Trying to choose between The Landings, Ford Field & River Club, and Waterways? It is a smart question, because while all three sit within the broader Savannah coastal market, they offer very different ownership experiences. If you are comparing location, lifestyle, housing options, and overall cost, this guide will help you sort through the key differences and decide which community best fits the way you want to live. Let’s dive in.
How these communities differ
At a high level, the biggest difference is what each community is built around. The Landings is the most established island community and the closest to historic Savannah. Ford Field & River Club is the most private and club-driven, while Waterways is the most focused on newer homes, neighborhood amenities, and a broader range of entry points.
That matters because your best choice is not just about price. It is about whether you want an established club setting, a highly private sporting lifestyle, or a newer master-planned community with flexible housing options.
The Landings at a glance
Established island living near Savannah
The Landings is located on Skidaway Island and positions itself as a private coastal community just minutes from historic Savannah. According to The Landings community overview, residents have access to club amenities, trails, marinas, and a wide range of social activities in one established setting.
For many buyers, the location is the headline. The community is marketed as being about 20 minutes from downtown Savannah, which can be a major advantage if you want easier access to the city while still living in a gated island environment.
Amenities at The Landings
The Landings stands out for the sheer depth of its amenities. The club advertises:
- Six championship golf courses
- 31 clay tennis courts
- 15 pickleball courts
- Eight bocce courts
- Five swimming pools
- A 52,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center
- Two full-service deepwater marinas
- More than 100 social groups
- More than 30 miles of trails
If you want a community where recreation is woven into daily life, The Landings offers the broadest amenity base of the three. Its boating resources also highlight access to the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, with Landings Harbor Marina positioned for local waterfront outings and trips toward Wassaw and Tybee Island.
Homes and pricing at The Landings
One of The Landings’ strengths is variety. The community includes multiple areas such as Deer Creek, Franklin Creek, Marshwood, Midpoint, Oakridge, Palmetto, Marshview Landings, and Moon River, creating a mix of settings and home styles as described in its community lifestyle information.
Current market data from Realtor.com’s The Landings search page places the median list price in roughly the $830,000 to $860,000 range, with some inventory below $500,000 and other listings around $2 million and above. That gives buyers a wider pricing band than they might expect, but it is still clearly a higher-priced community overall.
Who The Landings may suit best
The Landings may be the right fit if you want:
- An established island community
- Strong club and social infrastructure
- Deep boating access
- A wide mix of resale homes and some lower-maintenance options
- Closer proximity to downtown Savannah
Ford Field & River Club at a glance
Private club living with a sporting focus
Ford Field & River Club is the most club-centric option in this comparison. The community describes itself as a private residential golf and sporting club on 1,800 acres along the Ogeechee River, with amenities that include a deepwater marina, Pete Dye championship golf course, historic Main House, equestrian center, Sports Barn, pool complex, and court sports, according to The Ford’s official site.
The overall feel is more secluded and more tailored to buyers who want privacy, sporting amenities, and a more exclusive ownership model. Compared with The Landings, Ford is less about large-scale community breadth and more about a curated club lifestyle.
Amenities at The Ford
The Ford’s standout features include:
- A Pete Dye championship course with no tee times
- A 36-slip deepwater marina
- A 7-acre equestrian center
- A Sports Barn
- A pool complex
- Court sports
- More than 80 fitness classes and clinics each month
If your lifestyle centers on golf, sporting pursuits, river access, and privacy, The Ford offers a very different value proposition from the other two communities.
Homes and pricing at The Ford
Housing at The Ford is more custom and enclave-based. Its real estate pages describe a range of neighborhoods and homesites, from cottage-inspired Cherry Hill Village to larger homes in McAllister Point, 3- to 5-acre homesites in Pecan Grove, and estate lots from 1 to 15 acres.
That variety creates a less uniform feel and gives buyers the option to pursue anything from a smaller cottage-style residence to a large custom estate. Current listings on The Ford’s site show homes around $1.1 million to $2.5 million-plus, with some offerings higher, and homesites also available.
Membership costs matter at The Ford
This is one area where Ford deserves especially careful review. According to the 2025 resident membership sheet, property owners are club members and equity owners, with a one-time membership contribution of $200,000, annual club dues of $40,700, plus additional dues and assessments.
That means your total cost of ownership is materially different from a typical HOA community. If you are comparing communities side by side, this should be part of your decision from day one, not an afterthought.
Location and lifestyle tradeoff at The Ford
The Ford is in Richmond Hill, and its destination page states that Savannah is roughly a 30-minute drive north, with Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport about 20 minutes north. So while it is farther from downtown Savannah than The Landings, it may appeal to buyers who value seclusion, larger homesites, and a more private setting.
Who The Ford may suit best
The Ford may be the right fit if you want:
- A private sporting-club environment
- Larger lots or estate-style homesites
- Equestrian and marina access
- A highly curated club experience
- Privacy over proximity to downtown Savannah
Waterways at a glance
Newer master-planned community living
Waterways offers a different kind of coastal lifestyle. Its official materials focus on nature, neighborhood variety, marina-centered planning, and resident programming, rather than a traditional private club structure. According to the Waterways amenities page, the community features a junior Olympic pool, fitness center, screened pavilion with outdoor fireplace and grill, community gardens, events lawn, marina access, and organized resident activities.
