Best North Carolina Retirement Communities

12 Oaks – Designed for Gracious Southern Living

Holly Springs, North Carolina, is the quintessential southern town with annual chili cook-offs, regularly attended town meetings, and holiday festivities for the entire community (there’s a “haunted hayride” at the Sugg Farm property for this month!). It was named for the 40-foot holly trees which stand over the area’s freshwater springs—most of which still feed the local lakes and ponds. Known for more than just its natural beauty, Holly Springs was named the number one safest city in North Carolina—and number 78 of the safest cities in America. Despite the speed at which the city is growing—it’s doubled its population since the year 2000— it remains quaint, hospitable, and lovely.

It makes sense then that the first-class 12 Oaks Community, located in Holly Springs, would capture the feeling of a traditional southern community, structuring its homes down tree-lined streets and utilizing architecture from older periods: Colonial, Greek, Southern Antebellum Revival and Victorian. Almost every house is completed with a spacious front porch. It’s a classically designed neighborhood that allows for gracious southern living.

The idea 12 Oaks featured its development and home building around is simple: relaxation and community. Neighbors here feel compelled to get away from the stresses of the day, drink lemonade, and sit down to chat for a while. Each home is uniquely built, opening up floor-plans for every family’s needs and budgets. Home collections are featured, each with their own sets of quality extras available to suit any and all home wishes. Because of the diversity the 12 Oak’s home-builders favor, the community gets away from the “cookie-cutter” feel brought on by many developments. Each house is different—and with a range of 678-acres of the master-planned community, the possibilities are endless.

To get a little fresh air, the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course within 12 Oaks is the perfect place. The awe-inspiring 7,132 plus yard course was ranked among the top 10 Best New Private Golf Courses by Golf Digest in 2009. Its rolling hills and lush scenery serve as background to the golfer’s paradise—featuring a variety of risk-reward shots for golfers of all skill levels. Nicklaus courses are famous for their electrifying finishes, and the one at 12 Oaks isn’t any different. Water comes into play at several holes, challenging skilled players to truly “go for broke.”

For a break off the course, The Club at 12 Oaks is equally as impressive. The casual dining offers a delicious range of foods, served at The Oaks Café. To burn off the calories, the fitness center is state-of-the-art, offering Precor equipment plus resistance training. Pools of all types are available: a resort-style pool with zero access to children, a fun slide for youths (and those that are youthful in spirit), and a lap-pool for members of all ages. Golfers don’t get all the fun at 12 Oaks—several lit tennis courts are available for all those wanting to get a few matches in.

For a beautiful, relaxing, fulfilling way of life in a simple, safe city—12 Oaks Community in Holly Springs, North Carolina, is the perfect place to buy.