Combine a relaxed country life with the perks of a private club
Come summertime, it’s tough to avoid indulging in back-to-the-land fantasies. You’d buy a little parcel out west, get a few chickens, plant some tomatoes, go hiking before the sun climbs too high… You’d have plenty of room, and your loud neighbors and their yappy Yorkie wouldn’t be there!
Of course, living out in the country has its share of difficulties, so why not split the difference with a secluded home that happens to be part of a residential community? If you’re looking for a place with both natural swimming holes and infinity pools, then check out Loraloma, a new private community currently under development in Texas Hill Country, just 25 miles from downtown Austin. Homes range from two to five bedrooms and are spread across the 2,200-acre Thomas Ranch, which will feature a plethora of amenities, from a championship golf course and pro shop to an actual ranch with equestrian facilities. The three-bedroom Limestone Cottage, part of the first group of homes to be built, is on the market for $1.995 million and promises sunset views from the extensive patio.
For those wanting mountains rather than hills, there’s Wilderness Club in Eureka, Montana, just south of the Canadian border. Custom-build your dream home, or find a move-in-ready abode on Zillow, such as the two-bedroom cabin at 217 Glacier Peaks Road, which boasts vaulted ceilings and a covered outdoor patio complete with a cedar hot tub. It’s on the market for $799,000, and it still feels brand new, since it was built in 2020. Club perks include a Nick Faldo–designed golf course, a water park, and a sports park with pickleball, basketball, soccer, and more.
In Driggs, Idaho, meanwhile, the private community Tributary offers easy access to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The ranch-style home at 900 Mountain Bluebird Court has four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and 3,328 square feet for $3.5 million. With fly-fishing and mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter, the great outdoors can be yours all year long.
