The Springs of Mill Lakes

The Springs of Mill Lakes is an 80-acre master-planned 55+ active adult community tucked into historic Opelika, Alabama, just off U.S. Highway 280 and less than a mile from East Alabama Medical Center (affiliated with Auburn University). Voted one of Forbes Magazine's 25 Best Places to Retire in America, Opelika combines small-town charm, a lively downtown dining and boutique scene, and the distinction of being the only city in Alabama with 100% fiber optic cable run directly to residences — including every home in this neighborhood. The community was conceived around nature. It is bordered on the west by a 45-acre perpetually protected wildlife sanctuary owned by the HOA, and the grounds themselves include two 3.5-acre mature lakes, a wandering creek, and natural waterfalls. One lake is stocked for fishing; the other is used for recreation with a boat dock, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks. A 6-foot-wide natural birdwatching path winds along the upper lake, and the community is designed to be navigated on foot, by bike, or by golf cart. Construction began in 2016, and at buildout the community will host 134 single-family custom homes (some sources list 133). Two builders are on-site: Auburn-based Homeworks of Alabama offers six single-family plans ranging from 1,820 to 2,148 sq ft with three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and a two-car garage; Birmingham-based Harris-Doyle Homes offers seven plans from 1,850 to 3,460 sq ft with three or four bedrooms and up to four-and-a-half bathrooms. Between them there are 10 floorplans and roughly 20 exterior elevations, all designed by L. Mitchell Ginn & Associates in a traditional European cottage aesthetic with brick, stone, and board-and-batten details. Every home is built to 'A Liveable Lifestyle' (ALL) standards with aging-in-place features — single-level or 1.5-story layouts, zero-entry showers, and wide doorways. Optional upgrades include screened porches, sunrooms, basements, and finished bonus rooms. Social life centers on the Owl's Roost Clubhouse, which anchors the neighborhood with a grand ballroom, fitness center, fitness classes, a zero-entry resort-style outdoor pool, and a pickleball court. Walking and nature trails thread through the community, and the adjacent wildlife sanctuary gives residents meaningful green space that will never be developed. Location is a major selling point. Auburn University is about ten minutes away, putting residents within easy reach of SEC football games, cultural performances at the Jule Collins Smith Fine Arts Museum, and lifelong-learning classes at the Osher Institute. Several nationally known golf courses sit nearby — Grand National (Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail), Indian Pines Country Club, and Moore's Mill Club. Everyday conveniences including Walmart, Target, Tiger Town shopping, Starbucks, Walgreens, and CVS are minutes away. Interstate 85 provides straightforward access to Montgomery, Birmingham, and Atlanta for day trips, and Auburn University Regional Airport handles general aviation.