Tega Cay offers lake views and access to top-rated schools
Local legend claims that Tega Cay, South Carolina, takes its name from the term for “beautiful peninsula” in a particular Polynesian dialect. Though unverified, this explanation certainly makes sense. Most of this small, planned city roughly 20 miles southwest of Charlotte juts outward from the eastern shore of Lake Wylie, offering perhaps the closest thing to island living in the area. However, the city’s placement in the lauded Fort Mill School District may be even more appealing. “Fort Mill’s school system is rated very, very highly,” says realtor Robert MacLeod of Boston MacLeod Realty. “When I think about why people want to move to the area, that’s the No. 1 reason.”
Prices vary widely between waterfront and inland homes
According to MacLeod, Tega Cay has long attracted Charlotte-area residents who “wanted a summer home out on the lake.” The peninsula’s outer rim was filled with large waterfront homes throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. As southwestern Charlotte has rapidly developed in recent decades, the rest of the peninsula — along with the city’s small section on the mainland — saw heavy home construction. Today, homebuyers on the peninsula will find everything from large, Mediterranean-style waterfront homes and custom Millennial Mansions to Craftsman townhouses with single-car garages. East of the peninsula, the Lake Ridge community features 2010s colonials on winding, sidewalk-lined streets separated by dense forest. “If you’re not on the water, the prices probably go from the $400,000s to the $800,000s,” MacLeod says. “If you’re on the water, of course, that drives the price way up to well over $1 million or $2 million.”
Local schools offer strong academics and championship sports
On the peninsula’s northeastern edge is Tega Cay Elementary, one of several acclaimed schools Tega Cay students can attend. Most homes are less than 10 minutes from this K-5 school, accommodating just over 700 students. Gold Hill Middle School operates just east of the city, with a student body of about 800. Older students are zoned for Fort Mill High School, which welcomes around 2,000 students roughly 3 miles east of Tega Cay. It’s been named a National Blue Ribbon School twice in its nearly century-long history and fields several state championship-winning sports teams, including boys’ lacrosse and girls’ swimming. Fort Mill High and Tega Cay Elementary have A ratings from Niche, while Gold Hill Middle has an A-plus.
Residents enjoy beaches, trails, courts and golf courses
Tega Cay Golf Club has sat at the peninsula's center since 1971, boasting the region’s only 27-hole golf course. Along with fairways offering water views, the club welcomes members to enjoy games of croquet and tennis. Residents without waterfront properties can still enjoy lake access at Windjammer Park on the peninsula’s northwestern tip. Visitors can cool their feet off on Windjammer’s sandy beaches, jump off the dock or drink in panoramas of the lake from the gazebo and the lookout platform. Lake Ridge has its own pool and tennis courts and adjoins Catawba Park, a 62-acre green space with baseball and soccer fields, walking trails and a public boat launch.
A brewery and burger joint add character to the local shopping area
Several shopping and dining options, including a Walmart Supercenter, sit just northeast of Tega Cay. Across the parking lot, Model A Brewing Co. proudly claims the title of Tega Cay’s first brewery. Longtime residents opened the establishment in 2020, offering a menu with a dozen original draft beers, sandwiches and burgers. Patrons can also compete in weekly trivia and bingo.
Quick access to downtown via one of the city’s main roads
Interstate 77, one of Charlotte’s primary thoroughfares, runs just a few miles east of Tega Cay. Commuters can expect to reach central downtown in just over half an hour without traffic.
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Gwilliam
