Discover the Nation’s Best Mountain Communities
Picturesque views and peaks are calling, and someone’s got to answer! Thankfully, there are mountain communities scattered across the U.S. just waiting to be explored. If you love crisp autumn air or a hike through the trees, the mountain lifestyle might be for you. Read on to see if the mountains are luring you into their active and peace-filled lifestyle.
Why choose a mountain community?
It’s not just about snow or skiing or hiking. It’s about the leaves. The walks through the trees. The unforgettable landscapes around every corner. When you’re living in a mountain community, this is what you can expect on a daily basis. From the Appalachians to the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are ample mountain ranges just waiting for visitors to call them home.
What are the benefits of living in a mountain community?
There are so many reasons people choose to call the mountains home. Views are top of the list, but that’s not all. You might opt for fresh air, nature exploration, leaf peeping, and much more. Read on for all the benefits of living in a mountain community.
- Healthy lifestyle: When you’re hiking through the trees, you’re getting a workout you didn’t even expect. Those who live in the mountains find themselves being more active than ever before.
- Nature around every corner: Outside your front door you might find red-orange leaves falling or flowers blooming—it all depends on the season. When you’re in the mountains, you get to experience the best of it all.
- Views: If you’re looking for incredible views off your front porch, mountains are a great move.
- Water features: With every great mountain comes an even more beautiful water feature—so keep an eye out for waterfalls, lakes, and rivers that wind through your beautiful landscape, bringing you even more options for outdoor activity.
Are the mountains calling you?
Ready to live the mountain lifestyle? From Virginia to Georgia and everywhere in between, there are plenty of mountain communities to explore across the U.S. Take your time perusing the options below. When you see a few options that look appealing, use the information request form to contact a local representative in each community.
You can ask questions, find information on the destination, and get a feel for the lifestyle in each place. You can even inquire about specifics like HOA fees, the neighborhood social scene, or the home prices in the area.
If you’re seeking a certain mountainous location, try using the filtering options on the left to narrow down your options and find the perfect place for you.
Research and Explore the Best Mountain Communities
Search Filters:
Click to explore the following mountain retirement communities. Request information from multiple communities by selecting the checkboxes to the right and completing the form below.
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.
Retire Arkansas
Arkansas is home to diverse cities and communities, each with something unique to discover – from metropolitan areas to rural settings, and adventure sports to relaxing retreats. No matter where you choose to visit or relocate, you’ll find friendly and helpful people everywhere you go.
It’s not always easy figuring out how to move to another state, but we can help. Request your free Arkansas Relocation Guide! This handy guide contains a wealth of information for people considering relocating to or retiring in Arkansas, including facts about the state’s cost-of-living, quality of life, real estate, communities, military and medical facilities, and more.
SaddleBrooke TWO
It’s easy to see why Where To Retire magazine chose SaddleBrooke as one of America’s top 100 best master-planned communities. Within this stunning Sonoran desert setting just 25 miles north of downtown Tucson, Arizona, you’ll find an appealing combination of natural tranquility and vibrant excitement. Your new home will boast spectacular views of the 9,000-foot Santa Catalina mountain range, nearly perfect weather, and an abundance of community amenities, events, groups, and traditions to fill your life with joy and inspiration.
SaddleBrooke TWO is a true Active Lifestyle Community. With more than 200 clubs, our residents enjoy a wealth of educational and social opportunities, including an Institute of Learning in Retirement that offers an assortment of courses to satisfy your interests. Three on-site restaurants, a 478-seat performing arts center, two championship golf courses, fitness centers, basketball and volleyball courts, swimming pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and even a softball field are just around the corner.
Welcome to a world of possibilities to Live Your Dreams, at last.
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Victory at Verrado
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Victory at Verrado, AZ offers single-family new homes in a beautiful desert setting with a wide variety of community amenities. Choose from six designs of spacious and open, quality-built single-story homes.
Lake Tansi Village Resort
Lake Tansi Village is located just south of the city of Crossville, Tennessee, on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau. This community has so much to offer.
