Trying to decide between St Ives and Country Club of the South in Johns Creek? You are not alone. Both communities attract luxury buyers who want a refined club experience, beautiful homes, and a convenient North Fulton location. The challenge is knowing which one fits your day-to-day life, not just your wish list. In this guide, you will learn how to compare amenities, home and lot characteristics, commute factors, membership details, and long-term value so you can move forward with confidence. Let’s dive in.
What matters most in Johns Creek
Before you compare communities, get clear on how you plan to use the club and the home.
- How often will you golf, play tennis or pickleball, or use fitness and aquatics?
- Do you want a robust social calendar, or a quieter environment with flexible dining?
- What commute window is acceptable on GA-400 or Peachtree Parkway?
- Do you prefer golf frontage or a private, wooded lot?
- How important are membership structure and potential waitlists?
When you answer these questions first, the trade-offs between St Ives and Country Club of the South become clearer.
Amenities to compare
Both communities are centered on country club living. The details differ and they change over time, so verify each point directly with the membership office.
- Golf experience. Confirm the course design, practice range and short-game areas, teaching staff, and junior programs. If you play often, ask about tee time policies, typical pace of play, and tournament schedules.
- Racquet sports. Ask the number and surface of courts, lighting for evening play, pro staff, and league or ladder options for adults and juniors.
- Aquatics and family features. Review pool locations, seasonal staffing, and any swim teams or summer camps. Families should look for lifeguard coverage and dedicated kids’ programming.
- Fitness and wellness. Compare the fitness center size, equipment, class schedules, personal training, spa services, and locker rooms.
- Dining and social life. Learn the range of dining options, from casual to formal, plus the cadence of member events such as holiday gatherings, wine dinners, and themed socials. If you like to host, ask about private event spaces and booking policies.
- Clubhouse condition. Request information on recent renovations, planned capital projects, and parking and pro shop access.
Tip: Ask each club for a current membership packet and event calendar in writing. Policies and offerings evolve, and written details help you compare apples to apples.
Homes and lots: architecture and privacy
Your lifestyle at home is just as important as time at the club. Inside both communities you will find custom and semi-custom homes with varied architecture and lot settings. Focus on the features that affect daily life and long-term maintenance.
- Era of construction. Identify typical build periods for each neighborhood. Older homes may offer larger lots and mature trees, while newer builds may deliver modern floor plans and systems.
- Size and layout. Verify interior square footage ranges, bedroom and bathroom counts, and the presence of finished basements or in-law suites.
- Lot characteristics. Compare average lot sizes, depth versus frontage, topography, and tree cover. Consider how those affect backyard usability, privacy, and potential for a pool or outdoor kitchen.
- Golf frontage or interior. Golf views often carry a premium. If you prefer privacy, wooded interior lots or cul-de-sac sites might fit better.
- Architectural controls. Review HOA covenants for exterior materials, fencing, pools, outbuildings, and lighting. This helps you plan upgrades without surprises.
Pro move: Ask for recent sold comps segmented by golf-front versus interior lots. It clarifies value and helps you calibrate offers.
Location and commute: GA-400 vs GA-141
Johns Creek provides access to both GA-400 and Peachtree Parkway, also known as GA-141. Each community has its own entrance locations and preferred drive routes. The best approach is to test your actual commute during peak windows.
- Identify your destinations. Common targets include Buckhead, Midtown, Perimeter Center, Northside medical campuses, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
- Time your routes. Use a navigation app to measure door-to-door travel during your normal AM and PM commute windows. Save weekend routes for shopping and dining along Peachtree Parkway and nearby retail centers.
- Consider daily errands. Note distance to grocery stores, Johns Creek medical providers, parks and trails, and other services you use weekly.
Small differences in access points and corridor choice can add up across a year. Test drives are essential.
Membership and HOA: questions to confirm
Membership structure and HOA rules influence lifestyle and cost of ownership. Ask for every policy in writing and review before you submit an offer.
- Membership type. Confirm equity versus non-equity membership and what that means for transferability and potential resale of the membership.
