We get a lot of questions on the differences between Lake Holiday and Lake Frederick and so we thought we would outline what each community offers. We work with clients in both locations and are happy to show you homes so you can determine which community is right for you! Our team has actually expanded to cover all of the major lakes in Virginia, click here to compare all of your lake options!
The Lakes
Of course lake living is at the top of everyone’s mind when looking at Lake Holiday and Lake Frederick. Lake Holiday is just over twice the size of Lake Frederick with 240 acres of water versus 115 acres. Lake Holiday is a private lake so only residents can use the lake, while Lake Frederick is actually owned by Virginia and open to the public.
Lake Holiday residents can use gas, electric and man powered boats and offers a 90+ slip marina and canoe and kayak storage racks near the waters edge. Boaters can use the boat ramp for daily use if they don’t have a slip. Lake Holiday also offers two sand beaches and a third beach that is used by boaters, as well as a high speed boating area for tubers and water skiers and a ski slalom.
Lake Frederick allows only electric and man powered boats. There is a boat ramp for daily use in the parking lot but there is no boat storage or marina.
Both community lakes offer great fishing. Lake Holiday has a newly constructed fishing pier that is handicap accessible and Lake Frederick’s new fishing pier is supposed to be completed in the spring of 2016.
The Residents
Lake Frederick has two sides to it’s community living spaces, one is open to everyone and is made up of townhouses and single family homes. The other portion of Lake Frederick is a 55+ community that is only open to residents who are 55 years of age or older. Lake Holiday is open to all residents and renters. The current resident break down of Lake Holiday (Cross Junction VA) includes:
65+ years old – 7%
40-64 years old – 36%
25-39 years old – 20%
18-24 years old – 9%
10-17 year olds – 15%
Under 9 years old – 13%
The Gate
One of the main selling benefits of Lake Holiday when I speak to potential residents is that the community has a secured front gate and security staff. The front gate is manned 24 hours a day year round. Residents can get a sticker that will open the right lane gate for them for quick entry, and guests use the left lane to be checked in. Residents can call or use an online system to register their guests in advance. Roving patrol also helps cut down on crime while being available to help residents.
Lake Frederick currently has a gates in the community but the gatehouse is not manned and the gate is always open so that the public can use the clubhouse restaurant when it opens in 2016.
The Clubhouse and Amenities
Lake Holiday offers a 10,000 square foot clubhouse with rental space, commercial kitchen, fitness center, game room, convenience store open in the summer, and some planned activities through the committees and clubs. The clubhouse is only for use by residents.
Lake Frederick’s 55+ side will features a 36,000 square foot Shenandoah Club complex that will be split into a portion that is open to the general public with a full restaurant and outdoor amphitheater, and the lower portion that is only open to residents. The lower portion is where the activities and events planned by the lifestyle director take place. The clubhouse is meant to be the central location for residents to enjoy an active lifestyle in the planned community. A fitness center and pool are also included in the Lake Frederick clubhouse complex.
Both Lake Holiday and Lake Frederick have their own maintenance staff for snow removal and care of common areas that is included in the HOA fees. Lake Frederick also provides full lawn care for residents on the 55+ side while Lake Holiday does not.
Waterfront Homes
Lake Holiday offers waterfront homes and lots. Waterfront homes can have private docks, and many residents make their own beach areas on their lots. Water frontage will depend on the individual lots, waterfront can range from 10 ft up to 200 ft of lake front. Lake Frederick does not offer waterfront homes or lots as the lake is owned by the state of Virginia and not the homeowners.
A Final Word
As you can see there are many differences between Lake Holiday and Lake Frederick. Lake Holiday is a much older community and that is visible from the different types of architecture you will see in homes, while Lake Frederick is a brand new planned community where the home designs are all very similar. Each one has a different feel that appeals to different people. If you are looking for true on-the-lake living Lake Holiday is probably a better fit, but if you prefer a planned community with people of a similar age and lifestyle Lake Frederick will feel more like home.
Either way you have two great lake options in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley! We would love to help you find your dream lake home!