When buyers come to the Lake of the Ozarks for the first time, there is one question I hear more than almost any other: Where are the nicest properties? And the honest answer is that it depends on what luxury means to you. Because this lake offers several very different versions of it, and after 25 years of selling here, I know each one of them well.

Whether you are looking for a gated waterfront estate on a private stretch of shoreline, a lock-and-leave condo with resort amenities, or a golf community where you can ride your cart to dinner, there is a community at this lake built exactly for that lifestyle. Here are the ones I point my buyers to first.

The Villages at Shawnee Bend

If you ask most people in the real estate business what the most prestigious address at the Lake of the Ozarks is, the answer is almost always The Villages at Shawnee Bend. Spanning over 800 acres and nearly 10 miles of pristine shoreline between the 17 and 27 mile markers, this master-planned community is in a category of its own. Large wooded lots, strict architectural standards, and a no-rental policy mean the neighborhood stays exactly what it is: a quiet, private community of people who chose to be here.

Homes here are custom-built, and the caliber of construction reflects that. We are talking about estate-sized properties with private docks, resort-style pools, chef's kitchens, and main channel views that will stop you in your tracks. If your vision of lake living involves space, seclusion, and a neighborhood that has maintained its integrity for over two decades, The Villages deserves a serious look.

Porto Cima at the Village of Four Seasons

Porto Cima is the kind of community that makes people feel like they have arrived somewhere. Located within the Village of Four Seasons resort, this gated waterfront neighborhood sits at the 12 mile marker and offers residents access to one of the most complete resort experiences at the lake. Championship golf, full-service spa, multiple pools, fine dining, and a marina are all just a golf cart ride away.

The homes and villas here range widely in style and price, but the common thread is quality and location. Waterfront properties in Porto Cima consistently rank among the most sought-after at the lake, and for good reason. When you can walk from your back door to a championship fairway or a slip for your boat, it is hard to argue with the lifestyle.

Osage National Golf Resort

For the buyer who wants a resort lifestyle without the waterfront price tag, Osage National is worth a close look. Built around Missouri's only Arnold Palmer signature course, this community in Lake Ozark offers homes and condos along the fairways with full access to resort amenities, including a pool, clubhouse, restaurant and fitness center. It is a relaxed, beautifully kept neighborhood that appeals to golfers and non-golfers alike. For buyers who want the lake life but spend more time on a course than in a boat, Osage National consistently delivers.

The Cypress at the Lake

If you want to wake up to a panoramic main channel view without the upkeep of a single-family home, The Cypress is the answer. This 12-story luxury high-rise at the 12 mile marker is the only building of its kind at Lake of the Ozarks, and it shows. With only 61 units, a gated entrance, a resort-style infinity saltwater pool, indoor and outdoor wine bar, fitness center, and boat slips large enough to accommodate vessels over 50 feet, this is lock-and-leave lake living at its finest. Units range from spacious three bedroom residences to full penthouse layouts, and the views from the upper floors are something you genuinely have to see to believe.

So Which Community at Lake of the Ozarks Is Right for You?

That depends entirely on how you want to live. Some of my buyers want acreage and a private dock and never want to see another neighbor. Others want to hand the keys to the front desk and fly home Monday morning without a worry in the world. Most fall somewhere in between.

What I can tell you is that I have walked every one of these communities dozens of times. I know the coves, the views, the quirks, and the value. If you are trying to figure out where you belong at this lake, that is exactly the conversation I love having.

Let's find your community.