Highland Lakes, Westerville, Ohio

Golf, Community and More Ways to Call Highland Lakes Home

Highland Lakes is one of Westerville’s most established residential communities, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many people assume Highland Lakes is made up primarily of luxury golf-course homes. In reality, the community offers a much wider variety of homes, price points and lifestyles.

I’ve lived in Highland Lakes since 2015, and that’s one of the things I love about it.

Throughout the community, you’ll find attached condominiums, freestanding patio-style homes, low-maintenance and gated options, traditional single-family homes, custom luxury homes and beautiful properties overlooking The Lakes Golf & Country Club.

That variety attracts people at many different stages of life, from professionals and families to golfers, empty nesters and buyers looking for a more maintenance-free lifestyle.

And because I live here myself, I know there’s much more to Highland Lakes than what you’ll find in a real estate listing.

Highland Lakes at a Glance

Location: Westerville / Genoa Township in southern Delaware County

Schools: Depending on the individual property, homes within Highland Lakes may be served by Westerville City Schools or Olentangy Local Schools.

Housing: Condominiums, patio-style homes, traditional single-family homes, custom luxury homes, gated and low-maintenance options, and golf-course properties.

Golf & Country Club: The Lakes Golf & Country Club is located within the community and offers separate private membership options.

Lifestyle: Golf, swimming, racquet sports, fitness, walking and leisure paths, dining, social activities and nearby outdoor recreation.

Nearby: Polaris, Hoover Reservoir, Alum Creek, I-71, I-270, shopping, dining and other Central Ohio communities.

What Is It Like Living in Highland Lakes?

For me, one of the best things about Highland Lakes is the combination of community and convenience.

You can feel tucked into an established residential neighborhood while still being minutes from Polaris, shopping, restaurants and major freeway access. I also love that I can reach many surrounding areas using back roads when I’d rather stay off the freeway.

Hoover Reservoir and Alum Creek are nearby, and the leisure paths throughout and surrounding the neighborhood make it easy to get outside for a walk, run or bike ride.

But the people are a big part of what has kept us here since 2015.

There’s a real sense of community, with people at many different stages of life. And for those who choose to become members, The Lakes Golf & Country Club adds another social and recreational layer to living here.

Is Highland Lakes Only a Luxury Home Community?

No. This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about Highland Lakes.

While Highland Lakes certainly includes custom luxury homes and beautiful golf-course properties, there is much more variety throughout the community.

Depending on the section, buyers may find:

• Attached condominiums
• Freestanding patio-style homes
• Low-maintenance living
• Gated community options
• Traditional single-family homes
• Production-built homes
• Custom-built homes
• Luxury properties
• Golf-course homes

That variety is one reason comparing Highland Lakes properties isn’t always as straightforward as comparing square footage and bedrooms.

Two homes that appear similar online may have very different builders, finishes, lots, locations, association structures and market values.

The Lakes Golf & Country Club

The Lakes Golf & Country Club is a private club located within the Highland Lakes community.

And one thing that’s important to understand is that living in Highland Lakes does not automatically include membership at The Lakes Golf & Country Club.

I get this question from buyers and even other Realtors fairly often.

The Highland Lakes homeowners association and The Lakes Golf & Country Club are separate. The club offers its own membership options with different levels of access to golf, dining, social activities, fitness and recreational amenities.

My family and I are social members, and it’s something we’ve really enjoyed.

We use the club for dinners, social and family events, and I love the outdoor terrace when the weather is nice. There have also been plenty of long workdays when I’ve ordered dinner from the club, picked it up and taken it home.

The club offers golf as well as swimming, fitness, tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, bocce and other activities. There are also social and family events throughout the year.

You definitely don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy the country club lifestyle.

For more information about the relationship between the homeowners association and country club membership, read Is The Lakes Country Club Included With Highland Lakes HOA?

You can also explore other Golf Course Communities throughout Central Ohio.

Highland Lakes HOA Fees and Community Associations

Another important thing buyers should understand is that HOA fees and responsibilities can vary depending on the specific property and section of Highland Lakes.

There is an overall Highland Lakes homeowners association, but some sections and condominium communities have additional associations, fees, services or governing documents.

Sorrento at Highland Lakes is one example.

Sorrento is a gated, low-maintenance section of the community with freestanding condominium-style homes. Properties there have additional association considerations beyond the overall Highland Lakes HOA, and the association provides certain maintenance services.

Some areas may also include private streets or other community-specific responsibilities.

