Lucky for those who live here, the Bay Area and Northern California climate allows for waterfront activity nearly all year long. In addition, our region’s builders offer several communities for people who regularly feel drawn to the water.
What could be better for a water lover than living within walking distance or a short drive to rivers, lakes, canals, the Pacific Ocean or S.F. Bay?
That’s no rhetorical question. Even better than a water lover living close to the water is the ability to do so in a newly built home and community.
Builders continue to build out new-home communities near the San Joaquin River, the forks of the Sacramento River, San Francisco Bay, Monterey Bay, Folsom Lake and much of the California Delta.
They’ve even found and created new-home opportunities at watersheds, canals and lakes springing from many of these bodies of water.
In some cases, the community itself includes direct access to water. In others, the Delta or rivers are just minutes away and builders have incorporated elements into the home plans that make it easy to take advantage of the water.
Whether moving into a new home in a water-lifestyle community or a new home within a short drive from the water, plan ahead to simplify the transition to this new stage of life.
Storage makes a splash
Perhaps not as glamorous as enjoying a relaxing sunrise fly-fishing fishing float, storage for water toys makes all the difference for an easy life near the water.
Got kayaks, canoes, Jet Skis, paddleboards, water skis, tubes, fishing gear, a boat or perhaps just a bunch of inflatables and rafts? You’ll need a place to put them where they’re easy to access and out of the way.
Builders with communities that are on or near water have already thought of this. In certain communities, standard home plans include three-car garages, two-car plus tandem garages or extra-deep two-car garages. These provide homeowners a place to store items securely and get to them when the perfect day on the water beckons.
Some communities may allow RV or boat parking below the fence line out of view from the street. Ask about the possibility of pouring a concrete pad behind or along the side of the house, hidden from view.
Other communities, especially those near bigger lakes, rivers or waterways, offer the option to rent space at an on-site storage facility.
Meanwhile, larger master-planned developments on or near water have long docks, piers for day use for residents and for guests based on availability. Some even offer permitted long-term boat storage.
Other ways to store lighter-weight items include ordering wall-mounted racks, custom storage racks, hooks, sling set systems or stands in the garage.
Ask the builder if any neighbors have shared how they store their water toys. And plan to install your storage solution before move-in time.
Get together out of the water
Water brings people together. As a result, within and around waterfront communities, water lovers will find no shortage of canoe clubs, boating clubs, fishing groups, and even youth and adult water-sports teams.
Even within a larger master plan in a waterfront area, each neighborhood can forge its own identity. Miles and miles of walking and hiking paths, parks and waterfront sitting areas connect each neighborhood to the next. Residents enjoy the sense of community.
Based on demand, several new-home communities have even built — or are planning to add — boathouses, restaurants, clubhouses, docks, decks, play spaces and more. Others are located across the street or less than 5 miles from public water access points.
When determining which community is best for your lifestyle and needs, be sure to ask each builder or developer where you can find groups to connect with online and in person.
Make weekend dreams permanent
Builders in water-lifestyle communities are noticing a trend among certain buyers. Some people, especially those who are ages 55+ and still actively involved in their careers, consider a second home on the water; they’ll spend weekends there now and move in permanently upon retirement.
Many of these people have built equity from decades of homeownership. Using some of that equity, they will purchase a new construction home in a waterfront community to get away for the weekends and recharge on the water with new neighbors and friends.
The plan for some is that, at retirement, they will sell their primary home and move permanently to their waterfront new home for an active new lifestyle. For others who are able, the primary home will remain in the family as the new primary residence for grown children and grandchildren. That way, everyone is close but the new homeowners get the exciting retirement oasis they’ve earned.
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