Savannah Quarters Country Club

Stop by for Happy Hour and live entertainment by Bucky & Barry.

Savannah Quarters Country Club

Date night at the club! Stop by for a romantic evening dancing to the music of Blue Suede 6:00 – 9:30.

Call for reservations.

Savannah Quarters Country Club

9 & Dine couples golf. 5:30 shotgun start.

Return to Community Living

“Community” is a word that conjures up powerful images, emotions and feelings. The idea of community has long been an integral part of how we define ourselves, and communities both large and small are a vital element of the human experience; providing an underlying social structure that contributes to our comfort, convenience, security and social connections.

In the hectic, fast-paced hustle and bustle of today’s world, however, the best elements of a community lifestyle are all too often minimized or even abandoned in favor of design considerations, development conveniences or financial concerns. Homebuilders and developers looking to squeeze in a few more square feet into an apartment complex or save a few dollars on the front end have at times been guilty of failing to prioritize the inclusion of those key elements that can transform a place a vibrant, energized and inclusive community.

Community Renaissance

In recent years, however, we have begun to see a reemergence of the community ethos. More and more designers, developers and community managers are beginning to exhibit a growing appreciation for the power of community living to comfort, inspire and provide a place that residents can truly call home. And more and more homebuyers – from active adults looking to find a convenient and welcoming new space, to young families and professionals in search of a great home in a community setting – are reemphasizing a sense of community as an important homebuying priority. This is a trend being driven by the realization that “community” is not just an abstract concept, but a core lifestyle value that impacts virtually every aspect of our day-to-day lives.

One of the foremost design and development factors driving this community renaissance is the growing number of high quality maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style communities that are beginning to carve out an important presence in the residential marketplace. These communities, which embody so many of the characteristics that define community living, are designed to not only readily provide the comfort, security and functional conveniences that are so important to homeowners of all ages and demographic profiles, but also the facilities and programs that promote and enhance social networks and community connections. In many ways, they are the template for the new American community.

Familiar Comforts and Neighborhoods

One significant factor that is elevating maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style communities in the popular consciousness is a Boomer-driven move toward the kinds of nurturing, cohesive community environments that they associate with the halcyon days of their youth. For Boomers and active adults who grew up watching Ozzie and Harriet, Leave it to Beaver, My Three Sons and other iconic examples of idealized American community settings, this community format satisfies an ingrained preference for the familiar comforts and welcoming neighborhoods they grew to love in their formative years.

The return to community living, a movement that is also reflected in larger philosophical design evolutions such as New Urbanism and Neo-traditional development, actually represents less of a design and architectural trend and more of a cultural trend. These new communities not only offer a return to a simpler time (or at least the appearance and feel of it), but also convey a definitive and appealing sense of permanence and authenticity. Unlike the cardboard-cutout visual of high-rise condos or an endless expanse of seemingly soulless suburban row homes, maintenance-free condo/townhome-style communities provide a setting for something enduring; something real.

Safety and Social Impact

Along with that sense of permanence and cohesion another important element is safety. The sense of safety provided by secure and cohesive community surroundings, combined with the relaxing conveniences of landscaping maintenance and general community upkeep found in so many of these new developments, adds another attractive aspect to maintenance-free condo/townhome-style communities.

The social impact of a well-designed community spaces can also be profound. By providing a place that not only presents multi-generational appeal and promotes a vibrant mix of ages, social groups and demographic segments, these new residential developments offer a unique mechanism to foster social interaction and strengthen community bonds. High quality maintenance-free condo/townhome-style communities frequently offer the kind of superb community facilities that help enhance those social connections. Whether it is a neighbor who takes your yoga class at the community fitness and recreation center, a friend you met on a hiking trail, or a couple you got to know at a community poolside cookout, strong social potential is an important part of the appeal of these developments. These are communities where relationships happen naturally.

Compelling Benefits

By creating true neighborhood gathering places with a powerful and defining sense of place, by providing an appealing residential environment that requires minimal upkeep and lowers the frustrating stresses of everyday life, and by offering a wide range of high quality fitness and social community facilities, maintenance-free condo/townhome-style communities are able to create a true community way of life. As a reinvigorated American public continues to embrace the compelling benefits of a community lifestyle, these exciting new developments are leading the way.

Frank Curran is a Principal of The Fairways at Savannah Quarters of Ohio-based Epcon Communities, one of the leading developers and franchise operators of Condo/Townhome developments nationwide. He can be reached at 912-450-9876, or via e-mail at frankcurran@fairways-sq.com or review www.fairways-sq.com

Walking the Walk

Telling someone to “take a hike” may seem like an impolite thing to say, but according to compelling new data obtained from the National Association of Realtors, the National Association of Homebuilders and an independent 6,000-person, age-qualified national survey, Boomers and active adults selected walking paths as the most desirable lifestyle amenity.

This preference may be an important factor contributing to the increasing popularity of high-quality maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style communities. These innovative, vibrant communities not only frequently provide the perfect setting for walking paths and hiking trails, but are also offer the advanced social and functional infrastructures that promote the walking groups, exercise clubs and social gatherings that have made walking such a popular fitness option.

As a form of exercise, walking has a lot going for it. Walking provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout that is not only easy on the joints, but a great excuse to get some fresh air or spend some time with friends or family. Unlike some other sports, the cost of participation is minimal; with no expensive gear or exercise equipment necessary, walkers need little more than a pair of comfortable shoes to get started. Combined with the convenience, safety, social appeal and pet- and family-friendly exercise venues provided by maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style communities, it is easy to see why walking has become such a cherished and high-priority activity for some many Boomers.

Convenience

It is tough to top the privacy, accessibility and convenience of private streets and walking paths that start right in your own community; sometimes right outside your own front door! Maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style communities provide a compelling combination of privacy, first-class facilities, and flexible convenience. Even the busiest residents can spare some time to get in some early-morning walking or an after-work stroll. In addition, the clubhouse facilities that so many of these communities provide makes an ideal meeting space and/or rendezvous point for walkers to meet before and after workouts, and a great place to meet for post-walk coffee and conversation without having to worry about cleaning house prior to guests arrival.

Safety

It isn’t just Boomers and active adults who appreciate the safety and sense of relaxation and well-being that comes from exercise conducted in comfortable and secure surroundings. What better way to engage in a healthy lifestyle than to hit the trail and get some fresh air and exercise without ever having to leave your own neighborhood?

Social

For residents of all ages and demographics, one of the most appealing aspects of high-quality maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style neighborhoods is the advanced social network provided by fellow residents and the sense of living in a true community setting. For new homeowners in these communities, activities like walking are a great social ice-breaker and an ideal mechanism to get to know your fellow residents; and, for long-time residents, the daily ritual of meeting friends, neighbors and fellow walkers is a much-treasured part of the community experience.

Pet-friendly

For more and more Americans, pets are an integral part of the family. People love their pets and what better way to spend some healthy quality time than to bring your pet along? Walking is a uniquely accommodating exercise regimen when it comes to pet participation, and residents of maintenance-free Condo/Townhome-style communities are discovering that these neighborhoods are not only great places to live for pets and their owners who like to get out and get walking, but are places that can also help to facilitate a whole suite of active lifestyle options.

Frank Curran is a Principal of The Fairways at Savannah Quarters an Epcon Community, one of the leading developers and franchise operators of condo/ townhome developments nationwide. He can be reached at 912-450-9876, or via e-mail at frankcurran@fairways-sq.com or review at www.fairways-sq.com