If you're considering a home in Highland Lakes in Westerville, Ohio, there's one question I hear surprisingly often from buyers and even other Realtors:
Is membership at The Lakes Golf & Country Club included when you live in Highland Lakes?
The short answer is no.
The Highland Lakes homeowners association and The Lakes Golf & Country Club are separate. Living in Highland Lakes does not automatically mean that a country club membership is included in your annual HOA fee.
And it's an important distinction because there are really two different things to understand when you're considering a home in the Highland Lakes area: the association that applies to the particular property you're buying and, separately, whether you'd like to become a member of The Lakes.
Do You Have to Join The Lakes Golf & Country Club to Live in Highland Lakes?
Country club membership is separate from living in the Highland Lakes community.
The Lakes is a private country club with different membership options and levels of access. Because membership categories, availability, fees and requirements can change, I always recommend confirming current information directly with the club when you're considering membership.
But there's something else buyers sometimes don't realize: you don't have to be an avid golfer to enjoy the country club lifestyle.
There's More to The Lakes Than Golf
My family and I are social members at The Lakes, and golf isn't the reason we use the club as much as we do.
For us, it's part of the social side of living in Highland Lakes.
We go over for dinner, attend social and family events and enjoy spending time on the outdoor terrace when the weather is nice. And after a long workday, I've definitely ordered dinner from the club, picked it up and taken it home. Sometimes convenience wins.
The club also offers swimming, fitness and athletic facilities, tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, bocce and other activities in addition to golf.
There are events throughout the year for members and families, which creates another way to meet people and feel connected to the community.
That's something that's difficult to understand when you're simply scrolling through homes online.
What About the Highland Lakes HOA?
This is where things can get a little confusing.
Your homeowners association and your country club membership are two separate considerations.
Highland Lakes has its own homeowners association, while some adjoining communities or specific areas around Highland Lakes can have different association structures, fees, governing documents and maintenance responsibilities.
For example, communities such as The Nook at Highland Lakes and The Oaks at Highland Lakes have their own HOA structures.
So when you're looking at a particular property, don't assume that an HOA fee shown online tells you everything you need to know.
I recommend verifying:
- Which HOA or association applies to the property
- Whether another association also applies
- Current association fees
- What those fees cover
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Whether there are private streets or other community-specific considerations
- Current governing documents and restrictions
And then consider The Lakes Golf & Country Club membership separately.
Why This Matters When Buying in the Highland Lakes Area
Highland Lakes and the surrounding communities offer much more variety than many buyers realize.
There are condos, patio-style and low-maintenance homes, traditional single-family homes, custom luxury properties, gated options and golf-course homes throughout the area.
Different properties can also fall within different school districts and have different association structures.
That's why I don't recommend evaluating a Highland Lakes property based solely on its mailing address, square footage or what an online listing says about the HOA.
There can be quite a bit more to understand.
What Is It Like Living Near The Lakes Golf & Country Club?
I've lived in Highland Lakes since 2015, and the lifestyle is one of the things I genuinely love about living here.
There's the convenience of Polaris, nearby freeway access, Hoover Reservoir and Alum Creek, along with leisure paths and plenty of opportunities to be active.
But there's also the community itself.
Being social members at The Lakes has given our family another place to spend time, attend events, have dinner and connect with people in the neighborhood.
You certainly don't need a country club membership to enjoy living in Highland Lakes. But for people who want that additional social, fitness, recreational or golf component, having a private club right within the community can be a great part of the lifestyle.
Considering a Home in Highland Lakes?
If you're looking at a home in Highland Lakes, The Nook, The Oaks or another nearby community, make sure you understand both the property's association structure and the country club membership options before making assumptions based on the listing.
I've lived in Highland Lakes since 2015 and help buyers and sellers navigate the different homes, communities and lifestyle options throughout the area.
If you're considering a move here and have questions about a particular property, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help you sort through the details.
Teresa Powell
Luxe Home Team | Real Brokerage
Central Ohio Real Estate