- Costs and minimums. Request the initiation fee, monthly or annual dues, and any food and beverage minimums. Ask about capital assessments and how they are decided.
- Access and guest rules. Learn tee time booking windows, guest limits, and any reciprocal privileges with partner clubs.
- Caps and waitlists. Check for membership caps or waitlists, especially if you want immediate access after closing.
- Transfer with sale. Ask whether a home sale can include membership transfer and whether transfer fees apply.
- HOA scope. Confirm whether club membership is mandatory, how HOA dues are structured, and architectural guidelines for exterior updates.
A clear picture of membership and governance helps avoid surprises and supports a clean closing.
Market and resale: value factors to watch
Luxury golf communities have unique value drivers. Your agent can compile neighborhood-level data so you can buy with confidence.
- Premiums for views. Golf frontage and direct course views often command a premium. Compare recent sales by lot type to quantify.
- Days on market. Track absorption and inventory levels for each subdivision to gauge demand.
- Carrying costs. Model monthly ownership by factoring property taxes, HOA dues, and club dues or minimums.
- Capital projects. Ask clubs about recent or planned improvements that could trigger assessments. Review HOA and club communications when available.
- Renovation risk. Older homes may need roof, HVAC, or systems updates. Plan for upgrades in your budget and negotiation strategy.
These factors influence not only what you pay, but also how quickly you can resell and at what price.
Which lifestyle fits you?
Use these simple buyer archetypes to clarify your best fit. Then tour both communities with the same checklist.
- The daily golfer. You value frequent tee times, strong practice facilities, and tournament play. Prioritize tee access, pace of play, and teaching staff depth.
- The family-first buyer. Swim teams, kids’ camps, and a busy social calendar matter. Focus on aquatics, junior programs, and casual dining options.
- The entertainer and host. You want flexible dining, private event spaces, and a floor plan built for gatherings. Compare clubhouse private room policies and home lots that support outdoor kitchens and pools.
During tours, pay attention to clubhouse feel, the social vibe, overall course and landscape maturity, and how the streetscapes match your taste for privacy or activity.
Your next steps
- Schedule private tours. Visit both clubs and drive each neighborhood at different times of day.
- Request documentation. Ask for membership packets, event calendars, and written fee schedules. Request HOA covenants and architectural guidelines.
- Time your commute. Test preferred routes to your daily destinations during peak hours.
- Analyze the data. Review MLS comps for golf-front and interior lots, recent days on market, and renovation patterns.
- Model carrying costs. Build a monthly budget that includes taxes, HOA dues, and club dues or minimums.
- Plan your offer. Align your offer terms with membership timing, desired close date, and any upgrades you plan to complete.
If you want a calm, organized process from first tours to closing, connect with a local advisor who understands Johns Creek’s golf neighborhoods and membership nuances.
Ready to compare St Ives and Country Club of the South with a clear plan? Reach out to Bryan Schacht for a guided consultation tailored to your lifestyle and timing.
FAQs
What are the key amenities differences between St Ives and Country Club of the South?
- Compare golf access and instruction, racquet programs, pools and kids’ activities, fitness and spa services, and dining and social calendars, and confirm details in writing with each club.
How should I evaluate commute times from these Johns Creek communities?
- Test routes to your frequent destinations using navigation apps during your normal AM and PM windows, focusing on GA-400 and Peachtree Parkway access.
What membership questions should I ask before I write an offer?
- Ask about membership type, initiation and dues, food and beverage minimums, caps or waitlists, guest policies, transfer rules, and any planned capital assessments.
How do lot type and views affect value in these neighborhoods?
- Golf-front homes often carry a premium; compare recent MLS sales segmented by golf frontage versus interior lots to quantify price differences.
Are club memberships required for homeowners in these communities?
- Policies vary; verify in the HOA covenants and with the club whether membership is mandatory or optional and how that affects your closing timeline.
What should families focus on when comparing these Johns Creek clubs?
- Review aquatics, kids’ camps, junior sports programs, casual dining options, and the frequency of family-oriented events to match your weekly routine.
