An idyllic lifestyle awaits, with abundant amenities
in the heart of an outdoor recreation and conservation wonderland.

Explore your options!

 
Distractions, distractions. Play the award-winning Monticello course at Savannah Lakes and watch out for the fifth hole. It’s so beautiful you may forget to focus. No matter. Later on, you can take a boat ride and celebrate (or forget) your score.

How’s this for a retirement address? In the heart of the Sumter National Forest, at the convergence of the Little River Blueway and 70,000-acre Lake Thurmond.

 Savannah Lakes Village has a broad range of social activities and clubs, as well as spectacular community amenities such as award-winning lakefront golf courses, tennis clubs, indoor-outdoor pools, wellness programs such as yoga and water-based fitness classes.

There’s an active Rod and Gun Club which brings together members who have interests in fishing, hunting, and shooting sports. Those types of programs offer recreational opportunities and provide great ways to make new friends and find other like-minded folks. But Savannah Lakes Village has assets above and beyond courts, courses and buildings. Its location along 1200 miles of unspoiled freshwater shoreline gives it a natural beauty that far surpasses manmade amenities.

Lake Thurmond (aka Clarks Hill) is renowned for its forested peninsulas, hidden coves and remarkable wildlife, including bald eagles and other uncommon creatures. The bordering National Forest offers 63,000 acres of contiguous public lands offering camping, hiking, biking/equestrian trails, paddling and fishing.

 
Fun stuff! Biking trails run throughout the National Forest which borders Savannah Lakes Village. Go as fast (or slow) as you like. Take a picnic and ride with friends. This is what outdoor living is all about.

As part of the National Forest, the Little River Blueway Outdoor Adventure area offers 51 miles of canoe and Kayak paddling trails, 36 miles of single track hiking and biking trails, the Savannah Valley rails to trails project, two state parks, three additional waterfront campgrounds, a 48-mile scenic drive through historic towns and the National Forest, and 63 holes of golf. Boring it’s not, as a number of families have discovered.

Joe and Lee Belanger spent their working lives just outside of Hartford, Connecticut. He worked for the state in air quality control, and she was a teacher and medical technologist. What led them to the Carolinas and Savannah Lakes Village? It was a circuitous route that included ten years of retirement, traveling around the country and volunteering in a variety of locations.

“We lived in our RV and stayed in about 40 different locations, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, 4-H camps, environmental groups and projects for state and national parks,” Mr. Belanger explained from their RV in the Grand Tetons National Park. “Clearly, we’re not formal people and prefer the outdoors. Savannah Lakes Village reminded us of many of the great spaces in the United States, with the lake, national forest, nearby state park, fishing and swimming opportunities and hunting, which I occasionally enjoy.”

The Belangers are committed to giving back and like being with others who feel the same way. “We found people in this community who are so much like we are, and that was a huge positive for us.”

The couple had looked at communities throughout the U.S., including a visit to Savannah Lakes Village in its earliest stages. “It had a lot of promise, but we weren’t ready to settle down,” Mr. Belanger mused. One of their sons lives in nearby Augusta, and their daughter-in-law suggested they take a look. “During that visit, people stopped to ask if we needed help, and everyone was so friendly that we felt a sense of community almost immediately.”

They appreciate the fact that Savannah Lakes Village is filled with people with lots of different backgrounds, but generally similar interests. (A second son and his family lived close, but have since moved to Shanghai.) “We didn’t move here because our family was here, but because of the lifestyle and people around us,” he said.

Today, they are confident that they made the right decision. She enjoys the activity center with its many exercise programs. He is a member of the Rod and Gun Club, and the Power Squadron. Several times a week, they enjoy bowling with their grandchildren. They are excited about the Little River Blueway project and have been active in working on the trail system. And they love living on the vastness that is Lake Thurmond. “We have a paddle craft and have organized moonlight canoe trips on the lake. We’ve gotten involved in the local church and we’ve made great friends. I can’t imagine that anyone would have trouble meeting people here – it’s the friendliest place you could ever imagine.”

The color of beauty. Sunsets like these are priceless and they’re commonplace at Savannah Lakes Village. Fix a cool beverage and sit outside to enjoy the show. You may be inspired to do something romantic!

And one more thing. “Savannah Lakes Village is a great place to stay active and that helps keep us young,” he says.

Ten years ago, Harry and Barb Shelley moved to Savannah Lakes Village from northern Virginia. They originally thought they wanted to live near the ocean, but after discovering Lake Thurmond, they fell in love with the beauty of the water and the abundance of forests around the area.

“We were childhood sweethearts in upstate New York,” explained Mrs. Shelley. “After living in Virginia for 30 years, we had planned our retirement to be near water. This is a spectacular location.”

Before they made the move, the couple signed up for Neighborlink, through the community website. “We kept reading about boat parties, trips and events,” she said. “Finally, we decided to accelerate our plans and we retired and made the move.” She was a teacher; he worked for the federal government in engineering. Now that they are retired, they can’t find enough time to pursue their many interests.

The Shelleys knew they were moving into a community of astonishing beauty. It took no time at all to discover that Savannah Lakes Village also offers a friendly environment where something’s always happening.

“We both golf and enjoy boating,” she said, adding, “I’m also learning to play bridge.” They facilitate a group called The Friends of the Savannah River Basin. They both enjoy the great Activities Center. Although they don’t play tennis, they’re justifiably proud of the incredible tennis group which has won major awards.

They travel with members of the community (China was the best!) and, they’re members of a wine club which offers tastings about every two months. There are brunches and special dinners at community gathering places and homes.

Mrs. Shelley is the Chair for the National Golf Association Pro Golf Tour’s Savannah Lakes Classic, a weeklong event held the last week in April which involves the entire community. Once a year, they co-host a Masters Party for 400 at their home.

 
Outdoor Adventure on the Blueway:
With 51 miles of scenic water trails, Savannah Lakes Village residents enjoy exploring the calm waterways, while being completely enfolded by nature and wildlife.

Explore your options!

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