18 Hole Championship Golf Course – Voted #1 course on the Plateau
2 Swimming Pools (Includes 1 indoor pool)
Lakefront Beach and Boardwalk
Fishing Pier
Full-Service Seasonal Marina
Bike & Walking Trail
Recreation Center
Dances – Game Room – Ping-Pong – Miniature Golf – Tennis – Basketball – Horseshoes – Volleyball – Shuffleboard
Country Club Restaurant and Lounge
19th Hole Snack Bar
Arts & Crafts Department
Various Clubs
Three additional excellent fishing lakes
Lake Tansi Village is home to around 4,000 residents. Lake Tansi is the largest man-made lake on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau and residents enjoy fishing, swimming, waterskiing, plus the 18-hole championship golf course that is rated in the top 10 courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor.
TNVacation.com/Retire TN calls Lake Tansi Village “one of the most affordable community villages in the country” and with its many activities, long list of amenities and low annual home owners fees it’s also one of the most enjoyable places to live.
Fairfield Glade & Fairfield North
Fairfield Glade is perched high atop the Cumberland Plateau, and offers serene mountain beauty as it sits on the highest point between the Rocky and Smoky Mountains. One of the favorite features of this area is the moderate year round temperatures. The pleasant summer days and the cool summer nights can be attributed to the Cumberland Plateau’s 2,000-foot-elevation, allowing for more comfortable temperatures and much lower humidity than most areas of the south.
What to do with all the fabulous weather and beautiful scenery? Golfing, boating, fishing, hiking, walking, swimming, tennis/pickleball-the list of fun activities available is simply endless! Plus, an outdoor amphitheater and biergarten just opened to host live music, movies, food and community events – it’s a great gathering place for neighbors to come together.
The community offers multiple subdivisions with a wide range of home sizes, price ranges, and views that include mountain, lake, golf and protected woodlands. Another attribute is the incredible cost of living in Fairfield Glade – no state income tax on wages, very reasonable home prices, and extremely low property taxes and club dues.
Fairfield Glade is just 6 miles from the city limits of Crossville, a small town, but bustling with activities. Crossville’s central location on Interstate 40 has made it a hub for many outlying areas and has given rise to a booming retail environment, offering shopping, dining and entertainment choices. The community is also located right off I-40, less than an hour from Knoxville, and an hour and a half from either Nashville or Chattanooga.
Testimonial
“We’ve experienced idyllic locations, having lived in Carmel, California for 17 years and having lived and traveled all over the country. But we knew the first time we visited Fairfield Glade, this was the place for us. We just fell in love with the architecture, the lot sizes, of course the weather and cost of living (what’s not to love). But most of all what brought us back was the friendliness of the people here.” Ron and June Levora
Fairfield Glade has 11 lakes and two marinas.
Arenal Hills
Arenal Hills nestles in a fertile valley surrounded by rainforest and rivers. Homes are designed to showcase the panoramic views and forested setting surrounding the Arenal volcano. Two clubhouses will host multiple dining options. And the Springs Resort nearby offers more.
Only the finest materials are used in Arenal Hills homes, whether it’s the marble flooring imported from the mountains of Peru or the cascading two-story waterfall pools sculped by hand, Arenal Hills homes are designed to be instruments of timeless beauty for you and your family.
Owners of Arenal Hills homes are granted VIP access to the renowned Springs Resort and Spa, a world-class luxury resort located just a short drive away.
Arenal Hills stretches over 123 acres of magnificent volcano views that will leave you breathless. Stroll along the beautifully landscaped walking paths and you’ll encounter world-class home designs, luxurious amenities, and a breathtaking landscape surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature. Arenal Hills is specifically designed to make owning a vacation home, second home, or retiring to the paradise of Costa Rica affordable yet luxurious.
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!
The Cottages at Brow Wood
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.
Black Creek Chattanooga
At Black Creek, we’re building a community that embraces all that’s been forgotten about what defines a life well-lived.It’s a special place where generations, connection and nature become one. Imagine access to 1000s of acres of protected land that’s just footsteps from your door while living just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, America’s “Best City Ever” where shopping, dining, entertainment as well as top hospitals are quickly within reach.
