Living in Craft Farms, Gulf Shores: the neighborhoods, the HOAs and the golf
By KD Edenfield, Broker, Wellhouse Real Estate
Craft Farms is a golf community in Gulf Shores, Alabama, just off the island, a little under 5 miles from Gulf Shores Public Beach. It's made up of several smaller neighborhoods, each with its own HOA, and they differ a lot in price, age and lot size. Golf club membership is separate and optional. I show Craft Farms often, especially Craft Farms Estates, where most of the homes I've shown weren't listed for sale.
Where is Craft Farms?
Craft Farms sits in Gulf Shores off the island, next to Gulf Shores High School and the Pelican Place shopping center. It's a little under 5 miles to Gulf Shores Public Beach and a little under 10 miles to Orange Beach Public Beach.
What is Craft Farms, exactly?
It's a golf community built around the Craft Farms Golf Club, which has 36 holes of Arnold Palmer-designed golf on its Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend courses. Inside it are several smaller neighborhoods, each with its own HOA and its own feel. The name alone doesn't tell you much. Which part you're in changes almost everything.
Which neighborhoods should you look at?
Here's how the three I show most compare, with prices as of October 2026.
Craft Farms Estates is gated, with larger homes on larger lots, some over an acre. Many have golf course views and pools. Homes start around $1.1 million. Not many come up for sale here, so most of the Estates homes I've shown weren't listed. I find them by reaching out to owners who might sell, or through other agents in the area. If you want more privacy, this is usually the pick.
Cypress Gardens has newer homes, a little larger, on smaller lots. Many have pond or golf course views. Homes run from about $900,000 to $2 million. If you want a newer home, this is usually the pick.
Craft Farms North is a separate association on the north side, with homes from about $400,000 to $800,000.
The Village at Craft Farms is a 55-plus community of newer D.R. Horton homes built to the FORTIFIED Gold standard, with its own pool, tennis and pickleball courts and a putting green.
Craft Farms also includes Cypress Bend, Glen Eagles, Pinehurst and Prestwick. Each has its own HOA, so I'll walk you through the differences for any home you like.
What does it cost to live there, beyond the house?
HOA dues depend on the neighborhood. Craft Farms Estates runs about $195 a month, and Cypress Gardens about $231 a month. Both cover association management, common area maintenance, insurance and taxes.
Golf is extra, and optional. As of October 2026, the club's posted rates for a full membership run $325 to $535 a month depending on the type, plus a $15,000 non-refundable initiation fee. A social membership is $1,620 a year. All of those are subject to 10% tax. See the club's current dues and fees before you budget for it. Out-of-state buyers often assume golf comes with the house. It doesn't.
Can you get around by golf cart?
Yes. You can drive a golf cart around Craft Farms and over to Pelican Place, which has Target, Publix, a movie theater, shops, a Neighborhood Barre fitness studio, and restaurants like Kitty's Cafe, Tuscany, Miso Seafood and Agave Bar and Grill.
Why do buyers choose Craft Farms, and why do some pass?
Most choose it for the central location and the golf. The ones who pass usually want to live on the island. If you want golf and the island together, that points you to Peninsula instead.
What about schools?
I'll show you which public schools any home is zoned for. You can look up official school information at reportcard.alsde.edu.
Own in Craft Farms Estates?
Homes there rarely come up for sale, and I often have buyers asking. If you'd sell for the right offer, even without listing, tell me.
Looking at Craft Farms?
See homes for sale in Craft Farms, or book a call and tell me how you want to live. I'll tell you which part of Craft Farms fits, or whether somewhere else fits better.