Cedar Creek, arguably the most "modest" of the three Aiken-area communities we have visited, pitches itself as unpretentious, less full of itself and a better value than its local rivals ("Affordably Priced" is how they once advertised real estate in the community). You can still find a building lot for well under $100,000, and even lots on the golf course are available at less than $150,000 (one fairly large one at ¾ acre).  But although Cedar Creek is within the reach of those who may never have cashed stock options, there is nothing other-side-of-the-tracks about the place.    

    For the casual or occasional golfer, a well-designed accessible golf course that pays for itself with daily fee golf is a viable option.  Cedar Creek's Arthur Hills layout is a bargain for property owners and daily fee players alike; Hills is a player-friendly designer who, nevertheless, does not cave in to the notion of "fast play" the way some designers of resort courses do.  His design for Cedar Creek features high-banked bunkers at greenside (see accompanying photo) and enough challenges to appeal to all types of golfers. The better golfers can play the tips at over 7,200 yards at a rating of 74.1 and slope of 142.    

    Initiation fees for golf run $4,000, but we understand owners of property purchased from Cedar Creek's developers can get 50% off the fees.  About 250 residents maintain membership, and they seem to mix well with the daily fee golfers; greens fees don't exceed $50, except during Masters week, when greens fees at all the Aiken courses multiply significantly.  More than 30,000 rounds of golf are played annually at Cedar Creek.    

    Residents are an eclectic mix of 40- and 50-somethings still working full time, as well as retirees attracted by the reasonably mild winters, not intolerable summers and relatively low prices (compared with South Carolina's mountain and coastal communities, as well as the other two communities in Aiken we surveyed). The nearby Savannah River Site, opened in the 1950s to produce materials to support the nation's nuclear defense system, brought hundreds of PhDs to the area, and some have settled in Cedar Creek.  
    Housing options abound, with a small row of brick homes at just 1,400 sq ft minimums near the clubhouse and 3,000 sq ft minimum houses on plots between ½ and one acre along the 1st and 17th holes.  There are plenty of choices in between. You can spend around $300,000 for a comfortable 3 BR home on a nice lot, or you can own a top-end house for not much more than $500,000.  Property owner fees are a low $480 annually.
    PhDs, former CEOS, and factory workers make Cedar Creek the most diverse of the three communities in the Aiken area. It provides the best value in housing locally, but you'll do without the security gate and country club panache.  Still for the value conscious who don't mind sharing their nicely designed golf course with others, Cedar Creek will strike the right note.  For more info, contact Dick Salsitz at 800-937-5362 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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    With three golf courses within its gates and a mall just outside, Woodside Plantation offers the most "rounded" living experience of the Aiken golf communities. The golf courses carry prestige names - Bob Cupp, Rees Jones and Nicklaus Design. However, the first two courses are owned by ClubCorp and the newer Reserve course by the developers; two separate initiation fees and dues payments are required if you want membership privileges at the three courses. 

    On our visit, The Reserve seemed to be in the best shape of the three, and its clean, unfussy design made up for a lack of drama.  Caveat emptor:  If you are thinking Jack Nicklaus is behind a Nicklaus Design course, be advised that son Steve designed this one. The Golden Bear takes primary responsibility for courses with the word "Signature" after his name.

    The Woodside community comprises 2,300 acres of rolling land that includes 100 acres of lakes and 20 acres carved out as a nature preserve. It is the only community of the three visited that provides 24-hour security at the front gate. Its other distinctions are a croquet lawn where members and friends from surrounding clubs engage in weekly matches. As its rival communities do, Woodside offers miles of walking trails, both along the golf course and through the woods. Full golf membership in The Reserve Club, after payment of a $1,000 "social initiation fee," was $26,500 (refundable under certain conditions) or $13,250 (non-refundable) a few months ago.  Monthly dues for residents were $283, and $155 for non-residents.  Membership confers full golf privileges as well as tennis, croquet, swimming and use of the clubhouse.  An "activities membership" at half the full golf initiation fee provides use of the golf course two times per month (no greens fees) and lower dues rates.  This will appeal to those who purchase a home site and defer construction.

    The other Woodside Plantation courses carried an initiation fee of $18,000 for the two together a few months ago. Full privileges -- tennis, swimming, social -- came with $278 per month in dues (non-golfers can buy tennis and/or social privileges for lower rates).

    Woodside offers the entire range of housing options, from low-maintenance villas to large brick homes on substantial lots. The Reserve section provides especially nice golf views, as well as a few choice lake views. Woodside's Glen Haven is an "adults only" community for owners 55 and over. Prices in general throughout Woodside seem to fit in the middle range of the three communities reviewed, with home site prices starting well into the $100's and with the average house in the $500,000 category.  Annual property association dues are just $577 per year (about half if you own a lot only).

    For those seeking the most convenient shopping in the area, the 45-store Aiken Mall, with anchors Dillards, Belk, J.C. Penney and Sears, as well as a supermarket, lies about a five-wood distance outside the community's rear gate. Retail in Aiken is still in the emergent phase, and for those who'd prefer short trips to the store, Woodside's proximity to shopping is a big plus.

    At Woodside Plantation, three golf courses are a tease, given that two sets of membership fees and dues are necessary. The community has an "established" feel to it, with the vast majority of the lots built upon.  Woodside offers a wide variety of home site and housing options, and the manned gate will appeal to the security conscious. And you can virtually walk to the mall.  Woodside's web site details a nice discovery package for those interested in visiting.  Depending on your choice of accommodations - from the local Hampton Inn to the famed Wilcox Inn in Aiken - the package for two runs from $154 to $300 for two nights of lodging, a dinner and round of golf at The Reserve course.  Web site:  www.woodsideplantation.com