Greensboro is anchored by Lake Oconee and resort-style living
At the intersection of Broad and Main streets in Greensboro, a welcome mural declares it “Lake Oconee’s Hometown,” treating the reservoir like other towns might treat a famous resident. The lake begins at the region's southern end and snakes along its western edge, separating Greensboro from cities such as Buckhead. Though the area is quaint, its southern tip features large homes, resorts and private clubs. Riezl Baker, a Realtor and cofounder of Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group, has lived in the area for more than 25 years and watched it transform into a desired destination thanks to a well-known luxury resort. “Build it, and they will come, right?” says Baker. “This used to be a sleepy town. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, transformed the place. No one had ever heard of it before. Then, people stayed at the Ritz, and they decided to buy property here. Now they come for the lake and golf and other amenities. It’s a crown jewel.”
Boating and fishing on the lake, plus shows at Festival Hall
Boating and fishing are commonplace on the 19,000-acre lake, as are more adventurous activities like jet skiing. Shops like Oconee Wild Watersports have boats and other equipment for rent. Fish in the lake include striped bass, catfish and crappie. There are many golf courses in and around the region’s southern tip. Harbor Club Golf Course has public tee times, and six of its 18 holes touch the Lake Oconee shoreline. Old Salem Park has campgrounds, picnic areas, a pavilion, a boat ramp and a swimming beach. Tennis and pickleball courts can be found at several clubs.
In Downtown Greensboro, Robinson Park has a playground and a splash pad. Festival Hall hosts events like dance parties, plays and magic shows. The city has several churches, including First Methodist Church of Greensboro-Lake Oconee, which distributes food and clothing to those in need, among other services.
New Traditional and Craftsman-style waterfront homes are prominent
While there are some homes near downtown, most Greensboro residents live near the lake, either along the region’s western border or on its southern tip. Large new traditional and Craftsman-style properties fill the area. Many waterfront homes come with boat ramps, and inland houses are often part of private communities with lake access. Closer to the city, properties are older and more traditional in style. The area’s median home price is around $950,000, well above the state and national median. Properties closer to the lake are more expensive. There are also lots and large parcels of land available for purchase.
Annual festivals, live music and youth performing arts camps
Baker helped create the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival, which brings three days of celebration to the region each spring. Other events, like The Ride & Drive car show, happen alongside the festival. Southland Jubilee, held downtown later in the spring, mixes live music with food, art and children’s activities. The Oconee Performing Arts Society hosts concerts and youth camps throughout the region.
A famous dessert and dockside dining highlight the area's food scene
The Yesterday Cafe, located downtown, is renowned for its buttermilk pie, with a custard filling and a flaky crust. Country singer Carrie Underwood famously ordered hundreds of the cafe’s pies for her 2010 wedding. Customers at Linger Longer Steakhouse enjoy views of The Oconee golf course in an upscale environment. It is part of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. Also at the resort is Gaby’s by the Lake, a Southern-inspired waterfront restaurant. “You can take your boat to the Ritz, tie it to the dock and have lunch,” Baker says. “Not a lot of places offer that.” The region has a Publix and Ingles Markets location, and retail options include the Greensboro Antique Mall.
Greene County School System students can follow career pathways
Students are served by the Greene County School System. They can attend Greene County Elementary School, which has a B-plus Niche grade. Anita White Carson Middle School gets a B-minus. Greene County High School offers career, technical and agricultural education pathways like culinary arts and sports medicine. It earns a C-plus score. The chartered Lake Oconee Academy High School receives an A.
Access to Interstate 20 and mild winters
U.S. Route 278 cuts through Downtown Greensboro, and Interstate 20 runs south of the city. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is around 80 miles away. Greensboro winters are mild, with the area getting a dusting of snow once every few years. Baker says she has not seen the community’s roads flood despite its lakefront location.
