never been more important, and we’re here to help. Take a look at the lake communities below and note the ones that stand out to you. Once you’ve chosen a few, make plans to book a discovery tour to take a closer look at those areas. It’s the best way to really know if a community is the perfect fit for you. After that, your only other step is to soak up the luxury of living by the lake.