The Many Faces of the Lake of the Ozarks

When considering the Lake of the Ozarks, many of us think of the area as one large entity. Instead, the Lake area is made up of several different cities, towns, villages and private communities, each with unique personalities.  All offer activities for visitors and residents alike, including boating, fishing, golfing, shopping and dining.

Overall, the Lake’s surrounding areas have experienced significant growth during the past 10 years. Demographic studies show the largest singular growth within the Baby Boomer age bracket because of the area’s appeal to those considering an active retirement.

There are also great benefits for families considering purchasing property at the Lake: two of the state’s top-rated school districts are located here, and family-friendly recreational activities are abundant.

The City of Laurie is located on 5 Hwy on the west side of the Lake just south of Hwy 52. Laurie is a quaint little community offering shopping, dining, a movie theater, and, of course, access to all of the Lake’s water activities.

Homes available in and around Laurie include lake front, lake view and some in unspoiled rural areas just minutes from the conveniences of a small city. Starting in the $170,000s, Blue Anchor Bay Condominiums has amenities that focus on lake life, with everything from fishing and family play to relaxing in style with a spa.

Laurie is a growing community constantly moving forward to provide upscale conveniences to its full- and part-time population, with an eye toward maintaining the charm of a small-town atmosphere.

Sunrise Beach, just south of Laurie on 5 Hwy, is another small community with a great deal to offer. Major highway improvements in recent years have positively affected this community. From the community bridge connecting the west side to the east side of the Lake, to the recent improvements to 5 Hwy, Sunrise Beach has benefited.

Housing opportunities as a result of these highway projects are the developments closest to the community bridge. The Villages at Shawnee Bend is an upscale housing development of multimillion dollar homes. In this development, the builders have taken great care to leave the natural beauty of the grounds undisturbed.

Porto Cima is another private community developed in this  area, including upscale homes, a clubhouse and golf course among its many amenities. The developer, Four Seasons Homes, is known for high standards in every aspect of the finished product. Expect the price tag to read anything from $300,000 and up, depending on the type of home and the upgrades you choose.

Camdenton is located at the crossroads of Hwy 5 and Hwy 54. In this area, you’ll find myriad options when it comes to homes. Within the city limits, everything from old turn-of-the-century homes to new development is available. Skirting the city limits are gated golf communities such as Old Kinderhook with custom homes, waterfront condos and townhomes; waterfront condominium communities like Point Royale, featuring two- and three- bedroom condos starting in the $130,000s; and the new-home development Mission Bay, with everything from custom homes to townhomes from the high $300,000s and up, complete with community dock and clubhouse.

Camdenton is one of the oldest communities in the Lake area, with a lot of history pre-dating the building of Bagnell Dam. While visiting the west side of the Lake, take in a few antique stores, tour Bridal Cave and hike in the state park to the HaHa Tonka ruins.

Osage Beach is commonly considered the shopping hub of the Lake area, with the outlet mall boasting its 110 shops and various big-box stores scattered along the highway. Boating, fishing, golfing, dining and nightlife are also available in this centrally located city on Lake of the Ozarks.

As the highway project moves forward, the lay of the land seems to be in constant flux, as are the opportunities for homebuyers. Like other areas of the Lake, there are   condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes in a wide range of prices. As the new highway makes areas more accessible, new home communities will be developed. Harbor Heights Estates is one such community currently in development, offering affordable three-bedroom homes in a planned community.

Lake Ozark is home to the Bagnell Dam Strip and Horseshoe Bend Parkway leading to Four Seasons. Golfing, dining and nightlife are major attractions in this area, along with miles of shoreline dotted with more golfing, dining, nightlife, condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes. Seasons Bay offers custom villas that share no common walls or floor joists with neighbors, thus are soundproof, and offer the maintenance-free living of a condo.

In addition to upscale homes and condominium communities, you’ll also find one of the Lake’s only condo hotels. Camden on the Lake Resort, Spa & Yacht Club, located at the 7 Mile Marker, offers high-end condominiums complete with hotel services and an in-house rental program.

Four Seasons is a short drive down Horseshoe Bend Parkway. Within the Village is an all-inclusive condominium development, Avila Condominiums at the Lodge. This development is a Four Seasons Homes project and offers beautiful condominiums with all the amenities of a hotel  and services at The Lodge of Four Seasons.

Rocky Mount, located on the west side of the Lake, is filled with undisturbed land and shoreline. If you’re looking for quiet and pristine surroundings, this is the area for you. One such example is Atlantis Island Condos, offering unequalled privacy starting in the $170,000s. Another private development is Timberlake Village, offering home sites and condominiums in a wooded area with quiet waterfront starting in the low $200,000s.

The commonality among each city is a little piece of Lake of the Ozarks. The fun for you is finding your perfect match.

The preceding information was obtained through information provided by Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, The Lake West Chamber of Commerce, Camdenton Area Chamber of Commerce, Associated Brokers and Lake of the Ozarks Board of Realtors/Bagnell Dam Association of Realtors.