Harbor Hills Country Club

Harbor Hills Country Club is a gated golf-and-lake community spread across rolling terrain along the shores of Lake Griffin in Lady Lake, Florida, just a few minutes north of The Villages. Development began in 1989, and the community continues to grow today with roughly 940 single-family homes planned at full buildout across a network of distinct neighborhoods — the newest being Bella Vista, which features golf course and water views. Unlike the flat Florida sprawl most retirees picture, Harbor Hills sits on unusually hilly ground with mature oak hammocks, curving tree-lined streets, sidewalks, and genuine elevation changes that give the property a feel closer to the Carolinas than Central Florida. The centerpiece is a 35,000 square-foot clubhouse that functions as the social heart of the community. Inside, residents find a full-service restaurant and bar with terrace views of the golf course and Lake Griffin, a Grand Ballroom for community events and rentable private parties, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a library, billiards and card rooms, and space for group classes like yoga and aerobics. Just outside the clubhouse is a heated junior Olympic-sized pool with a surrounding terrace, a spa and sauna, and a tennis complex featuring Har-Tru clay courts. Pickleball courts round out the racquet offerings. Golf is a major draw. The 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed by Lloyd Clifton and earned a 4-star rating from Golf Digest. It plays through mature oak-lined fairways with real elevation changes and five sets of tees — a genuinely non-flat Florida golf experience. The club also offers a driving range, practice putting green, and professional instruction, along with active men's, women's, and mixed leagues and regular tournaments. One of the community's most distinctive amenities is its private 49-slip marina on Lake Griffin, providing residents with direct access to the Harris Chain of Lakes — one of the most famous largemouth bass fisheries in the country. Residents with boats can head out for fishing, sunset cruises, or lake-hopping across the chain without ever leaving the property to launch. Homes range from approximately 1,997 to 4,000+ square feet, with two to four bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and two- to three-and-a-half-car garages — many with optional golf cart bays. Floor plans are open and airy with oversized master suites, and options include back patios, screened lanais, and in-ground pools. Construction is concrete block with tile or architectural shingle roofs and paver driveways. Buyers can purchase resale homes, pre-designed new inventory, personalized inventory homes, or fully custom builds through the on-site design center. Home prices generally run from the low $200s on smaller resales up to the $800s and occasionally higher for new custom builds on premium lots. The community was named Dream Community by the Home Builders Association of Lake & Sumter Counties for 2025. The HOA fee structure varies by neighborhood section, reflecting different levels of included services across the community's various phases. Club membership is separate from HOA dues, with tiered options (social, sports, and full golf) so residents can match their membership to how they actually use the club. Over 30 active social groups, clubs, and hobby groups run out of the clubhouse, alongside a full calendar of weekly activities, Sunday brunch, holiday events, and seasonal parties. While Harbor Hills markets itself as a country club community rather than a deed-restricted 55+ community, the resident base skews heavily retired — the neighborhood's median age is nearly 69 — making it functionally an active adult community with the added flexibility of being open to residents of any age. Location is a strong selling point: Lady Lake sits at the northern edge of The Villages, giving residents access to the shopping, dining, and entertainment of Spanish Springs, Brownwood, and Lake Sumter Landing while enjoying a more private, wooded, waterfront setting. Orlando is about an hour south, the Ocala National Forest is a few miles north, and the Gulf beaches are within easy reach for day trips.