2021 Spring Ideal-LIVING

Cottage Homes from the low 300’s Waterview Homes from the 400’s Estate Homes from the

GOOD COMPANY

Whatever our decade, here’s what doesn’t change. The need for connection. Nature and culture that inspires us. And a home we love. At Newland, we design awardwinning communities across the country for a full life at every age. With 55+ homes and neighborhoods within communities that bring all generations together. Around everything that matters most. Come find your place.

The Peninsula is a community with extraordinary amenities right at your fingertips. Just outside your doorstep is a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and the Indian River Bay. Enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, a trip to the spa, a meal at the Terrace Grille and more, all without ever leaving the gates.

With a first-class experience right outside your door, you’ll never want to leave, but if you do, you’ll always be at ease when you come home to The Peninsula. New Homes from the $300s to $3M+. Discover summer at the Peninsula today.

© 2020 Schell Brothers LLC.All Rights Reserved. All information and pricing is subject to

W o r l d - C l a s s A m e n i t i e s | D e s i g n e r H o m e s | I d e a l L o c a t i o n | R e l a x e d L i f e s t y l e

C O M M U N I T Y H I G H L I G H T S

t o b u i l d y o u r d r e a m h o m e w i t h y o u r o w n p e r s o n a l i z e d d e s i g n ! I f y o u ’ r e i n t e r e s t e d i n a d i v e r s e l i f e s t y l e w i t h u n i q u e e x p e r i e n c e s a n d r o l l i n g h i l l s , o u r c o m m u n i t y i s w h a t y o u a r e l o o k i n g f o r . O u r c o m m u n i t y t a k e s t h e p h r a s e " a c t i v e a d u l t l i f e s t y l e " t o a n e w l e v e l , w i t h o u r w o r l d - c l a s s a m e n i t i e s a n d e n d l e s s o u t d o o r r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s

I f y o u ' r e c o n s i d e r i n g F l o r i d a ' s P r e m i e r M a s t e rP l a n n e d C o m m u n i t y f o r a s e c o n d h o m e o r r e t i r e m e n t l i v i n g , t h e n y o u o w e i t t o y o u r s e l f t o s e e a l l t h a t o u r c o m m u n i t y a n d l o c a t i o n h a v e t o o f f e r !

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A c t i v e a n d R e l a x e d L i f e s t y l e

I n c r e d i b l e V a l u e a n d Q u a l i t y o f

L i f e

There has never been a better time

WELCOME TO A NEW KIND

Live in a place where you can walk to work, the coffee shop and even the doctor. Where parks and trails keep you connected to the land, community-wide WiFi keeps you in tune with the world.

What is a new kind of Hometown? It’s innovation, technology and sustainability creating a life only imagined before, now being enjoyed to the fullest.

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SPRING 2021

VOLUME 23, NUMBER TWO

PUBLISHER

RPI Media, LLC.

PRESIDENT

Michael Hackeling

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kelly Godbey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sam Crawford, Colleen Crowley, Kelly Godbey, Warren Grant, Kim Henry, Paula Roberston, Fanny Slater, Madison Swart, JG Walker

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kelly Godbey, Amber Whittington

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Laurie Kent

DATABASE MANAGER

David Heck

IDEAL-LIVING.COM

David Heck, Will Weinel

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gina Burwell

ADVERTISING SALES

NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, TN, DE,VA,WV, PA, NJ: Daniel Keir | dkeir@ideal-living.com

SC, GA, FL: Fred Warren | fwarren@ideal-living.com

Western U.S. & International: Dana Leyva | dana@ideal-living.com

Sales Coordinator: Laurie Kent (800) 736-0321 www.rpimedia.com

The real estate projects and services advertised in this magazine constitute advertisements of the owners or their agents. RPI Media, LLC.® makes no representations or warranties concerning such advertisements. Interested parties should direct their inquiries to the appropriate parties listed for information concerning any of these advertisements. The advertisements contained construed as an offer to residents of the states of New York or New Jersey, or where otherwise prohibited by law. Questions on the availability of offers should be directed to the advertiser. Publisher’s notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

"...We not only

a view of this beautiful spring fed lake, our horses are now in our backyard... We are living our dream, in God's country, thanks to everyone in Mclendon Hills who was involved in the process." Our heartfelt thanks, Jody & Bob P.

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Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL00169 (Latitude Margaritaville at Daytona Beach) and OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head). Latitude Margaritaville at Daytona Beach and Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head are registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118 and with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and has not been completed. The facilities and amenities described and depicted are proposed but not yet constructed. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are merely representative of current development plans. Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2021. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Latitude Margaritaville and

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Find a New Life this Spring

by Kelly Godbey kellyg@ideal-LIVING.com

Spring has sprung. Flowers are beginning to bloom, and a new sense of hope now fills the air. Millions of people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations each day, bringing the opportunity to reach out to loved ones and an effort to find a new normal. Now, we can plan to live a new life.

The pandemic has brought positive changes to daily life, including allowing many of those people to work from home. Even when people can go back to the office, many may continue. This change has enabled some people to relocate to destinations with better climates and more advantageous tax consequences while continuing to work. And, others have chosen to accelerate their plans and retire early. Whatever the reason for the change in locale, real estate markets around the country have seen unprecedented growth from people in search of less congested areas and more open space. Inventory levels in popular destinations are lower than usual, but that’s the reason to start your search today.

This spring, ideal-LIVING encourages you to seek out new destinations and make plans to visit planned communities as soon as you are able. If the pandemic has changed your life goals, now is the time to take advantage of your new-found freedoms. On a personal note, I can not wait to get vaccinated and begin to travel again. I want to visit so many places in the world, including a trip abroad Belize for scuba diving, paddle boarding, and fresh foods (see page 38).

In the past year, we have seen a dramatic uptick in the number of rounds of golf played. Courses have been filled with golfers eager to be out on the green in the fresh air while spending time with friends. In our Teed Up department (page 42), we explore two golf course communities that offer a lot more than golf to keep their residents in shape.

Another trend that ideal-LIVING has spotted is “Outdoor Living.” Entertaining outside and bringing the outdoors in should be part of planning any new home today. Get some ideas from your new home starting on page 100.

As always, please share your stories with us. We’d love to include your story of how you found your ideal destination, life, and home.

Find Your Ideal... DESTINATION

The first step in finding your ideal destination is to choose a location of interest, maybe one you have vacationed to or have always wanted to visit. Perhaps you want to live in an international destination, or you can start with a state, then choose a region, then city, and find communities of interest. The next step is to visit four to five communities in and around that city.

Ideal-LIVING welcomes the following communities. Please take the time to visit their websites, and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Ideal-LIVING.

Embrey Mill

North Stafford, VA

Embrey Mill by Newland is a master-planned community of new homes situated just off I-95 in Stafford County, VA. The Quantico Marine Base is only five miles away, and installations like Fort Belvoir, Fort A.P. Hill, Joint Base Andrews, the Washington Navy Yard, and others can all be reached in a drive of an hour or less. With that strategic location, Embrey Mill is a perfect choice for retired military veterans and active-duty service members and their families.

The featured single-family homes at Embrey Mill are available in various floor plans and sizes, ranging from three to five bedrooms. Seven of the region’s premier homebuilders are currently offering nearly 30 different home styles that can be customized to accommodate every family’s needs. A select number of single-level residences are also available in Embrey Mill’s first phase, with new options projected in the near future for phase two.

An impressive list of amenities starts with Embrey House. This central community gathering place features the Grounds Bistro & Cafe, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, and a swim center with lap pool, waterslide, and splash pad. There’s also a second resort-style pool and clubhouse at the Knight Meeting House. With more than 15 parks and playgrounds, 10 miles of nature trails, two dog parks, and a community garden, Embrey Mill has an abundance of healthy-lifestyle amenities for active residents of all ages.

EmbreyMill.com

Wendell Falls WENDELL, NC

Wendell Falls offers a contemporary small-town lifestyle at a location that’s just a 15-minute drive from downtown Raleigh and North Carolina’s renowned Research Triangle.

Every Wendell Falls home is built to demanding ecoSelect standards that save owners an annual average of $700 in energy costs and 2,100 gallons of water. Seven of the region’s finest builders also deliver on residential style, with choices that range from spacious semi-custom and singlefamily designs to three-bedroom townhomes with garages. And for more retiring lifestyles, Encore by David Weekley Homes is a new age-55+ enclave that features low-maintenance, single-story residences as well as a private clubhouse and pool.

The Farmhouse Cafe is a favorite community gathering spot that serves gourmet cuisine and more casual fare inside and out on the big deck. Additional active-lifestyle amenities include a clubhouse with a saltwater pool, a complete fitness center, more than 10 miles of hiking/biking trails, five community parks, fit pod workout stations, playgrounds, and a mini amphitheater for live entertainment.

Treelight Square is Wendell Falls’ growing town center, with shops, restaurants, professional services, a county fire department/EMS station, and a brand-new Publix. It’s also home to The Collective, a unique hi-tech business hub plus a Kindercare learning center and Cardinal Charter School for grades K-6. Wake Tech, the state’s largest community college system, has recently announced plans for a new campus at Wendell Falls.

WendellFalls.com

Sterling on the Lake

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA

Sterling On The Lake is a Newland community designed for active retirees, firsttime home buyers, and growing families in the fresh air and sunshine of the North Georgia Mountains. The historic town of Flowery Branch, with boutique shops and restaurants on a revitalized Main Street, is just around the corner, while all of the attractions and professional services in Atlanta are only 40 minutes south.

The 45-acre Lake Sterling is the heart of community activities that can include bass fishing, complimentary use of canoes and kayaks, and family outings on Picnic Island. The Lakeside Clubhouse features meeting rooms, a caterer’s kitchen, a 24hour fitness center, a 27-seat movie theater, and a pool complex with a two-story slide and waterfall. Three Sterling tennis centers host club competitions and charity tournaments. The 4.5-acre Village Park features outdoor concerts and other events and at the hub, an extensive network of community hiking trails and playgrounds. Less vigorous fun can be enjoyed at the on-site public library and its casual cafe for light meals and freshly brewed coffee.

Sterling On The Lake homesites include select waterfront locations and various residential styles with up to five bedrooms by the finest area builders. The Retreat by David Weekley Homes is Sterling’s new age-55+ neighborhood with a private community clubhouse and pool. Ranch-style, open-concept homes are featured with semi-customizable designs in single-story floor plans.

SterlingOnTheLake.com

INTRODUCING THE PASS AT BLACK CREEK | MOUNTAINTOP HOMESITES WITH MAGNIFICENT VIEWS | PRESELLING NOW

Springs Village

Life is for living, and you’ll find plenty of living going on in Hot Springs Village – the largest private, gated community in North America. Sitting on 26,000 acres of the scenic Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Village is a place you’ll be proud to call home. Whether you custom-build or move right in, your days can be filled with golfing, boating, hiking, fine dining and so much more. It’s truly a place for you to live your best life!

Community News Update

MYRTLE BEACH MODELS GRANDE DUNES | MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Brand-new model homes at four choice locations are now open in the Myrtle Beach community of Grande Dunes. Three new models by builders AR Homes, Nations Home II, and Carrell Group are available for inspection in the Waterside Edge active-adult neighborhood. Another new Carrell home is also open in Waterside Pointe. The Cape neighborhood is featuring a new model by Tradition Homebuilders, and Carrell has a new home design in the Members Club Enclave, located just minutes from the recently renovated Members Club golf course.

GrandeDunes.com

HOMEBUILDER DEBUT

Bay Creek | Cape Charles, VA

Preserve Communities has announced the formation of a new homebuilding subsidiary, Preserve Homes & Neighborhoods, to focus on crafting personalized quality residences for families and retirees. New construction is commencing at Preserve Communities’ Bay Creek property on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

BayCreekLife.com

RV DISCOVERY PACKAGES

Hot Springs Village | Hot Springs, AR

Hot Springs Village in Arkansas is again offering its popular RV Discovery Package in 2021. The deal includes two nights at the private Village RV Park and a $50 restaurant voucher, as well as access to the Coronado Fitness Center, hiking trails, and tennis/pickleball courts. Additional nights and golf discounts are also available.

ExploreTheVillage.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit these amazing locations.

WITH THE FLOW go

of the St. Johns River

Whether you’re exploring the magnificent St. Johns River, walking miles of trails or meeting new friends at the RiverClub, you’ll love the unique coastal Old Florida feel. WaterSong at RiverTown is close to everything that’s important to you – but far away enough to feel like an oasis.

New

In addition to all of RiverTown’s amenities, you’ll enjoy exercising and socializing at WaterSong’s planned, exclusive resident-only offerings: •

Phase Two Now Selling

Villas and Single-Family Homes from the upper $200s

For more information call 904-337-4856 or visit WaterSongFL.com.

dollar amenities.

| S T. J OHNS, F LORIDA

UPSCALE APARTMENT HOMES

Carolina Colours | New Bern, NC

Plans have been announced for The Hudson at Carolina Colours, a new 26acre community of garden-style apartment homes with resort amenities. The Hudson will be located across from the Carolina Colours Town Centre and will meet local demand with ongoing major expansions at the nearby Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and the CarolinaEast Healthcare System in the New Bern area.

