Postcard-pretty from every angle, Smith Mountain Lake has been called the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains” because it brims with idyllic charm. This tranquil destination in central Virginia is the state’s second-largest freshwater lake featuring 500 miles of shoreline surrounded by a cluster of communities anyone would be proud to call home.
The 20,000-acre man-made lake offers many opportunities for fun water activities, such as fishing, boating, and kayaking. Outdoor enthusiasts can also go camping or enjoy family picnics. If you’d rather do nothing, Smith Mountain Lake will still dazzle you with glorious sunsets, lull you by lapping waves, or cool you by breezes rustling through fir trees as you lounge on your deck.
In fact, Smith Mountain Lake Aside has gone beyond being a holiday hotspot. This dreamy hideaway fringed by the Blue Ridge Mountains has been named one of 2023’s 12 best places to buy a lake house in the US.
Living in a lake home has a plethora of advantages. Aside from the scenic beauty and tranquility, Smith Mountain Lake also does wonders to one’s overall health and quality of life. Buying a vacation home in what’s been called “Lake Tahoe of the East” means enjoying recreational activities, a range of dining and shopping options, and special events such as the SML Wine Festival and Antique and Classic Boat Show.
For fitness enthusiasts, living at Smith Mountain Lake offers wellness facilities with pools, pickleball courts, group exercise classes, and hiking trails. Golfers will delight in having golf courses nearby. These amenities, along with a laid-back waterfront lifestyle, make Smith Mountain Lake a fantastic destination for an investment property, permanent residence, or retirement home.
WATERFRONT LIVING AND YOUR HEALTH
Many positive effects on a person’s physical and mental well-being are attributed to spending time by the water. There are lots of people who find calm and serenity just by looking at the ocean, a lake, or any body of water. No wonder waterside spots are very popular for family holidays and romantic getaways.
A study by a researcher from the University of New Brunswick also showed that living near the water can extend a person’s life. That’s why lakefront living can be a wise choice for those who want to destress and live a happier, more peaceful life.
Daydreaming about owning a home close to the water? Here are some of the potential benefits it offers:
- Increased happiness
- Engagement in physical activities
- Stress relief
- Closer family bonds
- Restorative sensory experiences
- Sense of community
- An excellent place to work from home
- Improved mental health
- Better air quality
- Sounder sleep
- Prime real estate investment
Living by the water can be beneficial to the mind and body. Spending a lakeside vacation over the weekend is great, but moving permanently to a waterfront location may have a long-lasting effect on one’s mood and overall happiness. In a 2013 study about happiness in natural environments, 20,000 smartphone users were told to record their environment and sense of well-being at random intervals. Findings showed that those located in marine and coastal margins were happier than people in urban environments.
If you choose to reside next to the water, you can indulge in an abundance of opportunities for recreation and outdoor adventures. For example, living at Smith Mountain Lake allows you to enjoy boating, sailing, swimming, and fishing. There are also places where you can rent a jet ski, canoe, and kayak for a fun afternoon on the lake. Explore the great outdoors and stay active by hiking and biking in the state park.
Sometimes, merely looking at a body of water can melt your worries and put problems into perspective. According to a 2016 study by researchers from New Zealand and the US, increased visibility of blue space is linked to reduced psychological distress. There’s also a study on nature’s calming and stress-reducing effects where the researchers measured the heart rates and blood pressure of individuals watching different fish tanks. It showed that even just staring at an empty tank full of water can induce positive results, and adding biodiverse elements results in more benefits.
Living next to a lake will feel like an endless vacation for the whole family. You can create core memories in your waterfront home. Visit family-friendly attractions like Smith Mountain Lake Alpaca Farm or join the ranger-led activities at the state park’s Discovery Center. Outdoor fun also awaits families who love fishing, birdwatching, and hiking.
Nothing beats waking up to a panoramic sunrise over the lake while sipping your morning cup of coffee. Lakeside living can develop a deep sense of awe and restorative sensory experiences for every resident. The grandeur of the surroundings, the fresh air, and the soothing sounds of nature will make you feel like you’re on a neverending retreat should you consider living at Smith Mountain Lake. The best part? You can marvel at these spectacular views every day and get your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun!
Although you’re sure to have your privacy in a lake home, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to mingle with other lake residents and make new friends by joining activities on and off the water. Establish meaningful connections and social interactions with your neighbors by going to parks and public beach areas to partake in enjoyable Smith Mountain Lake activities. You can also invite them to a fun sightseeing cruise!