For that reason, when evaluating a Highland Lakes property, it’s important to verify:

• Which association or associations apply
• Current HOA or condominium fees
• What those fees include
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Whether streets are public or private
• Community-specific rules and governing documents

These details should always be verified for the individual property rather than assumed based solely on the Highland Lakes address.

Westerville Schools or Olentangy Schools?

Highland Lakes is unique because not every home within the community is served by the same school district.

Depending on the individual property’s location, a Highland Lakes home may be within Westerville City Schools or Olentangy Local Schools.

For buyers specifically targeting one of these school districts, this is an important distinction.

School assignments and boundaries can change, so I always recommend verifying the current school assignment for the specific property rather than relying on the neighborhood name, mailing address or information from an older listing.

For more information about the surrounding area, explore the Westerville neighborhood guide.

Buying a Home in Highland Lakes

If you’re considering buying in Highland Lakes, it’s helpful to understand that this isn’t one uniform neighborhood from a real estate perspective.

There are different sections, builders, housing styles, school districts, association structures and levels of finishes throughout the community.

There are also properties with golf-course frontage, custom construction and premium lots that require a more detailed comparison than an average neighborhood price per square foot.

When I’m helping a buyer evaluate a Highland Lakes home, I look at the complete picture:

• Section of the community
• Builder and construction quality
• Updates and finishes
• Lot and location
• Golf-course or other premium positioning
• School district
• HOA and condominium structure
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Recent comparable sales
• Current competing homes

Price per square foot can be useful as one piece of information, but it doesn’t tell the entire story in a community as diverse as Highland Lakes.

Selling a Home in Highland Lakes

Selling a Highland Lakes property requires understanding what makes that particular home and section of the community different.

A buyer searching online may not know why two similarly sized homes shouldn’t necessarily be valued the same way. They may not understand the differences between custom and production construction, individual sections, school districts, golf-course positioning or the lifestyle surrounding The Lakes.

That’s why I believe the marketing needs to communicate more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.

When I prepare a Highland Lakes market analysis, I look closely at the property’s location within the community, builder, lot, finishes, condition, school district, amenities, relevant sales and current competition.

And when it’s time to market the property, I want buyers to understand not only the home they’re considering, but what it’s actually like to live here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Highland Lakes

Is Highland Lakes in Westerville, Ohio?

Highland Lakes has a Westerville mailing address and is located in southern Delaware County, primarily within Genoa Township.

Is Highland Lakes in the Westerville school district?

Some Highland Lakes properties are served by Westerville City Schools, while others are within Olentangy Local Schools. The individual property address should always be verified.

Do you have to join The Lakes Golf & Country Club to live in Highland Lakes?

Country club membership and the Highland Lakes homeowners association are separate. Buyers interested in membership should contact The Lakes Golf & Country Club for current membership options, requirements and pricing.

Is The Lakes Golf & Country Club membership included in the Highland Lakes HOA fee?

No. Country club membership is separate from the Highland Lakes homeowners association.

Are all Highland Lakes HOA fees the same?

No. Some properties may be subject to additional condominium or community associations, fees and responsibilities depending on the section.

Are there condos and low-maintenance homes in Highland Lakes?

Yes. Highland Lakes includes attached condominiums as well as freestanding patio-style and low-maintenance housing options in addition to traditional single-family and custom luxury homes.

Are there golf-course homes in Highland Lakes?

Yes. Highland Lakes includes homes positioned along The Lakes Golf & Country Club golf course as well as homes throughout the surrounding community.

Explore Highland Lakes Real Estate

Highland Lakes has been my home since 2015, and I love being able to give buyers and sellers a perspective that goes beyond what they can find in a listing description.

Whether you’re considering a custom home, golf-course property, traditional single-family home, condo or low-maintenance option, understanding the individual sections and lifestyle of Highland Lakes can make a big difference.

Ready to explore Highland Lakes? View current Highland Lakes homes for sale below or contact Teresa Powell about buying or selling in Highland Lakes.

Highland Lakes Homes for Sale

About Teresa Powell

Teresa Powell is a Central Ohio Realtor, Team Lead of Luxe Home Team at Real Brokerage and a Highland Lakes resident since 2015. Licensed since 2003, Teresa works with buyers and sellers throughout Westerville and Central Ohio, with experience in luxury homes, golf and lifestyle communities, new construction, home preparation and residential real estate.

Contact Teresa Powell to discuss buying or selling a home in Highland Lakes.