CarolinaColours.com

DELAWARE GROUND BREAKING TOWER HILL | LEWES, DE

Carl M. Freeman Companies and K. Hovnanian Homes recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for Tower Hill, a new community of 292 single-family homes in historic downtown Lewes, DE. Sales are scheduled to commence in late Spring 2021.

LiveTowerHill.com

MORE CHRISTMAS BIRDS

DATAW ISLAND | BEAUFORT, SC

The Dataw Island Conservancy Christmas Bird Count for 2020 reported a tally of 66 species and a total number of 2,403 birds, a new record for the annual event. Dramatic increases were recorded in the local flocks of robins, blackbirds, cowbirds, and waxwings, with 49 Great Blue Herons, 19 White Pelicans, and six American Bald Eagles also included in the count.

Dataw.com

NEW PENINSULA SITES

BEAU COAST | BEAUFORT, NC

The Peninsula at Beau Coast recently released 49 exclusive homesites, 12 of which have direct water access to Turner Creek, for sale to the public and builders. Spacious customized homes are planned for the new upscale community, following on reports of surprising growth in Carteret County and the Beaufort area on the North Carolina coast during the past year.

BeauCoastNC.com

BAYSIDE CLUBHOUSE OPEN Bayside | Selbyville, DE

The Bayside Clubhouse is now open in Delaware’s Bayside Resort Golf Club. The community’s newest amenity includes casual dining in Signatures at Bayside, a glassenclosed golf simulator, a complete golf shop, a banquet room, bocce ball courts, and an outdoor patio overlooking the toprated Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.

LiveBayside.com

Ideal-LIVING VIRTUAL Resort & Retirement Shows Help Thousands

Although things around the country seem to be taking a positive turn, the pandemic over the past year has prompted many changes in the way business is conducted. As many of our readers have attended IdealLIVING Resort & Retirement Shows in person in the past, it was not possible to host these live events during the past year. However, ideal-LIVING quickly pivoted to a virtual platform and welcomed thousands of people to the Ideal-LIVING VIRTUAL Resort & Retirement Show last fall and this winter.

In addition to watching webinars designed to inform viewers about top retirement and relocation destinations, participants were able to gather information and chat with community representatives to help them in their search. We will offer webinars throughout the year for our readers on topics such as:

How to Choose Your Ideal Place

Top Home Trends

Top Reasons to Move to a Planned Community Preparing for Retirement in a Post-Pandemic World Pickleball Anyone?

Feel 20 Years Younger

We are excited to share with you some of the positive experiences from attendees.

“Thank you very much. Truly appreciate it and my husband and I enjoyed the show. We are looking forward to our visits, we have several states and communities in mind.”

Laura R.

5500+ registrants

Over 50 Communities Represented

45,000+ Booth Visits

54,000+ Content Views

6000+ Webinar Views

"Yes, I did get plenty of information from the show. It is definitely different online than an in-person event, but it is still worthwhile.  I have already been on the phone with a couple of the vendors gathering more information and received a half dozen emails. For our household, it is a challenge to make a decision on where to move.  We know we want to leave Illinois since it continues to be a heavy burden on the taxpayer."

Daniel B.

https://app.involve.me/ideal-living/what-kind-of-retiree-are-you

Over 1,000 people completed a fun survey to find out what kind of retiree they would be. Here are the results.

38% Foodie — You definitely have an appreciation for the finer things in life. You're a connoisseur of food, wine, art, friends, etc. And, retirement can be a whole new opportunity to try new things. Try looking for communities with close proximity to the city, and ask representatives about the local food and art scenes. You never know, you might find something you like!

36% Active Retiree — You're someone who's up an at 'em and definitely not afraid of a challenge. Your days as a retiree will likely be spent going on hikes, playing a couple rounds of golf, or challenging friends to a game of doubles. Make sure to check out communities with fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, and fun dining options — you're going to need something good to eat after a long day of play!

10% Scholar — You are always looking to learn something new. Your friends probably look to you for podcast and reading recommendations. You are passionate, hip, and looking to continue your love of learning in this next chapter of your life. Look out for communities with lots of interest groups and close proximity to museums and theaters. Also, check out communities near colleges and universities to broaden your mind.

16% Creative — Maybe you've been an artist all along, or maybe retirement is a new opportunity to bring out that side of you. Whatever your medium, painting, poetry, sculpture, etc., you're sure to find somewhere that can bring out your creativity. Try looking for communities with connections to local community colleges for some classes, and look for some scenery that inspires you!

“I really enjoyed virtual show day and came away with so much information. I have since been in touch with several of the vendors who were part of the virtual show on Saturday and looking forward to working with them.” Linda C.

Where are you most likely to spend your next vacation?

68% By the Sea

34% In a historic town

6% In a Bustling City

What do you do to unwind?

70% Go for Walk

20% Order in Some Comfort Food

How do you wake up in the morning?

34% I’m up with the sun.

39% I consider myself an early bird… as long as I have coffee.

25% I hit snooze a couple of times

What do you order on a night out?

17% Something with spice

30% A local Delicacy

50% A tried and true favorite

What’s your favorite way to exercise?

7% A dance lesson

9% Tennis

73% A nice, long walk

11% A Spin Class

40% 8%

12% 40%

“Bravo - well done event - congrats on the ideal-LIVING Resort & Retirement Show team and all exhibitors. I’ve managed mega trade show event for Apple and HP in 3D and I know first hand what a challenge it is in planning, logistics, finance, partnerships, staffing, etc. Thank you!”

Lola L.

Coming

to Lewes, DE

Just a short bike ride from downtown Lewes and Canalfront park, Tower Hill will be home to beautifully built single family homes.

For more information and to sign up for the VIP list please visit LiveTowerHill.com

Florida is Still Shining

By Colleen Crowley

Every year, United Van Lines releases a national mover study, tracking who is moving and where they’re going. The results from the 2020 study are less than surprising, showing a push out of the Northeast and Midwest into the sprawling West and warmer southern regions of the U.S. For the last decade, Florida has consistently seen an influx of people moving inbound. These new neighbors are more than just snowbirds; they’re choosing to stay in the Sunshine State long-term.

• Florida was the ninth most popular state for overall inboundmoves, according to the 2020 moving report.

• Of all the people moving inbound to Florida, 38% are 65 years of age or older.

• Another 32% are between 55 and 64 years old.

• Although retirement is the leading reason for moving, nearly 23% of new Floridians cited their job as the reason for their move.

• Another 21% t cited “lifestyle” as their reason to relocate.

• 26% of inbound movers have an income between $100k and $150K; 42% percent have an income higher than $150k

• According to the U.S. Census, New Yorkers, Georgians, and Pennsylvanians are leading the charge in the move to Florida.

The Sunshine State continues to see an uptick in new resident migration

Unsurprisingly, the southern and central Florida coasts continue to be the most popular destinations for new residents. With move-in ready communities, easy accessibility, and plenty of year-round outdoor activities, the following areas or locations are particularly popular:

• According to the moving report, the Sarasota-Bradenton region, 60 miles south of Tampa, is the second most popular area in the country to relocate to; 78% of people moving in the region last year were fresh arrivals.

• The Fort-Myers-Cape Coral area and the Palm BayMelbourne-Titusville region came in fifth and seventh on the list, respectively. The latter, also known as the “Space Coast,” is approximately 60 miles east of Orlando.

• The median value of a single-family occupancy house in Florida is $215,300, according to the U.S. Census.

Economic factors are a huge driver of inbound Florida migration. Residents don’t pay state income tax, and there’s a business boom on the horizon:

• According to the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, “From 2020-2023, Florida’s economy, as measured by real Gross State Product, will expand at an average annual rate of 1.5%. After contracting by 2.4% in 2020, real Gross State Product will rise by 4.9% in 2021.”

All this, plus an average of 237 sunny days a year, makes Florida a clear choice for anyone looking for a new place to roost.

Waterfront Living

Breathtaking Sunsets

Championship Golf

Marina with FREE Boat Dockage

Fishing, Kayaking, Sailing

World-Class Arts Center • Beaches just minutes away • So Much More

Florida WaTERFRONT Living Resort Amenities | State-of-the-art Health Care

At Shell Point ® , you’ll enjoy a relaxed Southwest Florida lifestyle just minutes from Sanibel and Captiva Islands that includes boating, golf, beaches, the arts, concerts, dining, events and so much more. And, as Florida’s largest continuing care retirement community, you can rest assured your long-term health care needs will be taken care of – both now and in the future. Learn more today!

The Land of Enchantment

New Mexico is one of the least densely populated states, with 2.1 million residents in an area covering nearly 122,000 square miles (about 17 people per square mile). However, with several major research labs and a thriving high-tech sector, New Mexicans hold more PhDs per capita than any other state.

New Mexico's home prices are about 5% lower than the national average, and the effective property tax rate is 0.79%. The annual tax bill on an average home value of $187,000 is around $1,477.

The overall cost of living in New Mexico is about 4% less than the national average.

New Mexico has no inheritance or estate tax.

Spanish monks brought the first grapevines to New Mexico in 1629. Today, the New Mexico True Wine Trail includes 43 vineyards, wineries, and distilleries located throughout the state.

Among the most enchanting natural attractions in New Mexico are Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Petroglyph National Monument, Gila National Forest, and the extinct Capulin Volcano.

New Mexico’s capital of Santa Fe was founded in 1610, making it the oldest capital city in North America. It’s also the highest capital in the United States at 7,200 feet above sea level.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and The National Hispanic Cultural Center are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, with about 550,000 residents.

There are more than 13,500 ranches and farms in New Mexico.

The statewide gross receipts tax (effectively a sales tax) is 5.125%, but most groceries, prescription drugs, and medical expenses are exempt.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

By Kim Henry

Blending the laidback vibe of the Caribbean with the passion of Latin America, Belize is perhaps the last best-kept secret within the ‘living my best life’ goals. Tropical jungles and ancient Mayan ruins stand beside a pristine ocean reef and exotic wildlife, making this culturally diverse country a multi-faceted gift for all. Add to this a whole host of practical pluses, and it’s no wonder that Belize is fast becoming the savvy dreamer’s go-to destination.

How to Get There

Let’s begin at the very beginning. How does one get to Belize, and are the travel logistics viable for those who still have ties in America? Surprisingly, you can fly out of Denver, CO, and land in Belize a mere four hours later and in only two hours if you fly from Dallas, TX. There are now multiple direct flights every week from numerous airports across the country, including Los Angeles Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Boris Mannsfeld of Boris Mannsfeld & Associates, one of the most widely respected real estate companies in Belize, says, “Belize is no longer just for young, single people with few responsibilities. Many professionals are building their dream life in Belize, with their family, knowing how easy it is to return to the States whenever they need to.”

How Do You Own a Piece of Paradise?

So you get to Belize and fall in love with the stunning landscape, friendly locals, fresh food, and clean environment; how do you go about buying a property and turning your dream into a reality? The first thing to note is that English is the official language of this ex-British colony.This ensures that all legal documents and transactions are in English, which is extremely reassuring when embarking on something as significant as buying property. In addition, Belize has a very dynamic and open process for acquiring property, with no restrictions placed on international buyers. Belize law is based on English Common Law, meaning that foreigners receive fee-simple absolute title to all property. There are no capital gains or inheritance taxes, and property taxes are below $100 USD per property annually.

Owners of Swan Villas, a recently completed environmentally friendly development that offers energy-efficient eco-homes close to Maya Beach, Placencia, share their story. “Belize does have a relaxed atmosphere, but with the right management, projects can come to life efficiently and swiftly. We bought the land and opened our eco-resort within just seven months.”

The local government has recently made significant investments in upgrading the infrastructure of Belize, which has had a ripple effect in productivity.

“It’s a very rejuvenating place to live. Lots of being outside, swimming, and less stress. It’s just an all-around healthier life.”

In addition to simplified traveling within the country and high-speed internet, buying and developing property has never been more simple or accessible.

An Eco-Friendly Retreat

Providing a balance to these improvements, Belize is also one of the most eco-friendly Latin American destinations. The government has just banned single-use plastic and offshore drilling, and placed specific laws to safeguard the country’s natural beauty. Belize has the world’s secondlargest and most protected barrier reef with a long Caribbean coast, making all things water-related a dream come true. The crystal clear ocean is nothing short of paradise from above the water paddle boarding and sailing to below the water snorkeling and scuba diving. When Mannsfeld describes an average morning consisting of watching the sunrise with turtles and dolphins and not having to navigate traffic jams or parking tickets, it’s not hard to understand why he started visting and investing in Belize nearly 30 years ago. He now lives in the U.S. and Belize and has never looked back. “It’s a very rejuvenating place to live. Lots of being outside, swimming, and less stress. It’s just an all-around healthier life,” smiles the founder of the most trusted real estate firm in the Placencia area.