The Black Creek experience starts with Black Creek Club-a private club including restaurant, bar, swimming pools, fitness center, and tennis. Here, you can gather together and make life long connections. Our 18hole golf course is the only course in TN ranked in Golfweek’s Top 100 residential courses. If nature is your passion, take advantage of miles of nature trails through the surrounding mountains and paved pathways through the community, plus ponds for fishing. Just outside of Black Creek is Raccoon Mtn, perfect for biking, hiking and easy access to boat ramps on the TN River. We offer Home sites that complement the natural flow of the terrain and floor plans that are as diverse as the residents who live here. Experience Black Creek!
Galloway Ridge
Galloway Ridge is a community with new low maintenance villa-style homes in Cave Creek, Arizona. Located near shopping centers, picturesque golf courses and equal distance between the I-17 & Loop 101, it features a community pool and barbecue pavilion. The location is ideal for someone who enjoys easy access to dining, boutique shopping and nightlife. The town of Cave Creek offers many events throughout the year. You’ll love the spectacular desert landscape and nearby hiking trails.
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.
Grandview at Gateway
At Grandview at Gateway, North Georgia’s Premier Active Adult Community, we aren’t just building homes, we are also creating lifestyles. It’s not just about the homes, facilities, and amenities. It’s about adding value to our homeowners. The full focus of Grandview is to create an environment not only to promote social interaction but also encourage physical activity, mental stimulation and just plain fun. Grandview at Gateway is located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia and the first mountain city of Jasper, GA. Our amenities include: Clubhouse, Resort Style Pool with Lap Lanes, Fitness Center, Pickleball Courts, Yoga, Games, Arts & Crafts, and Card Room, Firepit, Cabanas, Dog Park, Community Garden, Hiking Trails, Interest-Based Clubs and Social Groups, Demonstration Kitchen, Library, Community Lake. A low monthly HOA includes the amenities along with weekly lawn maintenance, cable/phone/internet, and trash. Come out and join us on July 11 & 12 for our Early Bird Lot Reservations!
Jasper Highlands
Welcome to Jasper Highlands, a unique residential mountain community, nestled along the bluffs of Jasper Mountain in Tennessee. This remarkable piece of residential real estate is positioned above the clouds with majestic views of Lake Nickajack and the Tennessee River Valley, with property taxes starting at $162.10 a year!
An affordable mountain bluff gated community, Jasper Highlands is perfect as a second home mountain retreat, a retirement hideaway or as a primary residence. It is designed for the economy of our future, but surrounded by our past, hovering above the historic towns of Jasper, Kimball and South Pittsburg, which offer all the amenities for everyday living. Just 25 minutes away is Chattanooga, recently voted the number one best mid size city in America. Choose Tennessee Planned Communities.
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
French Broad Crossing
Just a short 30-minute drive from Asheville, French Broad Crossing is located in Marshall, NC, a charming mountain town that parallels the ancient French Broad River. We are one of only a few mountain communities that offers fiber optic connectivity so that our residents can enjoy the modern-day conveniences that they are accustomed to. Outside our gates lies a world of recreation and entertainment. Hot Springs, Weaverville, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, are just some of the nearby destinations that homeowners will enjoy.
In a world of sameness, we stand apart. To see this property, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and hear the mighty roar of the river below, is an experience unlike any other. This is not your typical Western North Carolina mountain community. Instead of a golf course, we have vast acres of unspoiled wilderness. Instead of a dress code, we offer the casual comfort of a tight-knit community. Instead of a spa, we offer rustic family adventures along the banks of the French Broad – the third oldest river in the world. If you’ve been longing for a truly authentic mountain living experience, there’s one choice as clear as these wild freshwaters: French Broad Crossing.
Homes at Cobble Creek
There is a place nestled at the gateway to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado where the idea of an authentic Colorado lifestyle still thrives. It is where Mother Nature designs your backyard playground, where the sky seems endless, where the air seems fresher and the sun shines nearly every day of the year. And in the heart of this Colorado paradise, you will discover the Homes at Cobble Creek.
Located in the Uncompahgre Valley, the community offers mild winters and comfortable summers. Recreational opportunities are endless. In addition to those activities featured below, the area offers great fly-fishing, endless Jeep trails for off-roading, outstanding stargazing (without big city lights), hunting and horseback riding. Winter can be a great time to experience southwestern Colorado. With two major ski areas within easy driving distance, our awesome peaks allow for some of the greatest skiing and snowboarding. These areas offer everything from gentle beginner slopes to remote heli-skiing among vast areas of untouched snowy peaks.
