Market Report - Lake Lanier Gainesville Georgia
Located below the snow line, zero state income tax on retirement income below $130k and aquamarine Lake Lanier makes a winning retirement trifecta for Baby Boomers searching for where to retire in Georgia. While many of our readers are focused on finding the best places to live in Western North Carolina, yet we’ve found some pretty neat places on the opposite side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Lanier home prices are still trending downward. Is it just me or do you see the forest through the trees here?
For example:
CRESSWIND AT LAKE LANIER - We hadn’t really thought much about 55+ active adult communities until the revelation hit us while touring Cresswind that soon we'll be old enough to be eligible to live in these neighborhoods and own Lake Lanier real estate. Before this trip, we thought of 55+ communities as heaven’s waiting gate filled with cookie cutter plain vanilla homes. As we toured Cresswind at Lake Lanier, we completely forgot about the age restriction as we observed people of all ages enjoying the beautiful community amenities and perhaps the finest new super-sized clubhouse we've seen to date.
Brand new energy efficient homes under $200k? Yup, this debt free Georgia lake community is built by a respected Florida developer, the Kolter Group. We immediately wondered how much the HOA fees were to access this gorgeous amenity. The answer -$249 a month including lawn maintenance, security, basic cable, and trash collection. WOW and no expensive golf course memberships. The nearest public golf course is Hampton Golf Village. Ask us to send you a complete information package about Cresswind.
ST. MICHAELS BAY ON LAKE LANIER - Close to everything yet hidden off the beaten path, this charming Georgia lake community is lined with rolling hills that weave throughout the neighborhood leading to the clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts and community boat dock on Lake Lanier. St. Michaels Bay on Lake Lanier is located on the east side of Lake Lanier, a few minutes from highway access on GA-400 leading south to Atlanta. To the north, a shopper’s delight. The North Georgia Premium Outlets is home to more than 140 brand label stores.
The home architecture compliments the undeveloped shoreline, exterior finishes using natural elements such as stone, wood and brick. Many of the homes back up to private wooded forests. Peachtree Residential Properties is the Lake Lanier real estate developer of St. Michaels on Lake Lanier and is a respected luxury home builder in Atlanta. Homes can be found in the mid $300k’s. St Michaels Bay on Lake Lanier is a great escape from a busy city life without sacrificing nearby modern conveniences. Ask us to introduce you to Peachtree Residential Properties.
HARBOUR POINT YACHT CLUB - In our opinion, one of Lake Lanier’s finest master planned Georgia lake communities. John Weiland Homes has built this beautiful Nantucket-style neighborhood with stunning long range views of Lake Lanier, views seen from homes along the ridge line. Harbour Point Yacht Club won the Best Amenity Package in 1999 from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. The clubhouse’s resort-style swimming pool is elevated about Lake Lanier providing beautiful views of the lake. Harbour Point Yacht Club has seven community boat docks on Lake Lanier. Additional community amenities include tennis courts, a community pavilion, fitness center and walking trails along the lake. Homes can be found in the mid $300k’s and lots are available to build your dream home. HOA fees are low at $135 per month. Ask us to send you a list of the latest homes for sale at Harbour Point Yacht Club.
CHESTATEE GOLF CLUB - This was the first Georgia lake community we scored in the Gainesville area. We felt a mixed vibe on this trip about Chestatee Golf Club. The swimming pool amenity area looked great. In my opinion, the golf amenities are not up to par. The golf course was in rough condition which we imagine is due to the summer drought. We felt the golf clubhouse desperately needs updating and maintenance. We picked up a brochure in the golf clubhouse stating Chestatee is waiving the $7,000 initiation fee with an 18 month commitment. Affiniti Golf Parters who manages the golf club, offers members reciprocal privileges at 11 golf clubs in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia as well as discounted optional membership at BodyPlex, Dawson County’s premier health & wellness facility.
The condition of the roads caught my attention as well. The spine road running through the community had been recently resurfaced by the county and is beautiful. We asked the sales office about the status of the side streets which are worn and in rough shape. We were informed there are no imminent plans to improve the side streets and that those roads are the responsibility of the community. Chestatee Golf Club is no doubt in a convenient location, about 15 miles north of downtown Gainesville and 11 miles south of downtown Dahlonega, one of the Best Bang for the Buck Retirement Cities. There are only a handful of golf courses on Lake Lanier. This Georgia lake community is one of the only golf course communities with a marina on Lake Lanier. Lakefront lots are still available under $200k. Ask me to send you the master site plan specifying which lakefront lots are available.
HAMPTON GOLF VILLAGE - For those folks who don’t care about Lake Lanier community boat docks, Hampton's affordable neighborhood wraps around a public golf course designed by Clyde Johnston. This Georgia lake community amenities are owned by the POA and the golf course is separate. Residents have the option of owning a home hugging the golf course without the added expense of mandatory golf club memberships. Amenities at Hampton Golf Village include a community clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts and small man-made fishing lake. Hampton Golf Village is where you will find affordable homes in the mid $200k’s. Ask us to introduce you to our trusted colleague who lives at Hampton Golf Village, another affordable community located on the southeast side of Lake Lanier.
If you’re searching for where to retire in Georgia, ask us to introduce you to our trusted colleague who can find desirable Lake Lanier real estate. This lake is huge and the neighborhoods are not easy to find. Let us make your search experience pleasurable by having our colleague show you around town.
Write info@communityfinder.com or call us toll free at 866.384.1799.
