Discover Paradise: 10 Exclusive Gated Communities for Luxury Living
by Robert Borges on July 16, 2024
7.5-minute read
There are many benefits that come with living in a gated community. Enhanced security and privacy are chief among them, but there’s also an air of exclusivity. After all, many gated communities feature things like meticulously maintained landscapes and upscale amenities such as golf courses, pools, and clubhouses—all meant to foster a luxurious and serene lifestyle. Add to that the strong sense of community, and it’s easy to see the appeal of gated communities.
So for those with the means to seek such a tranquil and prestigious living environment, we’ve curated this list of 10 exclusive gated communities, each offering a blend of exceptional real estate, world-class amenities, and coveted locations. Whether you seek desert vistas, coastal charm, mountain retreats, or Southern hospitality, these enclaves provide the perfect backdrop for discerning homeowners looking to indulge in the finest aspects of residential living.
Jump to:
Desert Mountain- Scottsdale, AZ
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club- Englewood, FL
John’s Island- Vero Beach, FL
Waterfall at Lake Burton- Clayton, GA
Balsam Mountain Preserve- Sylva, NC
Kiawah Island- Kiawah Island, SC
Wexford- Hilton Head, SC
WindRiver- Lenior City, TN
Boot Ranch- Fredericksburg, TX
Red Ledges- Heber City, UT
Desert Mountain- Scottsdale, AZ
Taliesin Associated Architects, founded by Frank Lloyd Wright, developed this 8,000-acre exclusive, luxury, gated community in northern Scottsdale's High Sonoran Desert. Featuring seven Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, this member-owned community offers resort-style amenities including golf, tennis, swimming, fitness facilities, and a golf performance center. It borders the Tonto National Forest with convenient access to Scottsdale, Phoenix, and local amenities. Real estate options include custom homesites, elegant estates, and courtyard homes, with optional membership in the Desert Mountain Club. Rentals are also available. Explore Desert Mountain.
Community Highlights:
- 7 championship Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses
- Acclaimed outdoor tennis center
- Resort-style concierge service, childcare, and other member services
- Custom homesites, elegant estates and courtyard homes
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club- Englewood, FL
Boca Royale Golf and Country Club is an exclusive, upscale, gated community in Sarasota County, midway between Tampa and Fort Myers. Offering luxury, resort-style living, this private community features new single-family homes and villas, an 18-hole semi-private golf course, clubhouse dining, tennis and pickleball courts, swimming and fitness facilities, and year-round social activities. Located 15 minutes from Manasota, Blind Pass, and Englewood Beaches, it is convenient to shopping, dining, and top-rated public schools. Built by Neal Communities, buyers can choose from two- to four-bedroom homes in a lush setting with private lakes and preserved wetlands. Explore Boca Royale.
Community Highlights:
- Semi-private 18-hole golf course
- Elegant Georgian-style clubhouse with casual and formal dining venues
- 6 lighted Har-Tru clay tennis courts
- Nearby marinas, yacht clubs, charter services and fishing piers
John’s Island- Vero Beach, FL
John’s Island, developed over 40 years ago by Llwyd Ecclestone, is an exclusive gated community just north of Vero Beach, Florida. For years, the private community has attracted Fortune 500 CEOs and business moguls with its picturesque landscape, world-class amenities, and classic Georgian architecture. Named one of “America’s Top 25 Golf Communities” by Travel + Leisure Golf, it boasts three championship golf courses by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Fazio. Additional amenities include tennis, squash, pickleball, croquet, a fitness/wellness center, a spa, and dining at three newly renovated clubhouses, along with social and recreational activities for all ages. Explore John's Island.
Community Highlights:
- 3 championship, 18-hole courses by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio
- Beach Club
- Tennis Complex
- The only air-conditioned North American squash courts in Florida
Waterfall at Lake Burton- Clayton, GA
Overlooking the pristine 2,775-acre Lake Burton, Waterfall at Lake Burton is a luxury gated community in the Blue Ridge Mountains where residents can be active, involved, and pampered all at once. The resort-style amenities include the Waterfall Club, championship golf, four onsite restaurants, an athletic center, and access to the Chattahoochee National Forest. Recognized as one of Georgia's top private golf courses, the 18-hole mountain course designed by Scott Pool features unique holes and breathtaking views. Residents enjoy dock access for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boat rentals, all within two hours of Atlanta, Asheville, and Greenville. Explore Waterfall at Lake Burton.