If you’re fortunate enough to be working remotely, Smith Mountain Lake makes for an excellent place to work from home. Imagine working with a picturesque waterfront view. Consider how working from your lake home can spark greater creativity and productivity than an office cubicle. Think about being a little less stressed even if you’re busy, and gazing at a glistening lake when you take a break for coffee or lunch.
Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions affecting many people, and living near the water can be a therapeutic way to address these issues. A 2019 study tackled the connection between coastal proximity and mental health among urban adults. It was based on a health survey of around 26,000 people in the UK, and it found that better mental health was attributed to individuals who live less than one kilometer from the coast, as compared to those staying more than 50 kilometers away.
Lakeside communities offer an abundance of clean, fresh air to make you feel revitalized and help boost your immune system. This is a stark contrast to life in many overly crowded cities where air pollution can cause health problems.
Enjoy a good night’s rest after going about your healthy living activities at Smith Mountain Lake. Being surrounded by soothing sounds of nature and a serene environment are enough of an ambient playlist to get you sleeping soundly in no time. With less stress, the quality of sleep improves, allowing the body to restore and repair itself.
Waterfront properties are not just investments on your health, they’re also a smart real estate investment. Not only will they appreciate over time, the combination of scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, exclusivity, investment value, and lifestyle benefits makes waterfront properties highly desirable and, consequently, commands a premium in the real estate market. Whether you want a lake house as a second home or a source of passive income by renting it out, you’ll have more than a few areas to consider in Smith Mountain Lake. One well-loved spot is The Water’s Edge Country Club (browse homes for sale now), made up of enclaves with distinct residential profiles – The Grande Villas’ luxury townhomes, the Golfer’s Crossing’s New England-style cottages, the Island Green Pointe’s single-family homes, the Village Green’s proximity to the clubhouse, and the Marina Bay’s condo development.
HOW SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE ENCOURAGES AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Residents will never run out of exciting things to do at Smith Mountain Lake both on and off the water. This breathtaking destination spanning 40 miles is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure-loving families.
Here’s how to stay fit and active by experiencing these fun-filled activities with your nearest and dearest:
Get into water activities
The lake offers various water activities such as canoeing, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding. For adrenaline-pumping action, you can also try wakesurfing, wakeboarding, or water skiing. Renting a jet ski or boat from the marina is another option. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, you can go with a guide to catch the popular game fish known as Smith Mountain Lake stripers.
Explore Smith Mountain Lake State Park
The 1,248-acre state park is a fantastic place to go for a weekend picnic with your family or undertake an exhilarating wilderness skills training. The park also features hiking trails as well as campsites where you can roast some s’mores under the stars. Plus, there’s a 500-foot-long beach where you can swim and soak up the sun.
Have fun with the family at the community park
The 37-acre Smith Mountain Lake Community Park is another family-friendly attraction. It has ADA-equipped facilities and a large fishing pier to catch the sought-after striped bass. The community park also has a public beach, a picnic shelter for family barbecues, and a hiking trail. Its playgrounds are complete with slides, swings, and more fun structures for kids.
Play golf
One of the most famous Smith Mountain Lake activities is playing golf. Members of The Waterfront and The Water’s Edge subdivisions have access to two private waterfront golf courses. Meanwhile, other residents and holidaymakers can play in two public golf courses: Mariner’s Landing and Copper Cove Golf Club.
Tour an alpaca farm
Smith Mountain Lake Alpaca Farm is home to more than 70 adorable alpacas. Go on a 90-minute guided farm tour and attend fun and educational agri-tourism events with the whole family.
Discover more ways to get fit
Aside from trying watersports or going to parks and open spaces, you can find various fitness centers in the area. Living at Smith Mountain Lake also gives you the chance to rejuvenate in spas and wellness centers and access different healthcare facilities. Take care of your nutrition needs and shop for fresh produce in local farms and farmers’ markets.
A SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE WELLNESS DIRECTORY
Spa and wellness centers
- Pure Spa at Mariners Landing. This Smith Mountain Lake spa features a wide range of services, including European facials, therapeutic massage, detox or cellulite body therapies, and hydrotherapy. Also offered: mani-pedi, waxing, self-tanning, anti-aging treatments, and professional makeup services. Bridal makeup and other special event packages are available, too.
- Serafina Spa. For natural facials, skincare services, lash and brow enhancements, therapeutic massages, body treatments, and waxing.
