Busy Enjoying Retirement in South Carolina

“It’s a different kind of busy!” enthuses Chris Rape, referring to the active life that he and his wife enjoy now that they have retired to Callawassie Island, SC. There’s no sitting in rush hour traffic or working a 40 hour week. The busy the Rapes are currently experiencing involves kayaking on fresh waterways, golfing on one of the three, nine-hole courses, and engaging in the fun activities hosted by this vibrant community.

Relocating to the Island from Charlotte, NC, the Rapes custom built their dream home and are literally living their best life. “We live where people want to vacation,” smiles Chris, “we think about visiting other places, but we know we’ve got everything we could possibly want right here.”

One of the many things they appreciate about Callawassie is the landscape. “It’s not an overly manicured kind of beauty here, and it’s not totally wild either. We love the middle ground of Callawassie,” shares Chris, who is an avid golfer and tennis player and enjoys walking their dog along one of the many trails.

When the Rapes aren’t staying young at heart through physical activities, they’re enjoying one of over 50 clubs that Callawassie has to offer. From live music events to a buffet of sporting options, there’s always something to do. “I played doubles tennis with an 81 year old last week,” laughs Chris, “I think because you’re always out doing things, people stay younger for longer here!”

The strong sense of community was a big part of why the Rapes chose to invest in the island. With a diverse age range among the residents, the atmosphere of Callawassie is dynamic and inspiring. “The Friends of Callawassie Island group organizes charity events and food drives,” explains Pam, “we like to focus on grassroots organizations where the three or four thousand dollars that we raise will have a life-changing impact.”

The Rapes burst out laughing as they remember one of the fundraisers where the newly formed band, ‘Artificially Hip’ entertained everyone with their cover tunes. “A group of locals who hadn’t picked up their instruments for years got together and now they’re having a blast. That’s how we like to roll at Callawassie!” says Chris.

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.

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Oakland Park Community Clubhouse

1000 Civitas Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787