If you want a gated community with newer housing choices and a neighborhood-centered feel, Waterways is the clearest match in this group.
Amenities at Waterways
Waterways emphasizes everyday lifestyle amenities such as:
- Junior Olympic pool
- Fitness center
- Community gardens
- Events lawn
- Marina-centered gathering areas
- Resident activities like yoga and outdoor concerts
- Dry-slip storage and freshwater boat slips
Boating is also central here. Waterways highlights Marina Village as a key part of the waterfront lifestyle, and community materials reference access to Grand Lagoon, marshfront areas, kayak launches, and private docks in select sections.
Homes and pricing at Waterways
Waterways offers some of the widest housing variety of the three, especially for buyers seeking newer product. Its neighborhood pages include cottage-style homes, low-country cottages, single-family lagoon and waterfront homes, estate homes, townhomes, and homesites in different settings, as shown in sections like Ridgewood Park.
Current pricing from Waterways home and homesite listings starts with a homesite around $299,000, while active home examples range from roughly $499,990 to the upper $800,000s. That makes Waterways the most approachable option in this comparison from a starting-price perspective.
Location and schools at Waterways
Waterways is in Richmond Hill and is described in community materials as about 31 miles south of historic Savannah and roughly 30 minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. For school-related research, Waterways specifically places the community in Bryan County Schools and identifies McAllister Elementary, Richmond Hill Middle, and Richmond Hill High.
For buyers comparing school options in any community, it is still wise to verify attendance and enrollment details directly before you buy.
Who Waterways may suit best
Waterways may be the right fit if you want:
- Newer construction options
- A gated, master-planned setting
- Marina and boating access without a private club structure
- A neighborhood-centered lifestyle
- A lower entry point than The Landings or The Ford
Side-by-side comparison
| Community | Best known for | Pricing signal | Location feel | Housing feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Landings | Established island club lifestyle | Median list price roughly $830K to $860K | Closest to downtown Savannah | Broad resale mix with homes and townhomes |
| Ford Field & River Club | Private sporting-club lifestyle | Luxury pricing plus major membership costs | More secluded Richmond Hill setting | Custom homes, enclaves, estate lots |
| Waterways | Newer master-planned community living | Lowest entry point of the three | Richmond Hill, farther from Savannah | Wide range of newer homes, townhomes, and homesites |
How to decide which one fits you
Choose The Landings for access and depth
If you want the most established environment, the broadest amenity package, and easier access to downtown Savannah, The Landings is the strongest fit. It is especially compelling for buyers who want golf, court sports, boating, trails, and social activity all in one island setting.
Choose The Ford for privacy and exclusivity
If your priority is privacy, larger homesites, sporting amenities, and a club-first ownership experience, The Ford stands apart. Just make sure you evaluate the full cost structure, including membership contribution and annual dues, alongside the home purchase price.
Choose Waterways for newer homes and value range
If you want a newer gated community with boating access, lifestyle programming, and more flexible entry pricing, Waterways is likely the best fit. It offers a strong option for buyers who want community amenities without the same club-cost structure as The Ford.
Final thoughts
There is no single “best” choice between The Landings, Ford Field & River Club, and Waterways. The right fit depends on how you want to spend your time, how close you want to be to Savannah, what kind of home you want, and what ownership costs feel comfortable for you.
If you are weighing Skidaway Island against Richmond Hill communities, a side-by-side strategy is often the smartest approach. Touring each area with a clear understanding of lifestyle, price, and long-term costs can help you move forward with confidence. If you are ready for tailored guidance, The Agency Savannah can help you compare communities, evaluate current opportunities, and schedule a private consultation.
FAQs
What is the biggest difference between The Landings, Ford Field & River Club, and Waterways?
- The biggest difference is lifestyle focus: The Landings is an established island club community near Savannah, The Ford is a private sporting-club community with higher ownership costs, and Waterways is a newer master-planned community with a broader range of entry prices.
Which community is closest to downtown Savannah: The Landings, The Ford, or Waterways?
- The Landings is the closest to downtown Savannah, with community materials describing it as minutes from historic Savannah and about 20 minutes from downtown.
Is Ford Field & River Club more expensive than The Landings and Waterways?
- Based on the current pricing and membership information in the research, The Ford has the highest overall cost profile because luxury home pricing is paired with a one-time membership contribution and substantial annual dues.
Does Waterways offer boating access without a private club model?
- Yes. Waterways emphasizes marina access, dry-slip storage, freshwater boat slips, and neighborhood waterfront features, while presenting a more neighborhood-centered structure rather than a private club membership model.
Are there different housing options in The Landings, The Ford, and Waterways?
- Yes. The Landings offers a mix of resale homes and townhomes, The Ford offers custom homes and large homesites across several enclaves, and Waterways offers newer cottages, single-family homes, townhomes, estate homes, and homesites.
Should buyers verify school assignments before buying in The Landings, The Ford, or Waterways?
- Yes. Community and district information can change, so buyers should verify current school attendance and enrollment details directly before making a purchase decision.
