ne challenge that many people face when they choose to move into a community is the concern that everyone will be similar; there's a sense that community living is something that happens in contrast to diversity. For those who value diversity of spirit, ethnicity, thoughts and ideas, the idea of living in a neighborhood community can be a bit unsettling.

At The Riverwood Plantation in Augusta, Georgia, was designed with this in mind. Residents at The Riverwood Plantation find that there are a number of unique neighborhoods that fit into their community, along with public areas, parks shops and boutiques, cafes and office space where they can come together with their neighbors for casual get-togethers and in depth conversations.

Another element that optimizes the ability for residents of The Riverwood Plantation to get together, to talk and interact more is that the roadways are narrow. As a result, more people get around on foot, by bike or golf cart and there's far more interaction between neighbors. While diversity is valued, it's not held up in such a way that it interferes with community; instead residents find that they - and their neighbors - are able to interact and come to value one another for whom they are.

However, that doesn't mean that like-minded people don't gravitate towards similar areas within The Riverwood Plantation community. Neighbors who come together in the Amberly neighborhood, for example, share a desire for living in a townhouse with a maintenance free exterior and comfortable luxury. The Middleton neighborhood offers its residents a chance to live in their own smaller, bungalow styled homes while The Founders Village is home to those who wish to have the privacy and security of gated estates while still being able to get together with others and enjoy something of a small town feel.

This sense of a small town community is further provided by schools within The Riverwood Plantation, along with recreation opportunities from swimming and playing in the pool to fishing to enjoying nature trails and three nine hole golf courses each designed by PGA legends.

In other words, though The Riverwood Plantation offers community living and a wide variety of options for those who choose to live there and therefore attracts a diverse group of residents, there are common ties from one member of the community to the next. Residents enjoy a relaxed, laid back lifestyle, value activity and time with their families and have a place where they can come together as friends while still being themselves.

More importantly, however, The Riverwood Plantation offers residents plenty of opportunities to come together, grow as families and know that they will be confronted with fewer conflicts and much of the chaos experienced in the world today. With security and community being at the foreground of the planning of The Riverwood Plantation, residents are able to know that they are able to create the lives that they want to live, and enjoy the time that they are able to spend with family, neighbors and friends.

*** Tim Stewart is a contributing writer for Ideal Living magazine which covers planned and gated communities like Riverwood Plantation as well as other topics of interest to baby boomers. Request a free issue