Add to the wide range of water activities the historic Mayan ruins and hiking through the 60% of land that is still a lush jungle, and we see why more and more people are falling in love with the lifestyle of this peaceful country. When farm-totable dining and freshly squeezed fruit juice is the norm over soda and processed food, you know

you’re on to a good thing. Furthermore, Belize has no major industry, which means there are no large areas of clear-cut forests or huge factories pumping pollution into the air or water.

A Booming Economy

“Tourism is the main industry in Belize,” explains Mannsfeld, “which means two things: The country is naturally more environmentally conscious, and the locals are very welcoming. If you ask someone who's just returned from Belize about the first thing they noticed, you can guarantee they will say it was how friendly the locals are.” Belize has a large young population that embrace responsible growth and tourism as a way to share the gifts of their culturally-rich country, provide a vibrant job sector, and maintain a healthy economy. Recent years have also seen an encouraging rise in international schools, wellequipped hospitals, and progressive interior design and landscaping companies meeting international families and retirees’ needs.

The year-round sub-tropical climate is the cherry on the beautiful Belizean cake. With innovative resorts that combine modern amenities and traditional simplicity, an eclectic international community, friendly locals, low maintenance real estate, and a no-hassle commute to the U.S., it’s no surprise that sustainable development in Belize is booming right now. If 2020 showed us anything, it’s that living the good life with our loved ones is all that matters.

THE CLUBS AT ST. JAMES

81 Holes of Golf and So Much More

by JG Walker

“Fifteen years ago, we were best-known as a ‘premier golf community,’” says Dan Kingsbury, broker-in-charge of St. James Properties. “After all, we’d just opened our fourth on-site golf course—more than any other private club in the Carolinas. Since then, our golf membership has steadily grown, but even our most avid golfers want more in their lifestyles today.

“The challenge now for The Clubs at St. James and others like us,” Kingsbury says, “is to grow and change with the times, offering the new amenities and activities that our members want. For example, back in the early 2000s, I’m not sure I’d ever even seen a pickleball. Today we have 10 courts here and hundreds of pickleball players.”

The St. James Plantation retirement and residential community on the southeastern coast of North Carolina officially opened in 1991. Its first major amenity debuted that same year, the Founders Club golf course designed by architect P.B. Dye. As the game’s popularity grew, St. James added the 27-hole Members Club course by Hale Irwin in 1996 and the Tim Cate-designed Players Club layout the following year.

The golf masterplan for St. James was completed in 2006 with the opening of the Reserve Club course by Nicklaus Design, giving members an unrivaled 81 holes of top-caliber play. All have been professionally maintained and upgraded over the years, earning honors for their quality of play and Audubon International certification for their environmental stewardship. Each location also features a full-service clubhouse with fine-dining restaurants and casual lounges.

Industry leader Troon Golf had managed the four St. James courses until three years ago when it purchased the club assets from the original developer, the first time the company had ever made such an investment. Rebranded as The Clubs at St. James, there are currently about

“The key to our memberships is flexibility. Gone are the old days of the take-it-or-leave-it country club. We make it easy for our members to change their plans as their interests evolve and to add new ones as our amenities grow.”

3,500 memberships with more than 6,800 active members, including spouses.

The Clubs at St. James offers a variety of golf, sports, and social membership plans. Golf members can enjoy unlimited play on all four courses and reciprocal privileges at 270+ Troon-managed clubs worldwide. Sports memberships offer discounted golf, plus full access to tennis/pickleball courts at four locations and three complete fitness centers with indoor/outdoor pools. Social members have limited access to the courses and full access to the workout facilities, clubhouse dining discounts, and a lively calendar of special events and seasonal activities.

“The key to our memberships is flexibility,” says Kingsbury. “Gone are the old days of the take-itor-leave-it country club. We make it easy for our members to change their plans as their interests

evolve and to add new ones as our amenities grow.”

The SeaSide Fitness and Wellness Center, which opened in 2016, is the club’s newest recreational facility. In keeping with contemporary trends, the SeaSide Center features state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment, group and personal exercise programs, and convenient physical-therapy services for members on the mend. There’s also a sauna, a grill that features a heart-healthy menu, a pool complex with water-aerobics classes, and a big splash pad for the kids.

Among the most popular amenities available to all is St. James By The Sea, a private beach club located just five miles away on the Oak Island oceanfront. And the St. James Marina & Harborside Marketplace on the Intracoastal Waterway offers complete boating services and

— Dan Kinsgbury, Broker-In-Charge, St. James Properties

casual dining. With a lakeside amphitheater, kayak launches, more than 35 miles of hiking/ biking trails, two dog parks, a pair of community gardens, and nearly 100 special-interest clubs, St. James residents have an endless list of activelifestyle choices.

“Garden clubs used to grow flowers for decoration,” Kingsbury says. “But we’ve expanded both of our community gardens in recent years because so many people want to grow their organic vegetables and herbs.”

Since 1995, St. James has been the best-selling residential community in the Coastal Carolina region and now has about 4,500 total property owners. Homesites with golf, water, and naturepreserve views are still available for the customdesigned residences that make each St. James neighborhood unique. But as the marketplace has changed, popular offerings now include maintenance-free condominiums that overlook the marina and energy-efficient cottages and townhomes for retirees who want to downsize their footprints with style.

“I think it’s fair to call St. James a ‘mature community’ because we’ve been here now for 30 years and counting,” says assistant general manager David Flinchbaugh. “But what our residents really appreciate is that we’re a fully developed community with the infrastructure and $100 million of amenities in place, not just promises for the future. That would be a major asset anywhere, but when you add in our coastal location—mild winters, perfect shoulder seasons, and ocean breezes to cool us down in the summer—you’ve got a very special place to call home.”

And it’s also a hometown: Like many other established developments, the St. James Property Owners Association oversees security for the gated community, as well as maintenance of the roads and other common areas. But in 1999, residents took it a step further, incorporating the Town of St. James with its own mayor, council, fire department, and emergency medical services.

“At St. James, you can be a neighbor, a property owner, a club member, and a citizen of the town,” Kingsbury concludes. “Our residents control their destiny here, and we’re all enthusiastic about what the future may hold.”

“There’s so much to do here that you’re never bored. People who haven’t belonged to a private club before have no idea of the value they’re getting with a St. James membership. And the job Troon is doing is just phenomenal.”

— Mary Barclay, St. James resident for 21 years

Unparalleled Views in Tucson

BY WARREN GRANT

Look east and up from almost any of the stunning 36 holes of desert golf at the SaddleBrooke TWO retirement community in northern Tucson, and you will be dazzled by the 9,000-foot peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, known locally as Sky Islands for their appearance as islands of diverse and verdant forest in a vast, rugged, and incomparably beautiful sea of Sonoran desert in southern Arizona.

SaddleBrooke TWO is set across a rambling valley floor and then up into the Catalina foothills, after which higher elevations become pristine Arizona State Trust Land, then higher still into the nearly 1.8 million acres of Coronado National Forest that spans Arizona and New Mexico.

The award-winning 55+ SaddleBrooke TWO community covers 1,407 acres and offers every imaginable resort amenity and avenue for engagement with friends and neighbors. The two golf courses at SaddleBrooke TWO, MountainView and The Preserve, share the unmistakable allure of desert golf, yet the two are markedly different. Both are guided under the watchful eye of Director of Golf Operations Matt Hudson, PGA.

Each course operates out of its own spacious clubhouse, and both are open to outside play with up to five-day advanced bookings.

The MountainView golf course is set in SaddleBrooke TWO’s gently rolling desert valley and is the perfect course to acquaint yourself with desert golf without doing much damage to your handicap.

It is the shorter of the two courses (6,728 yards, par 72), has less elevation change, and is not as bedeviling as The Preserve. Naturally, the distant views of the Catalina Mountains from the valley are glorious.

The player-friendly MountainView course is

MountainView

framed by wispy mesquite trees, dry creek beds, myriad varieties of cactus, natural desert areas that are in play, and elevated tees and fairways set amidst dramatic boulders.

The MountainView course is not overseeded during the brief winter chill, so you’ll find the dormant Bermuda fairways and greens run quick for a few months until they green-up.

For over two decades, the course has hosted the MountainView Collegiate, featuring 15 of the premier Division I women’s college golf teams, including Iowa State, Missouri, and Kansas State. “Residents at Saddlebrooke really wrap their arms

around the event as they traditionally provide housing for almost all the players and coaches in their private homes,” says Hudson.

It is said that noted Arizona golf course architect Dick Bailey “almost” tamed the wildness out of the dramatic landscape where he sensitively routed The Preserve course set into the foothills of the Catalinas.

Opened in 2004, the 7,006-yard course is tucked along desert ridges, past giant boulders,

The Preserve

and across deep arroyos at around 3,400-feet of elevation, higher than MountainView and almost all of the 40-some other golf courses in Tucson.

Hudson shares that “The Preserve is extremely memorable, challenging, interesting, and it makes you think your way around the course…although you can often get lost in the views.”

The signature hole on The Preserve is the 168yard, par-3 6th hole, which drops a dramatic 80 feet from tee to green and leaves you marveling at the slow-motion hang time and stunning backdrop on your tee ball.

The Preserve does overseed its greens and half of its fairways for the winter, so playing conditions are excellent all year long.

Desert Golf Tips

Tucson is a charming and historic city, but for the golfer lining up a 12-foot putt it is a directional landmark to regard. “The five mountain ranges surrounding Tucson create kind of a bowl, so for just about any golf course throughout the valley, your putt is going to break towards downtown Tucson,” describes Hudson.

When a wayward tee ball strays into the playable desert floor, the best choice is a desert club, just one club in your bag that you don’t mind getting scuffed up by the firm parched ground, pebbles, rocks, and cactus. Says Hudson, “Everyone here plays a desert club, whether it be a wedge, 7-iron, or a beat-up old 3-iron. My advice to newer players is to have fun with the game…if you hit it in the desert, pull the ball out on the grass. Hitting it out of a cactus is no fun!”

The iconic Saguaro cactus can grow over 40 feet tall, live up to 200 years, and is very sensitive to its environment and shallow root system. They deserve our respect, not golf balls.

Look north from several of the holes on The Preserve and you’ll spy Biosphere 2, the laboratory of glass domes that houses five closed ecological systems – from savannah to tropical rainforest. Now under the ownership of the University of Arizona, tours of the remarkable facility are open to the public

Tucson has earned the lofty recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for culinary offerings and special events that embrace the heritage ingredients and culture of Native American and Mexican traditions. Bring your appetite!

Perched at 9,157 feet on the backside of the Catalinas from SaddleBrooke TWO is the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center featuring Tucson’s best stargazing destination and the largest dedicated public telescope in the country that people can look through with their own eyes.

Make time to visit the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, ranked by USA Today as one of the 10 best zoos and interpretive centers in the country.

SaddleBrooke TWO offers extraordinary dining options with The Preserve Bar & Grill tantalizing with modern American cuisine and amazing views of the golf course. The Mesquite Grill overlooks the valley course while the MountainView Bar & Grill has panoramic views of the Santa Catalina mountains.

Club members also enjoy live entertainment and movies at the DesertView Performing Arts Center, with theater-style seating for 478. Additionally, there are two fitness and wellness facilities, with swimming pools as well as tennis, volleyball, basketball, and pickleball courts. There are also over 200 activity clubs for residents to share common interests.

For more information on any of SaddleBrooke TWO’s offerings, call 520-818-1000 or visit online at www.sbhoa2.org. For advance tee time reservations, visit www.TeeOff.com.

There’s a Place for You, and Find It!

venture out

DISCOVERY TRAVEL

ideal-LIVING invites you to get out and explore communities to find your ideal destination. You won’t know until you go. Here’s a sampling of Discovery Travel opportunities with over 100 more that can only be found online.

available only on

.com/ventureout

CRESSWIND – CHARLESTON, SC

Cresswind Charleston brings the award-winning Cresswind activeadult lifestyle to the Charleston area. This gated community is integrated within the thriving community of The Ponds while maintaining its own privacy. Cresswind features a full list of resortstyle amenities, all located within a natural, Lowcountry setting. Residents can take a short walk to the 12,000-square-foot clubhouse, enjoy pickleball and tennis, or participate in activities at the event lawn and amphitheater, play pool, swim in the resortstyle pool, fish, or kayak - and stay fit and healthy at a wellequipped fitness center.

BEAU COAST – BEAUFORT, NC

Located in historic Beaufort, Beau Coast offers a variety of homes in three different neighborhoods to suit every kind of lifestyle. From one and two-story single-family homes to townhomes, there's a style for you. And great amenities like pools, hiking, walking trails, clubhouses, and boating complement the homes and add zest to your lifestyle. Venture into Beaufort for shopping, dining, and yearround events. Come visit this charming destination on a discovery tour.

You won’t know until you go!

*All Discovery Travel is subject to availability and may be changed at any time.

