Is Hideaway Hills in The Hocking Hills? And What's the Difference? Episode 1...

We've been known to call Hide-A-Way Hills a "Gateway to the Hocking Hills"...although many, if not most, who find the community do so after first coming to see "The Caves" and other areas that comprise Hocking Hills State Park....most notably, Old Man's Cave. No matter which comes first, there's a lot of common ground and certainly significant differences when it comes both to recreation, amenities, and definitely when it comes to buying a vacation home or acreage....or a place to retire, for that matter.

On the left above is Lake Hope, just below the city of Logan; most folks will see it as a drive-by as they make their way down Route 664 to Old Man's Cave. On the right is Lake of the Four Seasons, in Hide-A-Way Hills (also referred to as "HAH" or just "The Hills" by members. The photos point to some differences....Lake Hope is larger, but has a 10-horsepower limit (as do other state-operated lakes). Lake of the Four Seasons has no horsepower restrictions, and is operated by the HAH Club....which means, simply, the members/property owners.

(Quicknote: Much of Hideaway Hills rests within Hocking County (Marion Township), but part of the Club falls within Fairfield County.)

Hideaway Hills feels quite the same as the Hocking Hills, as you might guess. But HAH neighbors are closer together, given that the average lot size is about a half-acre....although many members own 2 or 3 adjacent lots. Those who want to "getaway" outside of neighbors' eyesight probably will opt for acreage in the Hocking Hills....and current laws require approximately 2 acres for a septic system permit in Hocking County (ditto in Fairfield County...). Hideaway Hills is all well and septic system, like most of the Hocking Hills....but wait, you say, aren't HAH lots less than 2 acres? Yes, but Hideaway Hills was platted as a resort community in the 1960's, and so you can build on the smaller parcels within the HAH gates.

That's another important difference....security. When we bought our first cabin in HAH years ago, we looked at resort communities within about 60-90 miles of Columbus. The difference for us was the 24-hour security at Hideaway Hills, and we really didn't mind being able to see our neighbor's place(s). Although property ownership in either Hideaway or Hocking Hills is essentially a lifestyle decision, you'll find most HAH members quite comfortable with, if not downright attracted to, the notion of a closer community sort of perspective on things.

There's more to compare and contrast, and we'll get to it future articles. But we do emphasize to clients and plain visitors that no matter which of the "Hills" your're referring to, they're close in both proximity and spirit. If you're in Hideaway Hills, there's so much you ought to see and do outside the gates. And while you're staying in the Hocking Hills, you're invited to come see us in HAH....you can make reservations to dine at the Club's lodge (restaurant and microbrewery), for example. If you'd like to take a tour of the community, just let us know (and by the way, you'll have to be with a member or real estate agent to tour HAH, although non-member agents can show specific HAH properties to their clients). We're also happy to help non-member agents show the community to their clients. And of course, we'll also be happy to show you around the Hocking Hills, too....the parks, shops, restaurants, and more!

©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com