- Southlake Spa and Salt Room. Nestled in a 50-acre farm, this spa has a suite of services like individual and group halotherapy sessions, vibrational sound therapy, therapeutic massage chair sessions, and Reiki. There are also healing retreats, exercise classes, yoga, pilates, sound bowl baths, and salty foot soaks available at this wellness spa.
Fitness centers
- Bodyshoppe Fitness. Customized workouts and programs are available as well as core therapy training, small group personal training, and mindful eating coaching. For a revitalizing experience, try the infrared sauna sessions.
- Crosswhite Athletic Club. Join group classes, including low-impact cardio workout, core workout, HIIT, cycling, swimming, reboot camp, RPM, chair sculpt stretch, Aquacise (combination of cardiovascular training, aquatic strength training, and flexibility), etc.
- LAT Wellness Studio. Individual/group personal training sessions and classes include bootcamp, yoga, dance, and barre.
- Moneta Athletic Club. Offers spin cardio, barre (combination of pilates, yoga, and functional training), chair yoga, Latin and hip-hop, gymnastics, total body workout, and more.
- Smith Mountain Lake YMCA. Has sports courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, handball, and racquetball. It also has a full gymnasium and indoor walking or running track. It offers fitness programs, wellness/nutrition education, and a studio for group exercise classes.
Healthcare facilities
- Bernard Healthcare Center. Primary medical care, non-emergency urgent care, women’s wellness, flu tests/shots, diabetes prevention/management, sports physicals, etc.
- Carilion Clinic. Emergency services, primary care, specialty services, cancer care, heart and vascular care, bone and joint care, surgery, physical rehab, etc.
- Centra. Emergency services, cancer care, mammography, mental health, neurology, cardiovascular care, orthopedic care, senior services, radiology services, etc.
- Eye Care and Surgery. Routine eye exams, contact lenses, cataract surgery, refractive surgeries, etc.
- Franklin County Counseling Center. Counseling and therapy services for depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, self-identity, etc.
- Good Samaritan Advanced Illness Care and Hospice. In-home nursing, spiritual and bereavement care, social work, etc.
- PeaksView Dental. Emergency care and trauma, replacement of missing teeth, cosmetic dentistry, preventative dentistry, orthodontics, etc.
- SML Hearing Center. Hearing aid services and repair, hearing aid consultations, diagnostic hearing evaluations, customized musician ear plugs and devices, etc.
Fresh, local produce
- Harvest Moon Marketplace. For locally grown and organic products, wine, ice cream from a local dairy, root beer floats, specialty cheeses, alpaca clothing, maple products, and more. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at 14917 Moneta Rd, Moneta, VA.
- Melvin’s Farm to Fork Store. For farm-fresh pork, beef, vegetables, eggs, poultry, lamb, cheese, butter, vegetables, and more like smoked trout and pantry items. Shop online for delivery or pick up.
- Moneta Farmers’ Market. Offers homemade bread, artisanal products, locally grown vegetables and fruits, jams, jellies, meats, wooden items, and more. Open every Wednesday until September 6 on the corner of Celebration Avenue and White House Road in Downtown Moneta.
INVEST IN A WATERFRONT HOME AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE
SOLD in SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE: A 4-bed, 5-bath, 3,214-square-foot Craftsman-style home featuring a double dock and 420 feet of shoreline. Inquire about waterfront homes for sale in Smith Mountain Lake
Living at Smith Mountain Lake is a wise choice for outdoor-loving families and fitness buffs because of the many benefits it offers to enhance one’s health and well-being. Its unbeatable waterfront location and access to amenities, activities, and open spaces also make it an ideal real estate investment should you decide to sell the property or make it your permanent home.
Interested in finding your dream house next to the lake? Homebuyers will be delighted to work with Jane Sullivan Horne, a Realtor who has specialized in luxury residential properties at Smith Mountain Lake since 1986. She has lived in The Water’s Edge for decades and has witnessed the real estate development in Smith Mountain Lake through the years. The market trends and features of various lakefront communities are something that she knows by heart.
Aside from being a Certified Residential Specialist, Jane is also a Short Sales Foreclosure Resource, a Luxury Collection Specialist, and a Fine Homes Certified Specialist with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate.
Jane keeps up with the real estate trends by being a member of National Association of Realtors, the Virginia Association of Realtors, and the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors. She’s also part of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority.
If you’re thinking of buying a home in beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, call Jane at 540.493.1690 or send her an email to check out your options.