Heading for the lake house may sound like a weekend vacation plan.

But for some water loving residences, a home on the shores is a year-round proposition.

“There are so many people out there who just like to be near the water,” says Kristi Robinson, marketing coordinator for Bluegreen Communities, developer of Lake Ridge at Joe Pool Lake. “They might have a home right on the water, or just have a great view of the lake. But there’s something about being near the water that can be so soothing.”

Unlike many lakeside developments, which cater to vacation-home buyers, Lake Ridge is a primary residence, master-planned community in Cedar Hill.

“We’re just minutes from the marina on Joe Pool Lake,” Ms. Robinson says. “This is a unique place. People assume that if you live in the metroplex, you have to drive for an hour and a half to find a setting like this, with the large trees and beautiful views. But our residents have it all, plus they are just minutes from high-quality shopping and a short commute to downtown Dallas or downtown Fort Worth.”

Homesites range from 1 to 2 acres, and the development features several smaller communities. Some of these are gated neighborhoods with home sites available in the half-million-dollar range, while other smaller home sites start at $80,000.

Some families who want to get away from it all —permanently— are choosing homes on Cedar Creek Lake, says Tracy Nowell, owner of Johnson Monroe Realtors in Gun Barrel City.

“There are lots of folk who like the idea of living in a small-town environment and commuting to the city,” he says. “They simply like the quality of life. I guess they would rather commute to work than commute to the lifestyle they love on the weekends.”