Golf Retirement Communities
From LoveToKnow Seniors
Life on the fairway of golf retirement communities puts you in the middle of the action. Many communities are set on lush grounds and offer other enjoyable amenities.
Start Your Search
If you haven’t given much thought about where to retire but know that you want it to be close to the green, here are a few helpful resources:
- Golf HomeConnect. This site combines your passion with high-end community living. Real estate options are featured along some of the best golf courses in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia.
- Private Golf Communities. If you’re in the market not only for a golf retirement community, but also a luxury home, this is a terrific resource for uncovering locations throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands.
- Retirement Communities Online. The sort function on this website allows for narrowing your search by state and amenities. You can also select a particular region, if you think you’d like to stay in the general area of where you live now for ease of travel between family or jobs.
- Golf Real Estate Online. Created by Mark Brown, once a consultant for golf course development and the founder of Links magazine, this site features properties for the true golf aficionado.
Golf Retirement Communities by Designer
A course designed by a top golfer or course architect is a treat for frequent players, because they constantly look for the nuances of the course from a different perspective. Many of the best golf retirement communities include designer courses.
If you’d like to follow in the vision and footsteps of one of your favorite pros, consider retiring by one of these top courses:
Winding River, Southport, North Carolina – designed by Fred Couples.
Montrêux Golf & Country Club, Reno, Nevada – designed by Jack Nicklaus.
The Falls, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada – designed by Greg Norman.
Frisco Lakes, Frisco, Texas – designed by Arnold Palmer.
Tesoro, Port St. Lucie, Florida – designed by Tom Watson.
For a complete search of the most popular designer’s properties, visit Golf Course Architects.
Tom Fazio, Coveted Designer
When golf is all that matters, then you’ll live and golf happily-ever-after within one of many golf retirement communities featuring a course designed by Tom Fazio.
Fazio’s courses continually rank in the top 100 in the world, as determined by Golf Digest. In fact, the magazine discontinued its Best Modern Day Golf Course Architect after Fazio took the prize three years straight. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America also recognized Fazio with distinguished Old Tom Morris award.
Fazio’s aesthetic is to marry the course to its natural surroundings, respecting the land and well as providing original challenges to each golfer. Residential communities with Fazio courses include:
- Amelia National Golf & Country Club, Fernandina Beach, Florida
- Greenbriar Sporting Club, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
- Champion Hills, Hendersonville, North Carolina
- The Cliffs at Keowee, Sunset, South Carolina
For a complete listing of Fazio’s courses and accompanying property options, visit this website.
What You Get for the Money
Amenities vary so considerably between golf retirement communities, there’s really no way to make an even comparison. Many are gated communities, while others are more exclusive outlying subdivisions. However, there are some general aspects to consider:
- Lot size/price and the community setting
- Construction requirements and/or available homestyles
- Covenant fees and amenity surcharges
- Course fees and restrictions (many exclusive courses are part of national tours, so your access may be limited depending on professional schedules)
- Interconnectivity between other properties, as to live on one but partake in the features of associated communities
Amenities run the gamut. Since golf is the main attraction, it’s not uncommon for communities to consider the other elements that attract active adults, such as:
- Golf and entertainment clubhouses
- Pools, tennis and racquetball courts, and fitness complexes
- Marinas, yachting, sailing, exclusive beach access, fishing, and other water activities
- Location-specific activities, such as amphitheatres, hiking and climbing trails, and equestrian centers
- Convenience services, such as shopping suites, restaurants, salons, and spas
Since most residential golf properties are considered high-end or luxury housing, you’ll discover that the cost per lot and unit will also have a wide range.
In 2007, some communities have a “low end” of $75,000-$175,000 per lot, and $300,000 - $500,000 per home unit, while others may have ready town homes for $250,000. Luxury properties won’t build within the community for under $1 million, and homes cost in the multi-millions, but again, there are often town home or condo units available for $400,000 - $750,000.
Conclusion
Most communities welcome interested buyers with select home tours and, on occasion, guest passes to the links. Create an interesting travel experience to visit your top five choices, and one is bound to be the ace you eventually call home.
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