BIRCHWOOD AT BRAMBLETON – BRAMBLETON, VA

Located in award-winning Brambleton, in the heart of Loudoun County, VA, and just 30 miles from Washington, DC, Birchwood has become the best-selling active-adult community around. Buyers have fallen in love with this new walkable community where everything you want is right at your fingertips including an amazing 20,000 square foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, open spaces, trails, shopping, and dining.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD – OCALA, FL

Nestled in central Florida's horse country near the Ocala National Forest, On Top of the World Communities offers a location that's close to everything, yet just far enough away to achieve a tranquil lifestyle. Next to its stunning setting, its beautiful homes with a variety of floorplans and amenities like three golf courses, walking trails, spa, and pickleball courts draw people in. Enjoy a threeday/two-night stay with accommodations, golf cart, tours of the community and Ocala, and access to amenities and activities, starting at $189.

TELLICO VILLAGE – LOUDON, TN

Tellico Village is a lakeshore community in east Tennessee that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, mild four-season climate, outstanding recreational facilities, and close proximity to Knoxville. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tellico Village comprises over 5,000 acres along Tellico Lake. Established in 1986, it has become one of the premier golf and water communities in the Southeast. Its three private championship golf courses offer outstanding play, and Tellico Lake provides a pristine resource for boating, fishing, and swimming.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE – HOT SPRINGS, AR

Hot Springs Village combines the best of the natural world with a rich culture of arts, entertainment, food, and recreation. With so much to do, living in the Village is a year-round staycation. Experience life as a resident by booking a Discovery Package. Your stay includes a community tour, access to the fitness center, lodging, and dinner at the Granada Grill or the Desoto Club. Golf enthusiasts can add a round of golf to experience our awardwinning courses. Come and see why so many people call Hot Springs Village 'The Place to Live Your Dreams!'

To find more than 100 Discovery Travel opportunities, visit ideal-LIVING.com/ventureout

Find Your Ideal... LIFE

What is your ideal life? The answer is unique to you. Make a list of all of the things you would like to do with your new life. Do you want to have more time to spend with friends? Do you want to live a healthier lifestyle? Exercise more or eat healthier? As you visit communities, you'll find one that feels like you.

On Florida’s Suncoast, a group of over 3,500 individuals has set out on the journey of a lifetime. Literally, a lifetime. But not to worry—they have their neighbors to support them.

Lakewood Ranch, a master-planned community just north of Sarasota with nearly 43,000 residents, has partnered with researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MassGeneral) and the Academy for Brain Health and Performance to launch the Brain Health Initiative.

From stress to strokes and depression to dementia, the program will study overall brain health, which includes illnesses, behaviors, and environmental factors that impact brain function.

“We’re creating … a brain health living laboratory of all ages,” said Dr. Stephanie Peabody,

Thinking Ahead

By Colleen Crowley

executive director of the Brain Health Initiative. “We’re focusing on how, by living a brain healthy lifestyle, we can promote and protect brain health, optimize daily performance, and prevent and fight brain illness.”

The Brain Health Initiative Longitudinal Study is “a multi-generational, community-based, epidemiological, longitudinal research study that will follow Suncoast residents, visitors, and workforce for decades in order to identify factors associated with brain health and performance across the lifespan.”

The Brain Health Initiative searched across North America for the study’s model pilot community, looking for a region that needed solutions in brain health outcomes and would welcome, participate,

Lakewood Ranch and the Brain Health Initiative team up for a lifelong partnership

“We’re focusing on how, by living a brain healthy lifestyle, we can promote and protect brain health, optimize daily performance, and prevent and fight brain illness.”

LIVE FLORIDA

TO THE FULLEST

NAMED “BEST IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA | HOMES FROM THE $200S TO OVER $ 1 MILLION | RENTAL HOME OPTIONS AVAILABLE © 2021 Lakewood Ranch

HEALTH AND FITNESS COMMUNITY” BY IDEAL-LIVING | 20+ UNIQUE VILLAGES TO CHOOSE FROM

and financially sustain a long-term study. Florida’s Suncoast was the ideal location, and Lakewood Ranch was the perfect microcosm from which to launch the program.

Lakewood Ranch is currently the second bestselling planned community in the United States. Established in 1994, its purpose-built, multigenerational community includes single-family homes, senior living facilities, and apartments, welcoming people of all ages.

The community covers 31,000 acres, including 28 villages, numerous shopping centers, amenities, parks, and more. There are 14 preschools, 12 primary and secondary schools, and nine colleges within the community.

The over 1,300 businesses in Lakewood Ranch employ more than 15,000 people in a myriad of fields, including finance, insurance, healthcare, retail, technology, and construction.

Although the average resident is 45 years old, several Lakewood Ranch communities are strictly for homeowners 55 and older. This allows the Brain Health Initiative researchers a special opportunity to look at illnesses that take hold later in life.

“Every day, [pre-retirees and those already retired] think about the physical health of their body,” said Dr. Peabody, “but they really don’t recognize or appreciate that there are tools and resources that impact the health of their brain for better or worse.”

The fact is, the average life expectancy in the United States is projected to continue increasing, from 78.99 years old in 2021 to 83.37 years old in 2050, according to the World Health Organization. Although increased life expectancy is generally viewed as positive, the illnesses that affect the brain as we age, and the importance of brain health, are often overlooked and misunderstood.

Dementia is one of the most widely known ailments associated with increased age, and the

number of people living with it is rising. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 10% of American adults over 65 have Alzheimer’s, just one of the many forms of dementia.

The Lancet International Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care estimates that globally, over 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.

These factors include hypertension, obesity, diabetes, depression, traumatic brain injury, and hearing impairment. Also included are low social contact, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, less education, and air pollution exposure.

“Brain health includes not only the physiological and metabolic health of the brain as an organ, but the dynamic interaction between the brain, mind, body, and environment,” said Dr. Peabody.

The larger Brain Health Initiative pilot program, which incorporates the input of people of all ages over many years, only launched in 2020, so data is currently being collected. However, if you don’t want to wait for the results but would like to improve or maintain healthy brain function, there are a few steps you can take:

• Eat a balanced diet and do some form of physical activity regularly

• Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake

• Look after your health in general, especially if high blood pressure or diabetes is a concern

• Get enough sleep

• Develop a robust social life

• Find a source of cognitive stimulation, whether you take a college class for fun, listen to podcasts, or watch documentaries

• Get outside and into nature

“Brain health impacts virtually every aspect of our lives, from our physical health and functioning to our emotional health and our relationships with others,” said Dr. Peabody. “We’re trying to raise awareness about … those preventative steps to keep our brains healthy, resilient, and performing optimally across the lifespan.”

A New Community Experiences Unprecedented Growth

It’s more than a waterfront community. Not only is Salters Haven at Lea Marina located on the blue waters of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Hampstead, NC, just outside of Wilmington, the land has quite a history. It was purchased 100 years ago by J.H. Lea, who operated his seafood company, J.H. Lea & Sons, Inc. After fishing the coastal waters, Mr. Lea purchased his own private beach for fishing that is now known as Lea Island

(just across the waterway from Salters Haven). Since fishing was so seasonal, he also purchased farmland whenever he could, including the land that is now Salters Haven.

This little piece of ‘paradise’ remained in the Lea family until just recently. After three years of discussions with D Logan of Logan Homes, the Lea family was certain that the family legacy would be held intact with the plans for Salters Haven.

In 2019, the developers began taking reservations through its pre-marketing campaign. Phase One development started in the spring of 2020. Then came the COVID-19 shutdown. But instead of slowing things down, they experienced unprecedented growth. Salters Haven logged 75 homesite sales in May and June of 2020, finished out the year with 150 homesite sales, and has already sold over 30 homesites in 2021. The new

community now has 63 homes completed or under construction. They were also able to complete the clubhouse and the marina. The community marina has 75 boat slips that will accommodate 30’, 35’, and 40’ slips available only to homeowners.

“The pandemic changed people’s plans. Where early retirees thought they would relocate within the next three to five years, it moved up their timetable to purchasing now,” said Andy Garrett, Salters Haven Vice President. “There was so much pent-up demand. Buyers have come from New York, New Jersey, the D.C. area, California, and even Louisiana. We’ve also sold homesites to local people with young children.”

This casual coastal life is close to the area beaches like the famed Wrightsville Beach, with its Caribbean blue waters, and historic downtown Wilmington. Legacy Homes by Bill Clark, Logan homes and other custom preferred builders have created quality homes that appeal to young families and retirees alike. You can schedule tours of six furnished model homes.

Salters Haven’s coveted coastal architectural style mixed with the ICW location has proven to be a winning combination.

Good Things Happen Even During a Pandemic

“The pandemic has been really tough on a lot of people. The loneliness has been a real challenge. We were lucky to get in when we did. We got in at the right time,” said Julie Mastroserio.

In July of 2020, Julie and her husband Anthony purchased a new home at The Bluffs on the Cape Fear, a multi-generational riverfront planned amenity community in Wilmington, NC.

“We were living in central New Jersey, and we were looking at the housing trends in terms of migration out of big cities during the pandemic.

People were stuck in apartments, so the demand for homes in the suburbs was incredible. We had an acre and a half with a pool and established landscaping. Even though we would be leaving behind this wonderful property, the pandemic pushed our decision for Anthony to retire. Then, I could work remotely from North Carolina,” said Julie.

“It was a really quick move for us. We put our house in central New Jersey on the market on July 4th and sold it on July 5th. Then we looked at our new home at The Bluffs on the Cape Fear on July 12th and put a deposit down that day. There is nothing that I don’t like about it.”

“I went on a 10-mile bike ride this morning with five women that I met after we moved here last September. We either walk or ride through every bit of pavement in the community. This group of women is very active and around the same age. Between bicycle riding and pickleball and people being neighborly, you just meet people in the neighborhood. I am part of the book club

that meets at the clubhouse (we all wear masks). We are all going through this traumatic experience together. I think these will be solid, long-lasting friendships.”

The Mastroserios chose The Bluffs on the Cape Fear for various reasons, including the proximity to Wilmington. They were able to purchase a spec house on a third of an acre within walking or bicycling distance to the clubhouse, pickleball courts, and pool. They enjoy being able to get to anywhere in the Wilmington area in 20 to 25 minutes. And, they laugh at people who complain about traffic in the area. Their attitude is “traffic, what traffic?”

They lowered their cost-of-living with significant decreases in mortgage and property taxes and utilities by moving to an energy-efficient new home.

“What’s so nice is that this has allowed my husband to do all the things that he has always

wanted to do — to have more leisure time, to golf. We both play pickleball now. And I am able to work from home. This house was everything that we wanted. We each have our own space. We have a FROG (that’s a Finished Room Over the Garage). I work from the FROG; my husband has his study downstairs. Then we also have a guest room and master suite downstairs. We have a beautiful back porch and a front porch with rocking chairs. We really like it here.

“It’s a huge decision to uproot yourself from a place where you have lived for 20 years and have tons of family and all of those established ties that you create. You can let go of what was and embrace the new things. Some people are good at doing that, but I am not. I didn’t realize that I would have this emotional attachment to things. It’s been a process for me, but I couldn’t be happier in this new life.”

The Shades of Carolina Colours Suit You Perfectly

The blues of abundant waters flowing throughout this coastal region of North Carolina. The greens of our Bill Love-designed championship golf course. The many hues of life in a celebrated planned community, situated in New Bern, a town that is at once historical and modern.

It’s a picture perfect lifestyle, spent among friendly neighbors and fun-filled activities, including swimming, tennis, pickleball, a dog park and miles of walking and biking trails. And the convenience is further enhanced with a retail center now open at the community’s entrance. If you’re searching for a retirement community that celebrates the art of living, these are definitely your Colours. Inquire about our Discovery Package and come visit Carolina Colours for yourself.

Hooked on the Coast:

Chef Jay Cantrell’s

Colorful Culinary Trek Through the Southeast

by Fanny Slater

Savannah, GA

Chef Jay Cantrell

Executive Chef

The Club at Savannah Quarters

What do you get when you cross a Johnson & Wales-trained food enthusiast (whose childhood memories include plucking zipper peas off the pod and cooking farm-to-table feasts alongside his grandmother) with the abundant culinary bounty of Georgia’s coast?

Straight up Southern magic. You know, like local shrimp and grits with Tasso gravy or marinated fried chicken slathered in truffle honey and toasted pecans.

Chef Jay Cantrell, Executive Chef of The Club at Savannah Quarters, is no stranger to shaking up the classics. Ingrained with a lifelong dream of living on the shoreline, his wishes came true when he landed in one of Charleston, South Carolina’s top culinary programs. From there, he dabbled in some of the area’s award-winning eateries followed by a transition to Georgia—where he helped open (and set the tone for) legendary downtown dining destination, Vic’s on the River.

Needless to say, he’s been hooked on the coast ever since.

After nearly four years at Savannah Quarters, Chef Jay is still packing the house with customers (as much as COVID-19 will allow) for his elegant themed dinner nights and bold brunch creations.

Below is his inspiring odyssey from grandma’s kitchen helper to innovative, hard-working head chef.

Did you know from a young age that you wanted to be a chef? What are some of your earliest memories in the kitchen?

