Marian Schaffer, Principal and Founder of Southeast Discovery, a real estate consulting firm specializing in guiding Baby Boomers with their real estate needs in the niche markets of retirement relocation and second homes in the Southeast region, recently shared 10 reasons to consider the master-planned community of Reynolds Lake Oconee located between Atlanta and Augusta in Greensboro, GA, for retirement, relocation or second home purchase.
“Reynolds Lake Oconee has truly set the gold standard in master-planned community development over the last 25 years,” said Schaffer. “It's a well-thought out master-plan, surrounding a natural amenity, Lake Oconee, and close to a major U.S. city, Atlanta, offering world class health care, shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment venues along with one of the best airports for national and international air travel. This community has consistently stayed the course over the last two and a half decades with dedicated developers at the helm, and it shows.”
According to Schaffer, these ten qualities make Reynolds Lake Oconee the ideal community for those seeking natural beauty and a relaxed way of life in Georgia’s rolling lake country:
#1: This community is 26 years in the making. Reynolds Lake Oconee is an established and seasoned master-planned community. Originally a family retreat dating back 100 years, Reynolds Plantation, now known as Reynolds Lake Oconee, was founded in 1982. It is now a globally recognized resort, community and club, featuring a robust suite of amenities, including six golf courses, nine dining venues, four full-service marinas, swimming pools, 21 miles of walking and biking trails, a fitness and tennis club, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
#2: Met Life at the helm. MetLife, one of the largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, acquired Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2012. Senior managing director and global head of real estate investments for Metlife said of the purchase at the time, “Reynolds Lake Oconee is an exceptional addition to our real estate portfolio and we look forward to investing in Reynolds Lake Oconee’s future to ensure it continues to be recognized for the extraordinary lifestyle it offers.”
#3: Proximity to one of the largest cities in the Southeast region. “Reynolds Lake Oconee is 75 miles east of downtown Atlanta, so for those who want easy access to big city benefits without the drawbacks of living in a congested metropolitan area, Reynolds is perfectly located,” said Schaffer. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 7 miles outside of Atlanta, is a major hub for travel throughout the United States and internationally, with 207 domestic and international gates, an added benefit for relocating retirees who want to travel back to visit family and friends, or travel the world. Atlanta is also known for access to world class health care at facilities such as Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and WellStar Atlanta Medical Center.
#4: Reynolds provides an unparalleled golfing lifestyle for its members. “There are 117 holes of golf to enjoy at Reynolds Lake Oconee, and residents/members do not have to drive to different clubs to play them,” said Schaffer. “Few communities can offer six excellent golf experiences in one location.” Courses include The Plantation Course, designed by Bob Cupp with Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green; The Great Waters Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus; 27-hole Reynolds National Course, designed by Tom Fazio; The Oconee Course, designed by Rees Jones; The Creek Club designed by Jim Engh; and The Landing, designed by Bob Cupp.
#5: Reynolds Lake Oconee rests on the shores of 19,000-acre Lake Oconee, which features over 374 miles of shoreline. Lake Oconee is Georgia's second largest lake, and provides some of the state's best fishing, along with swimming, boating, skiing, camping, picnicking and water-skiing. “For those who love the lakefront lifestyle, Reynolds Lake Oconee is the ideal relaxed and peaceful setting,” said Schaffer.
#6: The Reynolds Lake Oconee lifestyle provides a wide array of experiences new residents are looking for. “Whether you’re in search of surroundings that offer beauty and tranquility and the simple enjoyment of a relaxing lifestyle, or you want to enjoy a socially active lifestyle among the community’s 40 social and interest clubs, Reynolds Lake Oconee can fit the bill for whatever you would like it to be,” said Schaffer. “There’s everything from book clubs, to continuing education, to sporting and art clubs, to welcoming committees for new residents, and much more.”
#7: Reynolds Lake Oconee blends residential living with a resort component. “This is a financial structure for master-planned communities that makes financial sense and ensures the community thrives economically,” according to Schaffer. “The Ritz Carlton Lodge is located adjacent to Reynolds Lake Oconee with specific golf courses and amenities that can be enjoyed by resort guests, offsetting some of the operating costs to run and manage the amenities. This reduces the level of financial responsibility placed solely on the residents of the community.”
#8: Abundant daily conveniences right outside community gates. “Unlike many other lake communities in the Southeast, many of which tend to be more remote in their location, Reynolds Lake Oconee has a fair amount of commerce already built, and continuing to be built, right outside community gates,” said Schaffer. The Lake Oconee Village shopping area includes a Publix grocery store as it’s anchor; other shopping and dining options include CVS Pharmacy, Verizon Store, an 8 cinema movie theatre, wine store, golf shop, nursery, jewelry store, furniture store, art gallery and more.
#9: Mixed age community rather than age-restricted. Residents of Reynolds Lake Oconee include retirees, semi-retirees, seasoned professionals, and families with children. Reynolds Lake Oconee is a great community for all age groups, Schaffer noted. “The community offers access to a major airport for those who need to travel for work, and for those who want to take their kids out of the urban and suburban sprawl and raise them in an environment where they can enjoy the great outdoors, and pursuits like water sports, biking, golf and other favorite pastimes, Reynolds Lake Oconee is the ideal place.”
For residents with elementary school age children, The Lake Oconee Academy Charter School, a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School, Top 3 Georgia Elementary School, and ranked among the 50 Best Public Elementary Schools in the U.S. by TheBestSchools.org, is nearby.
#10: Quality health care right outside the gate. Within minutes of the community gates is St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, a 25-bed acute care critical access hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. St. Mary’s offers a wide range of services including general surgery and a 24-hour emergency department, and specialty services provided by a network of board certified physicians.
About Southeast Discovery
Since 2004, Southeast Discovery has been a trusted resource for candid information and insight on communities, developments, and general real estate in the Southeast. Through its highly-ranked web portal, newsletter and blog and its one-on-one work with clients, Southeast Discovery helps buyers actively looking for a retirement or second home in the Southeast navigate the process of identifying the right area and community for their needs. To learn more, visit http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/ http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/
