Councill Oaks Home Buyer & Builder Guide
In 2019, my family was living in Charleston, SC when we found out that our second child was on the way (not exactly planned). I was born and raised in Boone, NC, and my wife graduated from Appalachian State. We needed to be closer to family to help with some upcoming medical treatments. It was clear that the mountains were calling us home, but where ‘home’ was actually going to be would require some serious thought.
By the time we decided to move, I had grown tired of the traffic and congestion of Charleston, SC. Selfishly, I wanted to build a simple mountain house out in the county so our family could raise a garden and distance ourselves from many aspects of ‘city life.’ However, with two young kids, jobs, and errands, my wife and I quickly decided that we needed to live somewhere close to town so we didn’t spend so much time commuting. Our search through the various neighborhoods in Boone quickly led us to Councill Oaks, a 92-acre subdivision located just 0.5 miles from downtown Boone. As you’ll see in the video below, Councill Oaks gave us the in-town location we wanted without sacrificing the dream of living in and around nature.
Why Buy & Build In Councill Oaks
We purchased a lot and quickly got to work, below are the things we’ve enjoyed most about buying, building, and living day-to-day in Councill Oaks.
- Experience and interact with nature: Large trees, hiking trails, and green spaces.
- Location: Short commutes, quick errands, easy access to area amenities.
- Private, gated, paved roads: Very low traffic, reduced construction costs.
- Underground utilities: Save time building, no visible power lines.
- Relatively large lots and homesites (privacy).
- Family and home safety, low crime.
- Sun exposure: Sunrise and sunset.
- Walk to downtown Boone: Restaurants, events, and exercise.
- Great neighbors.
- Cooperative HOA, ARC and building requirements.
- Relatively low site development costs (for new construction).
Day-to-Day Life in Councill Oaks
Find Extra Hours In Your Day: Moving to Councill Oaks has saved about an hour of driving on a daily basis. This block of time tends to show up most in the evening and creates space for family time, cooking more meals at home, exercise and hobbies. Most often, we use this time to take a stroll through the neighborhood or walk into downtown Boone. Having gated roads makes these walks more peaceful as traffic is a non-issue, and you’re able to focus on nature and the conversation you’re having rather than worrying about safety.
Centralized Location Creates Opportunities: We love sharing meals with friends and family — that’s a major reason why we moved back to Boone in the first place. Councill Oaks’ location allows us to arrive at a downtown restaurant within minutes or meet friends anywhere in the county in 15-20 minutes. Downtown being walkable from our home (parking) makes any event simpler to attend throughout the year. Date nights are more achievable as well when we’re able to make last minute reservations at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Build Relationships With Neighbors and Nature: In Councill Oaks, we enjoy a strong sense of community that is fostered by the gated roads that encourage outdoor interactions. The ‘lower lots,’ surrounded by green spaces and short hiking trails, provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy nature, while the larger ‘upper lots’ allow for direct interaction with the natural environment on your own property. Despite being only half a mile from downtown, you can feel the hustle and bustle of the city fade away as you ascend toward the ‘upper lots’ in the neighborhood. When we want a heavier dose of nature, Councill Oaks provides easy access to many parks, trails, rivers, and Blue Ridge Parkway attractions.
Key Takeaways for New Construction
Underground Utilities: The Unsung Hero: Every lot in Councill Oaks is accompanied by underground utilities. Having all your sewer (septic), water, power, cable and natural gas utilities in place dramatically simplifies and expedites the construction process. Underground power lines also ensure that the views from your property are not obstructed by power equipment.
Driveways & Site Preparation Costs: Councill Oaks lots and roadways were carefully designed to allow for the shortest possible driveways. From a new construction perspective, these roadways serve one very important purpose: cost reduction. In most undeveloped lots in the high country, preparing a driveway to connect the property to state-maintained roads requires a significant investment. Therefore, site preparation costs can decrease the overall funds available for improving your home's finished square footage.
Shorter driveways reduce site preparation costs, freeing up funds for upgraded kitchen and bathroom finishes. These features can significantly enhance the home ownership experience and increase the appraised value of the property.
Responsive & Reasonable Neighborhood Leadership: The approval process for new construction in Councill Oaks, specifically the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), is characterized by speed and simplicity. I took this process for granted until hearing horror stories from property owners in other neighborhoods. The Review Committees in Councill Oaks strive to maintain a 'mountain home' aesthetic to create a sense of cohesion. However, they are reasonable and willing to discuss various design options with the home builder. The approval process does not unnecessarily drag out, ensuring that the property owner gets the home they envisioned rather than something they feel forced into. A helpful neighborhood leadership team may not seem monumental at first glance, but it plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for families who call Councill Oaks ‘home.’
Finding Your Perfect Property
No two families have the same priorities when searching for a home. Councill Oaks offers the ideal balance of privacy and proximity to nature and downtown Boone. Whether you are buying or building, contact us or view our listings to learn more about what Councill Oaks can offer you.
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