I did, and a lot of that came from cooking with my grandma. Farmto-table is basically what we did together. She had a fantastic garden in her backyard, and we’d go out there and pick things like zipper peas and corn for sides. My papa was a hunter, so occasionally, whatever he’d bring home—that’s what we could cook. Food was plentiful, that’s for sure!

In addition to attending Johnson & Wales for culinary arts, what was your hands-on career path like (working your way up the ranks at restaurants, working at other clubs, etc.)?

I lived in Charleston for about six years and worked at Magnolias for a good long time. I also worked at Charleston Grill for about two years, and under Chef Bob Waggoner, I learned so much.

I moved from Charleston to Savannah to help open Vic’s on the River. It was scary as it was my first executive chef gig, but it was successful. I was there from the ground-up.

What drew you into the country club environment vs. working at free-standing restaurants?

I had never done it before! I was also used to transient audiences where I never saw the same people. At a country club, it’s more of a challenge to keep members interested.

How have your menus evolved over the years?

I take a lot of inspiration from back in the days of cooking upscale Southern food with French technique in those Charleston restaurants. I do a lot of braising and work with stocks and sauces like classic velouté or demi-glace—lots of low and slow.

When I started at Savannah Quarters, I didn’t want to just do “country club food,” which can be kind of bland and boring. I wanted to create menus for customers who wanted a downtown meal without having to go downtown.

Sounds risky! How was that change received?

I tried it out once, and they loved it! I got great feedback from the

BBQ Rubbed Cedar Plank Salmon Romesco

guests and my team. I can’t stress enough how much I rely on the whole staff, particularly food and beverage director Pamela Thompson. She and I work handin-hand with a lot of things.

What are some of your standout dishes on the current menu?

The cedar plank salmon with romesco sauce is great, as well as a feature I’m doing right now, which is duck two ways (seared duck breast with confit leg, cassoulet risotto, fried spinach, and blood orange gastrique). And I love my fried chicken—a marinated, fried airline breast hit with truffle honey and toasted pecans as soon as it comes out of the grease.

Your culinary style screams elevated Southern comfort food. How much of that inspiration do you pull from the region itself?

2-6oz quality salmon fillets

4 tablespoons BBQ rub (recipe follows)

4 tablespoons romesco sauce (recipe follows)

2-6”x6” cedar planks

Directions: Prepare the cedar planks by placing them over the hottest part of your grill until well toasted. Take the BBQ rub, and liberally season the salmon. Place salmon on the toasted cedar planks, and cover the tops with romesco sauce. Place over a hot grill, and close the lid. Cook the salmon until you reach an internal temperature 145 degrees, about 12-15 minutes. If you would prefer your salmon cooked well done, cook until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees, about 20 minutes. Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes and enjoy.

I stick to local companies as much as possible who get Georgia-grown ingredients like the shrimp I use. Those are wild Georgia shrimp. A good friend of mine is a charter captain, and I get to go fishing with him. We pick up a lot of trout, redfish, and sheepshead, and I take them home, cook them up, and figure out recipe ideas to bring to the workplace.

Speaking of the region, you got to participate in the Savannah Food & Wine Festival a few years ago, which is a huge event. What was that experience like?

Romesco Sauce

5 Roma tomatoes, halved

1 large red pepper, quartered

5 cloves garlic

½ cup whole toasted almonds

¼ cup red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon paprika

1 pinch red pepper flakes

BBQ Rub

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

Directions: Add tomatoes, red peppers, and garlic cloves together in a mixing bowl. Toss with salt, pepper, and oil. Roast in a 400-degree oven until garlic cloves are browned. Set aside and let cool. Place all items in a food processor and puree until well blended. Drizzle in EVOO until desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let sit for at least an hour, preferably overnight, before serving.

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1 teaspoon chipotle powder Mix all ingredients together until well incorporated.

I got first place in the presentation, and we had the most popular booth! We were doing lobster rolls and had quite the line. Every restaurant in town was there, so I was a little intimidated to compete. But we had a great time, and I’d love to do that again!

What else inspires you when you’re writing menus? Seasonality? Cookbooks? Food television? Travel?

I just love where I live. I love living on the coast. I grew up in a landlocked area of Georgia, and I always wanted to live on the coast, which I got to do when I went to culinary school in Charleston. I fell in love with it, and I’ll never live away from the coast again. That’s enough inspiration for me.

It’s now been a full year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. How have things shifted at the club since last March?

We’ve been gung-ho the whole time other than closing down for about two weeks. We did themes like lobster and prime rib to-go, and once those started picking up—we decided to do a limited takeout lunch and dinner menu as well. We did so many to-gos, it was almost like we were still open!

After that, we started slowly opening up with increased capacity, and we’re still doing quite a few to-go orders along with the now in-house theme nights.

We don’t do tables any bigger than six and each seat is separated. The dining room looks totally different, and I’m definitely ready for it to be over with so we can have a full place again.

These theme nights sound like a hit! Which food has been the most successful?

Even though the menu changes seasonally, the theme nights are something really different and bring in a big crowd. It just gives the customers something totally different to experience.

Italian night was great. We try to go as authentic as possible and serve things like Fra Diavolo and gnocchi. We’ve done Indian fare, shrimp, and BBQ (complete with dry-rubbed Boston butt, ribs, baked beans with burnt brisket ends, and dynamite coleslaw). We do the basics with a little bit of a kick. That prime rib night packs the house every time!

Are there any procedures that went into place during the outbreak that you found ended up being for the better?

We used to do a huge Sunday brunch buffet with various stations (omelets, carving, waffles, etc.). Post-COVID-19, I began doing an a la carte brunch menu which I’ve had a lot of success with. It’s also my favorite food to cook! In my opinion, there’s nothing better than eating—or cooking—brunch.

We do chicken and waffles, huevos rancheros, shrimp and grits with Tasso gravy, and chicken and biscuits. Also, basics like steak and eggs, though it’s a New York strip topped with bearnaise and fried eggs. The presentation is pretty fantastic. We’ve had some picky customers, so we were a little nervous at first, but once they tried it, they were wondering why they never ate it like that before.

What advice do you have for home cooks who aren’t very comfortable in the kitchen, but want to entertain and improve their skills?

There’s a world of knowledge in books and online, as well as on channels like Food Network. If you’re not comfortable, just make yourself comfortable. What’s the worst thing that could happen? If it’s not good, try to make it better!

You’ve been on your feet cooking all day. What’s your go-to takeout order?

I live on Wilmington Island, and Chef Mir Ali who owns Lili’s Restaurant and Bar is an amazing chef and a good friend of mine. He incorporates a lot of traditional Indian spices in his dishes. I’ll pick up his tandoori chicken and waffles any day.

Feel 20 Years Younger

Is it possible to find the fountain of youth?

Can we really turn back the hands of time?

It might be challenging to find time to care for ourselves in the way we truly need to in our daily lives. What would happen if you were granted the gift of time–the gift to pursue the things you have always wanted to do? That is often the case when people relocate from highly populated areas with lots of traffic and colder climates to less dense areas with a better climate. When people decide to change their lives and relocate to a new destination, they often find the time to pursue a healthier lifestyle and feel much younger.

If the year of COVID-19 has prompted you to reevaluate your lifestyle, it’s never too late to decide to improve your quality of life. Here are some tips to make you feel younger and energized.

WHERE TO LIVE

Envision the lifestyle you would like to have, and then choose a new destination that allows you to live that life. Maybe it’s near the coast or in the mountains, maybe you’d like to move to the Caribbean. According to Mitch Jacobs, VP of sales and guest relations at The Landings on Skidaway Island near Savannah, “When you are in a warmer climate, you can’t help but feel better. You have so much opportunity to be outside, enjoying things. You can be more active, and it can make you feel a lot younger.”

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Changing your behavior yields excellent benefits. When you choose to relocate to a planned amenity community, living an active lifestyle is easy. The developers have included all of the amenities to help you better yourself. In addition to the architectural guidelines and lush landscaping, developers integrate miles of walking trails throughout the community. You can be as active as you would like to be. It’s almost like a summer camp for adults. Your calendar could be packed every day if that’s what you would like.

STAY SOCIALLY ACTIVE

Being socially active is one of the most important ways to feel young again. In a planned community, it’s really easy to move in and get socially involved. Almost everyone who lives in a planned community comes from somewhere else, so residents are essentially in the same boat. New neighbors are welcomed, and there are often “new neighbors” clubs to meet new friends. You can also meet people by walking around the community and just saying hello! If you have an interest in a particular activity, find a social club that you can join. For example, if you like to play cards, join a card-playing club. If you like bird-watching, you can find others who enjoy the same thing. Just about any activity can be made social. The point is to get out and meet people, and feel younger while doing it.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

Exercise is very beneficial to the body, mind, and spirit. If you haven’t exercised in a while, don’t worry, you can start slowly. It can be as simple as enjoying a walk or bicycling around a community. If you haven’t played pickleball yet, just wait, you will. It’s the fastest-growing sport among 50+-year-olds, and it is much easier on the knees than tennis. Golf has seen a major resurgence since the pandemic–it’s an easy way to get some exercise while being socially distant. Then there are always water sports–swimming, water aerobics, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Or, maybe sailing is your preference. Once again, get out of the house and start a routine, or just have some fun.

RECONNECT WITH NATURE

Another great way to feel younger is to reconnect with your natural surroundings. During the pandemic, national park visits exploded with people wanting to return to nature. Whether it’s a hike in the mountains, a stroll on the beach, or maybe a boat ride around the lake, feeling connected with nature is food for the soul.

Don’t wait! Start living your ideal life today, and you, too, can feel invigorated and younger.

Wellness Trends

This winter has been harsh in more ways than one, but a new season is finally here, bringing with it warmer weather and a feeling of hope. This spring, it might be a good idea to create new habits and concentrate on mental and physical health. Here are five ways to focus on your well-being this spring.

Changing Your Eating Habits

You don’t have to be on a restrictive diet to practice more mindful eating, and spring is the perfect time to start. Try seeking out some local produce at farmers markets and local grocers. Additionally, focusing on a more seasonal approach to food can both lead you to new healthy recipes and ensure that you find truly fresh foods, plus spring and summer are best for produce such as berries, artichokes, asparagus, and squash. Yum!

Getting on Your Feet

Now that the frost has melted and the sun has returned, it is time to shed the layers and get up off the couch. Spring often presents the perfect weather for walking, jogging, biking, or picking up a racket. There are many ways to be active and stay socially distant, especially outdoors. For example, golf has risen in popularity during the pandemic. Plus, exercise has the added bonus of providing you with endorphins.

Switching up the Spa

Another everyday wellness staple is visiting the spa. However, this past year has been anything but common, so spas are now adapting to the changing times with some unconventional treatments. Touchless treatments such as cryotherapy, float tanks, and saunas, as well as both more meditative and technologically-advanced treatments, have become more common during the pandemic, according to Travel Weekly. These new treatment methods are helping people relax without compromising on safety.

Getting off Social Media

It’s important to note that wellness is as much about the soul as it is about the body. This past year, we may have felt glued to our televisions and phone screens more than ever. But, as the country starts opening up more and warm weather comes around again, it may be time to close out of Facebook and Instagram and lean into what is right in front of us. Taking a break from screens for a few days could free up some time to read a book, get out in nature, or start on spring cleaning.

Giving Back

According to Forbes, this year will mark a transition from a year of focusing on ourselves to focusing on our communities at large. There are boundless options for how you can donate your time. If you are itching to get out of your house, there’s always a need for volunteers for local beautification projects, animal shelters, and food banks. If you aren’t comfortable doing in-person activities quite yet, some websites can match you with virtual volunteering opportunities based on your areas of interest. Volunteering can not only benefit your community, but your mental health as well.

READY TO EXPLORE?

What are you waiting for? Aren’t you overdue to discover new trails with your best friend, sign up for a new fitness class, or join the book club?

When you live at Noble’s Pond you have a never-ending list of new activities to try, right in your own community, plus easy access to many local attractions. So step out and discover what Noble’s Pond living is all about.

A Perfect Day On The Water

FREEDOM BOAT CLUB

By JG Walker

When an old buddy invited me for a weekend visit to his home on Hilton Head Island in the summer of 2019, he said, “If the weather’s nice, we can go out on the boat.”

“You bought a boat?” I asked. “You’ll see,” he replied.

Image provided by Freedom Boat Club

The following afternoon, we drove to a nearby marina. Waiting for us there was a smiling young man who gave my friend the keys to a sleek, sparkling-clean fishing boat, all gassed up and ready to go with a cooler full of bottled water and sodas. We then set out for a three-hour tour

across Calibogue Sound, up the May River and down by the Harbour Town Lighthouse, returning to the same slip and handing over the keys to the same attendant. During the trip, my friend explained that he had joined the Freedom Boat Club and could take out any of the watercraft at

Freedom Boat Club has franchise locations in 31 US states, from Maine to California. This is a partial list of popular sites in the Southeast:

FLORIDA

Anna Maria

Bonita Springs

Bradenton

Cape Coral

Clearwater

Daytona Beach

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Myers

Jacksonville

Islamorada

Marco Island

Melbourne

Miami

Naples

Palm Coast

Panama City

Pensacola

Punta Gorda

Sarasota

St. Petersburg

West Palm Beach

Tampa

Venice

GEORGIA

Atlanta

Savannah

St. Simons Island

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte

Raleigh/Durham

Wilmington

SOUTH CAROLINA

Beaufort/Port Royal

Charleston

Hilton Head Island

Lake Hartwell

Murrells Inlet

North Myrtle Beach

Seabrook Island

TENNESSEE

Knoxville

Nashville

the site anytime he wanted—no hauling in or out, no cleaning, no maintenance, no hassle whatsoever.

