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Located along historic Route 66 in
San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert River Valley
is the small rural town of Helendale, population
roughly 5,000, which is home to Silver Lakes Resort,
a planned community that dates from the 1970s and
offers modest homes for sale starting at around
$200,000 and ranging up to nearly $1 million for
more lavish dwellings. This community is
not age-restricted, but it is a relatively
affordable spot in California, something that is not
easy to find these days, and it offers amenities,
including a private 27-hole PGA rated golf course
designed by Ted Robinson, that are appealing to many
retirees.
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Silver Lakes Resort, so named for the two large (277- acres)
man-made lakes around which the resort meanders, has single family
homes and condominiums, some of which are timeshares; square footage
amounts range from 1,200 square feet to 4,000 square
feet. Some homes are a little dated and need some
sprucing up, but others are new and come with all the latest design
features. There is no tract housing; all 3,000 homes have been
built by private parties, giving the community an eclectic
feel. Lots are still available for those who would like
to build their retirement home from scratch; these start at around
$125,000, depending on location, and many lots (and homes) have
either water views or golf course views. All homeowners here
automatically become members of the Silver Lakes Homeowners'
Association; monthly dues are $130 and include access to all
amenities, including unlimited golf, with no extra fees, at the
Silver Lakes Golf Course.
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Silver Lakes Resort is not as polished as some newer planned communities,
age-restricted or not, but it is a pleasant place spread across 3,200
acres. The landscape is flat but green; the Mojave River flows nearby and
the San Gorgonio mountains loom in the far distance. Residents are
friendly, ride around on golf carts and enjoy a clubhouse with an Olympic-sized
pool, spa, lighted tennis courts, a fitness facility and an equestrian
area. There is also an onsite fire department, RV parking and 24-hour
roving security, as well as many planned activities, from exercise classes to
summer luaus on the beach. The two lakes provide opportunities for
boating, fishing, swimming and picnicking. The Inn at Silver Lakes is a
comfortable place to stay when visiting the area; rooms start at around $75 per
night.
A drawback to retirement in Silver Lake may be the summer temperatures which
can reach into the 100s; on the plus side, winters are balmy with temperatures
in the 50s, 60s and 70s, and the area is very dry (this is the desert).
Silver Lake Resort is 115 miles northeast of Los Angeles, 170 miles from Las
Vegas and 20 miles from Barstow.
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