Residential golf communities are an increasingly popular option for homeowners, as families search for peaceful communities to live in. Even the pricey yearly homeowner's fees don't dissuade people from buying into, what the developers are calling, not just a lifestyle but a way of life.



Golf communities have been compared by some to Mayberry-like neighborhoods, where neighbors know each other, and parents feel good about letting their children play in the street with other kids. In fact, these communities are drawing lots of young families with children. And now younger families are able to afford a golf course home.

A home in a golfing community has become much more affordable in recent years. Although million dollar homes are certainly still available for purchase, so are homes that start in the mid $400,000's or town homes that are half that cost.

But all good things come at a price so don't expect a home with individuality and character for that price.

Cookie cutter houses are what you get at almost all residential golf communities with maybe two or three plans to choose from.

At the Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, NC you can choose one of the plans to have built and then can add a few customized features to make your house feel less standard. However, the wooded lots and spacious floor plans go a long way in making your home feel less average and more individual.

An unusual trend that golf communities are seeing is that plenty of homeowners in these areas don't even own a single golf training aid!

In fact, some residential golf community managers estimate that as many as 65% of their residents don't play the game much less invest in golf equipment. This just serves to prove that you don't have to love the game to love the lifestyle.

There are many more things that make these kinds of communities attractive. Homeowners love that property values in these types of communities are steadily rising all over the country.

Having someone else manicuring your backyard is also a plus. And the camaraderie of living around likeminded people can be a comfort.

Living on a golf course is definitely expensive, even with the less expensive home models. If you choose to live in this type of community you have to view it as an investment, but for a growing number of people -it's worth it.