Bridgewater Little River Homes for 55+ Style Living

Bridgewater is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing active adult communities on the northern Grand Strand — built on what was once the historic Bay Tree Golf Plantation in Little River. Developed by Chesapeake Homes beginning in 2017, this master-planned 530-acre community is designed around 100 acres of stunning natural lakes, offering the kind of waterfront lifestyle most communities only promise. Unlike strictly age-restricted communities, Bridgewater is an age-targeted community — meaning it is designed and marketed with the active adult buyer in mind, but does not legally restrict residency to those 55 and older. This makes it an attractive option for buyers who may not meet strict age-restriction criteria, or couples with younger spouses or visiting family. The community culture is firmly active adult, with amenities, programming, and architecture all geared toward the 55+ lifestyle. Location is one of Bridgewater's strongest selling points: Seacoast Hospital sits directly across the street, Cherry Grove Beach is minutes away, and North Myrtle Beach's dining, shopping, and entertainment corridor is just over the Intracoastal Waterway bridge. This is Grand Strand coastal living at a price point that competes with many inland alternatives.

 

Bridgewater's amenity package features a resort-style community pool with a large surrounding deck area and outdoor gas fireplace, a well-equipped fitness center, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, multiple dog parks, a community pavilion with grill area, a fire pit, and miles of scenic walking trails alongside the community's lakes. A full monthly social calendar organized through the community keeps residents engaged throughout the year. Lake fishing and kayak launching are available directly within the community.

 

Bridgewater offers distinct home collections to suit different lifestyles and budgets. The Cottages are charming single-story homes with open layouts and covered porches — ideal for low-maintenance active adult living. The Villas are attached homes in two floor plans, ranging from 1,788 to 2,385 sq ft with 2-car garages, perfect for buyers wanting minimal exterior maintenance. Single-family homes offer larger floor plans with lake views on premium lots. Many homes are built to face the community's 100 acres of lakes, making water views a standard feature rather than a premium upgrade.

 

With 100 of its 530 acres dedicated to water, Bridgewater offers an extraordinary lake-living experience. Over half of all homes have direct water views. Residents regularly spot herons, cranes, bald eagles, ospreys, and turtles from their back porches — a lifestyle element that resonates deeply with buyers relocating from the Northeast and Midwest. Walking trails wind around the lakes, making evening and morning walks a daily pleasure.

 

The location at the intersection of Hwy 9 and Hwy 17 in Little River puts residents within minutes of Cherry Grove Beach (one of the quieter, less commercial stretches of Grand Strand coastline), the North Myrtle Beach sports complex, the North Myrtle Beach dining strip, and multiple marinas and boat launches on the Intracoastal Waterway. Myrtle Beach International Airport is approximately 35 minutes south.

 

Bridgewater appeals strongly to buyers who want new or newer construction, value lake views and the natural setting, prefer the northern end of the Grand Strand (closer to Calabash, Brunswick County, NC, and Sunset Beach), or want proximity to Seacoast Hospital. It is an ideal alternative for buyers who toured Del Webb but preferred a slightly more natural, less resort-formal setting at a lower price point.

 

Bridgewater is an active adult / age-targeted community, not a strictly age-restricted 55+ community. It is designed and built for active adults and retirees, but does not legally require one resident to be 55+. This makes it accessible to buyers of all ages while still maintaining an active adult community culture and amenity set.

Bridgewater is built by Chesapeake Homes, a regional builder with communities from Myrtle Beach, SC, to Raleigh, NC, and coastal Virginia. Chesapeake is known for combining the flexibility of a local builder with quality finishes and strong vendor relationships.

Bridgewater is approximately 2–3 miles from Cherry Grove Beach in North Myrtle Beach — roughly a 5-10 minute drive depending on traffic. It is one of the closest active adult communities to the ocean on the northern Grand Strand.

 

Bridgewater offers a resort-style pool, fitness center, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce ball courts, multiple dog parks, a community pavilion, fire pit, lake walking trails, kayak access, and a regular social activities calendar. The community is pet-friendly and actively social.

HOA fees at Bridgewater cover common area maintenance, amenity center access, trash pickup, and community lighting. The exact monthly amount varies by home type and phase — always verify current dues with the builder, HOA, or your real estate agent. Contact Brendan D'Anna for current community information.

Yes — over half of Bridgewater's homes have water views due to the community's 100 acres of scenic lakes. Premium lakefront lots command higher prices but are among the most desirable in the community. Many buyers specifically come to Bridgewater seeking the lake-living experience.