Achasta
July 23, 2008
Achasta Directions
Achasta is comfortably set in the beauty of the North Georgia mountains. Like at other Linger Longer Communities (see Reynolds Landing and Reynolds Plantation), golf plays (no pun intended) a very important role, thanks to the par-72, 6,995-yard Achasta Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design. The course is set amongst such beauty that, according to their website, 25% of golfers choose to walk instead of renting a cart!
Achasta walking bridge
The course has been home to the PGA Tour’s 2007-2008 AT&T Classic Qualifier, 2002-2006 Bell South Classic Open Qualifier, 2002 Georgia State Amateur Qualifier, 2003 US Open Qualifier and the 2004 Georgia State Mid-Am Qualifier. The Achasta clubhouse is a casual setting, just steps from the Swim and Tennis Center nearby.
Achasta is only minutes from a unique arts and cultural scene in downtown Dahlonega, which was recently named a “Top Five Offbeat Town” by OffBeatTravel.com for its eclectic arts scene, historic treasures, 12 annual festivals, dining and shopping.
Currently under development for the community is the planned Mountain View Club. The Achasta Mountain View Club will feature both indoor and outdoor pools with waterslide and whirlpool spa, a casual bistro, lounge, meeting space and fitness center.
Local history is woven into the community:
“Achasta” is derived from the Tsalagi (Cherokee) word for light. Exemplifying Linger Longer Communities’ commitment to preserving the heritage of the land and the people who once inhabited it, Achasta is a tribute to the Cherokee people and the Chestatee River. Known as the “River of Running Lights,” the Chestatee flows through the community, illustrating the light of new beginnings while leaving a legacy of its own throughout the beautiful mountain topography.”
Achasta golf course mist
The North Georgia Mountains surrounding Achasta offers members and visitors the opportunity to walk the more then 3 miles of winding scenic trials that meander all around Achasta’s 1058 acres. The nearby Chestatee River is perfect for an afternoon of trout fishing, floating on a relaxing inner tube or a kayak ride in the cool mountain water.
It wouldn’t be the mountain life without mountain biking, gold panning, rock climbing and horse back riding. All of these are available at Achasta.
The property search on the Achasta website shows lots are available from the $120k’s, and complete luxury homes range from the $400k’s up to $1.5 million. [visit website]
Reynolds Landing
July 23, 2008
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Reynolds Landing first began development in the 1980’s as “Port Armor” and its main draw was having the first championship golf course on Lake Oconee. The community that is now Reynolds Landing really set the bar for the future developments in the area. Convenience to the cities of Atlanta and Augusta (just an hour away) is also a nice feature.
Arial view of Reynolds Landing
In 2005, Linger Longer Development ( see also: Reynolds Plantation and Achasta) took over the community and spent heavily to upgrade the golf course, the roads, and the amenities, with a pool, tennis and recreational facility that opened in 2007.
Perhaps one of the best lifestyle amenities available in Georgia, the Linger Longer Living Cultural Lifestyle Experiences (say that 5 times fast!) series and the Oconee Performing Arts Society provide a full year’s worth of music, dance, concerts, exhibitions, lectures and other events for residents of Reynolds Landing and Reynolds Plantation.
Local towns offer antique shopping, dining and a wealth of cultural and historical sites. Lake Oconee Village, a master-planned commercial and retail center, opened in fall 2002, has several restaurants, boutiques, medical clinics, banks, pharmacies and a Publix Super Market only five minutes from the gates of Reynolds Landing.
Reynolds Landing pool and waterslide
The new clubhouse and amenity center includes a full-service restaurant and lounge, a beach-entry family pool with a waterslide and hot tub, and 4 hard surface tennis courts. There are also plenty of things for the kids and grandkids to enjoy such as the new adventure playground with swings, slides, and rocking toys. In addition there is a lakeside community park, and an athletic field.
