The Springs of Mill Lakes - Opelika, AL

The Springs of Mill Lakes stands out for its combination of residential living and protected natural land. The 80-acre community includes two mature 3.5-acre lakes, a creek, waterfalls and a 45-acre wildlife sanctuary along its western boundary. It was developed for adults 55 and older, although an early 2016 development report stated there would be no age restriction; current community directories classify it as age-restricted. Construction began in 2016, and the community is now an established 134-home neighborhood with resale inventory.

HOMES

The Springs of Mill Lakes was developed by Chapman H LLC, with Harris Doyle Homes and Homeworks of Alabama as builders. Plans include single-family homes with traditional European cottage influences and brick, stone or board-and-batten exteriors. Homeworks plans range from 1,820 to 2,148 square feet, while Harris Doyle plans range from 1,850 to 3,460 square feet. Recent listings show homes from about 1,859 to 2,700 square feet, with asking prices generally around $519,000 to $549,000.

AMENITIES

The 10,000-square-foot Owl’s Roost clubhouse anchors the community's recreation program with a fitness center, fireplace lounge, multipurpose space, catering kitchen and ballroom. Outdoor amenities include a zero-entry pool, pickleball court, event lawn, community garden, walking and biking trails, a recreational lake with dock and a separate fishing lake. Reported resident activities include dancing, fishing, gardening, kayaking, pickleball and swimming. Current listings report HOA dues of $229 per month, though fees can vary by property or period.

LOCATION & NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The Springs of Mill Lakes is at 2901 Birmingham Highway, along U.S. 280 in Opelika. U.S. 280 and Interstate 85 provide regional connections, with Tiger Town's shopping, groceries, restaurants and services about 2.5 miles away and downtown Opelika roughly three miles away. East Alabama Medical Center is about 1.5 miles from the community, according to a recent local real-estate source. Auburn University is about seven miles away. Auburn University Regional Airport serves the area, while Opelika and Auburn provide additional dining, cultural and recreational destinations.