As it turned out, this brilliant concept was only new to me. In 1989, a group of boating enthusiasts in Sarasota, FL, realized that their many friends who loved to go along for the ride were never actually going to buy their own boats. So they founded the Freedom Boat Club (FBC), a revolutionary idea at the time that has since become one of the most successful franchise businesses in the entire recreation industry.

Here’s how it works:

Members pay a one-time initiation price of about $5,500 and an average monthly fee of $350. Either amount may be slightly higher or lower depending on the location and membership package. In return, FBC members have access to a fleet of boats selected for the local waterways that include pleasure-cruising watercraft and fishing boats like bowriders and pontoons and offshore/onshore, deck, and wake boats. Any type of boat available at the location can be reserved, and the number of guests that a member can bring along is limited only by the capacity of the selected boat. All occupants are provided with life vests and pets are welcomed, too.

FBC takes care of boat cleaning, maintenance, repairs, insurance, storage, and fueling. Fuel costs are reimbursed by members based on actual usage. Upgraded cleaning protocols implemented in early 2020 due to COVID-19 include enhanced touch-surface sanitation, plus staggered departure times, social distancing on the docks, and personal-protective gear like masks worn by all FBC staffers.

New FBC members are required to take an on-the-water safety class led by one of the club’s U.S. Coast Guard-certified captains (or their equivalents in Canada or Europe). Members also have access to

Image provided by Freedom Boat Club

millennials to retirees and everyone in between, by providing an opportunity for our members to enjoy the on-water lifestyle at every stage of life,” said Cecil Cohn, president of the Freedom Boat Club Network.

additional training online and via Zoom, plus in-person instruction that can include tours of the local waterways.

After that, FBC members can schedule their boating adventure with a phone call or by using the online reservation platform. Generally, at least a 24-hour notice is recommended to assure the availability of the desired type of boat. Members also have reciprocal access to pleasure and fishing boats at all of the FBC locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe, thus creating the chance to explore lakes, rivers, and coastlines at a myriad of vacation destinations.

“The Freedom Boat Club model appeals to a variety of consumers, from millennials to retirees and everyone in between, by providing an opportunity for our members to enjoy the on-water lifestyle at every stage of life,” said Cecil Cohn, president of the Freedom Boat Club Network. “Whether our members are new to boating or seasoned boating enthusiasts, we pride ourselves on providing simple access to a variety of boating experiences around the world at any of our 250+ locations.”

The growing popularity of that model is self-evident: In May of 2019, Freedom Boat Club was acquired by The Brunswick Corporation, a watercraft-industry leader with a portfolio that includes Mercury Marine engines and boat brands like Bayliner, Boston Whaler, and Sea Ray. Since then, the FBC franchise network has grown from 170 to the current 253 locations. Memberships have increased 61 percent to a total of 36,500 and counting. During 2020 alone, members enjoyed more than 400,000 trips on the water. Freedom Boat Club was also named last year to Entrepreneur magazine’s first Top Growth Franchise list of 150 North American companies with the greatest franchise growth over the most recent three-year period.

“We opened our doors in October 2019, and it’s been an incredible experience to see how the concept has taken off in the community and the growth we’ve experienced in our first year,” said Zach Hollenbaugh, franchise owner of the Freedom Boat Club of Wilmington, NC. “We have a diverse group of members from first-time boaters to veterans, but the consistent feedback we receive is that they love the convenience of the club and the opportunity to create memories on the water. As a franchise owner, nothing makes me happier than seeing the smiling faces of our members after they return from an enjoyable day on the water.”

From a good idea in 1989 to a thriving business in 2021 and beyond, Freedom Boat Club has made it possible for anyone to be a captain without buying the ship. Get more information at FreedomBoatClub.com.

The Freedom Boat Club model appeals to a variety of consumers, from

Palmer Lake Villas

Coastal Cottages

TheValue of Giving

VOLUNTEERS AND FUNDRAISERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Challenging times often bring out the best in people and there’s no doubt that our doctors, nurses, and other service providers have proven to be selfless heroes in the past year. But in communities large and small across the country, residents have joined with their neighbors to help those whose needs are even greater. And while in-person volunteer activities have sometimes been curtailed due to pandemic restrictions, people have given generously to local non-profit organizations and found creative ways to raise funds that support charitable groups in their areas. At ideal-LIVING magazine, we applaud them all and want to highlight the good work being done in three of those inspiring communities.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

-Winston Churchill

by JG Walker

Changing Lives Through the Power of Horses at McLENDON HILLS

The McLendon Hills community in North Carolina is best known for its Equestrian Center, which features fully outfitted stables, training programs, 8.5 miles of bridle trails, and the region’s finest horse-show facilities. Soon after it opened, the McLendon Hills Equestrian Center also became the host site for Prancing Horse, an innovative therapeutic riding program for children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Today, due in no small part to the community’s fundraising efforts, Prancing Horse has its own dedicated facility, where McLendon Hills riders continue to volunteer their time and equestrian expertise.

“When you experience it first-hand, you know that something very special is happening,” said Nancy Piscopo, a long-time McLendon Hills resident and Director of the Prancing Horse Center. “It might be words spoken for the first time, a look of pure joy, or just being able to bring some calm and quiet to life’s noise and stress. Volunteering at Prancing Horse has allowed me to not only give

back to my community, it has given me the gift of experiencing these special moments, knowing that our students' lives and their families are being changed for the better. ‘Changing lives through the power of horses’ is more than just our slogan.”

Other McLendon Hills residents donate their time to a variety of area nonprofits. Carol Houck and her neighbors help out at Caring Hearts for Canines, a local animal-rescue shelter. Karen Marshall and her friends use their skills to make Quilts of Valor for military veterans. Peter Dotto heads up a regional group that works with the Toys for Tots program.

And because its property owners association runs McLendon Hills, the time donated by members is vital, from overseeing security and common-area maintenance to testing the waters in Lake Troy Douglas. Even the Woodworking Club does its part, building lakeside kayak racks and unique sunning docks for turtles, in the McLendon Hills community where volunteering is an important part of the lifestyle.

Keowee Key members in upstate South Carolina have always been generous in supporting charitable organizations. But Jon Bachman and some of his like-minded neighbors thought that there could be a more focused effort to support local nonprofits. So in 2018, they created the Keowee Key Community Partnership (KKCP).

“We knew that Keowee Key members were giving tens of thousands of hours each year as volunteers,” said Bachman, who serves as Chair of the 11-member KKCP board. “We thought that we could leverage that volunteerism to drive contributions to organizations helping people right here in Oconee County.”

The KKCP designates local “Partner” charities, some nominated by Keowee Key volunteers and others which apply for support. Each is vetted to ensure that they are IRS-certified nonprofits and all agree to issue tax-deductible receipts for donations received. “Our Partners commit to invest donations received from Keowee Key exclusively within Oconee County and to report back quarterly to KKCP the total of those contributions,” Bachman said. “KKCP doesn’t collect or disburse any funds directly, nor do we know the identities of donors, but we do promote our Partners to encourage volunteers and donors.

“Through the end of 2020, our Partners have reported contributions from Keowee Key of more than $475,000,” he continued. “That includes matching funds from our members’ employers, or the former employers of retirees and from local companies doing business here in Keowee Key. That financial support has really been appreciated in the past year due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person volunteer activities and the cancellation of some fundraising events.”

Among the 20 KKCP Partner charities are local chapters of national and regional nonprofits and smaller charities specific to Oconee County. Together they address many of the educational, nutritional, medical, and social needs of less-fortunate residents in the county. “Our agreement with each Partner is that all money received from Keowee Key members is spent in Oconee County,” Bachman said.

“In the year ahead,” he concluded, “we want to expand the number of our Keowee Key member participants, especially among new residents. We also hope to get more local businesses involved as donors and add new Partners where we can have a positive impact on the good work that they’re doing.”

Keowee Key members donated over $475,000

On Top of the World hosts COVID-19 Vaccination Site

On Top of The World (OTOW) in Ocala has grown to become one of Florida’s largest age55+ active-adult communities. Residents not only have access to an abundance of active-agingtailored amenities but can also join more than 150 community social clubs and interest groups, dozens of which are committed to public service or fundraising for local charities.

Theresa Fields is OTOW’s Recreation Department Program Manager and works with most of those groups. “Our residents are passionate when it comes to helping others,” she says. “For many of them, this is the next phase of life where they can do something meaningful and feel they’re making a difference.

“We have so many clubs with members that volunteer their time or raise money for area non-profits that it’s difficult to name them all,” Fields says. “For example, the Women of the World Club is a very active fundraiser for a number of local causes, including a shelter for at-risk youth. The Sewing Bees

How is your daily drive?

Dataw Island

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA

How is your daily drive? Cut the commute and wake up daily to 36 holes of championship golf with 11 holes per course featuring water views. Plus, tennis, pickleball, croquet, bocce, and social clubs too numerous to mention. Just outside historic Beaufort, SC, Dataw Island is a private gated community catered to the active lifestyle.

The perfect size – with 900 homes, there are numerous resales available, and room to build 100 more – the community is truly a hidden gem. Developed to honor nature and history, the

“Best Golf Community”

island exudes historic charm, natural beauty, and extraordinary living, and its people emanate friendliness.

• Two golf courses (Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills) both ranked in the state of South Carolina’s Top 50

• Eight Har-Tru tennis courts, named an “Outstanding Tennis Facility” by USTA

• Croquet

• Pickleball

• Full-service marina

• Community docks and kayak launches

sell their creations to help less fortunate kids here in Marion County, and the Sunshine Quilters make comfort quilts for children’s hospitals.”

In addition, the Bunco Babes Club hosts an annual fundraising event to support the March of Dimes. Several OTOW groups, including the Lions Club, organize donations to local food banks. Others are active every holiday season with contributions to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Residents of OTOW’s Candler Hills community raised more than $16,000 for classroom supplies for local public schools in September 2020. Other OTOW clubs recruit volunteers and solicit donations that benefit area hospice programs, military veteran support organizations, and animal-rescue shelters.

“Our residents enjoy staying active,” says Fields, “and they’ve found that supporting local charities is one of the most fulfilling ways to do that. Each of our service clubs is run by a volunteer that devotes his or her time to benefit the greater Ocala com-

munity. It’s also a great way to make new friends and engage in worthwhile social activities.”

And as new needs arise, OTOW is quick to coordinate community health initiatives such as participating as a major local distribution center for COVID-19 vaccinations. Volunteers at OTOW’s Master the Possibilities Not-For-Profit Lifelong Learning Center scheduled appointments, and the community’s Circle Square Cultural Center was the host site for 3,500 doses administered in March 2021. Among those served in the initial distribution phase were area residents age 65 and over and qualified healthcare personnel, teachers and school employees, law enforcement officers, and firefighters.

• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools

• Nature preserve, featuring trails, sunset dock and an off-leash dog run

• Community garden plots, butterfly garden

• Free library

• Social clubs too numerous to mention Visit on a three-day, two-night stay to see for yourself why locals have voted this community the “Best In Beaufort.”

(843) 838-3838 | Dataw.com

Photo

Envision the shimmering emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, sugar-white sand beaches, rolling dunes, and beautiful forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. This leisure time paradise’s breathtaking beauty is just one of the many outstanding lifestyle offerings of the Florida Panhandle’s Emerald Coast. Here, charming beach towns and thriving cities stretch from Panama City to Destin, FL.

Nature’s Bountiful Beauty

The Emerald Coast is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, dunes, lakes, and forests. Between Panama City and Destin alone, there are miles upon miles of public beaches along the Gulf of Mexico where pods of dolphins play and a myriad of water sports can be enjoyed. For fishing enthusiasts, there are numerous fishing piers in the area, as well as boat charters for deep sea and freshwater fishing. Divers and snorkelers can explore artificial reefs, historic shipwrecks, freshwater springs, and more.

There are 33 Florida state parks in the Florida Panhandle. Among them is St. Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach. Considered one of Florida’s most treasured state parks, St. Andrews State Park has a mile and a half of natural beach and sand dunes along the Gulf of Mexico, great snorkeling and diving areas, hiking, biking, and picnic areas. Visitors to the park can also take a shuttle to nearby Shell Island, a seven-mile-long, uninhabited island.

If golf is your passion, more than 20 golf courses, including championship courses, can be found between Panama City and Destin. An additional unending array of outdoor activities can be enjoyed in year-round mild temperatures. A rich historical and cultural

Camp Helen State Park, designated a historic site, is located west of Panama City Beach.

heritage and impressive dining, shopping, and entertainment offerings combine with the many outdoor activities to create a leisure-time playground for residents and visitors of all ages and interests.