Community Highlights:
- Championship golf course
- 52,000-square-foot Athletic Center
- 2 marinas on Lake Burton
- Spa services
Balsam Mountain Preserve- Sylva, NC
Spanning 4,400 acres with less than one residence per acre, this western North Carolina sanctuary is the lowest density private community in the Carolinas. Just 40 minutes from Asheville, Balsam Mountain Preserve features an Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course, the new Doubletop Village with dining and recreational amenities, and a vibrant social calendar. Residents enjoy exclusive access to a fitness and wellness center, 42 miles of private hiking trails, an equestrian center, and various outdoor activities. With fewer than 400 homes, premium real estate options include fractional ownership cabins, Doubletop Cottages, estate homes, and homesites with stunning mountain views. Explore Balsam Mountain Preserve.
Community Highlights:
- Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course
- Ruby Valley Fitness & Wellness Pavilion
- Equestrian Center
- Hiking trails and trout fishing
Kiawah Island- Kiawah Island, SC
On Kiawah Island, SC, sits this pristine gated community spanning 10,000 acres across five distinct coastal neighborhoods: Cassique, West Beach, East Beach, Vanderhorst, and Ocean Park. The diverse real estate options range from single-family homes to villas, each with stunning views of the ocean, forest, golf courses, marshes, or rivers. The Kiawah Island Club provides members with private world-class amenities and venues, while the Kiawah Island Golf Resort features award-winning golf and tennis facilities. Additionally, the Kiawah Island Community Association offers all property owners access to The Sandcastle, which includes a beachside pool, fitness rooms, and other amenities. Explore Kiawah Island.
Community Highlights:
- Private 7,039-yard golf course & golf learning center
- Beach Club
- Sporting Club & 9,000 square foot sports pavilion
- Cassique Boathouse
Wexford- Hilton Head, SC
This gated community on Hilton Head Island offers a luxury setting that appeals to retirees, families, and professionals. Featuring a 37-acre inland harbor with direct access to coastal waters, a 280-slip marina, and a secure harbor lock system, Wexford is perfect for boaters and water enthusiasts. Residents also enjoy an Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse with a full-service restaurant, a pool complex, tennis and pickleball facilities, a fitness center, and the Wexford Yacht Club. With diverse real estate options, including homesites with private docks, golf course views, townhomes, and garden homes, Wexford is minutes from beaches, entertainment, shopping, and healthcare. Explore Wexford.
Community Highlights:
- Signature Arnold Palmer designed 18-hole golf course
- Yacht Club
- Expansive pool complex
- Tennis & Pickleball Center
WindRiver- Lenior City, TN
Step into gated exclusivity on Tellico Lake near Knoxville, Tennessee, with a luxury lifestyle complemented by stunning lake and mountain views. Residents of WindRiver enjoy a full-service marina, an 18-hole championship golf course, a resort-style swimming pool, sports courts, a fitness center, and fine dining at Citico's Restaurant. With over 30 miles of walking and hiking trails, five miles of shoreline, and amenities like the Lakeside Inn and Brightwater Park, this private community is the ultimate destination to create a cherished lakefront lifestyle. Explore WindRiver.
Community Highlights:
- Tennessee’s first Audubon Signature golf course
- Marina on Tellico Lake with 30- to 90-foot slips
- Sports & Wellness Club
- Elegant and casual onsite dining options
Boot Ranch- Fredericksburg, TX
Boot Ranch is a gated community nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, just a short drive from Austin and San Antonio. Spanning a scenic 2,080 acres and featuring a top-ranked Hal Sutton signature golf course, the extensive recreational amenities and a 55,000-square-foot Clubhouse Village offers fine dining and social events that provide Texas residents with a refined elegance. Other onsite family-focused facilities include three pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and a lake with swimming, kayaking, and more. Property options range from expansive homesites to fully furnished vacation homes, all including a multi-generational club membership. Explore Boot Ranch.
Community Highlights:
- Award-winning Hal Sutton-designed 18-hole golf course
- Ranch Club with 3 heated pools, Jacuzzi, full bar & grill, and more
- Historic 1850s homestead restored as a general store
- Longhorn Lake with waterfront clubhouse and party barn
Red Ledges- Heber City, UT
Red Ledges offers an exclusive gated community with an elevated lifestyle in Utah’s picturesque Heber Valley, minutes from Park City. This 2,000-acre mountain retreat features two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, a Cliff Drysdale Tennis School, and easy access to Deer Valley® skiing. Residents enjoy a vibrant community club with diverse activities, including top-ranked amenities like the new Village Center Pool. Surrounded by preserved open space, the community offers custom homes and home sites tailored to blend with the natural landscape, providing stunning views and proximity to outdoor pursuits year-round. Explore Red Ledges.
Community Highlights:
- Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and golf school
- Tennis facilities and Cliff Drysdale Tennis School
- Equestrian Center
- Clubhouse Pool & Fitness Club
Looking for the privacy and security of a gated community, but with a more affordable price tag? No worries! PCR features hundreds of gated communities throughout the country, for every budget and lifestyle preference. Start your search here.