Reynolds Landing is situated around the award-winning Bob Cupp designed Golf Course which was called one of Georgia’s best golf courses when it opened, second only to Augusta National. According to the Reynolds Landing website:
“It features a variety of holes that wind through naturally wooded areas and rolling hills, making the course enjoyable for all levels of golfers. Three holes wrap dramatically along the shoreline of the lake and the green settings and shot values make this one of the premium tests of golf on Lake Oconee.”
Because it is an older community, the lot and home prices are a bit more reasonable than adjacent Reynolds Plantation. After a quick search of available properties we found lots from the $70k’s and homes up to the $600k’s. [visit website]
Reynolds Plantation
July 22, 2008
[See more Atlanta retirement communities and Augusta retirement communities]
Reynolds Plantation is located just an hour’s drive from Atlanta and Augusta. Developed by Linger Longer (see also: Reynolds Landing and Achasta), the Reynolds Plantation community has a whole line-up of world-class amenities awaiting its residents. There are several self-organized member clubs as well as an extensive events program that includes exhibitions, performances, lectures, author meet-and-greets, dinners and instructional events.
Inside a home at Reynolds Plantation
There are homes available for purchase, or you may choose from one of the 17 preferred builders. A quick check of available properties at the time of this writing showed lots starting in the $100k’s and homes sarting in the high $200k’s but ranging all the way up to several (like 5) million depending, of course, on the home’s size, amenities, and location (ie: lakefront or golf course will be more).
There is also a leasing program available if you need a place to live while your house is being built OR if you’re like me and want to be ultra-sure about a place before you purchase.
Indoor pool at Reynolds Plantation
The Lake Club is known as the center of social activity at Reynolds Plantation. The members-only club has an indoor/outdoor pool, tennis, fitness and more, along with a great location overlooking Lake Oconee (the second largest lake in Georgia). There are five golf courses (including a Taylor Made performance lab), the Linger Longer Park, three marinas, four clubhouses, seven world-class restaurants, 12 tennis courts, and miles of walking trails available to make this a perfect place for a second home or your eventual primary retiremement community residence.
Outside of the community, lifestyle opportunities and conveniences are not very far away. At Lake Oconee Village, an upscale Publix grocery store complements a variety of restaurants, shops, clinics, banks, pharmacies, salons, boutiques, gift and antique shops and services like attorneys, dentists, financial planners and more. Historic small towns like Greensboro, Madison and Washington are also nearby.
If the word “houseguests” sends shivers up your spine, I’m sure they won’t mind if you put them up in The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation. The Lodge has 251 luxury guest rooms, plus a 26,000-square-foot spa. [Visit Website]
Hampton Island Preserve in Coastal Georgia
May 16, 2008
Hampton Island Preserve (about a half-hour south of Savannah) is actually a series of islands linked together to form the community.
Just 300 homesites ranging from an acre to entire farms, you can choose from Lakefront, Marsh, Equestrian, Deepwater, Golf Course and wooded views. These homesites go for $650,000 to over $4 million.
Amenities include golf (Ricefield’s designed by Davis Love III), equestrian, spas, boating and fishing, a 16-acre organic farm, and more.
Looks and sounds like a really nice community, but there seems to be a battle brewing about the amount of development going on in Hampton Island. Visit http://www.hamptonislandfounders.com/ to read more on that.
Currahee Club in the North Georgia Mountains
May 4, 2008
If you’re considering the North Georgia Mountains for a retirement or 2nd home, be sure to check out Currahee Club at Lake Hartwell.
It’s a 1,200 acre private gated community located only 90 minutes from Atlanta and just an hour from Greenville South Carolina.
The golf course here was designed by Jim Fazio and was voted by Golfweek magazine as one of the top 50 residential golf courses in the nation. Other proposed amenities include a 48,000 square foot clubhouse, a tennis center, a fitness/swim center, and a marina.
From their website it looks like lots start in the high 100k’s, and the least expensive home I could find for sale was just under $700,000.
Currahee Club is located in Toccoa, Georgia.
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