Diverse and Growing Economy

The Emerald Coast has it all. The area has an excellent transportation system, comprehensive education system, two highlyranked healthcare systems, and other major lifestyle components that assure economic growth and a sustained high quality of living. A very special dimension to the region’s makeup and economic stability is the presence of Eglin Air Force Base, the largest base in the U.S. Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, and Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Transportation

While residents can experience the laidback ease of coastal living every day, they can also conveniently travel to other parts of the country. Airports in the region include Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, one of the newest airports in the U.S., Pensacola International Airport, and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. For travel by car, major corridors in close proximity to the area include I-65, I-55, I-10, and U.S. Highway 331.

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound

— NOW OPEN —

Bringing another slice of paradise to the Emerald Coast

If you’re looking for the perfect, laid-back beach town for “nibblin’ on sponge cake and watchin’ the sun bake” as suggested in Jimmy Buffett’s famous song “Margaritaville,” look no further. You can find it at last on northwest Florida’s gorgeous Emerald Coast. This amazing place is the spectacular setting for the third Latitude Margaritaville community — Latitude Margaritaville Watersound.

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located just off of the Scenic Highway 30A corridor within the St. Joe Company’s Bay-Walton Sector lands near Panama City, FL. With its nearby charming coastal towns, this area is the embodiment of the relaxed, beachy vibe that is at the heart of the Latitude Margaritaville lifestyle.

All-new Model for Active Adult Living

Inspired by the lyrics of legendary singer, songwriter, and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation, Latitude Margaritaville communities have captured the imagination of today’s vibrant 55-and-better home buyers. Offering an irresistible concoction of food, fun, music, and escapism, this dynamic all-new model for active adult living is changing how pre-and-active retirement living is viewed forever.

Latitude Margaritaville communities are being developed in a partnership between master developer Minto Communities and global lifestyle brand Margaritaville Holdings. Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach and Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head were the first to open. Now there is Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, developed in an expanded partnership that includes the St. Joe Company.

Visitors to St. Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach can take a shuttle to nearby Shell Island, a seven-mile-long, uninhabited island.

Photo courtesy of Visit Panama City Beach

Community Lifestyle Keystones

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound residents will have convenient access to all of the amazing leisure-time activities of the Emerald Coast and dining, shopping, entertainment, cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, service businesses, medical offices, hospitals, and more. In addition, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is approximately three miles away with service by American, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines.

A World Class Setting

“The incredible location for Latitude Margaritaville Watersound provides a blank canvas that allows us to create a unique living environment with access to the Intracoastal Waterway and near some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere,” says Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville division president William Bullock. “The natural terrain is breathtaking and presents a stunning setting in one of the country’s most desirable locations.”

A World Class Lifestyle

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound’s impressive resort-style amenities will include a Latitude Town Center with a Town Square for concerts, dancing, and movies, featuring a thatched-roof bandshell with a full-size concert stage and jumbo screen, a Fins Up! Fitness Center with indoor pool and spa, Paradise Pool with beach-style entry, and Tiki Island, a two-story Latitude Bar & Chill restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and Changes in Attitude Bar. There will also be tennis and pickleball courts, nature trails, and a Barkaritaville Dog Park. Future amenities include a Workin’ N’ Playin’ Center with the Last Mango Theater, Hangar Workshop for golf cart tune-ups, and Barkaritaville Pet Spa. In addition, St. Joe has plans for a full-service public marina and commercial village adjacent to the community.

The first phase of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will include 3,500 homes. There are four distinct home collections — Conch Cottages Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, and the Beach and Island Collections of single-family homes. Homes range from 1,204 to 2,564 square feet under air, with pricing anticipated to start in the $200s. Thirteen model homes are open for tours by appointment. For more information on Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, visit: www.LatitudeMargaritaville.com.

Healthcare

Two major healthcare systems serve Bay and Walton counties and surrounding areas on the Emerald Coast: Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and Ascension. Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center, located in Panama City, is a 223-bed acute care hospital that has served Bay County and surrounding communities for over 40 years. Certified in Advanced Primary Stroke Care and accredited as a Comprehensive Breast Care Center, it is the area’s only Accredited Chest Pain Center.

Ascension is one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S. Ascension hospitals on the Emerald Coast include Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, a regional hospital serving Bay County and surrounding communities, and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart offers the largest network of primary care and specialty physicians in northwest Florida.

Education

Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) in Panama City offers a range of four-year degree programs as well as associate degree programs. GCSC also offers a strong continuing education component that is open to learners at all stages of life. Education Encore is a program offered by Continuing Education at Gulf Coast State College that provides noncredit enrichment education classes on a variety of topics for adults. Programs are offered in the arts, culinary arts, graphic design, photography, languages, writing, and more. Classes meet at the Panama City campus.

Florida State University (FSU), Panama City, provides a four-year undergraduate experience and graduate programs. FSU also offers the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). This program is tailored for adults 50 and older who love to learn in a stress-free environment where there are no tests or homework. OLLI membership offers access to a broad range of classes on many topics ranging from art to yoga. For convenience, OLLI programs are located at various sites along Highway 30A.

Shopping & Dining

The area offers an abundance of shopping and dining opportunities. Pier Park in Panama City Beach, spanning nearly one million square feet with more than 120 well-known retail stores, is considered northwest Florida’s leading shopping center. This dynamic outdoor shopping destination also features over 25 restaurants, ranging from Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Osaka, New York Pizza & Grill, and many more. Pier Park North is just across the street with many additional national brand stores, restaurants, and

There is also 30Avenue, located in a beautiful open-air setting that showcases boutique retail, salon services, a fitness and wellness studio, restaurants ranging from café style dining and fine dining, and entertainment. The list goes on … Grand Boulevard, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Destin Commons, and more.

personal services.

Shark’s Tooth Golf Course at Panama City Beach is one of 20+ golf courses on the Emerald Coast.

Two major healthcare systems serve Bay and Walton counties and surrounding areas on the Emerald Coast: Ascension and Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center.

Photo Courtesy of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center

Gulf Coast State College Advanced Technology Center

Historic and Cultural Offerings

For those who enjoy a large serving of history with their shopping and dining outings, there is Historic St. Andrews in Panama City, located along St. Andrews Bay. The bay and surrounding area were officially added to some of the original maps of Florida dating back to 1513. The first European settlement was founded in the early 1830s and had thriving shipping, boat building, and salt industry trades. Visitors can take a walking tour and visit the historic Panama City Publishing Company, now a museum, where the area’s first newspaper, The Panama City Pilot, was published from 1907-1941. A huge farmers market, antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, activities, and festivals are held throughout the year.

The Emerald Coast presents a treasure trove of visual and performing arts offerings, including art centers, galleries, theatres, and concerts. The Panama City Center for the Arts, managed by the Bay Arts Alliance, is in the historic 1925 City Hall building located at the center of Historic Downtown Panama City. It includes galleries, a gift shop, café, library, kids’ art studio, and classrooms for digital art, painting, and pottery. Visitors can enjoy free art exhibits, classes, and a myriad of arts events.

The CityArts Cooperative in Panama City presents a coworking space for creatives of all types, including artists, photographers, dancers, videographers, and others. Here artists and art lovers enjoy art exhibits, galleries, art and dance classes, cultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

There also are many performing arts offerings, including the Panama City Symphony Orchestra,

live theatre, music festivals, and more. The Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts world-famous musicians, festivals, including one of the top 10 jazz festivals in the U.S. —the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, and community performances. It is located in Panama City Beach next to Pier Park.

More than a vacation destination … Now a place to call home

A new community of municipal proportions is being developed on the Emerald Coast by the St. Joe Company, a Florida-based real estate developer and asset manager that has developed numerous awardwinning master-planned communities in Florida.

St. Joe has major land holdings that are primarily concentrated in Northwest Florida. These lands include the vast Bay-Walton Sector, located between Panama City and Santa Rosa Beach, that is entitled to approximately 170,000 homes and encompasses approximately 110,500 acres with 15 miles of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway in the region’s Bay and Walton counties. St. Joe’s Bay-Walton Sector Plan presents a 50-year vision for this unique property that balances community development with resource protection. The plan includes more than 53,000 acres of preservation and conservation lands and 200 miles of public trails that connect to existing regional trail networks for walking and biking.

St. Joe has joined in partnership with master developer Minto Communities USA and global lifestyle brand Margaritaville Holdings to introduce the next Latitude Margaritaville community for active adults within the heart of the Bay-Walton Sector. “The future residents of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will have a unique opportunity to enjoy all that makes Northwest Florida such a great place to live in retirement,” said Jorge Gonzalez, President, and CEO of The St. Joe Company. “The area is full of natural beauty, and the community is at the center of it all; the Intracoastal waterway, thousands of acres of conservation land, and the beautiful white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. With abundant shopping and dining options nearby, superior health care, and an international airport just minutes away, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will provide a great lifestyle to those 55 and better.”

Historic St. Andrews on St. Andrews Bay in Panama City features a farmers market, antique shops, restaurants, and Panama City Publishing Company museum. Photo courtesy of Historic St. Andrews Partnership

Imagine returning home to a vacation.

EDENTON

Discover your new life along the Albemarle Sound in the Prettiest Small Town in the South. Edenton offers breathtaking scenery, small-town charm, friendly people and numerous recreational pursuits, all within reach of world-renowned beaches and major urban centers. The living is easy in North Carolina’s first Colonial capital.

Edenton.net/retire • 800.775.0111

ROANOKE RAPIDS — LAKE GASTON

Southern charm, rich history, spectacular natural setting and mouthwatering dining are just a few area delights that await you. Nestled on the mighty Roanoke River, we like to say that “rushing river water can take the edges off rocks and people.” We are confident that you will find that true.

VisitHalifax.com/retire • 800.522.4282

VISIT NEW BERN

Does Southern charm still exist? You bet it does. With a variety of golf course communities, picturesque waterfronts, and countless shopping and dining options – calling New Bern home provides all the perks of coastal living at half the cost.

VisitNewBern.com/retire-new-bern • 800.437.5767

RUMBLING BALD ON LAKE LURE

Welcome to Rumbling Bald, Lake Lure’s idyllic retreat for outdoor exploration and relaxation. Our home here in the mountains is built for tranquility and adventure. The natural gifts surrounding us are our greatest asset. Unlock the charms of the North Carolina mountains here at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure.

RumblingBald.com • 828.694.3000

The Allure of Outdoor Living

Spring is here, and it's time to be outside enjoying the weather. Where better to do that than in your own outdoor living areas? At ideal-LIVING, we asked our developers and builders to provide us with some images of outdoor spaces to inspire you to create your ideal retreat for your new home.

home at Shepherd's Cove in West Virginia showcases a large stone fireplace for cooler evenings while enjoying an all natural outdoor living space.

Fairfield Glade in Cumberland County, TN is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor living yearround. Most of their homes are built with fabulous outdoor spaces to enjoy the four-season climate.

You can enjoy the outdoor fireplace with panoramic views of the Santa Catalina mountains at SaddleBrooke Two, outside of Tucson, AZ. This outdoor living room has all of the comforts of the indoors, including a television and paintings.

This

Clockwise from top left:

Schell Brothers in Delaware offers spectacular outdoor living spaces with multiple levels. This area contains a grilling station, dining area, and sunken living space.

Logan Homes builds homes in the Wilmington, NC, and Beaufort, SC, areas. The four-season living room featured above offers a perfect space to live outdoors.

It's easy to commune with nature at Black Creek, a planned community just 10 minutes from Chattanooga, TN.

David Weekley Homes builds homes with outdoor living spaces like this one with a putting green in the backyard in Florida, North & South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Arizona.

At Compass Pointe in Wilmington, NC, outdoor entertaining is very easy. This home has a four-season room with a firepit out back. Residents didn't miss a beat when it came time to socialize outdoors during the past year.

Front porch living affords you the opporunity to see your neighbors as they walk past. Bill Clark Homes in Wilmington, NC, creates welcoming, open environments for homeowners in multiple communities.

Kolter Homes' Cresswind Communities offers 55+ homeowners the best in outdooor living spaces. The screened pool area with hot tub has a complete living and dining area, as well as a grilling station.

NEVER HAS TO STOP. FUN

Start living the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about with Encore by David Weekley Homes. Our lifestyle-driven approach to home design offers the ideal balance of livability with thoughtfully-designed floor plans featuring indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces and a high level of customization to make your new home everything you’ve imagined.

Plus, you’ll delight in more freedom and fun in one of our friendly 55+ lifestyle neighborhoods offering a variety of amenities, clubs and activities – all planned by a lifestyle director – to enhance your active life. These intimate communities make it easy to develop friendships with your neighbors, too.

David Weekley Homeowners Liz* Deering & Kelli D. Stevens

In Calabash, NC, equidistant between Myrtle Beach, SC, and Wilmington, NC, Kingfish Bay builds homes with unique outdoor spaces, including this 2020 Ideal Home that features a pool, hot tub, two waterfalls, and stepping stones that lead you to a firepit, all surrounded by an outdoor living room (with retractable screens) and dining area.

ready for the resort life?