Homes at Cobble Creek is proud to offer a range of living options in collaboration with Cobble Creek’s most trusted and prolific builder. With an exclusive focus on the Cobble Creek Golf Community and other amenities in beautiful Montrose, Colorado, Homes at Cobble Creek offers new construction homes as well as a streamlined design, construction, and sales process to build the home of your dreams. Homes are offered exclusively by Cobble Realty. Call us for information or a tour at (970) 765-4335.
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The Ridges at White Hills II
Tired of all the craziness and chaos going on in the world today? This is your opportunity to own 40 acres just one hour from the World Famous Las Vegas Strip starting at $54,900. THE RIDGES AT WHITE HILLS is the perfect place for that weekend get-away, 5th wheel fun, family ranch, or perhaps just a safe haven from the perils of the city. Introduce your children and grandchildren to the wonders of high desert ranch living and the tranquility of the Old West!
Whether you are looking for your own private mountain top retreat or an open range, flush with Joshua Trees, we have something for everyone. We have strategically placed driveways and pads on each of these beautifully designed lots, making them ready for your family to immediately start enjoying. Our wide-open spaces, mountain views, and stunning sunsets will transport you back to the simpler times of the Wild West!
Private and secluded
Elevation 2,800 – 3,200 feet
No timeframe to build
Low property taxes
Custom extra-long driveways (400-1,200 ft.)
Cleared pads to build on or park your RV/5th Wheel
Right to drill your own well
Surrounded by BLM
25 minutes to Willow Beach
Constitutional State (friendly gun laws)
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead sits on a 540-acre lake surrounded by mountains, pristine wilderness, and championship golf. Enjoy our new amenities: a 2-story marina pavilion, sports court with basketball, fishing pier, hiking trail, and 25 boat slips. We encourage you to browse our inventory of homes here, our photo gallery here, and our video gallery here. The great part about our location is that we are in close proximity to the State of the Art Northside Cherokee Hospital and our county taxes are the lowest in the state for residents 62 and older.
Play Golf
The Veranda of the Lake Arrowhead Yacht and Country Club offers property owners and guests a place to enjoy the gentle mountain breezes and expansive vistas while playing our 18 hole championship Highlands Golf Course. This challenging Mountain course is considered one of the best golf courses in Georgia. Carved into the beautiful North Georgia mountain landscape with our pristine 540-acre stream-fed lake, The Highlands Course was named the “Best Golf Course in Cherokee County” by Cherokee Life Magazine.
Come see our Lake and Marina
Property owners and guests enjoy the gentle mountain breezes and serenity Lake Arrowhead offers. Owners adore the Boating Club, and take advantage of the expansive Kayak Rentals and Storage. This beautiful and unique location offers the community Lakeside Park where Family picnics and summer swimming in the lake can be a joyful time for family and friends.
Enjoy our Ranch Homes and Villas
Lake Arrowhead offers an array of choices in new home design and features. Marina Parc Villas being built by award winning builder Rezide Properties (Tony Perry) offers Luxury lake view retreats with breathtaking lake views and a Maintenance Free Lifestyle starting in the Mid $400’s.
Lake Arrowhead’s Portfolio of Ranch Style Homes are selling in three Neighborhoods.
The Woodlands Ranch Style Homes start in the High $200’s, Bluffs at Highlands Vista in the Low $300’s and, Highlands Vista Ranch Style Homes start in the Mid $300’s. Golf Villas starting in the Low $400’s and Marina Parc Lakeside Villas starting in the Mid $400s.
Sanctuary Cove is in high demand offering expansive lakeside panoramic views, lakeside park and optional deep water docks on many of the lakeside home sites. The choices are endless in home design and features.
Click HERE to check out our Discovery Stay and Play Package!
Plan your visit
You can research and learn about all sorts of mountain communities below—but don’t let the choices overwhelm you. After you’ve selected some areas you’re interested in, plan your visit as the next step! It’ll help you narrow down your search to breathe the mountain air, see the views, and get a feel for the peaceful mountain lifestyle.