Aiken is approximately a 20-minute drive from Augusta,
Georgia, and is also located near the Savannah River Power Plant. As a result of this proximity and plentiful amenities, the area attracts a lot of scientists and engineers, accord- ing to Three Runs listing agent Jack Roth. “There are only about 29,000 people in Aiken and 14,000 of them are sci- entists and engineers because of the Savannah River Plant, which has been here since 1950,” he says. “Our taxes are low here too, maybe $2,500 a year for a $500,000 house. The cost of living is low, there’s no tax
on groceries, and no matter what kind of car you get the maximum sales tax is $300. We also have good schools, both public and private,” Jack adds. The typical age for buyers is about 45 to 65, he says, in order to afford half a million dollars on a house. Portofino is located about ten minutes from I-95 and
20 minutes from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. “We have good schools and hospitals and we’re a short com- mute to Raleigh, which has a country feel,” says Norwood. “Clayton is a friendly, small town with a vibrant downtown area and an active arts community, and residents have moved here from all regions of the United States.” The Oaks at Lake City is 100 miles from Tallahassee,
Jacksonville and Ocala, right in the center of the Florida eventing scene. The property was originally created as an “O’Connor Signature” development, part of a pro- gram created by Olympic eventers Karen and David O’Connor. (David currently coaches the US Eventing Team.) The program didn’t really take off, Brad says, but the current facilities still boast a cross-country course designed by David. Equestrian Lakes is located 20 minutes from downtown
Louisville and 45 minutes from Lexington. Development Manager Rob Gartman explains, “When the weekend comes around and people are looking for entertainment, we hope we’ve got you covered. We’re located far enough from Louisville and Lexington that you don’t have to worry about traffic, but they recently built Kentucky’s only outlet mall about six miles from our door. Along with the mall came restaurants and other amenities.” “The development is attracting both markets: we’re split in the middle with horse people and people just escaping the city life,” he continues. “Almost all the lots have access to riding trails, and a lot of people who don’t ride like to walk the trails. The main lake is 15 acres and has a lighted walking path. There’s fishing in the lakes, and there’s a pool. For horse enthusi- asts there are indoor and outdoor arenas and the barn. Disciplines include Western pleasure, dressage, eventing and hunter/ jumper right now.”
Prices, Acreage
and Set Up While you don’t have to live in a showplace home to enjoy an equestrian community, you’re not likely to find houses much under $400,000. Typically those purchasing lots bring their own building plans and builder, with approval for the design required from the community’s developer and/or board.
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58 May/June 2015
portofinonc.com
Amber Heintzberger
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