IT’S RIGHT HERE

DISCOVER ACTIVE ADULT LIVING ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC BY BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL

You don’t have to wait any longer — or travel any farther — to get the 55+ lifestyle you’ve been searching for. Everything from main-level living to on-site amenities is already available here in the Mid-Atlantic. So you can enjoy the rest and relaxation you’ve earned while still staying close to loved ones.

From Maryland to Virginia to Delaware, these Active Adult Communities are exactly where you want to be!

HERITAGE SHORES

302.219.4177

55+ Single-Family Homes in Bridgeville, DE from the $200’s

• 2 to 5 Bedrooms and up to 4,600+ sq. ft.

• On-Site Shopping, Dining and Championship Golf Course

• Clubhouse with Pools, Fitness Center, Tennis, Bocce and More HeritageShores.com/Ideal

CADENCE AT LANSDOWNE

703.783.4197

55+ Villa Homes in Loudoun County, VA from the $600’s

• Private Enclave of Just 75 Homes Coming Soon

• Pickleball Court and Multi-Sport Court, Plus Picnic and Grilling Pavilion

• Walking Trails, Dog Park and Amphitheater for Special Events

CadenceAtLansdowne.com/Ideal

TWO RIVERS

410.431.3815

55+ Single-Family Homes in Odenton, MD from the $600’s

• 3 to 5 Bedrooms and up to 4,300+ sq. ft.

• Private 55+ Clubhouse, Pool, Fitness Center and More

• Community Garden, Trails, Dog Park, Patio, Firepit and More

BrookfieldTwoRivers55.com/Ideal

Find Your Ideal... HOME

Many developers and homebuilders have virtual home tours available on their websites to help you discover new home trends. But, of course, touring homes in person might just be the best way to find your ideal home.

OAKLAND PARK A Natural Habitat for All Residents

by JG Walker

Set on 258 acres along the shoreline of Lake Apopka, Oakland Park isn’t a large Florida residential community compared to some. Still, from the beginning it’s had a big heart for environmental preservation. The community has conservation areas, preserved oak hammocks, and other natural spaces that were years in the making.

Landeavor LLC, headquartered in Tampa, FL, and Atlanta, GA, is Oakland Park’s current developer, having purchased the community from the previous owner in 2018. True dedication to environmental preservation must be planned, and the work to create a naturally unique community began in 2008. Those efforts have been acknowledged with a number of prestigious awards for overall design, tree preservation, lake restoration, and homebuilding standards. In

fact, Oakland Park is on the short list of just six communities statewide that have earned Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) honors as a certified green development.

“Prior to our purchase and involvement, we discovered just how thoughtful the plans were to protect the shorelines and native areas,” says Adam Lorry, Principal of Landeavor. “Oakland Park is unique in many ways—

TN Land Realty, LLC - Broker

the lakefront location, the proximity to downtown Winter Garden, and the West Orange Trail that bisects the community—but the preservation plan, concern for the natural vegetation, and protection of the shorelines stood out as special qualities.”

Community amenities include the centrally located and FGBC certified green Oakland Park Clubhouse with flexible meeting spaces, a demonstration kitchen, a zero-entry pool, and a custom-designed playground for the kids. Meadowmarsh Park overlooking Lake Brim is another popular gathering place, with its pool complex adjacent to the community gardens. The 22-mile West Orange Trail runs through the heart of Oakland Park, giving residents walking and biking access to the shops, restaurants, and services in the adjacent municipalities of Winter Garden and Oakland. And within the community, there are several great lawns for recreational events and grassy mews for picnics, all connected by gravel pathways that meander around lakes and ponds in the cooling shade of towering oak trees.

Mary Edwards is a certified arborist with the Town of Oakland and the City of Winter Garden. She’s also worked with Oakland Park and has high praise for their commitment to tree protection.

“There are not many occasions in the life of an arborist,” Edwards says, “in which one is chosen to work on a project where development is created around the placement of an existing [tree] canopy and not as an afterthought. I have had the rare opportunity to work with the Oakland Park team,

who, through the years, have maintained the vision to preserve at all costs the natural integrity of the beautiful historic live oaks in the community.”

The single-family homes in Oakland Park feature various traditional and contemporary architectural styles, but all are built to the highest FGBC certified green standards. On the outside, that means minimal site disturbance, landscaping with native plants, and use of local resourceefficient building materials. Interior features include healthy-home products that conserve both energy and water usage. As a result, Oakland Park homes are less expensive to operate and maintain their value over the years.

And humans aren’t the only new residents who are flocking to Oakland Park: In the spring of 2019, a bald eagle nest was discovered in a tree located within the West Orange Trail easement that runs through the community. A 660-foot buffer surrounding the nest was promptly established that included a slice of Oakland Park property. As a result, Landeavor and its community home builders agreed to adhere to strict noise and activity guidelines during eagle mating and nesting season. After two successful years that have produced a number of healthy eaglets, resident birdwatchers have reason to be optimistic that they’ll have even more new neighbors in 2021.

When celebrating the environment is the community’s theme, that’s a pretty strong celebrity endorsement for the natural quality of life at Oakland Park.

Experience the perfect balance of home and nature. Oakland Park combines the beauty of nature with the history and character of old-Florida architecture. With a charming small-town feel, our community is located only minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Winter Garden. Take a stroll down our many nature trails to see stunning views of Lake Apopka, explore our multiple parks or jump on the West Orange Trail, one of Orlando’s top trails for biking, inline skating, running and walking. Enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle while still being close to everything. Discover Oakland Park today. Newly constructed model homes are now open. Homes from the $300s.

David Weekly Homes * RCB Homes * J&J Building * Brierhill Homes

Oakland Park Community Clubhouse

1000 Civitas Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787

A SUNNY NEW BEGINNING AT BABCOCK RANCH

Jean and Jim Hussey have probably traveled further on the road of life than most couples who move to Babcock Ranch, the sprawling southwest Florida community near Fort Myers that features an 870-acre photovoltaic array and bills itself as “America’s first solar-powered town.”

“My wife grew up in Taiwan, and I was born and raised in Iowa,” Jim said. “We met in Alaska, got married, and had our two children there. I began my career as a television reporter in Fairbanks and then became a public information officer, journalism professor, and dean of instruction in the University of Alaska system.

“In 1996, we moved to Kalona, IA, a historically Amish town,” he said. “I worked in Iowa City for ACT, the nonprofit learning, measurement, and navigation organization in operations, systems

development, and communications. For more than 20 years, Jean worked in our local schools, most notably teaching Mandarin Chinese to elementary school students. I also served as a public school board member for 19 years.

“In March 2018, I read Businessweek and saw an article about a new environmentally-friendly community being built in southwest Florida called Babcock Ranch. That year, the winter in Iowa was dragging on forever, and sunshine sounded better than slush so we made a reservation to visit in June and liked it right away.

“The first model home we visited was the Palmetto by Lennar, and that ended up being the house we chose,” Jim said. “The floorplan is laid out on a single level and has a big open room that includes the kitchen, dining area, and great room.

With three bedrooms, we have plenty of space for our daughter Molly, who currently lives with us, and for guests like my mother, who lives in Iowa, and our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild, who live in Alabama.

“We chose the Trail’s Edge neighborhood because we liked the price/value proposition, and our homesite overlooks a small lake. Molly gave me a book about the birds of Florida so I could identify all the visitors we have swimming or stalking behind our house—from ibises to cormorants to anhingas to other birds I’m still learning about.

“Our home also has a pool, which we enjoy as often as possible, and a screened-in deck where we can read a book in the morning or do some bug-free stargazing at night,” he said. “But what has really surprised us has been the ‘lanai’—a term we’d never

heard in Iowa—which allows us to be ‘outside’ no matter what the weather, rain or shine. We love spending time there, whether it’s playing Scrabble with my mom or taking the laptop outside to do some work. The home also came with a dedicated office, which turned into a real godsend.

“We closed on the house in October 2019 and had intended to travel back and forth between Iowa and Florida for a few years,” Jim said. “Then, in March 2020, we were here during spring break, and suddenly the world shut down due to COVID-19. Through the rest of the spring, Jean’s school never opened for in-person instruction, and I began working connected to Iowa from our home office in Florida. So we decided to make the move official and become full-time residents at Babcock Ranch.”

"We hope to contribute in some small way to building a community in Babcock Ranch that can serve as a shining example—for cities throughout Florida, across the country, and even around the world," said Jim Hussey

Jim describes himself as “currently semi-retired” and spends a lot of time enjoying southwest Florida’s fresh air and sunshine: “I go walking, running or biking at least once every day and strive to hit the trifecta by doing all three. And I have a neighbor who’s originally from China, and we take a sevenmile walk three times a week, which gives us time to solve the world’s problems and for me to work on my Chinese language skills. I’ve also started to play pickleball and plan to learn more about how to catch some of Florida’s many varieties of fish.

“We have a very international family and try to be intentional in our decisions,” said Jim. “From the moment we read that first magazine article, Jean and I have really appreciated the effort Babcock Ranch has made to create a multi-generational community that’s economically and ethnically diverse and a true exemplar for outstanding environmental practices.

“Given our professional experiences in education and our personal interests in public service, we hope to contribute in some small way to building a community in Babcock Ranch that can serve as a shining example—for cities throughout Florida, across the country, and even around the world.”

Charleston Charm

by Warren Grant

Imagine living in a gentile, southern town, Summerville…a town named after the season. How warm, active, and engaging it must be.

There is such a town in the Lowcountry of South Carolina that was founded in the late 1700s by Charlestonians and other area residents looking for pine-scented higher ground to escape the prevalent coastal summer heat, flooding, and mosquitos. They came by carriage or up a river called Ashley to the higher grounds and welcoming woodlands of Summerville.

Located just over 30 minutes northwest of Charleston, Summerville is a place of grand azalea gardens, ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, precolonial historic sites, and Southern hospitality. It is also the self-professed ‘Home of Sweet Tea,’ about as Southern as you can get.

Summerville is also home to a gated active-adult community called Cresswind Charleston, a tidy, welcoming collection of neighborhoods and lakes tucked tight into a 1,100-acre nature conservancy that is also where the headwaters flow for that same

river called Ashley. The well amenitized community clubhouse includes a resort-style pool, fitness center, demonstration kitchen, billiards and card room, arts and crafts room, and an on-site lifestyle director. There are also tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts, and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts myriad concerts and entertainers.

Karen and Art Stark discovered Cresswind through an online search. They were looking for a little milder climate than the tidewater region of Virginia where they lived. Art grew up in Charleston, was stationed there in the Coast Guard for a time, and still has family there, so he had an affinity for the Lowcountry.

Karen had an affinity for Cresswind Charleston within minutes of walking through the first model home they toured. “I walked in and just knew this was a place for us,” describes Karen. “I even started to say right there in the model home that ‘our home will have this feature’ and ‘our home will have an expanded porch.’ Our search was over on the first day and we love it here.”

The Starks are outdoor people and spend hours walking and biking Cresswind’s scenic trails, hitting the

fitness center, and doing water aerobics for Karen. And when ideal-LIVING spoke with the couple in February, they had just gotten back from a fresh seafood lunch in historic downtown Charleston and walking the Rainbow Row of 13 pastel-colored Georgian houses on East Bay Street. Sounds like the perfect afternoon! Another Cresswind couple, Steve and Sue Hoak, recently moved to the community from Pennsylvania. They had taken a couple of visits down South to visit various locations, but a second visit to Cresswind sealed the deal.

Says Sue, “We were considering a place on Hilton Head Island, but we stayed at Cresswind through their Discovery Program. The home we were in just had so much more natural light and charm. It was an easy decision.” On their discovery visit, they had an arranged dinner with a couple who lived at Cresswind, and the four became instant friends – which would later prove beneficial. The Hoaks visited just before the pandemic hit last March. So they picked out a homesite and a three-bedroom house plan, went back to Pennsylvania to sell their house, then in May embarked on a 22,000mile, five-month tour of the United States in their RV.

They called it the ‘Social Distancing Tour of 2020.’

“We received regular photo updates on the progress of our home from our realtor and construction manager. But we also got pictures from the couple we had dinner with, which was most welcome getting their personal perspective.”

The Hoaks spent the last month of home construction in an Airbnb on nearby Edisto Island on the Atlantic Ocean before moving in on December 10. They both bike the trails, walk their dog, use the fitness center, and Sue has joined the Cresswind book club and knitting club. They’re also itching to browse downtown Summerville’s seasonal farmers market open Saturdays from April to November.

Residents of Cresswind Charleston have close access to great health care through the Summerville Medical Center. And a comprehensive facility in Charleston is the West Ashley Medical Pavilion, part of the Medical University of South Carolina.

Cresswind Charleston is part of Kolter Homes’ portfolio of Cresswind active adult communities. For more information call 888-262-9607 or visit www. cresswindcharleston.com.